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[usa90]

Hello everyone..
I was curious as to how many riders ever decided not to go with the Fairing bike because they didn't like it? I am a short female but I have owned and ridden a 2002 Heritage Softail for 8yrs. I then went through a mid life crisis and bought a 2006 VRSCSE and fell in love with the CVO engine but not the bike. I couldn't get use to how it would kick out on occasion and I missed having bags.

So I recently did something stupid , I bought a new 2009 Street Glide, had a Stage IV kit put in and rode it for about 1,000 miles, handled fabulously but soon I said I can't stand the fairing or the engine upgrade ( didn't compare to a 110 CVO factory build ). I know a lot of you will say your not suppose to look at it you look beyond it to where you are heading, which I do but my Peripheral vision would always catch the fairing and bother the hell out of me. I even had a deer run out in front of me and never saw it until it was directly in front of me, thank God it kept running through and I missed it.

What did I do...I ended up trading the Street Glide in for a 2007 FLHRSE Black ICE...I don't have any regrets because I wasn't comfortable and as we all know its life and death if you don't feel confident on your bike.

Just curious if anybody else has felt this way? Would love to hear from those who also prefer the Road King and the way you can strip her down..

[skreminegul07]

I just trade the 07 FHRSE for a Street Glide.  It did not take long to get used to a fairing and the radio.  How many miles doi you ride the 09 FLHX?

[Twolanerider]

Only thing I can say is that our tastes change over time.  For years I thought the Tour Glide/Road Glide was ugly as sin.  Funny looking.  With exceptions (because I'm inconsistent).  I did like the FXRT/FXRD.  But it was in that "it's so ugly it's cool" kind of way.  I still feel the same way about it today.

But as to the Road Glide.  Didn't like them at all.  Just not my thing.  Then saw a 2000 red SERG a long time ago.  Liked THAT ONE.  The rest have grown on me .

You don't mention how bike fits you (as compared to how you like it or "feel" on it).  A friend's girlfriend got a Road Glide a couple of years ago.  She adored the looks.  But she was a petite woman.  Handling the bike was never her issue though.  That it enveloped her while going down the road was.  The big fairing all but swalled her up.  She got a sort of biker's claustrophobia riding behind it. 

They not only have to look like we like them to they have to fit us riding them too.  Isn't ever easy.  Good luck with the latest choice.

[usa90]

I rode it for about 600 miles..

I totally agree with you about having to fit into the bike, I never felt intimidated by my Heritage Softail even though it  "supposedly" weighs close to the same weight as a Street Glide but when I rode the Street Glide I felt very uncomfortable. I have been riding  a long time  but as you know we never stop learning and gaining experience. Your a fool if you think you know it all out there. In the long run I know that it was a lesson learned, next time I'd travel hundreds of miles to rent one first before I'd buy one. The problem is here in Western NY there aren't  any dealers that rent the harley's and dealers won't let you test drive a brand new machine ( at least my dealer didn't) , and because of a trade in I had (VRSCSE) they were the only dealership that would give me a good buck for my bike.

I don't doubt that the Street Glide is a great machine because it handled very well, I could do extremely tight turns and circles even with ape bars I installed without any problems. I just didn't like the size and fairing , I didn't think it fit me very well and now that I have the Road King SE I feel like I am part of the bike and really am happy.

[usa90]

I'm glad you totally get what I'm saying Twolanerider.....Thanks for your input, enjoy your ride!

[HOGMIKE]

One of our female members here traded her Road King for a Street Glide, mainly to get the cruise and radio. She is still getting used to the fairing (only about 500 miles now) but loves the bike. She is of "small stature" and light weight, but, can handle it ok.

I am still getting used to my Batwings, after some 15 yrs of that fairing!
I see you traded it in right away, but, it's always what you are most comfortable riding, I guess, right?

[usa90]

That's the key you have to feel comfortable with the bike, I just felt so confined by it, I'm glad you and your friend got use to it because they are beautiful bikes and really look good .
Like you said at least I know I made a good choice with this 2007  Black Ice SE Road King...the engine is awesome compared to the stage 4 the dealer built for me, I just found that engine jumpy in first and not smooth at all, it had no zip in higher gears at all.
Thanks for your input

[KarlG]

The problem is here in Western NY there aren't  any dealers that rent the harley's and dealers won't let you test drive a brand new machine ( at least my dealer didn't) , and because of a trade in I had (VRSCSE) they were the only dealership that would give me a good buck for my bike.

Not sure how much of a hike it would be for you, but both Syracuse and Binghamton rent and a pick up Friday and drop off Monday was quoted to a friend recently as $250. That is a decent price, IMO, to spend a weekend riding and (unlimited miles) getting to know a bike.

Good luck with the RK, my prior bike was a CVO RK and it was a great ride!

[usa90]

That's good to know, Syracuse isn't too far to travel to make sure your doing the right thing.
I'm glad to know you liked your CVO Road King, thanks

[JCZ]

I rode for years before I finally bought the Ultra Classic.  I always thought of the Ultra Classic as the ultimate Harley..........for years before I actually bought one.  Even though I felt that way about Ultra Classics, it did feel strange when I got my first one.  Eventually (like the toe & heel sifter), I got used to it.  Now, I can't imagine a bike without a fairing, stereo, guages with information, etc.

I think if you'd have taken a trip of a couple thousand miles or rode it for six or nine months......that you'd have gotten past your feeling of being uncomfortable with it.  Then again........maybe not.

[usa90]

I hear what your saying, I was going to wait it out and see if my feelings changed but then you deal with the fact that the bike will depreciate in value because you put more miles on it. I think the weight bothered me as well, it was very heavy to move unless the pavement was flat and I didn't have to worry about stones. I think the bike just got into my head...

[Twolanerider]

 I think the bike just got into my head...

That's a real concern.  I go back and forth day to day from an Electra Glide to a Road Glide.  Basically the same bikes with nearly the same weights.  The Road Glide always "feels" bigger though.  It's all the size of the fairing.  That's it so far forward to me makes it feel less crowded though.  Just my feel on that bike.  The Road Glide makes the Electra Glide "feel" small when I go back to that bike.

Having the machine get in your head is a real thing though.  Mechanical issues, handling issue or just things more general like it not "feeling" right.  And it's no small matter.  We're at our safest and at our best on the backs of these things when were ignorant of other issues.  Nagging concerns about, of all things, the bike we're sitting on is a distraction that is absolutely unneeded.

[Black Diamond]

I went from a 95" 03 Fat Boy equipped with bags and a detach windshield to a 07 Street Glide with a 110 kit. Always felt like she steered "heavy". I also felt like I was sitting on the part of the scooter with my Fat Boy, down in her, part of her. On the SG, I was perched on top of the bike.

I traded the SG for my SERK4. While I'm not down in her like the Fat Boy, I feel more part of this scooter. I got custom seats to get me lower. The steering is more nimble. I almost thought I had grown up this year and bought a SESG. However, my SERK winked at me and took me for a ride. I forgot all about it.

I can drop the windshield or put that silly little darken one on to change the look, hang a tour pak on her for trips, etc. I love my SERK. JMO.

JW

[2018_FLTRXSE]

My biggest isue with the Batwing is its too damn close after you've ridden a road glide

[usa90]

I can completely relate to you BlackDiamond, I just like the fact that you can strip off pieces and parts and have a really cool around town look and add a few things to make it a great touring bike. I would certainly suggest you rent a Street Glide or Road Glide before you'd make any move to sell your bike.


I think I may understand your point about the Batwing feeling closer on the Street Glide. I didn't at first like the look of the Road Glide but I have gotten use to its style and I now think that the CVO Road Glides are really, really sweet looking, especially the silver one with the yellow one being a close second. I never rode one but I could see how the fairing doesn't sit so tight up on you and crowd you as the Street Glide does, I think it would allow for better visability and feel. The only thing I'd be concerned about is finding bars that would allow me to sit back into the seat and still afford me control I need (sucks to be short). I put apes on my street glide and they were comfortable but when I had a tight turn I really had to reach.

Anyway I am excited about getting my new SERK3