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[C2CRider]

Already planning my summer trip for 2012.  I am thinking about riding the FXSTC instead of the Ultra. Heading from Seattle to Sturgis, on to Indiana and back to Seattle via Cody / Yellowstone, Lewiston and some really amazing back roads.  Would miss the creature comforts of the Ultra SE (like XM) but kinda want to get back to my roots.  Anyone else do this??

[erniezap]

I rode my Heritage from San Jose to Cabo and back in 2005.  No radio, etc, but did have the windshield on.  I really enjoyed it.  The only issue was not being able to lock the bags.  It was nice having only me and the sound of the bike for a change.

[JCZ]

I rode my Heritage from San Jose to Cabo and back in 2005.  No radio, etc, but did have the windshield on.  I really enjoyed it.  The only issue was not being able to lock the bags.  It was nice having only me and the sound of the bike for a change.

Yea......and you weren't quite over the hill yet, back then.

The other thing to consider on the long hauls.....with the bagger (besides being able to lock it all up and walk away from it) , all your stuff stays dry.  The softail it would be all about the trash bags again.

[2k]

I have a 2000 FXST that I love to ride around the Mnts around here............never on a long trip, can't do without: Music, Cruise, Room-to-pack. Still love to ride the bar hopper though!!!!!

[red ben59]

I have a 2000 FXST that I love to ride around the Mnts around here............never on a long trip, can't do without: Music, Cruise, Room-to-pack. Still love to ride the bar hopper though!!!!!

Yea, I hear you 2K. Still love the SE Dyna. From Taylorsville your in the hills in a half hour. From Concord one and a half. It's hard for me to leave the Ultra behind. Love the comfort.

[Trapperdog]

I would say it depends on your age, and miles per day.  If you're younger or only riding 200 mile days, take the softail. If your older like many of us and riding 500 mile plus days, take the ultra. 

[Supershooter]

I have a 2003 Dyna Wide Glide and have had some of the same thoughts, but haven't taken the leap yet the Ultra is way to comfortable for long trips. I would make your decision on how many miles you need to ride per day. If your trip doesn't have a deadline or need to be any where at any particular time ride the Softail, if you need to keep rolling up the miles the Ultra may be a better choice, especially if you encounter excessive rain or adverse weather.
Supershooter

[JoeSDE]

Set my '99 FXSTC up for distance when I bought it new. Heritage seat, 2" extension on forward controls and a T-bag over the sissy bar for the perfect backrest. Use a backpack rain cover on the T-bag when raining. Have done several 1,000 plus mile trips. Starting to get soft now that I have an Ultra, but I love the Softail during the hot summer days. Can still go long on it even though I'm almost 60. The Ultra is still king of the interstate, though.

[C2CRider]

I would say it depends on your age, and miles per day.  If you're younger or only riding 200 mile days, take the softail. If your older like many of us and riding 500 mile plus days, take the ultra. 

52, retired, no time issues... usually do around 400 on the softails, on the ultra  650 - 700 is comfortable and still gets me into a hotel by dinner time!!  I ride solo and alone and that does make a difference! 

[1sharprdkg]

52, retired, no time issues... usually do around 400 on the softails, on the ultra  650 - 700 is comfortable and still gets me into a hotel by dinner time!!  I ride solo and alone and that does make a difference! 

Sounds like you just answered your own question! Have fun on the Softail and enjoy your trip!

[C2CRider]

Sounds like you just answered your own question! Have fun on the Softail and enjoy your trip!

No, I was asking how many other guys do that.... take the less comfortable bike. 

For me, it's kinda like what riding use to be.  A lot more of the wind, bugs, rain, no tunes, no heated grips, seat or gear.  Somewhere along the way it all got...... "so plush".

[FreestateSE3]

We rode to Sturgis from Virginia this year...i was on my RK, and the Boss rode her CVO Softail....I'd say, either way works..enjoy the trip!

[fresh oil and pipes]

I rode my Heritage from San Jose to Cabo and back in 2005.  No radio, etc, but did have the windshield on.  I really enjoyed it.  The only issue was not being able to lock the bags.  It was nice having only me and the sound of the bike for a change.

Put a set of aftermarket locks on a lady friend of mines lowrider works very well is not foolproof but the factory locks on the Ultras etc are not either. Cost was less than 200 and only about an hour to install. Will get details and post if anyone interested.

[kerb]

I owned both an Ultra and a Dyna for several years.  Got the Ultra because of some health complications my wife had that prevented her from riding her own.
At first I hated it.  "Stupid old man's bike!  Windshields are for *'s!"

After a while though the Dyna got fewer and fewer miles on it and the Ultra got more and more.  Finally I traded both on the CVO Ultra.
 
On a trip longer than a few hours, given the choice between an Ultra and a Dyna, I'll pick the Ultra every time.
I've guess I've been able to overcome my windshield phobia.

One of my buddies who had a Road Glide, opined that within 6 months a 4 sale sign was on the Dyna.  He missed it by two years, I guess I'm a slow learner =P

[1sharprdkg]

No, I was asking how many other guys do that.... take the less comfortable bike. 

For me, it's kinda like what riding use to be.  A lot more of the wind, bugs, rain, no tunes, no heated grips, seat or gear.  Somewhere along the way it all got...... "so plush".

Oh! My bad. Let's see...I have the 09SEUC and my wife's 03'RKClassic. For a long time didn't think any bike could be better than the Road King, I didn't need fairing,heated grips,heated seat,GPS,ABS brakes,no stinking XM radio. Had the Ultra for a year and a half now and could ride her Road King any time I want. Have probably only been on her bike five or six times in the last year and a half. Most of those were due to chasing bling parts or oil for mine or for getting the Road King worked on. You are right it is like what riding use to be like and thinking back some of that stuff wasn't all that great! So I would say that for me unless it was just around town, quick errand or a trip of about 100 miles or less I would usually take the SEUC. Don't know if I'm just getting older or smarter!lol 

[charlie]

I rode my 08 road king from Atlanta to Sturgis this past summer and enjoyed the hell out of it. No radio just the wind shield.

[Buy early]

If I'm taking a trip, I'm riding the Wide Glide. I purposefully haven't ridden the HD touring platform because I don't want to become dissatisfied with what I have (an easy thing to do). I lusted after this bike for 7 long years and, since I can only have one, this is it for a while. At some point, I may go up to a full-fledged tourer but I've done several 600+ mile days on the WG2 and, with any luck, will do many more.

I agree with the others, if you have a choice and you're going to be averaging over 500 miles/day, go with the touring platform. I have a buddy with a 2003 CVO Road King and he rides mine occasionally. He says he doesn't know how I keep up with him on the longer days. I admit, it's more of a challenge but if I wanted easy, I'd get the BMW 1600.

Photo below of The BEast out in the Tetons this year. 3,000 miles in 9 days. Trip of a lifetime!