Road Glide vs Ultra Classic

I have read many an article titled, "Road Glide vs. Ultra Classic". Those who own Road Glides slam Ultra owners and vis versa. I am not here to slam whatever you ride, the important thing is that you ride. Because you ride, we share a common bond, the family of bikers! I will share my thoughts on two of the many touring models Harley-Davidson sells. Whether you purchase a bike for looks (timeless beauty) or effortless stability on the road, it comes down to one thing, you buy what "you" like. Don't be persuated by the thoughts of others. Take the time to ride many different models, then make an educated decision based on the type of rider you are, where you ride, how far you ride and whether you go solo or with a passenger.

My first touring model was a 1984 Honda Gold Wing Interstate 1200. I loved that bike, but our children were still in diapers and I couldn't get enough time to ride to enjoy what I had. Within a year the bike was sold. What I remember about the Wing was the fixed mounted fairing, mounted to the frame of the bike and not the handlebars. Back then I didn't know what stability was because I had ridden very few bikes, especially at highway speeds.


The next touring bike was the 2000 Electra Glide Standard, followed by a 2000 Electra Glide Ultra Classic and then last year purchased a brand new 2008 Ultra Classic. These three bikes had one big thing in common, the "bat-wing" fairing. This fairing is a signature of Harley-Davidson touring models. The bat-wing fairing has not changed much in 30 years. What has stayed constant is how it is affixed to the handlebars. Before buying the Ultra Classic, I had looked at the Road Glide and even priced out a few options such as adding a King Tour-Pak and Lower Glove Boxes. The price for the Road Glide with these options far exceeded the Ultra Classic! At the time none of my friends owned a Road Glide and I didn't want to stand out! I got a great deal from Capital City Harley-Davidson on the Ultra Classic. How can you go wrong with an Ultra? It has everything and much more when it comes to features.


For the past year I have read more and more articles from owners of Road Glides as well as talking to new friends that ride them. They all say, ride one, then make a decision. Don't buy on looks alone. I forgot to mention that last summer for one week I rode a Yellow Sun Glo 2005 Road Glide from Capital City HD. I was very impressed at how sure footed it was on the Interstate. The frame mounted fairing handled the wind and 18 wheelers without any wind buffeting. I never had to "hang-on" with cross winds and fight the handlebars like the "bat-wing" fairings. The looks of the RG, well I'll be honest it is different but it does have the European sexiness of a Italian sports car. The RG is very nimble is the twisties and stable at highway speeds. I look at the RG as a sport touring bike and maybe Harley's best kept secret. It is their only frame mounted touring bike.


From the articles I have read these are some comments made by other Road Glide owners; better gas mileage, less wear and tear on the rider (less fatigue), better stability in cross winds, easier into and out of corners, greater distances without aches and pains. About 90% of my riding is on the Interstate at highway speeds, in close proximity of semi trucks and cross winds made my decision for my next bike to be a Road Glide fairly easy.


As luck would have it, I had some little things continuely go wrong on the new Ultra Classic. These little things made it difficult for me to enjoy it to the fullest. The Ultra had been in and out of the service bay more times than I remember. It was after Daytona Bike Week in March that I decided to shop around for a Road Glide. After looking at many dealerships and pricing a few 2008 models I knew the RG had to come from Capital City HD. I contacted Kerry Royce Head of Sales to see if they had any used RG's in. To my amazement he had just taken a 2008 Vivid Black one in with the laced wheel option and ABS brakes. The bike's previous owner had barely driven it as the odometer read 498 miles! Kerry and I got together and got 'er done! My goal, an even trade, my 2008 Ultra Classic for the 2008 RG. Now you might think I got the short end of the stick, but I was not to be taken advantage of. Within the deal I received heated grips, highway mounts and pegs, center stand, passenger detachable backrest, rider adjustable backrest, detachable King Tour-Pak, luggage rack, adjustable passenger pegs, GPS mounting bracket, 1 year remaining on the warranty and another year of membership to National HOG. My total cost, was the title transfer!


Capital City treated me like a celebrity! They were going to do whatever it took to satisfy my driving habits and come away with a stronger word-of-mouth relationship. By pleasing one person, you might gain a larger customer base.