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I test rode the "dark side" at the rally... one word... AWESOME! :shock: 
Don't get me wrong, I'm not getting rid of my custom VOL anytime soon, but I think I just discovered my long hauler for 200+ mile runs! 8)
I test rode the 2008 Road Glide first. Because I used to ride sport bikes, the "frame-fixed" fairing didn't bother me at all. You definitely sit up (on top) of this ride vs "in" a lowered 2", Corbin YG saddled VOL. Fit and finish typical EXCELLENT HD quality. Yes, I was already thinking of how many ways to mod this, customize that... :shock: Steering was light (similar to the VOL). It handled well in the crowded parking lot (at speed). I'm sure, with some practice, I could flick it around like the VOL at 10mph and less. It was a self-guided ride so I started out by pulling out of the parking lot and directly on to Casino Drive (35mph) for about 1 block. Made a left on to the highway (for about a block - 35mph). Then left on to a town road for about 3/4 mile at 35mph. Right on to a double lane city street for about 3 miles... eye-balled for cops and opened her up! Wooo hooo! Power from the 96" motor was excellent, nice torque and hp. She got up to 60mph no prob in 4th gear (remember this is a 6speed tranny). Buffeting was minimal. I'm sure there's after market add-ons to smooth out the air. Next, applied heavy brakes to a stop sign... NICE Brembo ABS brakes! No fade, completely MORE than enough... I was warned by the HD Rep to ease into the brakes vs grab a handful... they will bight! Right turn on to a wide open double-lane city street, with no traffic for about 3 miles. Again, opened it up... this time to 80mph with the stereo blairing! NICE! But the stereo (speed sensitive volume) couldn't handle the volume at speed. Again, after market, higher wattage speakers will fix that problem. At this point, there was a strong cross-wind (L to R) coming across the road. I could feel the wind pushing from the left on the bike, but nothing bad. I brought the VOL up to the same street after my demo ride and it was getting pushed around a bit... so the Road Glide sat well in the heavy cross-winds. Next I brought the RG down to another stop... right turn on to that previous little highway in the beginning... downhill at approx 60mph... slowing to the speed limit (45mph) just as 4 HD State Troopers come haulin' past at 80mph! Missed me by _ that much! Traffic started to back up at Casino Drive, so I got to feel the bike at idle... ROUGH! Gotta tune up the demo rides HD! I know that they are a little rough at idle, but even my buddy who has ridden HDs since the 70's said that the Road Glide's idle was WAY TOO ROUGH. Nothing a proper tune wouldn't help. Cruised down Casino drive and into the parking lot. Manuvered well at low speed and easily stopped on the mark the HD Rep pointed to. Overall... 4.5 stars (outta 5 stars). I give it high marks in all categories, but a little down on the stereo and the idle... both that potentially could be corrected.
Next I waited 45mins to test ride the 08 Street Glide. I had high hopes for this HD, but it came up shy of the Road Glide. I won't bore you with the "color" I gave on the Glide's review, but I will share the highlights...
The weight of the batwing can definitely be felt in the steering. I'm sure those of you that have the bat wing on the VOL/C50 know what I'm speaking of. I specifically wanted to see the different between the RG and SG at speed... buffeting, stereo, stability, wind noise, etc. Unfortunately for the SG... it did not live up to the RG's comfort and handling in my opinion. In the performance area, very similar feel for power and delivery, but much more buffeting at speed. Again, I could feel the weight of the wing on the front end on slow speed turns. In the same cross wind, it seemed that the fairing caught the wind and acted almost like a sail. Some of my buddies that own HD Classics said they've had trouble with this in the past with the bat wing in heavy winds. The stereo actually was better at speed! Estethics... I could sit flat footed on the SG, but "almost" flat footed on the RG. I liked the SG, but not so much after I rode the RG. I gave the SG 3 outta 5 stars. Low marks for slow speed handling, buffeting (sail like action in winds) and front end weight on steering.
All in all, both great bikes, but the Road Glide is my personal preference for the long haul. I GOTTA GET ME ONE OF THESE! Awesome ride with nice features and a great motor/tranny. It even comes standard with cruise!
Now only if I could convince the wife! :shock: :wink:
Ken
Don't get me wrong, I'm not getting rid of my custom VOL anytime soon, but I think I just discovered my long hauler for 200+ mile runs! 8)
I test rode the 2008 Road Glide first. Because I used to ride sport bikes, the "frame-fixed" fairing didn't bother me at all. You definitely sit up (on top) of this ride vs "in" a lowered 2", Corbin YG saddled VOL. Fit and finish typical EXCELLENT HD quality. Yes, I was already thinking of how many ways to mod this, customize that... :shock:
Steering was light (similar to the VOL). It handled well in the crowded parking lot (at speed). I'm sure, with some practice, I could flick it around like the VOL at 10mph and less. It was a self-guided ride so I started out by pulling out of the parking lot and directly on to Casino Drive (35mph) for about 1 block. Made a left on to the highway (for about a block - 35mph). Then left on to a town road for about 3/4 mile at 35mph. Right on to a double lane city street for about 3 miles... eye-balled for cops and opened her up! Wooo hooo! Power from the 96" motor was excellent, nice torque and hp. She got up to 60mph no prob in 4th gear (remember this is a 6speed tranny). Buffeting was minimal. I'm sure there's after market add-ons to smooth out the air. Next, applied heavy brakes to a stop sign... NICE Brembo ABS brakes! No fade, completely MORE than enough... I was warned by the HD Rep to ease into the brakes vs grab a handful... they will bight! Right turn on to a wide open double-lane city street, with no traffic for about 3 miles. Again, opened it up... this time to 80mph with the stereo blairing! NICE! But the stereo (speed sensitive volume) couldn't handle the volume at speed. Again, after market, higher wattage speakers will fix that problem. At this point, there was a strong cross-wind (L to R) coming across the road. I could feel the wind pushing from the left on the bike, but nothing bad. I brought the VOL up to the same street after my demo ride and it was getting pushed around a bit... so the Road Glide sat well in the heavy cross-winds. Next I brought the RG down to another stop... right turn on to that previous little highway in the beginning... downhill at approx 60mph... slowing to the speed limit (45mph) just as 4 HD State Troopers come haulin' past at 80mph! Missed me by _ that much! Traffic started to back up at Casino Drive, so I got to feel the bike at idle... ROUGH! Gotta tune up the demo rides HD! I know that they are a little rough at idle, but even my buddy who has ridden HDs since the 70's said that the Road Glide's idle was WAY TOO ROUGH. Nothing a proper tune wouldn't help. Cruised down Casino drive and into the parking lot. Manuvered well at low speed and easily stopped on the mark the HD Rep pointed to. Overall... 4.5 stars (outta 5 stars). I give it high marks in all categories, but a little down on the stereo and the idle... both that potentially could be corrected.Next I waited 45mins to test ride the 08 Street Glide. I had high hopes for this HD, but it came up shy of the Road Glide. I won't bore you with the "color" I gave on the Glide's review, but I will share the highlights...
The weight of the batwing can definitely be felt in the steering. I'm sure those of you that have the bat wing on the VOL/C50 know what I'm speaking of. I specifically wanted to see the different between the RG and SG at speed... buffeting, stereo, stability, wind noise, etc. Unfortunately for the SG... it did not live up to the RG's comfort and handling in my opinion. In the performance area, very similar feel for power and delivery, but much more buffeting at speed. Again, I could feel the weight of the wing on the front end on slow speed turns. In the same cross wind, it seemed that the fairing caught the wind and acted almost like a sail. Some of my buddies that own HD Classics said they've had trouble with this in the past with the bat wing in heavy winds. The stereo actually was better at speed! Estethics... I could sit flat footed on the SG, but "almost" flat footed on the RG. I liked the SG, but not so much after I rode the RG. I gave the SG 3 outta 5 stars. Low marks for slow speed handling, buffeting (sail like action in winds) and front end weight on steering.
All in all, both great bikes, but the Road Glide is my personal preference for the long haul. I GOTTA GET ME ONE OF THESE! Awesome ride with nice features and a great motor/tranny. It even comes standard with cruise!
Now only if I could convince the wife! :shock: :wink:
Ken
