How much ride quality do you lose if getting a Street Glide for 2-up?

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xx†Eddie†xx

New member
First of all, thanks for chiming in with all your responses to my question guys!

Last year at the Harley Demo Days I took out a Street Glide and although I didn't think that I'd like the Batwing, I ended up liking it quite a bit actually. But I've never had a Road King out yet. So I'm thinking my next bike will be a Road King or a Street Glide(or stripped down Ultra).

They're having the Harley Demos again in my town on Monday at the Harley dealership and I just found out this afternoon that they're also having Harley demos tomorrow(Sunday) afternoon at a bike rally in a seaside town appx. 30 minutes from my place. So, I'm definately going to try to get on a few bikes tomorrow and if I don't get to try out what I want, I'll try again on Monday at the dealership.

I want to try out the RK and the SG back to back and see if one stands out for me. I'd also like to try out an Ultra too since I've never had the pleasure. The Ultra has always kinda intimidated me by its sheer size and weight but I think that I'd be ok since I'm used to my 1600cc metric which is also pretty heavy.

I was looking at somebody's Ultra today and it looks like the bottom part of the chrome rail with the rubber bumper on the front fender can be unbolted, is it really that simple to remove that from the front fender?

I really don't care for the looks of that big, bulky rubber bumper on the front fender and would rather have just a thin chrome rail with front-mounted deflector just like what's on the Road King, is that possible?
 
I've never tried the street glide and I;m sure the rear suspension can be adjusted for 2 up but I would recommend trying the ultra classic in an EVO ( personal preference )and I'm sure you would be amazed at the long distance ride capabilties it has for single and 2 up.
 
I bought an 09 SG last year. I didnt like the stock seat/s for 1 or 2 up. Swithed that for a Mustang touring and have loved that. Added the detachable tour pak and wifey loves it a lot better than without. Not only is the storage nice with 2 of us, but I think she feels way safer with behind her too.

As for the shocks, I have been looking into that as well. This is my first bike so i have nothing to compare to and not a lot of experience. the issue I have 2 up is finding a sweet spot that is the right combination of soft as possible ride without bottoming. That said, i am 6'1" and 235, wifey is 5'10" and just under a couple bucks (is that a safe way to say that). My post is a few pages down but has some great reccomendations as far as upgrades. I will post up with pics if I go to something else.

As far as windshield I just took off a 10" clockwerx smoked and tried a 8" LRS. So far I like the LRS better. It seems to give all the protection of the taller shield but looks way better. I went with the solid black (non see thru) and I dont know if I would do that again. i dont see it as a safety thing as I see well over it, its just pulling up to curbs, pumps, other bikes, and stuff like that you have to really be looking as you get close.

All in all I love my SG and feel really cool riding it. I like being able to go from 2 up to solo sporty look in a couple clicks. I also bought the hyd. actuated back rest and would not need that again after the upgraded seat. I no longer have any back pain that I did on long trips with the stocker. I think the hwy pegs might have helped with that too. Nice being able to stretch out a bit.

Looks like you got some good advice. Maybe you should try to rent one for a day. I rented one a couple weeks ago in Missoula, MT for $140/day. You would know in a day how you liked it. I bet a good dealer would even let you split a day between 2 bikes if they weren't booked out.

Good luck, hope you find a good fit. EW
 
Thanks for your input. What you did to your Street Glide is what I'd do too, money permitting. Sounds like a kick-ass bike!

BTW, there are no Harley dealers in my area that rent out bikes.
 
i also think the stuff on the front fender of a ultra classic is bulky and nonesthetic. The street glide has nicer floor boards and the white background on the gauges makes them look better as well as easier to see. I also like the look of the street glide for solo but you can make an ultra look like a street glide but you have to move the antennas and get hardware to make the tourpak removeable. That will cost anywhere from $700-1000. Everyone's different but get what you like-lots of both out there. Not to complicate the matter but you may even consider the new road glide custom. Caution on the road king is the stock handlebars will kill your shoulders after about 30 to 45 minutes on. But imho rkc is best looking motorcycle hd makes. good luck, ride them all, they all have pros and cons that you will always second guess your decision , I promise you.
 
I swapped the rear shocks on my '09 FLHX for Progressive 440's. The ride is absolutely amazing now. Bumps and railroad tracks I hardly feel.
 
I don't know why people think that you can simply take an Ultra and make it into an SG, or give it that streamlined/minimalist SG look by taking off the bumpers and the tourpak. Much more to it than that.

#1, Taking the bumpers off an Ultra (or EGC) makes the fenders look like...you took bumpers off an Ultra. It's half way, in between, and looks kinda cheap. The rear especially. That actually looks awful with the rear light hanging out there in space all by itself on the end of the fender.

#2, Taking the tourpak off an Ultra is Expensive to do it correctly. Like 500-600 bucks expensive. Congrats, now your bike looks like an Ultra without the tourpak...not an SG. Your also now down 50% of your storage, rear speakers, and intercom. Stuff that makes an Ultra great. Some of the reasons you paid nearly 3-4K more for it in the first place...

#3, An Ultra's paint does not look all that great in non-Ultra form. Pinstripes that form boxes, and lines that don't flow. The bike is painted to look like an Ultra...not an SG. Simply taking stuff off the bike does not make that better...

#4, White pinstripe tires, gauges, lack of a rear turn signal/license bar, no rear fender facia, big bag guards, finding a non-poofy super huge seat are all items you'll want to do or address but it's going to cost time and money. If you end up not doing one or more of these they will bother you every now and then.

Point is, buy an Ultra because you want an Ultra. Not because you think you can simply strip it down and it will look SG-ish. Cause it won't.

If you want a SG and want it to ride like an Ultra....buy 13" take off shocks.

If you want an SG that has all the extras of an Ultra... Lord help you.
Get out your wallet because that my friend is going to be expensive.

I only say all of this because I've done it. It wasn't fun. Save yourself the trouble and buy the bike that speaks to you the first time. Add what you "need" and go ride.

lp
 
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