2 part Road Glide Question

[Mikeycoyote]

The itch for a new bike has struck again and I am looking strongly at a few Road Glide customs. To that end I am looking to those in the know, namely you:

1. Why shouldn't I buy one? This is a serious question. Everybody asks what is good about a bike but I want to know what's bad about these. If you can't find a reason why not to buy one what don't you like about them (besides style issues, we all like our bikes the best).

2. This is for those in the know. What year is the best? () humour me, I've seen some of the posts but would like to revisit the pro's and cons of the different years.

Just to narrow the field a bit I am looking at:

4 different 2001's including a FLTRSEI2 (screaming eagle), and Road King Police (never seen one) and 2 RG Customs. Not all are Fuel Injected;
An 06 RG Ultra (the beer box is not removeable);
A 2010 RG Custom; and
A 2012 Custom.

If you have another year that's specifically important, either to stay away from or just to mention the finer points, please bring it up.

Seeing as I rarely post on here but have been a member for a few years I'll give you a little background (don't want to have to send the admins to the archives for my intro):

I'm in my mid 40's;
have riden since I was 10ish;
Street Legal with big boy bikes at around 20;
stopped for a dozen years in the early 90's to make then raise babies;
rekindled my love for riding, and removed my wife from the equation in 2005 (you call it a mid life crisis I call it returning to my roots, neither one of us is correct);
Have two bikes currently, a 99 Vstar 650 and a 86/7 FXWG (mostly); and
Am looking for a fuel injected touring bike that I can take the beer box off of and still look half decently cool. Lowers are not a huge issue but comfort of my new Girl definitely has some primacy. To that end I am willing to run with two different seats, the comfy one can sit with the beer box in the rafters when not in use.

PS: to those I haven't welcomed since I joined this forum "Welcome!!" and to those I haven't seen in a while "long time now see HowRYa?"

[MilesToGo]

As long as you like the style, the RG is as good as any other Harley. It's the same bike as any other e-glide except it has the frame mounted fairing. Some swear it rides and handles better but i say ride them all before you make a decision. I think most will agree that given the choice they would choose an 09 or newer bike. There again, you would probably need to ride an older bike and then a newer one to decide. Some guys are perfectly happy with the old frame and 5 speed tranny. I say they have probably not ridden one of the newer bikes.

[Lefty]

The '12 roadglide custom models come with the 103 standard. Earlier do not. I have an '11 roadglide custom 103 w/ABS that I'm very pleased with after 18 months and 12k miles. I have a detachable box and two seats for the same reason you mentioned. Also, the custom windscreen is for looks, not function and must be changed.

This is my 3rd HD and I think my 8th bike. Having ridden most Harleys and Asian sport tourers, I wouldn't trade it for any other HD.


Sent from my iPhone using MO Free

[RG50]

I rode an '06 for 4+ years.Great bike.
Removal and install of the outer fairing can be a little tricky.

[Mikeycoyote]

Thanks for the quick responses. I am hearing that some years came with a frame that is a variation of the FXR frame. Any truth to that? I've been looking for confirmation, or even proof the frame is different than the e-glide and I can't find it.

[LoneEagle964]

The one biggest complaint that people have with the RG is buffetting the air flow is different than the batwing fairings and it can be difficult to find the right windshield to suit some people . As for your question on the frame to my knowledge all the touring bikes use the same frame , and all the touring line frames were revamped in 08 and as was stated the 12 bikes come with the 103 .

as for myself I love my 01 shark its a great bike both around town and long haul.

LoneEagle

[smitty901]

Don't buy a RG,RGC or RGU if you care what others think. You going to get some that will give you that it anit a Harley line.
If budget can swing it go 2009 or newer the new frame and tire size change is great. All touring bikes use the same frame they just hang different stuff on it.
The 2011 RGU was the first to come with the 103 standard in 20122 the rest followed.

RG need a real windshield that low cut cool looking stuff did not cut it for me.
This is my 3rd RG and not buffeting issue with a real windshield, And I do crank out some miles in all kind of weather.
Why buy a RG because the are great road bikes.

[RGRider]

I LOVE my Road Glide. It took a few different windshield/helmet and other part combo's to get it right but now I get nice sweet spot of NO buffeting. Buffeting is not the same as wind; I get nice clean non-turbulent air around me. I use a Cee Bailey's TRSSC Euro windshield with a half-helmet and vented lower fairings and all is well.

[strokerjlk]

Originally Posted by Mikeycoyote

Thanks for the quick responses. I am hearing that some years came with a frame that is a variation of the FXR frame. Any truth to that? I've been looking for confirmation, or even proof the frame is different than the e-glide and I can't find it.

your going to have to go back to a glide as old as your w/g

[tj316]

I rode an Electra Glide for 10 years before getting a Road Glide Custom in 2011 with the 103 motor , abs brakes and security system , I would never go back to the traditional batwing fairing , the Road Glide cuts through the wind and handles so much better , if your budget allows get the newer frame , 6 speed tranny and 103 motor

[Mikeycoyote]

Originally Posted by strokerjlk

your going to have to go back to a glide as old as your w/g

Well that's not a problem either. I know more about those bikes anyway. I was looking to boost my knowledge a bit with a FI bike. That and I was looking to gain a little more leg in the top end.

[Mikeycoyote]

Just a quick response to all to end the thread. I weighed my options and went to the my local dealer Barrie Harley Davidson and bought a new Road Glide Custom. Factors that weighed in for me were:

After talking to numerous people I know and trust I decided I wanted a 2010 and later due to a frame, engine mount change;
The 2010's I could find here were going for anywhere from same as MSRP to $3000 less than new; and
With incentives I got a great deal on a new 2012 that put it in my garage for less than some of the used on the market.

Interesting point, when I bought the extended warranty the interest rate reduction actually saved me money. I had to make a custom package to pull it off though. And yes I financed the full amount. Pics will be going into the Road Glide thread.

[Thermodyne]

It's all about personal preference. Some like the looks, some don't. As for ride, both fairings are equal. Bats are better in some conditions, fixed are better in other conditions.

I've been riding an 11 TRX with a 103 for a year now, and except for the very poor quality/reliability that is the MoCo these days, I'm happy with it.

But........If I had it to do over, I would have bought an Ultra and made the tour pack detachable. I ended up go with a 21 inch shield and later added lowers, so It would have been close to the same money. The TRU also comes with the larger front tire, which seems to ride a little better.

[Nitram_b4]

Big RG fan here

[Magnum]

Originally Posted by Mikeycoyote

Thanks for the quick responses. I am hearing that some years came with a frame that is a variation of the FXR frame. Any truth to that? I've been looking for confirmation, or even proof the frame is different than the e-glide and I can't find it.

FXRT Sport glide came out around 83 and diappeared in 93. It was a Super Glide variant with a frame mounted fairing and saddle bags. I owned a 92 model. http://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/mod...port_glide.htm
The tourglide was also around in the 80s thru 90s and is the pre-runner to our current Road Glide with the tourbike frame. It was the same frame as the Electra-glides but I think the steering angle was different. http://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/mod...0clas%2080.htm In 2009 HD upgraded the touring bike frames and engine mount system. This results in a MUCH more stable ride when running too fast in hard switchbacks. I've owned Harleys since 1986 and the handling of each varies a bit from bike to bike but for the Touring model line the new frame on the 09 and up is worth every penny. It alleviated a lot of the tail wag when leaning quickly from side to side, crossing rain grooves and tarstrips while leaned into a turn. I also like the Roadglide because the steering is lighter than the Ultra. It has no fairing, radio, headlight or other Batwing type items hanging on the triple trees.