Me: 44 years old, 5'10, beer drinker

I have a '14 Street Bob with just under 5k miles on it.

When I was younger, I couldn't stand the fairing om the RG. I'm talking like serious hate, but the more I've ridden, it's grown on me.

Now I love my SB, but a few of my buddies and me took an almost 2k mile trip around the south. About half of it was highways and I gotta tell ya, the Bob wasn't all that comfortable for the duration. Mechanically, it was completely fine. Just not the most comfortable.

I refinanced through my credit union since HD wants nothing to do with that and went from 14% apr to 4.5%.

Enough about that, lol, what it comes down to is that I can afford a little more payment and I have a woman that would probably enjoy the smoother ride. PLUS, we went to a dealer the other day to look around and she said the most wonderful thing, "Honey, get the bike that you want."

As of now, I would probably lose abot 2k on the trade in.

Here's my thing, I don't have much experience with bikes with fairings and the weathers shitty here now so test riding may not be an option.

Did any of you guys/gals upgrade to a bagger from a bopper and find the transition difficult?

Do you think it was worth the jump?

And is the head unit with the GPS available as a later addition to a standard RG?

Thanks all and ride safe.

JD~

 

If you jump, you will not regret it. I have a road glide, and can't see riding anything else.....ever.

 

I really didn't like the look of the Road Glide either, took a test ride on one and loved it. Had a Road King previously, but I can't see riding anything else either.
Either way you're still riding so all's well.

 

Most decent size HD dealers should have a Road Glide in their fleet. Rent one for a day or a weekend, when you have decent enough weather to put on some combined miles.

I thought seriously about a Dyna, then rented one. It changed my mind as my 6'2" 250# frame was not comfortable on it. A test ride would not have been enough. Oh yeah...I rented a Fat Boy a couple times, and I'm convinced that will be my second ride...once my better half is convinced I need 2 bikes.

 

the transition isn't hard , once moving the touring bike is a far superior ride. Backing up , or maneuvering it tight spaces at low speed , or loading and unloading from a trailer it is a bigger/heavier bike and takes some getting use to.

 

I went from a Sportster to a road glide custom. (With a little time in between...)

Transition was a little different. Most the weight of the bike throwing around. Ride felt the same. The wind not hitting me as much was a plus. I do allot of highway riding, so less wind the better. Besides that; the same for me. I am 5' 9".

 

I love my '13 roadglide but I would strongly advise you to not purchase a touring bike until you have ridden them. Ideally for more than a test ride.
Also ask yourself some questions.
Are you going to actually tour on it?
Will you carry a passenger?
How much gear will you carry?
How important is ride quality?

I had a very nice '09 streetglide (pics in my albums) but I was taking longer trips and wanted an ultra as well as the streetgide had 70,000 miles on it. I too liked the look of the roadglide. After riding both the ultra and the roadglide ultra I chose the roadglide. It has been a wonderful bike for over 30,000 miles. If you even remotely think you would like an ultra get that vs a special. Even though it is not as easy to pull stuff off as it used to be it will work out better in the long run.

 

I would never make that kind of purchase again without a test ride. Why? I found out I hate fairings. Windshield for me, that's it.

 

I Went from an 07 Dyna Low Rider to my new Street Glide,

My initial trip out with it was Different, Took some getting used to:Foot control location, heavy "steering", and backing up.

As for going down the road... Its amazing I didn't get a speeding ticket,, the first two months I was constantly running 70 mph.. Felt different with out the wind against my chest..

Wife loved the feel instantly, no more sore back or legs from bad suspension.

I would recommend riding it before you buy it... Always a risky investment..

 

I went from an 09 Street Bob to a 2011 Road Glide Custom. I was thinking about a Street Glide until I tested the Road Glide. On the Highway it just felt better, it reminded me of my Street Bob feel wise. Like others have said it does take some getting used to in parking lots and backing the pig up but other wise it's the best move ever. As long as they keep making the shark I'll most likely be riding one.