Hey, Electra-Glide owners: tell me the +/- about this H-D

[sagerat]

Greetings,
I've always liked the looks of the Electra-Glides, but have never ridden one.  Still, on all my long-distance m.c. trips the rides I see the most of are Road Kings, Electra-Glides, and GS's.  I plan to rent an E-G next year for grins and giggles.

I know it's not a sport-tourer, but how is the E-G as a tourer?  Seems all the riders I've met like them, although they have quibbled about the bat fairing being a bear in a crosswind.  Thanks in advance for the info.

[evilted]

I rented and rode an Ultra Glide for about 500 miles around Nashville a couple years ago.  It was a bit top heavy feeling at parking lot speeds (it didn't help that I had a passenger), but hides its weight well once it's rolling at 5-10 mph and was fine on all the roadways (mostly 2-lane with some divided highways) visited.  Turning radius is tighter than on some of the "smaller" metric cruisers I've been on.

The Twin Cam motor bounced around in the rubber frame mounts like a Mexican jumping bean at stoplights -- that was a source of constant amusement to me --  but overall I thought it was a pretty good bike.

Greetings,
I've always liked the looks of the Electra-Glides, but have never ridden one.  Still, on all my long-distance m.c. trips the rides I see the most of are Road Kings, Electra-Glides, and GS's.  I plan to rent an E-G next year for grins and giggles.

I know it's not a sport-tourer, but how is the E-G as a tourer?  Seems all the riders I've met like them, although they have quibbled about the bat fairing being a bear in a crosswind.  Thanks in advance for the info.

[2DFlyer]

I have an FLHT on my short list.  I've rented a Road King and really enjoyed the ride but found the motor - a TC88 - a bit lacking in urge.  It was plenty adequate and the twin cadence is soothing over the long haul.  It was a comfortable bike that just felt right for touring.  

[Playinthestreet]

The 07 and newer 96ci motor w/the 6spd trans is a much better combination than the 88ci/5spd.   Any rental E-glide is likely to have the trunk so you're going to be in the 750lb range.  The bar mounted fairing does make you work a little harder in gusty/crosswind situations but after renting Road-glides several times, (with the frame mounted fairing) found I preferred the E-glides.

They is what they is...  (he'll of a lot easier to scrape the "pegs" on an E-glide than on my Tiger)

 

[chornbe]

Sage, I know you've heard me to on and on about my 'Glide. I love the bike. If you want a 2-up tourer that will carry the weight and get you there in comfort, and you don't want a frenetic I-4 power plant, the HD truly is - for me - the best of the best. On the cross country trip I took it on, I had zero difficulty "keeping up" with buys on FJRs, VFRs and FZs. If they really wanted to lose me in the mountains, they could have, but they never seemed like they had to stop and wait for me. The bike runs and handles just fine. The Goldwing is probably to be considered a "better" bike all around, certainly in performance, however increased weight, the increased cost and the increased bucket load of features (thus adding to the weight and cost) were not what I wanted.

I love my glide. Financial woes make me have to sell it.

I can deliver it right to your driveway.... <---- shameless plug.

[sagerat]

Chris,
Hey, let me at least rent a 'Glide before I begin begging Ural Ballast Babe that I need to have one.  

Although, truth be told I don't think I'd ever own one, not because of any anti-Harley sentiment, but because I've just decided paying $10,000 to $20,000 for a motorcycle is ridiculous when I live in Central Orygun with its ~five month riding season.  If I fall in love with an E-G after renting one, I might just rent one for a long trip.  Even if the fees were $1,000-$1,500 that's cheaper than payments, service, insurance, tires, etc.

[chornbe]

That's pretty much my thinking. Next year when I can afford it, and the 'Glide is sold, I'm doing a track bike and my sportster (or something small, light and fun). On the once or twice a year occasions when I need bigger and more comfy 2-up, renting will do just fine.

[OldBob]

High Country H-D in Frederick, CO, still has a new 2008 EG.  No idea what they want for it.

Bob

[atadaskew]

High Country H-D in Frederick, CO, still has a new 2008 EG.  No idea what they want for it.

Bob

The 09's received huge and very significant changes.

[evilted]

Re: 2009 changes to H-D touring machines:

All-new frame
4-Point engine isolation system
Swingarm with forged pivot section
Re-tuned suspension
Increased passenger room
17” front wheel (except the Road King Classic)
Improved ground clearance allows increased lean angles   (I feel like I should use an emoticon here, but which one? )
70 lbs. more total carrying capacity
Re-designed Isolation Drive System

I think they're also running a wider tire in back, and the '09s come with that new dual compound Dunlop custom designed for H-D.  

The 09's received huge and very significant changes.

[EricD10563]

I have an 09 Road King with 14k miles on it and have road older (not owned) HD's pre 09 improvements, there is to me a big difference in pre 09's to me. I think if you look you will find that almost all the write ups praise the 09 and up Touring models improvements, I have even read complaints from people who were used to the older models complaining that the new model is not plush enough. I guess it depends on what you're used to riding I think it's plenty plush but not so plush that it feels like a disconnect from the front of the bike to the rear of the bike like some of the older models I have ridden. If you rent an 09 and buy an 08 or vice versa they might feel like different bikes. BTW I really like the bike and my main riding partners don't ride HD (Bandit and T100) and both are surprised with the Road Kings ability to not just keep up but set a brisk pace, much lighter bike than what you're looking at though.

Here is some info on the 09 and up models

"Incorporating an all-new frame, swingarm, engine mounting system, wheels and tires, the new chassis forms the foundation for what are truly all-new motorcycles. The key styling elements of these motorcycles, however, are essentially unchanged so that the distinctive character and mechanical beauty of each Touring model is preserved"

"The All-New Touring Chassis:
New from the tires up, the Touring chassis is based on a single-spar, rigid backbone frame that supports an increase in load capacity of 70 pounds. This allows for a five pound increase in each saddlebag and the Tour-Pak. A new swingarm contributes significantly to the overall system.

The frame is engineered to be manufactured with the latest coordinated motion robotic welding process, which offers outstanding dimensional accuracy and weld quality. The frame design results in a 50 percent reduction in parts, and a 50 percent reduction in the total length of welds. T-studs have been eliminated, and the components of the new frame are joined with cast and forged node-tube joints."

"A separate bolt-on tail section isolates the main frame from the tail frame, providing better quality-control during manufacturing and more product-design flexibility. The new tail section improves the fit-and-finish of the rear area of the motorcycle through more-precise alignment of the rear fender over the rear wheel."
 
"A new swingarm is formed with a two-piece, deep-drawn shell with a forged pivot section. The new swingarm contributes significantly to the overall system.
The engine-isolation system has also been revised, resulting in reduced engine and vehicle vibration at idle speed. The new system replaces a single front isolator with twin front isolators with a single tie link. The front and rear mounts are designed to provide optimal balance between stiffness and isolation, and are intended to be very durable. Finally, new asymmetric snubbers provide improved control of the clearance between the engine and frame during extreme bump events."
 
"The wheel-and-tire package is updated, with front wheel diameter increased to 17 inches from 16 inches (except for the Road King Classic) while the width of the 16-inch rear wheel is increased to five inches from three inches. All Touring models will be equipped with new Dunlop D407 Multi-Tread rear tires that offer up to 25 percent more rear-tire tread life. The wider rear wheel accommodates a new 180/65-16 rear tire. The new front tire is a 130/80-17. Front and rear suspension has been recalibrated to match the dynamics of the new chassis, wheels and tires."

"After 28 years of using the same basic frame architecture, Harley decided it was time to debut a new chassis to continue their dominance of the touring segment. “This was the biggest undertaking since the creation of the platform,” said Ben Wright, 2009 Touring Project Lead and Platform Staff Engineer."

[mnb]

I've put 40k on an '07 Road King, which varies little from the Electra Glide - primarily in the lack of a fairing (bullet style windshield instead).

Riding a big cruiser is a bit different than riding most other bikes, but if you've been riding for a while and can approach riding it with an open mind, you'll adapt quickly.  You'll probably scrape the floorboards a lot at first.  Then you'll start riding better lines.  Then you'll scrape them more and just have to learn to ease it back a notch in some turns.

They're big and heavy, but the weight is low.  I get surprised people coming up to me all the time on group rides that are shocked at how much I can do on the Harley.  Once you get used to it, you'll never match the speed of an R1, but you'll be able to rip through stuff much easier than you would expect on a big American Sherman Tank.

I did a 30 day ride on my Road King a couple years ago.  I went through all kinds of weather in late Aug/early Sept.  Wind isn't so much of a problem.  Horsepower is a big lacking fully loaded going over tall passes, but if piling on the power means that much to you, Harleys are pretty easy to hop up.  Godspeed in Oakland, CA does good work and lists a variety of performance upgrades on their site: http://godspeed.bz/performance/domestic-motorcycle-performance.html

If I were to only own one bike, it wouldn't be my Road King.  It's not versatile enough for my interests.  But it does fill a valuable role in my stable.  I love to commute on it.  It's low center of gravity makes lanesharing in traffic easy.  The ride position is comfortable.  Those qualities make for a good commute bike.  

I added a removable Tour Pack on mine.  It's off the bike most of the time, but when I need the luggage space, I can put it on in a few minutes.  It wasn't cheap, but it's perfectly color matched to the bike.  It looks totally stock.

Rent one and ride it for a day or a weekend or so.  You'll either come to like it or not.  Some people just don't get Harleys.  Super speed is too important to them.  All I know is I've got plenty of tickets on my Harley, even if it's is slower than an FJR or whatever.  I want to be riding when I'm 80, so while I like to wick it up a fair amount, it's best to keep the warp speed activities limited to the track with my goals.

[chornbe]

I think they're also running a wider tire in back, and the '09s come with that new dual compound Dunlop custom designed for H-D.  

That's correct. My brother's 09 will completely eat my '08's lunch in every metric. Very, very nice update.  

[chornbe]

I've put 40k on an '07 Road King, which varies little from the Electra Glide - primarily in the lack of a fairing (bullet style windshield instead).

Riding a big cruiser is a bit different than riding most other bikes, but if you've been riding for a while and can approach riding it with an open mind, you'll adapt quickly.  You'll probably scrape the floorboards a lot at first.  Then you'll start riding better lines.  Then you'll scrape them more and just have to learn to ease it back a notch in some turns.

They're big and heavy, but the weight is low.  I get surprised people coming up to me all the time on group rides that are shocked at how much I can do on the Harley.  Once you get used to it, you'll never match the speed of an R1, but you'll be able to rip through stuff much easier than you would expect on a big American Sherman Tank.

I did a 30 day ride on my Road King a couple years ago.  I went through all kinds of weather in late Aug/early Sept.  Wind isn't so much of a problem.  Horsepower is a big lacking fully loaded going over tall passes, but if piling on the power means that much to you, Harleys are pretty easy to hop up.  Godspeed in Oakland, CA does good work and lists a variety of performance upgrades on their site: http://godspeed.bz/performance/domestic-motorcycle-performance.html

If I were to only own one bike, it wouldn't be my Road King.  It's not versatile enough for my interests.  But it does fill a valuable role in my stable.  I love to commute on it.  It's low center of gravity makes lanesharing in traffic easy.  The ride position is comfortable.  Those qualities make for a good commute bike.  

I added a removable Tour Pack on mine.  It's off the bike most of the time, but when I need the luggage space, I can put it on in a few minutes.  It wasn't cheap, but it's perfectly color matched to the bike.  It looks totally stock.

Rent one and ride it for a day or a weekend or so.  You'll either come to like it or not.  Some people just don't get Harleys.  Super speed is too important to them.  All I know is I've got plenty of tickets on my Harley, even if it's is slower than an FJR or whatever.  I want to be riding when I'm 80, so while I like to wick it up a fair amount, it's best to keep the warp speed activities limited to the track with my goals.

This is an excellent post.  

[sagerat]

I have a KLR and Ural; speed is obviously not one of my prime needs.  

[weidauer]

I have a 2008 Ultra Glide; current mileage is ~16k. The only work done has been maintenance: oil changes every 5k, and a new set of tires at 10k. I've ridden it from one coast to the other, and completed a BB1500 on it last June. This is my fifteenth bike, and my first HD. Until now I've never owned anything that could be called a "cruiser," and I've always been more interested in going long than going fast (which is strange considering I've owned two Ninjas and a Breva). Had a Concours for a while (27k), and while it was competent, it got a little buzzy and required valve adjustments every 6k.

I've ridden BMW R100 and GS models, and I just didn't find them comfortable, but that's me. Looked at the Gold Wing, but can't shake the impression that it's a two-wheeled Accord. And the Victory Vision is too weird.

I ride in all kinds of weather (except ice) and have no complaints about the coverage, and the venting is decent. Never noticed any problems with the fairing in a crosswind; certainly it's more stable than my Connie when the wind is blowing. I recommend adding a Stage 1 air cleaner and Vance & Hines Fuelpak, but that's to cool it down and open up the midrange, not for the raw power added (it doesn't really add any). I hear the 2009 is much better in the handling department due to the improved frame, but I do okay on my old flexi-flyer model in the mountains.
 
Overall quality is top-notch, paint is flawless, and dealers are ubiquitous, which is nice when it's just you and the bike in the middle of Texas. Haven't needed one yet, but it's good to know they're there.

Bottom line: if you like big miles, and long days, this is a bike you should at least consider.

[chornbe]

I have a 2008 Ultra Glide; current mileage is ~16k. The only work done has been maintenance: oil changes every 5k, and a new set of tires at 10k. I've ridden it from one coast to the other, and completed a BB1500 on it last June. This is my fifteenth bike, and my first HD. Until now I've never owned anything that could be called a "cruiser," and I've always been more interested in going long than going fast (which is strange considering I've owned two Ninjas and a Breva). Had a Concours for a while (27k), and while it was competent, it got a little buzzy and required valve adjustments every 6k.

I've ridden BMW R100 and GS models, and I just didn't find them comfortable, but that's me. Looked at the Gold Wing, but can't shake the impression that it's a two-wheeled Accord. And the Victory Vision is too weird.

I ride in all kinds of weather (except ice) and have no complaints about the coverage, and the venting is decent. Never noticed any problems with the fairing in a crosswind; certainly it's more stable than my Connie when the wind is blowing. I recommend adding a Stage 1 air cleaner and Vance & Hines Fuelpak, but that's to cool it down and open up the midrange, not for the raw power added (it doesn't really add any). I hear the 2009 is much better in the handling department due to the improved frame, but I do okay on my old flexi-flyer model in the mountains.
 
Overall quality is top-notch, paint is flawless, and dealers are ubiquitous, which is nice when it's just you and the bike in the middle of Texas. Haven't needed one yet, but it's good to know they're there.

Bottom line: if you like big miles, and long days, this is a bike you should at least consider.

 

[sagerat]

Bottom line: if you like big miles, and long days, this is a bike you should at least consider.

That pretty much sums up my touring style.  My one concern is I've always ridden bikes with lots of leanability (is that a word?) and I'd be dragging parts all the time in the twisties.

[wvrider]

so put on some 'sliders" on the floorboards and entertain those around you with fireworks.   Riding a big cruiser can be startling at first. As others have said the lines have to be different and your speeds better managed (not for handling sake so much as preserving that precious ground clearance). After riding one for a while and back on more sporting bikes all your friends will marvel at your newfound skills on the road as they try to match your ability to pick lines through the snakes...
I am seriously thinking of going to the dark side and riding an Ultra as my next bike. I need a 100 mile a day commuter and country 2 lane rider with luggage capacity. Just trying to get over the whole 20k plus to buy one thing   I just havent found alternatives I would run with. If Victory offered ABS in more of their line I would jump over there in a heart beat I think.

Phil

[Playinthestreet]

..
I am seriously thinking of going to the dark side and riding an Ultra as my next bike. I need a 100 mile a day commuter and country 2 lane rider with luggage capacity. Phil

Picked my Glide on the 4th, rode the 4th, 5th, 7th, 10th, 12th and will ride a 250 miler tomorrow with 12-15 others on H-Ds, Wings and Beemers.  There ain't much "sport" to it, but it's a comfortable, rock solid ride.