HD guys

[desertrat]

What are the important diffs betweeen say a Roadking Classic or a bit higher model and a Softail Heritage Set up for touring? Fairing? How about motor mounts, etc,? I don't care about comm.or tunes. Just want a smooth ride over 70mph and power vs weight. (I know Bob) A BMW is on my mind also.

 

[Pete]

Road King is the same frame and engine as all the other touring models, Classic, Ultra Classic, Street Glide and so on. All the touring bikes have a different frame and rear suspension than a Heritage Soft tail. The touring bikes have the 96B motor which is rubber mounted. At idle it shakes, under power it is smooth. The Soft tail series have the same 96 motor but it is counter balanced and hard mounted to the frame. At idle it is smoother than the touring bikes, but under power you will feel more vibes.

This year they finally made a Road Glide Ultra. The Road Glide is the best riding touring bike they make. The frame mounted fairing makes the front end light. In the past it was more stripped down, now it is an Ultra with the Road Glide fairing. This is the bike I wanted but they didn't make it. Now that I paid mine off they make it.

 

[Larry Gude]

Road King is the same frame and engine as all the other touring models, Classic, Ultra Classic, Street Glide and so on. All the touring bikes have a different frame and rear suspension than a Heritage Soft tail. The touring bikes have the 96B motor which is rubber mounted. At idle it shakes, under power it is smooth. The Soft tail series have the same 96 motor but it is counter balanced and hard mounted to the frame. At idle it is smoother than the touring bikes, but under power you will feel more vibes.

This year they finally made a Road Glide Ultra. The Road Glide is the best riding touring bike they make. The frame mounted fairing makes the front end light. In the past it was more stripped down, now it is an Ultra with the Road Glide fairing. This is the bike I wanted but they didn't make it. Now that I paid mine off they make it.

Engine is other way around I think; Soft tails have the B.

 

[Larry Gude]

.

This year they finally made a Road Glide Ultra. The Road Glide is the best riding touring bike they make. The frame mounted fairing makes the front end light. In the past it was more stripped down, now it is an Ultra with the Road Glide fairing. This is the bike I wanted but they didn't make it. Now that I paid mine off they make it.

What's the difference besides the motor?

 

[Pete]

Engine is other way around I think; Soft tails have the B.

Yep I typed it wrong, the counter balanced engine is the 96B, the touring bikes have a straight 96

 

[Pete]

I am going to ride my 96 equipped Ultra tomorrow.

 

[struggler44]

Softail's are counter balanced.....Heritage seat is back about 2" further than the touring bikes from what I remember......not sure if the Heritage offers ABS either but it may.

 

[Pete]

What's the difference besides the motor?

Except for the counter balanced crank shaft the engines are identical. The touring bikes have more amenities generally. Different frame, riding characteristics, rake/trail. The soft tail has no visible rear shocks, it has one located under the rear frame on the swing arm.

Just a different set up. I had a RK Classic and it was a nice riding bike. Very nimble and lighter than the dressers.

 

[Larry Gude]

Softail's are counter balanced.....Heritage seat is back about 2" further than the touring bikes from what I remember......not sure if the Heritage offers ABS either but it may.

Option

 

[Larry Gude]

Ecapt for the counter balanced crank shaft the engines are identical. The touring bikes have more amenities generally. Different frame, riding characteristics, rake/trail. The soft tail has no visible rear shocks, it has one located under the rear frame on the swing arm.

Just a different set up. I had a RK Classic and it was a nice riding bike. Very nimble and lighter than the dressers.

No, no. Allow me to clarify; What is the difference between the Road Glide now and before they offered it in an Ultra? All I see is the tour pac?

 

[Pete]

Softail's are counter balanced.....Heritage seat is back about 2" further than the touring bikes from what I remember......not sure if the Heritage offers ABS either but it may.

I sat on the Road Glide Ultra and its seat is back. Guy at the dealership said they did that this year. Moved the seat back a bit. I am 6' and I would have to reach to hit the highway pegs unless I put them on extenders.

 

[Pete]

No, no. Allow me to clarify; What is the difference between the Road Glide now and before they offered it in an Ultra? All I see is the tour pac?

Tour pack, rear speakers, electronics like CB and intercom, front lowers, ultra style seat. It also has the 103ci engine standard. Oh and in previous years to 2006 (I think) it has a sliver motor, now it is black. I hated the silver (blonde) engine.

It doesn't have all the chrome trim the Ultra classic has but that is fine by me.

In my humble opinion it is the best riding Harley tour bike. I put 300 miles on one in Nevada-California and around Lake Tahoe a few years ago.

 

[struggler44]

I sat on the Road Glide Ultra and its seat is back. Guy at the dealership said they did that this year. Moved the seat back a bit. I am 6' and I would have to reach to hit the highway pegs unless I put them on extenders.

I have a '10 RKC and it has ample room and I'm no small dude, Heritage i sat on was good but felt like I was "reaching" a bit with the handle bars, no problem but may have been on a long ride

 

[Larry Gude]

Tour pack, rear speakers, electronics like CB and intercom, front lowers, ultra style seat. It also has the 103ci engine standard. Oh and in previous years to 2006 (I think) it has a sliver motor, now it is black. I hated the silver (blonde) engine.

It doesn't have all the chrome trim the Ultra classic has but that is fine by me.

K. That's what I thought, the trimmings. So, basically, you'd prefer the frame mounted fairing?

FWIW, I do not think the 103 is worth the dough over the 96. I road one of each for a full day (eg ltd and a ultra). In fact, the 96 felt a tad peppier to me though the 103 is a little higher compression.

Both felt like ho hum compared to my 118.

 

[Pete]

K. That's what I thought, the trimmings. So, basically, you'd prefer the frame mounted fairing?

FWIW, I do not think the 103 is worth the dough over the 96. I road one of each for a full day (eg ltd and a ultra). In fact, the 96 felt a tad peppier to me though the 103 is a little higher compression.

Both felt like ho hum compared to my 118.

I haven't ridden a 103, I assume it would have more pep. It is standard on the RG so it doesn't cost anyhting extra like an option. Of course the minute you buy it most people put pipes and a breather kit on it to open it up. That still pisses me off.

Yes I did prefer it. The Road Glide, or Road Toad as it is referred to by some Harley people is a nice bike. The fairing is stretched out in front, it makes the forks lighter and the bike reacts to wind much less.

Road Glides are quite popular out west, not so much here on the east coast. Out there you see them all over and most are modified to make them "ultra's". I actually put a deposit on one, then came home and priced all the parts to convert it to an ultra and it was cheaper to buy an ultra so I called and swapped.

All American has a demo day weekend after this. I have a slot to ride a beautiful red one. I might back out because I dont want to buy it

 

[Pete]

I have a '10 RKC and it has ample room and I'm no small dude, Heritage i sat on was good but felt like I was "reaching" a bit with the handle bars, no problem but may have been on a long ride

Yea I would have to crank the bars back on the RG about an inch.

 

[Larry Gude]

I haven't ridden a 103, I assume it would have more pep. Of course the minute you buy it most people put pipes and a breather kit on it to open it up. That still pisses me off.

Yes I did prefer it. The Road Glide, or Road Toad as it is referred to by some Harley people is a nice bike. The fairing is stretched out in front, it makes the forks lighter and the bike reacts to wind much less.

Road Glides are quite popular out west, not so much here on the east coast. Out there you see them all over and most are modified to make them "ultra's". I actually put a deposit on one, then came home and priced all the parts to convert it to an ultra and it was cheaper to buy an ultra so I called and swapped.

All American has a demo day weekend after this. I have a slot to ride a beautiful red one. I might back out because I dont want to buy it

Buddy of mine has a Road Glide Screaming Eagle. Now THAT motor I might go for.

I've hear what you are saying about the wind and the lighter front end on the RG v. the fork mounted EG's. Not that I have ridden in extreme wind but I was impressed with the ultra and the EG ltd just how nimble they were as is. You ride an UC so, you'd be a far better judge.

 

[Pete]

Buddy of mine has a Road Glide Screaming Eagle. Now THAT motor I might go for.

I've hear what you are saying about the wind and the lighter front end on the RG v. the fork mounted EG's. Not that I have ridden in extreme wind but I was impressed with the ultra and the EG ltd just how nimble they were as is. You ride an UC so, you'd be a far better judge.

The Screaming Eagle is a nice bike. That is the one that Aps always points out as a typical Harley @ $35K to show how expensive they are.

The forks not having the weight and wind resistance of a fork mounted fairing make it more nimble and responsive than a EG.

I ride in a lot of weather and you do get feedback through the grips with buffeting. Cross winds you really notice but not bad.

 

[aps45819]

The Screaming Eagle is a nice bike. That is the one that Aps always points out as a typical Harley @ $35K to show how expensive they are..

not your "typical" Harley

 

[Larry Gude]

The forks not having the weight and wind resistance of a fork mounted fairing make it more nimble and responsive than a EG.

I ride in a lot of weather and you do get feedback through the grips with buffeting. Cross winds you really notice but not bad.

Yeah, it's gotta be better. It's just that coming off my strat which is 49 feet long, the UC's felt way more nimble. I'd hardly know what to do with even more better front end.

Hell, I just put my windshield back on and immediately noticed the increased resistance and wind feel, feedback.

In any event, for me, an EG and UC are already very nimble, considerably easier to ride than my non fairing bike.