The wife went from her 01 SERG to the 06 CUSE and definnitely noticed a difference. The SERG is MUCH more stable at speed than the CUSE (or ANY ultra, for that matter). It handles better at low speed once you get over the size of the fairing in front of you. One of the reasons the Goldwing does so well is it's frame mounted faring. It doesn't push the bike around like a fork mounted one does. You'll ONLY see frame mounted fairings on high speed bikes because of the handling abilities. We met a couple at the 2002 Alaska State HOG rally on a new "Ultra Road Glide". We got chatting with them and found the had a brand new Ultra, rode to one of the demo ride sites that year, road a Road Glide and immediately traded the Ultra for the Road Glide! They couldn't believe the difference. Ask the guys who ride the Road Glides, they'll tell you what's what! If the moco would build a SERG with a full sized tourpak, CB and the other goodies you find on an Ultra, there'd be 2 in our drive. The batwings LOOK better, but ain't chit when you want to "ride".
arctic
After riding a Road Glide for 10 years I do notice a difference in the handling of my new Ultra Glide. I like the look of the UG and the engine and brakes are a step up, but I do not like any wind or trucks at high speed. It buffets so much when you are following a truck, or any large vehicle. It fights going straight when there is a cross wind.
We had a warmer than expected day this past Thursday and I took my bike to work. I road on I81 and took it to 75mph and there was a long stretch and I thought I'd see how it accelerated and give the engine a chance to break in at a higher speed. I pushed it quickly to 90mph in 6th and as I passed a semi and was about to slow down and pull back into the slower lane I thought I was experiencing a wobble. Once I finished the pass it stabilized and I had no problem with the rest of the trip. I don't think it was a wobble, I think it was buffeting from the wind off the truck, but I am not 100% sure.
I never thought about wind, cross wind, truck passing, etc. on my RG. I am a bit anxious about what will happen the next time I pass a truck. Does anyone make a kit to mount the Ultra's fairing to the frame? If it's under $5,000 I'm doing it, no hesitation. Are there any suspension or other parts I could add to lessen this buffeting effect?
I will probably get used to the handling, but I have to agree that I think this bike is inherently less stable then my last. I will likely comply with doing the speed limit more often in the future. The way I feel now if they come out with a SE Road Glide in the future I may trade for it. I added an Ultra Kit to my old RG so I had the CB, rear tour pack, cruise control,etc. This was not an enjoyable ride home!