Buying advise

Looking for some buying advice. I currentl yhave a 96 Yamaha Virago. I
hadn't ridden for about 22 years and thought it was about time to get back
into it. I wasn't going to spend a fortune on a starter bike..i.e. a new
HD, so for the last 2 years the Virago has been fine. Next season, I want a
new HD. I plan on using it for short touring, about 3 -4 hour rides, one
way.
I'm partial to the Road King's clean look. But the other tour bikes have a
bit more wind protection, it appears, with the fairing versus the

Buy a used(yer perfect) 2003 FLHT Standard for 10K.

windshield. Has anyone on here owned both a Road King and an Glide-type
machine ? Opinions on both ??

I love my Road Glide and prefer it to the Road King for any long distance
riding.

But for just short trips like you described, the Road King is great as well.
Just set it up with whatever detachables and seat combination you want and
hit the road.

Thanks Rich...

Go to HD and rent a few models. It will give you the best idea for a new
bike.

Unfortunatly the local dealer (I'm in Canada) does not do rentals. They do
have a demo ride day...so that might be my best bet. Thanks for the good
info

Where in Canada, Jack?

Moncton, NB

Ok. If you were in Western Canada I was going to mention a few places.
The demo days are pretty good though. I hit one in September and I got a
few 30 minutes rides in. Next time I'm going to hit the baggers and the
sportsters. The thing I didn't like about the demo rides is that you
ride in a group with a bunch of clowns who use that time to ride since
they don't have bikes. No problem there, but group riding with folks who
only ride twice a year is scary.

the domo rides that I have seen didn't ride in groups.
they left on a designated route one at a time.
the buell demo rides were in groups though.

this was years back,
things may have changed ?

Last demo ride I did from a dealership I went solo any direction I
wanted. I thought that's how they were everywhere on demo days (at
dealerships). The only place I've seen the group rides for demos were
places like Laughlin and Reno.

Jack, I spent 4 years on a RK and the past two on a Street Glide. I
liked 'em both, but prefer the street glide. To me it just feels like
a more "refined" ride. Closer to a full-blown tourer than the RK.

Like the boys are saying though, it's really all about personal
preference. If you can find a way to ride a few, that's your best bet.

Thanks Ken

I've owned a FLHS, rented a RK and own a FLHTCI.
Key's advice is sound....rent and compare under similar situations.
Best money you'll spend and the dealer may give you a break on any
purchase after the rentals. January and February are the best times
for deals.

Ride Safe!
Greasy Rider® DOF/SLOB-6
'97 FLHTCI Lehman trike-Stage 0
53 years of motorcyling
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I like the RK when solo but with the other half the Elec. Its a better
ride for her and I get tunes so I cant hear her.
Yea I love her but riding is riding ;)

I have an flhs. the flhs was replaced with the RK. basically
the same bike.
had a fairing on another bike in the past. didn't really
care much for it.
you should go and rent both to get a firsthand opinion on
them.