Motorcycle.com

It's A Dream Machine

If you are old enough to shave you will appreciated any Harley. If you are old enough to have teenagers in the family you will love the Harley Eye Candy being offered in the new 2009 models. If you are old enough to have grandchildren you will fall in love with the latest version of Harley Davidson'...s Road Glide.

Lets face it, when we get a little longer in the tooth, some of us just naturally gravitate to "things that are comfortable and feel good". This bike looks good. It runs straight as a rail. It does not shake, rattle or roll. It stops straight and feels good while doing so. If you like to set the cruise on 70 mph and just smell the wind, this bikes for you. Yes,it will cruise down the boulevard on Saturday evening just fine. Everyone who has a bike will turn their head and give you a thumbs up cause you will be looking good. But, this bike was made for the road. Not just the short road, but the long and winding road. There is a reason they call it Road Glide. With it's new frame, larger front tire and fat rear tire, this touring bike loves the open road. I haven't ridden too many bikes over my lifetime that I could straddle for 8-10 hours a day without feeling like I have been riding a horse all day long. The Road Glide seat hits me just high enough to feel some support in the lower lumbar region. The adjustable rear air shocks are a very nice touch too. I was not expecting either, so it was a pleasant surprise. The stereo CD/FM/AM/Weather Channel is another of the creature comforts that I have grown to love as well. Blasting along on the interstate at 70 mph and being able to listen to music just kind of soothes the savage beast in all of us.

Another of the creature comforts that we old sticks appreciate is a good cruise control. The new Road Glide can be set to any speed between 35-85 mph and be expected to hold it. If something demands that you reduce your speed by 5 mph temporarily you just click the button on the right handlebar 5 times in quick succession to drop down in speed. Ready to resume speed I just push forward on the button. It is nice and you will wonder how you ever got along without it.

In talking to 2007 and 2008 Harley owners before I bought my new bike, most expressed that they were annoyed by several things. First was the heat on the legs, expecially the right leg. The second thing most voiced concern about was the gear ratios on the new 6-speed transmissions. For 2009, Harley has rerouted the exhaust pipe on the right side (rear jug) that effectively takes the heat off your leg. It is no longer an issue. In addressing the transmission issue, engineers have chosen to reduce the ratio about 5% in all gears. The final sprocket has grown by two teeth as well. Without getting to "enginery" here, what that does is allow you to enjoy quicker acceleration while enabling the rider to shift into 6th gear at 60 mph instead of 70 mph. You can still shift wherever you feel comfortable, but for most of us 15-25-35-45-60 feels about right. If you are riding along at 60 mph (2000 rpm) in 6th and feel the need to drop a cog for quick passing, just do it! At 70 mph in 6th year you are only spinning at about 2600 rpm so this engine is not even breathing hard for all day cruising.

What this bike is not, is a gas mizer. After 2000 miles and a change of fluids which included synthetics in two holes and dino in the primary, the mileage never has gotten above 42 mpg. Most of my time is spent at 60-75 mph on the higway and somehow I expected to get closer to the MOCOs claim of 35/54. If this bike ever gets close to 54 mpg it will be on a long road downhill. I am an old realist so I just know it ain't gonna happen. So who buys a Harley V-Twin with a 6 speed tranny because it runs cheap" Nobody I know, including me. I have never met the Harley owner who drove in "laboratory like conditions" and don't expect I ever will. Most drive like they got a pair and I am no exception. Having said that much, I suppose I should be glad to be getting 42 mpg average, so I am.

If there is a fly in the ointment here, it has to be the windshield Harley puts on the Road Glide. The stock windshield is 12 1/2" tall and with my 5'10" frame, it don't get it. There is a lot of wind buffeting going on in the helmet region when at at the higher cruising speeds. This in itself is not a deal breaker and I was kind of expecting it. I can see an aftermarket windshield in the near future which has a flair on the top which will put that problem to rest, once and for all. If you are not an all day highway cruiser the stock windshield would probably suit your needs well.

The long and short of this is that if you are in the market for a new road machine, you would not be disappointed in the 2009 Road Glide. It is indeed a dream to own and ride. Read Full Review

SMOOTH !

The 2009 is my second Harley after riding a 2006 Low Rider the Road Glide is definately the next step to great ride. I have had zero problems mechanically or otherwise with the Road Glide. It handles incredably and rides even better. For those 100 mile plus trips, you get there refreshed and relax...ed from the ride. No better way to get away. Read Full Review