Might look at one of the Street or Electra Glide models for a bit better wind management. While the Road Glide fellas will get very protective of how great the fairing is, lots of people complain how much wind buffeting they get with a Road Glide. While an Electra can buffet too, it can be managed pretty good with a different shield and deflectors.

 

I'm a life long Sportster rider (since 1970), but ended up buying a '78 FLH Anniversary bagger (Tour Pak and all).


I bought the bagger on a lark because the price was right, but I sold it about 5 years later because money was tight.


Fast forward... I found that I really missed the damn Hog, and that was over 20 years ago since I sold it.
One of the things I REALLY liked about it was that it was a pre-85 dresser where the fairing and Tour Pak could be removed in just a few minutes, and I got to like how it felt and handled as a "stripped" dresser.
I told myself that when I bought another touring bike, it would be an '85 or older specifically for that easy conversion. (The Road King hadn't been invented yet back then.)


Now fast forward again... and I just recently bought an '07 Road King Police.
It has the "quick detach" windshied that comes off in seconds so that I can ride a "stripped" dresser again like I always enjoyed.
For out of town rides, I snap on the windshield and it's good to go as a real live touring bike.
I live in the South so I'm not too concerned about riding in "real" cold, but I'm considering getting an aftermarket Batwing shell that would snap on and off like the original windshield so I'd actually end up with a "Road Glide" when I wanted.


So my .02 is that if a person isn't sure they want to live full time with a fairing, go for a Road King and get the best of both worlds.
A Road King can be a "3 in 1" bike; Road King windshield, Batwing fairing, or naked with no fairing. Definitely a way to have fun without committing to just one style.

 

I own two Dynas but on some recent vacations we rented an EG Classic and a Street Glide. Racked some miles so I got used to the frame and handling characteristics. After numerous articles relating the Road Glide fairing we jumped and purchased a new 2013 Road Glide Ultra, this bike is rock steady at freeway speeds and in most wind conditions. The buffeting for me is controlled by a couple of pieces beneath the fairing and completely out of sight. Never regretted the purchase.

 

I'm on my third Harley since Sept 2011. First was a 06 883c. Then a 12 Super Glide Custom which was a great bike. And now the 14 Road King since I'm a windshield guy. Test ride first by all means. But I don't think you'll be disappointed. Other than the Fat Bob no other Dyna is as confident as the newer touring bikes.

 

How about the best of both worlds?Keep your Dyna and buy the best older bagger you can afford,compare them for a season then decide which direction is best for you...

 

well, I am a 'road glide fella', and while i'm not gonna jump on you (too) hard, your statement, 'it can be managed pretty good with a different shield and deflectors' pretty much applies to the roadglide as well.

I've been riding roadglides since 2010. like previously mentioned, as long as they make the shark, i'll ride one. if they stop, then i'll ride a used one

but, you definitely need to ride one first. I am 100% solo rider. my wife rides her own. so I don't have to worry about the aerodynamics for the back seat rider. from what I understand, it can be a little tricky to dial in for the bsr. not impossible, just tricky.....

betcha once you ride one, it won't be long before you own one

sorry, but a detachable batwing does not a roadglide make. more like a streetglide, though.

 

OP:

You're probably going to want a taller windshield on the RG.

Keep in mind that the factory-installed windshield is all about "profiling", not actual "wind protection"...

 

Same here. The fairings create a large forward 'blind spot' that I just don't care for. I know that at speed the fairings shine with wind blocking and that the blind spot doesn't matter, but I still prefer the windshield with its 'see-thru' aspect, and the easy removal cinches it.

 

I went from a '14 Street Bob to a '16 Road King a few months ago.

I will never look back. I was able to borrow a '15 Road King demo from the dealer for the afternoon - took it on a variety of roads, picked up the wife for a spin and that was all the time I needed to make the decision.

Now I've experienced saddlebags I can't do without them.

Only downside, as people have already outlined, is the adjustment period of getting used to the extra weight at low speed and parking.

Just did a 3 day ride of 350 miles, 650 miles, 350 miles and there was no soreness, fatigue or body wear and tear. Couldn't say the same thing about the Bob.

I loved the street bob, but this is even better.

You know the grand irony ? I was like many who HATED the Road Glide look, and not real keen on the street glide either - To the point that I wasn't even keen to test ride them before putting my money down on the King. Yet 3 months later, I've spent a lot of time on the touring sections of forums and have come to quite like the faired models. They are an acquired taste, I feel. Maybe a Road Glide could have been on my list if I'd given it a chance. I will next time.

So I reckon test ride all three, and see from there. ( A word of warning - the detachable stock Road King screen is horrible - destroyed my fuel mileage and introduced a horrible roar and buffeting at speed) I would hope that the Street and Road Glide fairing do a better job than the King's POS. It's going in the bin.

 

I went from a '14 FXDC Super Glide Custom (loved it, 14k miles) to my '15 RGS. All I can tell ya is that it was the best move I've ever made. I put 6k on it in three months and it would have been double except winter got here.

Smoothest, best handling bike I've ever had.