I test drove a 2012 FLTRX yesterday. I shouldn't have done that. I suspect there will be one of those in my garage in the next 30 days. Doh! Those HD guys are pretty smart...let 'em drive it and they might like it....

I specifically took the big blue pearl Road Glide out on the highway and hung around in the turbulent area behind tractor trailers. The bike never wiggled. My head (with helmet) was bobbling all around at 80 mph with the turbulence, but the bike was rock solid. Very cool.

I also noticed that low speed manuvering was very easy in parking lots. I suppose with the weight of the fairing on the frame and not the front forks it makes the bike more nimble at low speeds. Very cool.

The stock 103 seemed fine, for now, and the stock mufflers made the bikes exhaust almost silent above 60 mph due to the wind noise drowning them out. The hot rodder in me tells me it needs a stage 1 kit for sure and probably some cams just for some extra scoot. During the test ride I did use a lot more rpm than I normally would with my Ultra or RKC, so with higher revs and late shifting the 103 seemed pretty responsive.

I was very surprised at the shorty windshield. Below 60 it seemed to work pretty well. Above 60 I would get a pretty good wind blast in the forehead. The wind would try to lift my helmet off of my head. Easy enough to fix that by taking off my helmet (it was a dealer test ride you know). I might also add klockwerks windshield pretty quick.

Oh, the rumors of the cigarette lighter hitting the tank are false. As tight as I could turn the bike, I couldn't get the lighter to hit the tank. Rumor busted.

I also really liked how the bike seemed to stretch you out, even with the stock controls, floor boards and seat. I suppose that is one of the big differences between the shark nose and bat wing.

Cool bike. I think I'll add one to the garage to replace my recently sold RKC.

 

It's all over but the crying. Welcome to the dark side (soon).

 

Sounds like you're hooked already. I test rode Road Glide Custom and the Road Glide Ultra. Both great motorcycles, but I can't get beyond the looks of the sharknose fairing, even with all the reports about how well it handles. I know they handle well, but I just like the looks of the batwing better. Maybe that's why they make both types:+)

Have fun with it.

 

The bike is so much better once you get a proper windshield on it. I replaced mine with a 12 inch Klock werks and the wind kicks up over my head now. The other day I stuck my arm out and it almost got ripped off. I can't believe I rode my old Streetbob without a windshield for so long.

 

Just buy it already...

 

Hey, go for it and enjoy!!

 

Stopping by my local dealer today...I'll post some picks when it gets home.

 

lol, people never learn. Dealerships and test rides= you're getting a new toy. Just accept it ha ha!

 

Well here are the final results of that test ride:

https://www.hdforums.com/forum/touri...de-custom.html