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[RG RON]

Picked up my new RG Special on Monday. After 3 month's I just couldn't get comfy on the CVO RG, figure the weight was a factor and when my wife rode with me at times, she felt the same. The special doesn't ride as comfy as the CVO and  I  loose some storage but to ride locally it was just to much of a bike. I will still lurk here from time to time and maybe post some on this cool site, but as an owner of many bikes over the years the CVO just didn't seem to be me. I couldn't get one with the bike like in the past. I'm not to tech savvy to post pics, but this one is the new Cosmic Blue. I had the rider backrest, passenger quick disconnect backrest and different grips installed and a taller windsplitter windshield installed. This bike just feels right, now I feel one with it. Noticed it during the extended road test and the ride home yesterday.

[D-N-D]

Nice !! Good Luck with the New Ride !!!

[RGlideKid]

Sorry you ended up feeling that way about the CVO, Ron.  Most of us here agree it's a really heavy bike, especially when you're two up and have the bags packed, but I think for most of us as well, it is also a very comfortable and well handling motorcycle. 
It's too bad you couldn't get used to that, but I understand completely because I felt kind of that same way about my '11 RGU.  In the end, you an your wife absolutely have feel right on the bike together, as well as feeling safe and comfy, so good luck with the new RGS and we'll be glad to have you keep lurking here!

[ultrarider123]

I completely understand about the weight issues.  I rode Ultra's for years and then went to Street Glides for a bit.  While the SG and your new ride the RG special are not light, they didn't have the extra burden? of the tourpac.  I recently went to the '15 SERGU and while it's actually only about 80 lbs heavier than my old '12 SESG, that 80 or so pounds are carried higher and it makes a difference.  I had to get used to the extra top weight again (didn't take long...only 30 miles or so....) but there was a difference.  If you aren't used to the extra "higher" weight, it can make for an unsteady or, as you stated, "comfy" experience.

Enjoy the new Road Glide Special and I wish you many happy miles on it for you and your spouse...

[Kingspoke]

Being  comfortable is a must for safe handling of the big touring bikes.  I definitely understand your sentiment.

I was wondering if you considered a tour pack removal kit, or was there just too many adjustments to make it worth it?  I understand the RG CVO handlebars are different from the non CVO models, and of course the seat is different.

Best of luck with your new bike!

[RonandJanet]

Echoing everyone else in the fact that you have to be comfortable with the bike especially when riding two up. The hardest part with the big bikes (in my opinion) is usually when going slow. My bike actually sits higher than the old 2010 Ultra but I am lucky enough to be able to get both feet flat on the ground which helps.  I always felt so comfortable with my Heritage and CVO convertible.  But they don't keep my wife comfortable so we moved up to the touring bikes. Always ride safe, feel comfortable and enjoy! 

[GregKhougaz]

I saw the RGU in Cosmic Blue last weekend at the local dealer.  Beautiful bike!           Sounds like it's better for you.  Enjoy!   You'll still get plenty of information for it and everything else here.  If you've made it to any of the CVO gatherings, you've met good folks who don't care what you ride.       

For example, here we have a Street Glide and Gold Wing:

   

Hope to see you on the site!

[ACfixer]

Hey you have to ride what you feel comfortable with. I gelled right away with mine but if I hadn't I'd move on too...

BTW, great pic Greg. Utah is spectacular.

[MIKEYTEE]

Don't shy away from the site due to not having a CVO. My wife said I could by a new CVO if I wanted one with the stipulation, I had to grow up! Well those that know me know that will never happen! So I am still riding my 1999 Road Glide Ultra and I am quite satisfied.
So don't leave the forum and attend the GTG's , it's all about the people with bikes thrown in for good measure.
Mike
 

[RG RON]

Thanks for the kind reply's, I really liked to ride and power of the CVO, but just couldn't get really sure of myself. Talked with the salesman and sales manager and both admitted that the CVO's are heavier than the reg. ultra's. I guess the steel wheels vs. aluminum and all the added chrome pushes the weight up. Took some thinking and figured I would take a little beating on the trade, but feel I made out ok. My comfort/ confidence was most important. I did consider going with a tour pak detach kit, but thinking of removing and re installing the tour pak no matter how careful it would get marked up eventually. The special is much lighter and more nimble at low speeds which fits in the confidence feeling. Years ago before I got into Harley's I had a Yamaha Royal Star Venture and the CVO reminded me of that bike. Felt like riding on top of a fence, even with both feet firmly planted flat on the ground. The CVO was a beauty, but just not liking the unsteady feeling. Both the salesman and sales manager understood. Manager commented how bad he felt by turning me onto the CVO, but understood. Dealership went above and beyond my expectations and offered for me to roadtest all the bikes on the floor if need be. I wanted to stay with the roadglide platform, and roadtested 2 the same model. First wasn't a good feel to it, but the second just felt right, so settled on that one which was the cosmic blue, 1st one was the black one ,which was a nice bike, and 900.00 cheaper but didn't get the feel like the cosmic blue did. Weird since they we're both the same platform. Hopefully I get more riding in before the weather here changes in Pa. 

[FLSTFI Dave]

I do understand your feeling Ron.  Took me a bit to get comfortable with the Ultra.  I had always had CVO road glide Customs.

They had both had tour packs, but chopped and where the passenger seat would be.

When I first got my CVO road glide Ultra I felt uncomfortable in fast hard curves, ones I would run at 70 on my old bike I was slowing to 55.

First for me, I could never get the air shock to feel right and let the back feel planted in the curves.  Ohlins fixed that.  Firmer like the shocks on your special, but much better.

Then I moved the tour pack to the solo position on a quick detach like my other bikes were.  Now I am as comfortable on this bike as I was on any of my others. 

[Skillet]

The important thing is to keep riding whatever you have. That way you'll stay young at heart forever.

[HOGMIKE]

I got a few phone calls from the local dealers here, seems they are discounting the '15 and '16 cvo trying to get them moving.
Never did find a color I liked, plus they are not interested in taking 2 bikes in trade to move one.
Oh well...........my '14 Limited is running perfect and I'll just probably keep it to 100K
I have no problem with power, and really not interested in all the bling.
JMHO
 

[RG RON]

I traded in 2 bikes, on the 15 CVO, a 2013 RG Ultra and an 06 Superglide. The CVO felt heavier than my 13 Ultra. With growing up around bikes and riding passenger with my dad as a kid thru teenage years and many relatives riding as well it's in the blood. I myself been riding off and on for over 25 years and with all the bikes, I've owned this is the second one that I couldn't get a grip on. At first I thought it was just me, but when I talked wth some other rider's about my concerns and replys here after the trade I feel I made the right move and it just wasn't me. Will I miss the CVO ? ABSOLUTELY !! When I had it I felt like I belonged to an elite group and places I went it always drew attension, which I liked, but the comfort level just wasn't there. I will miss the little extra's that bike had but I had to make some sacifices for that one with the bike feeling I now get.

[moscooter]

 
Did a similar thing about two yrs ago.  Had a beautiful '09 SE CVO Ultra with all the bells/whistles.  We went to the '09 Sturgis Rally with it loaded to the gills with an extra bike bag on top of the tour pack as well as loaded saddlebags too.  It was a handful riding two up on some of those twisty back roads up in the Black Hills area.

I too got tired of all that (excessive) weight,  and found riding the damn thing was not that much fun given the hassle in parking lots and low speed situations.

I found a new (2014) StreetGlide Special at the dealership that someone had almost bought but had to back out of the deal at the last minute due to physical problems that wouldn't allow the guy to ride.  He had already added V&H pipes and Rinehart mufflers, Tuner, high flow air cleaner, etc.  I was able to get the dealer to add other stuff I wanted and we made a trade. The approx. 150 or so reduction in overall weight,  feels much more like 250 + LESS weight to me given where that weight is located.

I'm much happier and this bike could run circles around my '09 as far as handling.