roadking vs wide glide?
K7jy
bike of my dreams and now am in the throes of a big debate. And yes I have test
ridden both bikes, but for about half hour each. What I'm hoping to hear from
you all out there who own these bikes is some long term comparative experience
between the two. Anyone lucky enough to own (or owned) both of them and could
please give me some feedback on comfort on the short and long hauls, the fun
factor, big front tire vs narrow tire, 32 deg rake vs 26 deg rake, weight
differences, etc.? They are both magnificent machines in my opinion.
Here's my situation: 6'2" 250 lbs. reasonably good physical condition. Daily
ride 7 miles to work each day. Occasional weekend mountain riding during the
summer months, and one long trip every summer (1500 miles or so). Currently on
a Sportster, that I plan to keep. My wife does not enjoy riding, btw.
Big questions are: is the Wide Glide as comfortable, or close, to the RK on
long hauls? Which is easier in city riding? in the mountains? Which is more
"fun" in YOUR opinion? Any thoughts from a pillion passenger perspective (just
in case I can win her over)?
Any input from folks who have experience with both of these rides would be
very much appreciated. And PLEASE don't tell me to "test ride 'em yourself",
"only I can decide", etc etc. I'm inquiring about YOUR experiences. Many thanks
and cheers, professor
AH#49
>
> Greetings all and drinks all around.
Thank you.
> Big questions are: is the Wide Glide as comfortable, or close, to the RK on
> long hauls?
Get the Honda Gold wing if you have to ask.
A stunningly large and comfortable bike with more extras then God could
conceive.
Dennis Peterson
> Greetings all and drinks all around. I finally saved enough dough to get the
> bike of my dreams and now am in the throes of a big debate.
> Any input from folks who have experience with both of these rides would be
> very much appreciated. And PLEASE don't tell me to "test ride 'em yourself",
> "only I can decide", etc etc. I'm inquiring about YOUR experiences. Many thanks
> and cheers, professor
Either bike will handle your ride requirements. It's now a matter of how
much stuff you would like to carry. Nuttin' like plenty of space for
long rides.
dp
Bob La Londe
news:pdlQa.575$Jv2....@news.uswest.net...
Hear! Hear! A trailer hitch fixes all.
Tom
K7jy wrote:
> Big questions are: is the Wide Glide as comfortable, or close, to the RK on
> long hauls? Which is easier in city riding? in the mountains? Which is more
> "fun" in YOUR opinion? Any thoughts from a pillion passenger perspective (just
> in case I can win her over)?
> Any input from folks who have experience with both of these rides would be
> very much appreciated. And PLEASE don't tell me to "test ride 'em yourself",
> "only I can decide", etc etc. I'm inquiring about YOUR experiences.
I can come close, having owned both an '01 WideGlide and an '01 Ultra Classic(I
know, but it's the same chassis).
Considering the MSRP prices are pretty close if I had the 2 sitting side by side
with the money in my fist I would probably opt for the RK, simply because it's the
most bike for the money. Almost guaranteed you'll be wanting bags and a windshield
on the Wide Glide eventually, you'll pay the same money for the Glide or the RK and
the RK comes with the bags and windshield.
Both will be perfectly capable bikes for your riding. IMO the scale tips to the RK
for highway because of it's ride, to the WG for in town for it's maneuverability.
I find the FL front end to be a bit twitchy at slow speeds.
"Cool factor" IMO opinion leans to the WG, I like the styling.
Tom
redfishnc
"Tom" <tkr...@cedar-rapids.net> wrote in message
news:3F120347...@cedar-rapids.net...
Luscious Red Road King. rides the blue ridge parkway and feels just right.
kmart parking lot, feels BIG.
happy trails
redfishnc
FLHRCI, "Evelyn"
Roger M
K7jy wrote:
I've only owned and ridden one wide glide. I hated it and sold it after about a
week. On the other hand the RK I now own can do anything the wg could do except in
triplicate. It handles around town as well as any bike I've ever ridden. Maybe it's
because I'm used to it maybe because it's just that good I don't know. I do know
some friends and I rode about 230 miles today not particularly going anywhere but
for a ride. The ride just re-affirmed how happy I am with my bike. I thought I
wanted to get an Ultra but after riding a friends about 2 weeks ago I realized I'm
not missing anything. It really falls to personal choice and a little bit of
thinking about what the future might hold as far as your riding habits go. I know
I'm apt to go on longer trips with the King than I've ever been with any other bike
I've ever had.
Roger
Philip Nasadowski
Actually, I think the WG is the best Harley out there, but shit, I own
one so I'm biased :)
--
To email me, chage 'usermale' to 'usermail'.
Loser 1
news:besv8u$8i5sv$1...@ID-163264.news.uni-berlin.de:
>
> Hear! Hear! A trailer hitch fixes all.
>
I second that! A hitch on my 95 RK, along with a Time Out
cargo trailer, and I'm good to go.
.boB
>Here's my situation: 6'2" 250 lbs. reasonably good physical condition. Daily
>ride 7 miles to work each day. Occasional weekend mountain riding during the
>summer months, and one long trip every summer (1500 miles or so). Currently on
>a Sportster, that I plan to keep. My wife does not enjoy riding, btw.
>
>
Both bikes will do what you want. The RK is a little heavier, and
therefore has a smaller power:weight ratio. The WG has a crappy front
end, but that can easily be fixed. Cost ends up being about the same;
the RK comes ready to go, and the WG needs a few parts added for touring
(windshield, bags, etc). Luggage space is really about the same for
both bikes.
That being said, I put 10-12K miles a year on my WG, usually with a
passenger. I've taken 2 weeks trips, with plenty of room for luggage.
I can easily ride for 6-8 hour days.
I think what it boils down to is which one gives you a woody. Buy
that one.
--
.boB
97 H-D FXDWG - Turbocharged!!
01 Dakota Quad Sport, 5.9/Auto/4x4
83 GMC Jimmy (beater)
66 427SC Cobra Replica - Project
66 Mustang coupe - Daily Driver
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K7jy
>end, but that can easily be fixed.
Thanks Bob for the insights. What exactly do you mean by "crappy front end"? Is
it the narrow tire that is the problem, or is it forks and springs? What did
you do to fix it? Thanks. Professor
.boB
The problem is really the springs and long fork tubes. There's a
lot of nose dive with braking. And there's a very distinct "clunk"
whenever you hit a slight bump.
Add a pair of Race Tech gold valve cartridge emulators and 20wt oil,
and the problems go away. The front end is now almost as good as a
Sportster Sport. Greatest suspension improvement you can make for a WG.
Even with the skinny 21" tire, I frequently drag foot pegs.
--
.boB
'01 Dakota Quad Cab, 5.9/Auto/4x4
'97 H-D FXDWG - Turbocharged!
'84 GMC Jimmy - Mountain Beater
'65 427SC Cobra FFR Replica - Project
'66 Mustang Coup - Daily Driver
StephG
came news:3F12D3E...@codenet.net:
> K7jy wrote:
>>>The WG has a crappy front
>>>end, but that can easily be fixed.
>>
>>
>> Thanks Bob for the insights. What exactly do you mean by "crappy front
>> end"? Is it the narrow tire that is the problem, or is it forks and
>> springs? What did you do to fix it? Thanks. Professor
>
> The problem is really the springs and long fork tubes. There's a
> lot of nose dive with braking. And there's a very distinct "clunk"
> whenever you hit a slight bump.
> Add a pair of Race Tech gold valve cartridge emulators and 20wt oil,
> and the problems go away. The front end is now almost as good as a
> Sportster Sport. Greatest suspension improvement you can make for a WG.
> Even with the skinny 21" tire, I frequently drag foot pegs.
>
Just out of curiosity, did you try the Race Tech emulators with regular
Harley fork oil before trying the 20wt? I find even the Harley oil is a
little stiff and feels the concrete joints and depressions a little too well
for my taste most of the year, but is near perfect when the temps edge to or
over 100 degrees. That's in a Softail Standard, which has the same forks.
It probably depends on how much you weigh and how much weight you're
carrying, but I think some preload in the fork springs (I use PVC tubing) is
preferable to heavier oil to stiffen the forks up with the emulators.
--
~---(_) StephG AH108 BS30 YPF8
(>/ "That which does not kill you,
)/ makes for a good story."
(_) www.casadiablos.com/stephg.htm
.boB
>
>Just out of curiosity, did you try the Race Tech emulators with regular
>Harley fork oil before trying the 20wt? I find even the Harley oil is a
>little stiff and feels the concrete joints and depressions a little too well
>for my taste most of the year, but is near perfect when the temps edge to or
>over 100 degrees. That's in a Softail Standard, which has the same forks.
>
>It probably depends on how much you weigh and how much weight you're
>carrying, but I think some preload in the fork springs (I use PVC tubing) is
>preferable to heavier oil to stiffen the forks up with the emulators.
>
No, never tried that combo. But I am very happy with the way the
bike feels and handles.
--
.boB
97 H-D FXDWG - Turbocharged!!
01 Dakota Quad Sport, 5.9/Auto/4x4
83 GMC Jimmy (beater)
66 427SC Cobra Replica - Project
66 Mustang coupe - Daily Driver
Tom
redfishnc wrote:
> "Tom" <tkr...@cedar-rapids.net> wrote in message
> news:3F120347...@cedar-rapids.net...
>
> > I find the FL front end to be a bit twitchy at slow speeds.
> > "Cool factor" IMO opinion leans to the WG, I like the styling.
>
> Luscious Red Road King. rides the blue ridge parkway and feels just right.
> kmart parking lot, feels BIG.
EXACTLY.........
The FL front end is more responsive at low speeds because of it's reversed
triple trees, but too much so IMO. I used to be able to ride my WG REALLY slow
and maintain my line by wiggling the front just a bit. On the FL "just a bit"
translates into a whole lot of movement.
Tom