The Bike

Let’s talk about the motorcycle we currently ride: a 2020 Harley-Davidson Road Glide Special.

We chose this bike specifically for two-up motorcycle touring. Comfort for both rider and passenger was non-negotiable, and we needed something that could handle everything from short day rides to weekend trips and the occasional long-haul adventure. The Road Glide checked all the boxes while still giving us room to make it our own.

So… let’s get into the upgrades we’ve done so far.

If you like these parts, great. If not, that’s fine too — this setup works for us.

Handlebars

If you count the stock bars, we’re currently on our third setup. I think I’ve finally found the right one.

The first aftermarket bars we tried were 12” Carlini Evil Apes. They looked great, but as a shorter rider, they felt too wide. Over time, they became uncomfortable on longer rides — especially when putting in real miles.

After more research, I decided to try something narrower with more of a T-bar feel. I didn’t want to lose visibility or access to the screen, so I went with 14” FXR Division Motorwitch handlebars.

To say I love these bars would be an understatement. The riding position feels more natural, more controlled, and much better for longer two-up rides. The narrower width makes a noticeable difference, especially when riding for extended periods.

Exhaust

I’m currently running a Bassani Road Rage 2-into-1 full exhaust system.

These pipes have a strong, aggressive sound without being obnoxious on longer rides, and I like the overall look on the Road Glide. For a two-up touring setup, sound matters — but so does ride comfort. Luckily, this system doesn’t drone in a way that becomes miserable after a few hours in the saddle.

The one real drawback is access. The way the pipes curve around the motor makes it harder to reach the oil dipstick, especially when everything is hot. It’s not a deal breaker, but it’s something to be aware of if you do your own maintenance.

All things considered, it’s a solid setup, and I’m in no hurry to swap it out.

Seat

I actually run two different seats on this bike, depending on the type of riding we’re doing.

Because I’m a shorter rider, my everyday setup is the Harley-Davidson Reach Seat. It brings me slightly closer to the ground, which improves stability during in-town riding and at stoplights. For daily use and shorter rides, it works well for what it’s designed to do.

However, for longer trips and two-up motorcycle touring, comfort becomes the priority. That’s where the Saddlemen Road Sofa comes in. I don’t have a ton of miles on it yet, but so far it’s been noticeably more comfortable for me on extended rides.

My wife, on the other hand, is still adjusting to it. Passenger comfort is just as important as rider comfort when you’re touring two-up, so we’re working through some positioning adjustments to improve her experience.

Vent Screens

Since the 2020 Road Glide doesn’t have closeable wind tunnel vents, I installed vent screens from Motorcycle Vent Screens.

This has honestly been one of the simplest but most practical upgrades I’ve made. Before installing them, bees and grasshoppers had a direct flight path through the vents and into my face. Not ideal at highway speed.

The screens eliminate that issue without noticeably reducing airflow, which makes long rides much more enjoyable.

Foot Controls

I removed the stock floorboards and upgraded to Thrashin Supply Bagger Floorboards along with a TSC shifter peg.

The biggest improvement was clearance. With the stock boards, I was dragging in corners more than I liked — especially when riding aggressively through backroads. The Thrashin boards provide noticeably better lean angle, which makes the bike feel more capable and confidence-inspiring in the twisties.

The TSC shifter peg was more of a practical upgrade. It has a cleaner look, and it doesn’t scuff up my boots the way the stock rubber peg did. Small change, but one I appreciate every ride.

Cup Holder

For my wife, I added a Ciro3D cup holder that mounts directly to her backrest using a clamp system on the sissy bar.

It’s a simple upgrade, but for two-up motorcycle touring — especially on hotter days — having easy access to water makes a big difference. She doesn’t have to wait until the next stop, and it keeps longer rides more comfortable.

Sometimes the small comfort upgrades matter just as much as the big performance ones.

Phone Mount

I’m currently running a RAM Mount for my iPhone. It’s been reliable, secure, and it gets used every time we’re on the bike — especially for navigation during longer rides.

That said, with the amount of miles we’re putting on the Road Glide, I’m starting to look into options with better vibration dampening. Protecting the phone camera and internal components is something worth paying attention to, especially on longer two-up trips.

An upgrade is likely coming soon.

Luggage Rack

We’re running the King H-D Detachable Two-Up Luggage Rack.

This rack has been a key part of our two-up motorcycle touring setup. It provides a solid platform for multi-day trips and gives us the flexibility to mount different luggage options depending on how long we’re riding.

We haven’t had any issues with fitment or stability, and it handles our packed bags without flexing or shifting — even when fully loaded for 4–5 day trips.

If you’re curious about the luggage we’ve tested on this setup, you can read our full breakdown in our guide to the best luggage for two-up motorcycle touring.

What’s Next

Two-up comfort is always evolving, and our next focus is improving my wife’s riding position. We’ve already purchased Ciro3D Adjustable Comfort Peg Mounts with CMX footpegs in black, and we’re looking forward to dialing that in for longer rides.

I’m also planning to upgrade to Oberon adjustable brake and clutch levers for improved control and comfort.

As we continue riding and putting real miles on the Road Glide, we’ll keep making adjustments where it makes sense. Comfort matters — especially when you’re spending full days in the saddle.

For now, though, the setup is in a good place. So we’ll keep riding and refining it as we go.

If you’d like to follow along or see updates in real time, connect with us on Instagram or TikTok.

The 2020 Road Glide Special has proven to be a solid platform for two-up motorcycle touring. It’s comfortable, adaptable, and gives us the flexibility to build it around how we ride. And as long as we’re putting miles on it together, we’ll keep fine-tuning the setup to match the journey.