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[braymond52]

My first Harley was a Road King Classic.  I bought the RKC because that's what I remember a heavy touring bike looked like when I was a kid (I'm 60 yo). 

I've always liked the look of the Road Glides and wanted one for a long time.  I used to do more touring than I do now, so when the RG Ultra came out in 2011, that was it, I had to buy it.  I really wanted the CVO RGU, but I just couldn't justify the cost then.  My RGU was a great bike, but other than the time spent on the road, it was a much bigger/heavier bike than I wanted for local riding.  When the CVO RGC came out in 2012 I really liked them and when they came out with the Atomic Orange this year I loved it and bought one.

To me the difference between the RGU and RGC is like the difference between a Cadillac and a Corvette.  I love the way my CVO handles.     

[FLSTFI Dave]

I love my Road Glides.  To me its the best bike for long trips.  I am on my Second CVO Road Glide.  I like the way they handle wind, 18 wheeler turbulence.  I love the way they handle in the twisties and at slow speed in a parking lot. 

I do not like the way a Batwing feels near and around trucks, or the weight shift at slow speeds in a parking lot.  Front end feels heavier.  I also feel too closed in on a bat wing, the fairing is just to close for me.

I do love my CVO road King, great for local rides, and the tight curvy mountain roads near me.  However for 500 mile plus days I will take the Road Glide every day.

[JustDennis]

Good Post.   I had an EG and switched to the SG.  The EG was an excellent value and I really love the SG.  I have never really wanted a RG and it just seems odd to me that the fairing doesn't move with the bars and forks.  Just what you get used to I guess.  But I agree that it is entirely up to the rider.  These bikes are investments and you need to go with what you love.  There are some good looking RGs on this site.

[Dr.D]

I love to see an old discussion freshened up. I bought the Road King Classic in 09  for exactly the same reason as raymond52. It looked like a Harley should as recollected from my youth. I hated the RG. Skip forward to today my next tourer will be the CVO RG. I have just grown to appreciate what it is and still like the EG front end but........................shark tank here I come. Oh BTW I will not sell of trade the RDKG or the other, barely mentionable non fairing , CVO Fatbob. When I chose to have two Harley's I wanted them to be quite different from each other.

It's your $ + you love the bike= game over.

[jprkzoo]

I love to see an old discussion freshened up. I bought the Road King Classic in 09  for exactly the same reason as raymond52. It looked like a Harley should as recollected from my youth. I hated the RG. Skip forward to today my next tourer will be the CVO RG. I have just grown to appreciate what it is and still like the EG front end but........................shark tank here I come. Oh BTW I will not sell of trade the RDKG or the other, barely mentionable non fairing , CVO Fatbob. When I chose to have two Harley's I wanted them to be quite different from each other.

It's your $ + you love the bike= game over.

Had a little time yesterday, and rode couple hundred miles ...... we had every bit of 25-30 mph winds; 80 mph down the highway in the left lane, the crosswind hammers you; but the bike is dead stable.  Put the cruise on, and give the right hand a rest ..... steering never flinches.  Thats what the "Shark" gives you.   My CVO RK with a large shield was definitely more work ..... but wasn't bad;  it just felt more "flighty" in those conditions. My Deuce has a small sport shield on it, and you never really notice with it; but there is not much protection either, and you eat the wind.  Again, its all about trade-offs and the roll you seek the bike to fulfill ...... and then ride the hell out of it.    You will love the RG for what it does well.

[FlaHeatWave]

Owning both the '05 SEEG (which is probably the precursor to the SG) and the '09 SERG, here are my observations;

The wind is much cleaner / quieter with the batwing to me (6'4" 34"inseam), I had to add a bit (flaps, lowers, windshield and 'am going to change out the dog dish to the GADS) to the '09 SERG to get the buffeting to a tolerable level and to hear the radio above 40mph, whereas the '05 is stock (except for the midsize HD shield to replace the original SG toenail) and I haven't felt the need to change it (could always hear the radio to 75 or so).

The stability in normal riding conditions, (even though the '09 has the new frame / tires) on both bikes are about equal to me, as I can set the cruise at about 85 and pass an 18 wheeler with no hands just about close enough to reach out and touch it with my right hand with 0 drama. The '05 (with the stock lowered suspension from the factory) has the edge, as I had to upgrade to the Premium (spring) shocks and cartridge forks on the '09 to get similar results. The only place where the '09 SERG might have the edge is at 10/10ths in high speed sweepers on rough road, and that might be due to the new frame / tires? As far as crosswinds go, both bikes are as stable as one could expect, with a slight edge going to the SERG.

Both bikes have the same, relatively heavy, feel at low speeds, I feel this is due more to suspension tuning than fairing type, as I have ridden other batwings and sharks that feel much lighter at low speeds than either of my bikes.

I like both bikes, and am fortunate to have both, but in spite of all the hoopla about the Road Glides, if you were to "hold my toes to the fire", I would lean toward the batwing...