It was such a gorgeous weekend here in New England, my wife and I decided to do some serious touring around. After about 3 hours it became extremely evident that the Sporty is not the greatest for tihs type of activity. I much prefer to drive my Sporty alone. Not that I dislike the company mind you:), but I am just big enough to make it uncomfortable with two people.

1. Does anyone have a Harley that they find good for this? I am not really fond of the loaded touring: don't need that much.

2. Would a softail deluxe be a good bike for this?

Thanks all.

If I was looking for a two-up bike to go along with the Sporty, it would be an Electra Glide Standard.

I prefer the FL's to any of the Softails. The FL line is designed & built to be a two-up mile-eating machine.

Good luck!

....pretty much any Big Twin with the proper set-up.

If I was looking for a two-up bike to go along with the Sporty, it would be an Electra Glide Standard.

I prefer the FL's to any of the Softails. The FL line is designed & built to be a two-up mile-eating machine.

Good luck!

Red is correct.....you can't beat an Eglide for two up.....
just ask my wife:D
I've done as much as 8000 miles in 14 days 2 up on mine.

I was thinking the same thing...E-Glide Standard is a good bike for the money. Depends on how much 2-up you want to do and how much single riding. E-Glide is good for single as well as 2-up. There are a lot of options out there on bikes. If you have a chance before you buy go down and rent one for the weekend and see how it fells after 400 miles. Check out a few bikes before spending your money on something that just doesn't fit your rideing needs.

I would NOT agree that pretty much any BT would do the job, because a dyna isn't THAT much bigger to really ad comfort.

Honestly, there's no question that something with the FLHT/FLHR frame is THE most comfortable/capable 2-up Harley.

That said, like anything else, it all comes down to degrees.

I personally wouldn't waste time on a Softail... cause if I want something bigger, I'd go FHLR again (used to own one for a couple of years, great bike) and if I only wanted something a little bigger (Dyna ish) it would still be mostly a solo bike and I've already got one, it's called my Guzzi.

You got a Sporty already, so you got the small, light and fun base covered.

If you want to do a bunch of 2-up... grab a demo on an FLHT and an FLHR...

Kev

... yep Its all about opinions.

Have to agree with the folks above, EGlide. My personal preference is the EGlide standard. See if planb has pics of his in his gallery.

My best friend has a Springer Softtail. He's done some monster cross country trips on it solo. And he and my niece (they're married) have done a couple 400-500 milers with no real trouble.

My brother in law has a Shovelhead Super Glide and he and my sis have also done some 400-500 milers on it.

But, that doesn't mean they are a good two-up bike for longer riding. They just are what they have and what they ride.

The Dyna and ST's are both considered middle weight cruisers. Of course what's funny about that is the experts also put the Sporty in that class...lol.

For $16+ grand I wouldn't look at an ST.

Yep.

ElectraGlide for long stuff can't be beat. If/when I have the money, I'll have one for the long two-up stuff.

Of course, I'll have to buy the wife a Sporty first... :)

I don't have an e-glide but my dad just got an '05 ultra classic. his other ride is an '03 883R with a Sundowner seat, for mom. She didn't like it that much, but would ride, with her eyes closed.
Dad had his eyes on a new ultra classic at the mobile, al dealer. two weeks later it was still there, so he bought it!!! that was a friday, he picked it up saturday morning, and at 4:00pm they were on the road to orlando. they made it to talahasee that night. Mom says she will not ride the sporty anymore, on account of the great comfort of the road couch! She even kept her eyes open, and almost fell asleep at times, so she says.
Anyway, when i can afford a bike built for 2 iplan to get a road glide.

Having ridden baggers since 1983, I can tell you without a doubt the Electra Glide or any of the FL series bikes is the way to go for 2 up riding.

I guess the Electra Glide is the most preferred, but we won't be doing many 500+ mile trips, we will be doing more like 200-300 max. That's why I thought of the softail deluxe.

The E.G. has the vibration isolated motor which would help, and a slightly smaller footprint than the S.T.

The Softie is lower and a little lighter. The Road King looks good too!

So many choices, so little money!! :D

I like the Road Glide myself. Something about those dual headlights up front, and the fixed front fairing....it appeals to me. I'd definitely put a low profile window on that and get the CD player jammin'!

To have one bike to do it all, the Road King with its detachable windshield AND a tour-pak on a detachable mount, was the way we decided to go. We also have the big one-piece Mustang touring seat. When the wife's not along, I can strip it down in minutes for going solo. I've ridden Softails and they don't come close.

http://home.att.net/~roadkingmoe/Harley/RK0001.JPG

I just bought another bike to fill in the few holes that the Sporty doesn't fill, it is an '06 Road Glide with Stage 1 and Python pipes. You owe it to yourself (and your passenger) to try ther RG. When the 18 wheelers go past in the oncoming lane, you won't even feel it. IMO it beats the RK all to hell. But it's your $.

Someone elses opinion isn't going to help you much.
Grab your other half and go rent a couple of the BT's that catch your eye and go do a few hundred miles two up. This way you'll quickly find whats best for YOUR needs.

I agree about the touring bike as a good choice.

I have a Kawasaki Nomad 1500 for the same reason you mentioned wanting a two up ride, room and comfort, primarily, and whenever the Nomad is tested in a group, it always is included in a group with the Road King, which is the e-glide in a different form, and that might be a good choice for you. I've added a touring trunk with a nice built in backrest, and the better half really likes this.

I've ridden my BIL's electra glide, and I believe it is a fine touring bike. If I get a HD touring ride, it will probably be a Road Glide, but that is simply because I like a frame mounted fairing. I had a Gold Wing with a Vetter Windjammer on it, and that jammer also went onto a CB 900 Custom. I had a later Gold Wing with the factory fairing.

The suggestion to rent several bikes and make a decision from that is a good one. You'll like having an option when you get a good touring ride and have your XL, too .....ah, decisions, decisions.

Like having a Town Car and a Miata - not a bad pair. Good luck, and keep us informed on how it goes.

Padre, I just got my '06 Electra Glide Standard a couple of months ago, and I am very, very pleased with it! I had a Vulcan Nomad prior to my Sportster, and for some reason, even though it was a great tourer, used to wear me out in any type of town riding...the E-glide almost feels like it has power steering, so in-town riding is a breeze...haven't quite figured out why! If you're not going new, do an e-bay search for "Electra Glide"...this will show you all three models available and there are some good deals there...reflecting back now, I think I would've kept my Sportster and gotten a pristine older electra glide, but I'm not going to have buyer's remorse now...except now I'm doing it in reverse, 'cause I miss my Sporty, so now I'm looking for an older Sporty to fill that gap! For two up, whether short or long, and I'm biased, but the Electra Glide Standard, sans tour pak, is the best bang for the buck in my opinion! And I can change from tourer to "street rod" style in twenty minutes! Almost like a Sporty, huh?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v482/planb4/Mvc-006s.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v482/planb4/ebayFLHT.jpg

... yep Its all about opinions.


I can't argue that one.... (ok, I could, but by now you know I COULD argue anything ;) :laugh )

I guess the Electra Glide is the most preferred, but we won't be doing many 500+ mile trips, we will be doing more like 200-300 max. That's why I thought of the softail deluxe.

The E.G. has the vibration isolated motor which would help, and a slightly smaller footprint than the S.T.

The Softie is lower and a little lighter. The Road King looks good too!

So many choices, so little money!! :D



What moe says.

For 2-up you REALLY need an FL front end, the FX front end is too small/light.

When comparing the FLSTs and the FLHs, the FLHs handle MUCH better, feel lighter and absorb bumps/irregularities better. It's kinda a slam dunk for serious riding.

No question that the fairing models are more "practical" but I hate em and I LOVED having the ability to pull of the RK windshield.

Put 65k miles on mine and had her through 30 states in the only 2.5 years I owned it. Much of it 2-up, including a ride from PA to CA. No worries.

But it tis true, buy the one you like. Rent it for a weekend and find out.

Kev

http://www.gigabikes.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10081/normal_RK2.jpg

http://www.gigabikes.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10081/RKRockies.jpg

http://www.gigabikes.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10081/RKUtah.jpg

Both the Road Glide and Road King are awesome touring bikes. However, what about the new Street Glide? Isn't that suppose to be the blend of touring and city riding?

Both the Road Glide and Road King are awesome touring bikes. However, what about the new Street Glide? Isn't that suppose to be the blend of touring and city riding?


I don't see how it would be any better at touring or city rider than the other FLHs... they're just different flavors of the same ice cream...

I don't see how it would be any better at touring or city rider than the other FLHs... they're just different flavors of the same ice cream...

I'm not sure it's suppose to be better. I think it's suppose to be a compromise of both. For example, a dyna or sportster is great in the city as you can whip that bike around. They lack in the touring department. Yes, I know you can modify them to make them tour, but they'll still fall short of a Road King or Road Glide (save the nit picky debate). The Road King or the Road Glide on the other hand will shine while touring, but lack in the city department. Yes, I know they can be nimble in the city as well but they still fall short of the sportster (save the nit picky debate).

I think the Street Glide is suppose to be a good blend of both.

Honestly, I don't own one or know anybody that does. I'm just going off the Harley advertising literature. Just thought I would toss it up as it appears that's what the author of this thread was looking for.

I think this all moot cuz Padre got himself a Road King. :D

Hey Padre, be sure to check out Bert's V2 forum. Lots of the same folks you see around here.

Someone elses opinion isn't going to help you much.
Grab your other half and go rent a couple of the BT's that catch your eye and go do a few hundred miles two up. This way you'll quickly find whats best for YOUR needs.

Bingo! When I started looking for a touring bike, I immediately thought EGlide. That was until both the g/f and I started test sitting and test riding. We rode both the Heritage and the RK, and sat on the EGlide. If the finances work out, I'll be getting an RK. On the other hand, I have buddies swap their RKs for EGlides and/or Heritages. That's why they make so many models.

I'm not sure it's suppose to be better. I think it's suppose to be a compromise of both. For example, a dyna or sportster is great in the city as you can whip that bike around. They lack in the touring department. Yes, I know you can modify them to make them tour, but they'll still fall short of a Road King or Road Glide (save the nit picky debate). The Road King or the Road Glide on the other hand will shine while touring, but lack in the city department. Yes, I know they can be nimble in the city as well but they still fall short of the sportster (save the nit picky debate).

I think the Street Glide is suppose to be a good blend of both.

Honestly, I don't own one or know anybody that does. I'm just going off the Harley advertising literature. Just thought I would toss it up as it appears that's what the author of this thread was looking for.


Still not sure I'm getting you there...

Let me ask it a different way.

How would an E-glide or Road King be any WORSE at city riding than a Street Glide?

How would they be any Worse at touring than a Street Glide?

They'd have to be less of some part of the package in order for the Street Glide to be a better blend of both in some way???? NO?

That said, I actually think the entire FLH line is generally better at both city or touring than a Softail.... and maybe not BETTER at city than a Dyna, but certainly no worse.

K

All the FLHs are the same bike. They're divided into 3 different groups based on fairing, i.e. windshield/no-fairing = Road Kings, batwing fairing = Electra Glides and Street Glide, frame mount fairing = Road Glide. The Street Glide is just an Electra Glide with a different trim package. The Electra Glide Classic and Ultra Classic come with a king tour-pak, but all the others can use that or a smaller one.

All the FLHs are the same bike

that's my point...

E-Glide Standard best 2 up bang for the buck.

Deluxe is cool but you passenger will not like the stock seat and it will take alot of extras to equal the comfort of the Eglide. So your probably looking at cost of 4-5 g's extra.

Both are great bikes but the Egide from my experience is the best touring BT hands down. Why do you think Yammy cloned it !?!

BTW

You can run and Eglide thru the twistys about as hard as a Sporty if you really wanna. Its fatter but its built to run.

Adios

damn you all ! lol every time I have convinced my self I dont need another motorcycle you start all this touring bike talk and get me looking for something to add to the stable. im pretty stuck on the e-glide standard.

damn you all ! lol every time I have convinced my self I dont need another motorcycle you start all this touring bike talk and get me looking for something to add to the stable. im pretty stuck on the e-glide standard.

I gotta say best ride I ever had on 2 wheels.

Feels like a fat cow at first but you get used to it real fast when you see how nimble it really is.

Plus Im a fan of the rubber mount 88's.

88B's are for pussys! If I didnt want vibes I woulda bought a Honda.

Adios

One of the mechanics at the local Harley shop has a Road King, lowered, green custom graphic paint, chrome for days, solo seat, no windsheild, hard bags. Looks like a fat boy with hard bags. It doesnt look huge when its all striped down. If I went for a tour bike, thats how I would set it up. Great for around town, and touring. Im sure it sucks in the twistys.

Im sure it sucks in the twistys.

Exactly.

Thats why I wouldnt consider that for a tourer.

You get into the western mountain ranges and you can have some serious problems.

Might need to invest in frame sliders!

Adios

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v482/planb4/ebayFLHT.jpg

I wanna hump that thing!


Is that wrong?

Adios

Its only wrong if the tail pipe is still hot. ouch:eek: