Is Road Glide a good touring bike.

[wantone]

The only Harley I ever owned was 883 and I hated it. Any of U guys have any experience with Road glide ? I also had Vic Cross Country for 6 months and did not like it. Stiff clutch, sluggish acceleration and handlebars annoyed me, so I sold the Vic and bought F6 last summer. I like the F6 so far and it's with dealer getting lowered progressive front forks and Rocky's risers. I hope I like it after those mods. If I'm happy I'll go for Aussie cruise ctrl and keep riding it. Other options I'm thinking about are Chieftain, Road Glide, and Vision.

I've had 6 bikes in last 2 yrs and of all I've enjoyed the motor of F6 the most.

[F6B1911]

The only Harley I ever owned was 883 and I hated it. Any of U guys have any experience with Road glide ? I also had Vic Cross Country for 6 months and did not like it. Stiff clutch, sluggish acceleration and handlebars annoyed me, so I sold the Vic and bought F6 last summer. I like the F6 so far and it's with dealer getting lowered progressive front forks and Rocky's risers. I hope I like it after those mods. If I'm happy I'll go for Aussie cruise ctrl and keep riding it. Other options I'm thinking about are Chieftain, Road Glide, and Vision.
I've had 6 bikes in last 2 yrs and of all I've enjoyed the motor of F6 the most.

You're gonna get a wide spectrum of responses on that question.

First what's your definition of "touring"? to some is is a short jaunt of several hours, to others is is several days or weeks.

Simply answered, the Road Glide is good touring bike if you want to "tour" to the ice cream store and back on a Sunday once a month, and you have a boat load of cash for repair and maintenance.
If you want a "Touring Bike," you want a water-cooled bike with a shaft drive, smooth engine, service and maintenance that won't break the bank, etc.


OK, now let's hear the opposing point-of-view.

[BobinMich]

Its a GREAT touring bike. 700-1000 mile days are easy to do on the road glide. 45 MPG if not in a race.

[shooter]

You already own a great touring bike.

[Jimmytee]

The only Harley I ever owned was 883 and I hated it. Any of U guys have any experience with Road glide ? I also had Vic Cross Country for 6 months and did not like it. Stiff clutch, sluggish acceleration and handlebars annoyed me, so I sold the Vic and bought F6 last summer. I like the F6 so far and it's with dealer getting lowered progressive front forks and Rocky's risers. I hope I like it after those mods. If I'm happy I'll go for Aussie cruise ctrl and keep riding it. Other options I'm thinking about are Chieftain, Road Glide, and Vision.

I've had 6 bikes in last 2 yrs and of all I've enjoyed the motor of F6 the most.

I thought you moved to West Virginia

[wantone]

I thought you moved to West Virginia

I did. I'm In Beckley and bike is still at station park Honda, Louisville getting progressive lower front forks. I may go pick it up next month when it starts to warm up a bit. Hopefully lower forks and rocky risers do the trick. I had kury risers and it did not work for me.

[Old Ryder]

As an ex-Harley owner an an Ex-Victory owner, my only comments would be that if you were not happy with a Cross Country then you will not be Happy with a Road Glide. The Vision is better than either but the B has them all covered in my opinion. Sounds to me like you are one of those guys who like a different bike twice a year. I was one of those, too.

[99m3]

I've owned two Road Glides one standard and one CVO. I now own an F6B which I like because the F6 reminds me of the RG. I prefer the stability that the frame mounted fairing provides. I had no complaints with my RG's.

[shooter]

Not trying to be ignorant here. I'm serious. If you want info on a HD you would be better off on an HD site. A Honda site is not the info capital for HD. Like I said , I'm proud you're here but the info may be better elsewhere.

[bobbyf6b]

The changes they have made to the new RG are amazing. The three vents on the fairing create a really smooth riding experience. The RG has always been my dream bike, until Honda came out with the F6B.

After owning a Street Glide, I'm not sure if I'll ever buy another HD touring bike. The maintenance complexity and costs are insane. The Honda is a dream to own and maintain. I don't know if I could go back.

I also have a Sportster for fun on the weekends when I'm not riding the 6. Sportsters are a lot more reliable and easier to maintain.

[wantone]

Not trying to be ignorant here. I'm serious. If you want info on a HD you would be better off on an HD site. A Honda site is not the info capital for HD. Like I said , I'm proud you're here but the info may be better elsewhere.

I think ppl here are more level headed. Most here have ridden all kinds of brands. I'm just curious and want to know what previous road glide owners have to say about that bike. I may eventually test ride the bike. But I really hope this lower front forks and rocky risers do the trick for me. I'm really going no where with new bike every spring and summer. So far I'm blown away with the engine characteristic of F6 but something is missing to make it complete for me.

[smokinjoe187]

I think ppl here are more level headed. Most here have ridden all kinds of brands. I'm just curious and want to know what previous road glide owners have to say about that bike. I may eventually test ride the bike. But I really hope this lower front forks and rocky risers do the trick for me. I'm really going no where with new bike every spring and summer. So far I'm blown away with the engine characteristic of F6 but something is missing to make it complete for me.

here is my nickle,if you have to try this hard to like the f6b,you need to move on...
most will agree that its the finest bike we ever road but its not for everyone
lots of mods for a road glide,not so much for the f6b,be careful and I hope this helps

[chipmaker]

I had a Softail and a Road Glide. Sold them, bought F6B. Never could get used to ergos, loved the performance. The new Rushmore bikes by Harley are amazing. I just trade F6B in for Ultra Glide. Unlike the Honda places in AZ, the HD shops are generous with their demo rides. Go ride them, maybe you will like it better, maybe you won't. I also, demo'd Indians and Victorys.

https://scontent-2.22773.fna.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/t31.0-8/10541422_788667261182433_3211830564038003713_o.jpg

07 RG

https://scontent-2.22773.fna.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/t31.0-8/322610_256783434370821_516298238_o.jpg

[hiflyer]

It's a good bike if you can stand the heat. I can't and won't ride another HD until they do something about it. I used to be one of those guys that HD could do no wrong.

[smokinjoe187]

It's a good bike if you can stand the heat. I can't and won't ride another HD until they do something about it. I used to be one of those guys that HD could do no wrong.



i traded in a hd to get my f6b,and I loved my harley...
risers are not your answer i can tell you this...
my opinion you are going in the wrong direction,the best changes i have made were the heli bars and my ultimate seat
but all this aside you have not even scraped the surface with this bike...stop changing stuff and learn to ride it...this is not a sporty...
never gonna be...this is a first class tour bike...made to eat mile and bring smiles...stop listening to the crowd go get your bike and just ride...
the risers wont help a short rider,you need heli bars...nuff said

[Jimmytee]

I'm with SmokinJoe on the Heli Bars. I hope the Rocky's work for you. The Kury's didn't work for me (pain in the upppers shoulders/back). I didn't want to waste time and money with another set of risers when I was pretty certain the Helibars would be the answer. They were definitely the answer for me. Night and day difference in comfort. Yes they are not cheap, but ....:icon_rolleyes:

[hoglaw]

I traded a 2009 Road Glide for my F6B. At first I liked the Road Glide, but that faded pretty quick. I have owned nothing but HD for 25 years; 2 Fat Boys, 1 FXR, a couple of Road Kings, an Ultra and even a HD sidecar. There was too much wind turbulence with the Road Glide which I attribute to the fairing being so far out front. I tried different windshields but didn't get much improvement.

I must admit that most who own the Road Glide like it. Not me.

If I had bought the Street Glide I might still be riding a Harley, but I didn't.

The F6B is far and away the best bike I've owned, and I've owned a bunch of Hondas, Kawasaki's, multiple BSA's and Triumphs, a Ducati, and several I don't want to mention.

After years of HD expensive maintenance I was shocked when my first service on the F6B was under $200. I thought they had made a mistake on the bill.

The only complaints I have about the F6B (2013) is the lack of cruise, poor quality of the paint, and the radio sucks. I consider these problems minor in the grand scheme of things. The combination of power, electric-like smoothness, and excellent handling far outweigh anything available today.

I'm still trying to decide on a windshield, but I may not change it since I like the stock look so much. A full-face helmet solves most of that problem.

These are my experiences and your's may be different. I know that in my opinion nothing on the market serves my needs like the F6B. I'm 75 and had just about quit riding because of the Road Glide, that has changed dramatically and I really enjoy my F6B. In 9 months I've almost equaled the total mileage on the Road Glide in 5 years.

[opas ride]

As said above, depends on your interpretation of "Touring"..I rode a Victory Vision Tour for over 3 years and on the highway and long distance rides it can't be any better in my opinion...Lots of good reports on the newer Mt.Rushmore Harleys, but have not ridden one so can't comment..Why not go to GW if "touring" is your thing...As for me, my F6B does everything I need it to do and more, and as a result I have no desire to look for anything else.....Sounds to me like your trying to fine the quote, "ideal" bike for all situations and that, my friend will never happen!!

[Texas TC]

I had two Road Glides. Of my 10 Harley's, they were absolutely the best Harley touring bikes. Made many trips to Sturgis, Daytona, Lauglin, Milwaukee, and even Hollister from Texas on those bikes and they were the best on the road with the frame mounted fairing. I had the detachable Tour Pack and could easily pack for ten days including camping gear. The second one was the best as far as performance because it had a 95" big bore kit. Unfortunately, I had to replace two charging systems on that bike. The F6B is the best all round bike and that inludes my two previous full Wings. The performance and handling is far superior to any other big bike I have owned.

[Rcx]

Why don't you just pony up and buy one and then let us know what you think ?
I've had 7 Harley's and who cares
Now I have a f6bd and no regrets
Blah blah blah
It's my bike and I do what I want !
And -gee wiz -I didn't even ride the f6 before I bought it
YAY !

[taxfree4]

Traded this 2013 RG for a 2013 F6B, never regretted one day. Don't miss the heat of the 103 c.i. blowtorch, especially in traffic, which ruined every nice ride.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=cs1PMabHbpc

[Brian D]

Also traded my 13rg custom for my 13f6b. I can honestly say the only thing I miss from the road glide is the sound and the cruise. Way too hot to sit in traffic. Although I have my complaints about the f6. put 10k on that rg in a yr. put 6k on the f6 in less than a year. Keep your f6 you will regret going to a rg. You may like it at first but those good old vibrations will get to your body. My rg got to the point were after 60miles or so I had to get off and walk off all the body aches and I'm only 38yrs old. I could ride this f6 across the country if I had to and only stop to light a cigarette and get fuel. Harley's are bar bikes not touring bikes. Just my 2cents

[motoman]

WTF? Who cares? :jerkit:

Go ask your questions on a Harley Forum!! :icon_rolleyes:

[WingThing]

WTF? Who cares? :jerkit:

Go ask your questions on a Harley Forum!! :icon_rolleyes:

Hey, what's with the sarcasm?:nono: The guy asked a question. Last I checked, that's ok to do around here. Don't like the question? Then move on.

I've owned 5 Harley's. From the 1200 Sportster (Fun bike around town), Fat Boy's (Good Medium range bike but not long distance) to Road King (Decent Medium to long range). That said, I was actually going to get a Road Glide when I came across the F6B at an escort ride for the Vietnam Memorial Wall in Melbourne Fl.. Some guy had one like the one I eventually got. I was looking it over as I'd never seen one (May '14). He came over and let me have a seat and I was sold even without riding it. I ended up buying mine a week later. Loved it ever since and never looked back at the RG as I don't feel I'm missing anything.

Added new Bagger Shield windshield, Rocky Risers (Just what I needed) and an Ultimate Seat (The best. I've had one on my last 4 bikes). The bike was good before the add on's but now, it's hands down the most comfortable and fun bike I've ever owned and I've owned 11 different bikes over the years.

Give your F6B a chance. You'll get a great feel for it and what you need to make it just right and you won't be disappointed.

Happy Trails :yes:

[Yeahoo Whoyah]

I bought a 1999 Road Glide new and enjoyed it, sold it in 2005. Improvements since that time are many, I'm confident the 2015 model is far superior. With the bigger engine H-D performance is much better now too, but they run too hot for me. With today's emmission laws liquid cooled motorcycles are all I will consider when buying new. Shame. At least I still have an air cooled bike from 1971 in my garage to putt around occasionally. The F6B waits for me when I want to get serious and go for distance and comfort.