New guy here... looking to move from Sportster to something more suitable for touring/trips. I'm 60+, 5'7", have ridden for just a few days now..... got my first bike at 16. Have had a few scrapes along the way.... high side, low side, hit car... used to race hare scrambles and enduros until my knees went out.... replaced the right knee 2 years ago, and have arthritis in both ankles. I ride in rain and cold. I'm not into a chrome garage queen...bikes are meant to be ridden and i will ride! I don't care for a lot of chrome. I am after function, not looks. My Sporty is set up with forward controls, floor boards, bags, and windshield. I love this bike, but want something a bit more comfortable now that wife and I are doing a bit more traveling. So i'm looking for your suggestions, pros and cons. I like the Street Glide with the fairing and the radio/sound system. that would be somewhat important to me. I like the looks of the Road King except for the headlight nacelle. I think a EG may be too large for me.... I do ride to work daily and do short hops around town...not sure i'd like the extra weight. Like the looks of a Dyna....more sporty.
So I guess I'm saying bags and windscreen are important. fairing pretty high on my list as is a sound system. Dependable.... I would mod up if necessary, but dependability is over performance. What are your opinions??? What do you like? Not like? What needs to be done to improve performance without sacrificing dependability? What are required add-ons?
Thanks in advance for your input. i look forward to spending more time here!!!
Denny

 

Any touring bike will be much more comfortable than a sporty. I would shy away from the SG if you want to ride two up. The rear suspension on all other touring models are better for two up riding.

There is not much difference in the feel of handling any of the touring bikes. They are much more nimble than you might think.

You can't go wrong with any FL, but I do believe the SG is the wrong choice for two up, unless you want to upgrade the rear suspension.

Dennis

 

Welcome to the forum........I'm 5'8" 150lbs and I moved from a Fatboy to a Street Glide last summer and could not be happier....perfect fit. Like most touring bikes (mostly due to weight) they are a little more difficult to maneuver in parking lot/parking situations but once it's rolling it handles like a smaller bike (twistiest ect). A 2014 SG starts out @ 775 lbs......add fuel, luggage, passenger you are approaching 900 lbs. but it really handles the weight well....I think a very good choice.

 

I think SG may work for your needs, nice fairing, radio and I think 1" lower in the rear for your height. I am 6' even and the RK has a tall seat and not sure how anyone a little less tall would feel comfortable over it with out a lowering seat or lowering the shocks. I love my RKC as I like to see through to the entire windshield over the chrome headlight with out a radio and love the leather bags. I like the RKC as I think it looks nostalgic but others would argue on that. I don't need a tour pack as any bag or back pack can be strapped on just fine for my tastes.

Good luck and like the other guy side, any FL will work.

 

I'm not really sure as to why 'rochkes' says that a SG is not that good for 2-up. although it does look like he rides one. I ride a SG and 90% of the time it is 2-up. even with baggage, it does fine. Now I haven't ridden an Ultra and it may handle the extra weight and gear better, but my SG does fine for me.

I think you have basically answered your own question when you said a fairing is a must have. you are basically looking at the FL line. SG, EG, Ultra, or maybe even a Road Glide.

as far as mods go. a lot of guys prefer to change the exhaust (less heat), air cleaner (bike breathes better), and get the bike tuned to run better. some guys also like to change the handle bars to something a little taller than stock for more comfort. The rest is just up to you. Make it your own.

 

I have seen it stated often that it is cheaper to buy an Ultra and adapt it to look like an SG, than the other way around! You can take the tourpak off an Ultra to reduce bulk, when you don't need it, however I have never ridden my Glide with Mrs B without our tourpak, she likes it too much! If you take Mrs S bike shoppin', you know what you both will end up with!

 

Or you can do as I did, buy an Electra Glide Standard, it is a plain Jane with little chrome on it, is the cheapest Electra Glide you can get, then you can add what you want a piece at a time and make it what you want, I put a much nicer stereo in mine for less then half the price of the stereo that comes in the more dressed Electra Glide. I have to agree for touring 2 up the Street Glide is not as comfortable as the Electra Glide, seat and suspension are different.

 

if looking at used bikes, the roadglide custom and the roadking custom also have the 12'' shocks. those are not dealbreakers, however, they can easily be changed for little money.

 

Welcome. I too am about your size and have gone from a Sporty to a Road King, although I still have my Sporty. I chose the King more for the nostalgic looks and versatility, but since a fairing is high on your list, any of the Glides will do just fine.

From an economical standpoint, an EG might be the better choice as you can always convert the tourpak and lower fairing to be removable and the weight difference to the SG would then be negligible.

I would suggest renting your choices to see what speaks to you. I did that before I decided on my King and the dealer applied the rental to my purchase.

 

You really need to rent or test ride some of these bikes. All the FL touring bikes are essentially the same machine. The primary difference being with/without fairing, lower fairing, tour-pak (trunk), and suspension (lowered on the Street Glide). Oh yeah, water cooled heads on the....Ultra I think, not sure.

Go to one of the mega dealers if there's one near you to make the best comparisons