2018 Sport Glides
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 436
Likes: 71
A couple things I like better about the Sport Glide on top of the previous list are fuller coverage rear fender, no silly license plate bracket sticking out the side, and a nice big, modern headlight.
The extra brake rotor would be nice, but the thing I'd really want from the Fatbob on the Sport Glide is the longer travel rear shock. I rode the FB back to back with the Slim, which has the shorter shock. The difference in ride quality was quite noticeable. May have been the Fatbob was just dialed in better for my weight, but it felt plush and planted. I suppose the fat tires might have helped dissipate the energy from the bumps too. May have been partly the seat and that I just wasn't particularly comfy on the Slim, but it definitely felt harsher and less refined.
In my area, the red Sport Glides seem to sell pretty quick. Black ones linger longer, but either sells faster than most of the other Softies, 'cept for the Heritage.
FWIW, I think people make too much of the 114. Per the HD dyno, a 107 Stage II puts out ~100hp with a flat torque curve which is substantially more go than a stock 114. And the cam is much less than the price difference between the two (especially on the FB). Frankly, for a cruiser, the 107 is plenty strong stock.
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 462
Likes: 37
From: Mississippi
Agree with everything you said, but I would add the Fat Bob to the list. I've had mine 2 weeks and have 1300 miles on it. I can't tell you how much fun this bike is, I ride hard and this bike handles everything I throw at it. Just my opinion 😎
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 1,072
Likes: 212
From: Alabama
Looked at it as a possible next bike. But from a value perspective: another $2k gets bigger bags, bigger hand covering fairing, info system (radio, speakers, GPS), dual front brakes, cruise control, and bigger gas tank in a Street Glide.
Last edited by TeaRunner; May 13, 2018 at 12:09 AM.
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 436
Likes: 71
As to GPS/radio, these days everyone has a cellphone. A pair of Bluetooth headphones from Walmart will sync just fine for $30 and provide infinitely better fidelity than any fairing mounted speakers while running down the road at speed...and you remove 30 lbs of crap from your forks. Surely universal windshields will snap on for cooler weather riding.
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 1,072
Likes: 212
From: Alabama
And an extra couple hundred pounds, always having the bags on even when you're not using them (and worrying about the nice paint on them getting scuffed), and the Sport Glide does have cruise control.
As to GPS/radio, these days everyone has a cellphone. A pair of Bluetooth headphones from Walmart will sync just fine for $30 and provide infinitely better fidelity than any fairing mounted speakers while running down the road at speed...and you remove 30 lbs of crap from your forks. Surely universal windshields will snap on for cooler weather riding.
As to GPS/radio, these days everyone has a cellphone. A pair of Bluetooth headphones from Walmart will sync just fine for $30 and provide infinitely better fidelity than any fairing mounted speakers while running down the road at speed...and you remove 30 lbs of crap from your forks. Surely universal windshields will snap on for cooler weather riding.
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,175
Likes: 592
From: Philly PA
I rode the new Heritage when the 2018 bikes first came out and loved it. Going in I thought maybe I'd be buying a new bike in a few years. After the demo ride it was "when can I buy one" and currently the plan is in Spring of 2018
And then a week or so I had a chance to ride a few demo rides at an event I was attending. I rode the Heritage and still loved it. I rode the Road King Special which I liked because it had the dual disc brakes up front. I found it heavy and awkward for me, but something I could get used to. And then I rode the Sport Glide. I really liked it. I liked the way it handled, accelerated, etc. I was surprised that the small fairing and windshield blocked most of the wind that would have hit my chest. I really did not expect that big of a result. I came away more uncertain on which bike I'd be buying.
My problem is, the new bike I am buying is mainly to cart the wife around when she wants to go for a ride. The Heritage looks to be more comfortable for the passenger. When the time comes, I will have to toss her on the back and see. Truth is, she won't be riding with me all that much so as long as the Sport Glide is not uncomfortable for her then it may be fine.
And then a week or so I had a chance to ride a few demo rides at an event I was attending. I rode the Heritage and still loved it. I rode the Road King Special which I liked because it had the dual disc brakes up front. I found it heavy and awkward for me, but something I could get used to. And then I rode the Sport Glide. I really liked it. I liked the way it handled, accelerated, etc. I was surprised that the small fairing and windshield blocked most of the wind that would have hit my chest. I really did not expect that big of a result. I came away more uncertain on which bike I'd be buying.
My problem is, the new bike I am buying is mainly to cart the wife around when she wants to go for a ride. The Heritage looks to be more comfortable for the passenger. When the time comes, I will have to toss her on the back and see. Truth is, she won't be riding with me all that much so as long as the Sport Glide is not uncomfortable for her then it may be fine.
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Stage I
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 1
Likes: 1
From: BC
Lurker.
Just picked up a new sportglide last weekend - love it so far - and just a couple things I want to change to make it mine.
What bars / mirrors are those?
Thanks. Like what you've done
Just picked up a new sportglide last weekend - love it so far - and just a couple things I want to change to make it mine.
What bars / mirrors are those?
Thanks. Like what you've done
Novice
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 22
Likes: 19
From: Massachusetts
thanks. Lucky Daves 13 lucky 13 bars and stock mirrors I just flipped them. I put them back up top tho.
Last edited by Sportglideguy; May 18, 2018 at 02:24 AM.
