Hey Don,
I've been poppin 750 mg Vicodin for several weeks, but that don't disguise the truth Dude. As you know, my hope is to have a new SERG to use as my long miler with Elvis getting Croc bags and seat to set off the bling bling,wire wheels and white sneakers.BUT, if I could only have one bike as I do at the moment, it has to be a SERK. Tell me you don't have days when you wish that fairing would come off ?
Brian, I enjoyed a few miles on Road Kings and completely understand where you're coming from. The different characters those bikes could have on any given day was a real treat. The red bike was in fact the first bike I've ever owned with fairings (at least for any period of time). Must admit that I really wasn't sure how I'd adjust to it either.
The front end certainly has a heavier feel. That took some getting used to. But nothing terrible. The instrumentation is ok. The radio is nice. On the somewhat longer days the fairing and a windshield on a Road King make for interesting comparisons. I come off the Glide after 700 or 800 miles probably feeling a little less muscle worn then did on the Road Kings. But neither were or are bad by any means.
By far, however, the biggest single revelation I ever had with the red bike was the first time I was out in the rain. Got to wherever it was I was going. Stepped off. Went in. Squished my toes. And realized my feet were dry. My freaking feet were dry! In I don't know how many years and I don't know how many miles on a motorcycle that had never happened before. I was sold at that moment.