I have begun touring on my Fat Bob and I really enjoy the experience; it's even a bit better touring experience than my '74 R90 was (or could be, it's still in my garage, immobile for about 24 years) when I was doing a bit of touring before.

As 8541 insightfully says, comfort is a relative conception. I'm comfortable enough on my Fat Bob, no windshield, but luckily with a Corbin Dual Tour seat. This summer I spent four days of over 700 miles of riding, out of 6500 miles in the saddle over two trips, eleven days completely on the road in all. Had all the comfort I needed even for fourteen hour days. I don't want to ride a car. I want my motorcycle experience. I've never had a bike with a windshield, never had a bike factory fitted for touring. And so far I've not felt the need. Let me win the lottery, and I'll have a Road King or a Road Glide (and a Muscle and a 48!) But give me the choice of one bike, and the Fat Bob IS the one. It does all I want a motorcycle to do, and I'm a proud and HAPPY owner.

 

Sorry I think that my Dyna runs equal to a R-K running solo for Touring. The 6 gallon tank would be nice but that's about it. I did add saddlebags, backrest and a touring fairing, but those come off when I'm home and then my bike feels like a sports car not like a stationwagon

 

As far as I'm concerned, the biggest difference between the Dyna and the RK when touring is the suspension. Windshield, bags, seat - these things can really be identical, but the suspension (and weight) can smooth out rough roads when you're on them for hours on end.

But to each their own - whatever makes you happy.

To address the comment above, however, regarding touring bikes riding the twisties, here is a full dresser Honda Goldwing going down the Tail of the Dragon at Deals Gap, TN. Recognizing its a Honda not an Ultra, still in terms of weight and luggage by any standard its a full up touring motorcycle in some of the most challenging twisty roads you're likely to find. In the end I suspect that doing twisties well depends more on the rider than on what bike the rider is on.

Check it out:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0nrMQ3QwyPo

 

If I thought I could handle the heavier, taller bike I would have bought the Road King--it has everything I would want, including looks. But I ride solo, so don't need the big tourer, and am especially happy w/ the Dyna's handling. I'm replacing my leather throw-over saddlebags w/ hard bags to improve storage.

 

I'm enjoying reading this thread. For my own part, I have no issues touring on my FXDC. I just made a 900-mile, three-day ride from my home in southeastern Virginia to Beckley, West Virginia and environs. I rode from 8 to 10 hours each day. On the ride out and back, I rode on four-lane Interstate and state highways. I got a Sundowner seat for this trip, and it made a HUGH difference in riding comfort over the stock seat. No one rides with me, so I don't believe I need a "touring" bike to go touring.

 

that was a cool video
my dyna works good for touring,probably not as good as a tour bike put i have been real happy with it.
I just got back from sturgis, second time there on the dyna and the first time my wife went with me, This time the trip was 3400 over nine days

 

You can tour on anything. It just comes down to how candy your *** is.

 

LMFAO Pig..you always have the best responses..BQUALLS,where you at in Chesapeake? I am in Va Beach and Pig is in Hampton Roads too...We should do a hampton roads Dyna run

 

Hell yea! That would be great!

 

Wait, weren't we just told we need touring bikes to do a real touring run? I wish someone would have told me before I road out to Sturgis and then Yellowstone and back last year on my Street Bob. I always find these things out when it is too late!

If you guys do a ride let me know, even though we will have to keep it short

BTW, I am off next week and planning to ride out 58 to the BRP. Then find somewhere to camp and ride back down 56 from the BRP to 60, then back home. If any of you guys in the area are interested let me know.