Last week I went to my dealership for the 5000 miles service, so, during the service, I took the opportunity to take a look at the latest evolution of the Street Glide. I was itching to try it because everyone is touting the handling as being incomparable with the previous versions.
I got the "white onyx pearl" version with the black hardware, which is very elegant nonetheless, but personally, I'd choose a more classic black and chrome version.








First impression when stopped, the bike is quite low and I straddle it quite easily, the weight is not felt too much, no more than on my RKS, the first roundabouts follow one another easily but it is not bluffing either, my RKS also looks better, I then take small roads, the maneuverability is obvious and the driving very easy, I love the driving position, the best I have tested for a long time, the hands fall naturally on the handlebars which are not too high, the elbows are relaxed along the body, in short a very relaxing position, you feel immediately that you can stay in the saddle for a long time, especially since the latter does not call for criticism, you are well wedged and the fairly firm foam is pleasant. The turns follow one another quite easily, however I still notice a slightly greater inertia of the front when putting it on the angle compared to my RKS which is more neutral and more instinctive, but it is surely a habit to take because it is still very easy for its size.
I really appreciated the protection of the Batwing, the weather was quite cold and the hands are well sheltered, I think they should not get too wet in rainy weather and it is a big plus compared to the windshield where the hands are exposed, on the other hand I find the inner fairing less pleasant than that of the previous versions, I pass on the screen that I do not like too much, preferring rather the analog gauges, but it is especially the massive and vertical aspect of the interior panel that I find a little bulky, I preferred the old version which was more structured with more relief and a slight inclination of the panel which gives less the impression of having a wall in front of you...
Now



It's Brandon's bike, I didn't have a pic of the inner fairing

Previous version, it's also a pic from the forum...



All this to say that even if the protection is interesting for me who rides in all weather and all year round, I am not sure I want this big fairing in front of me, especially since I am not interested in listening to music while riding and I do not use a GPS to get around (but it can be useful, we will see...) I prefer the stripped-down side of my RKS which puts me in more direct contact with the road.
And the engine you will tell me, well this model was equipped with TBR slipons which are way too loud and unpleasant for me and it disturbed my feelings a little, moreover the bike is almost new and I think that it must be able to improve over time like my RKS which has gained flexibility and has freed up a little since its 4000 miles and which works better and better, all the same I noted the good flexibility even in 6th where we resume on a trickle of gas at 1800 rpm, it pushes well, but the fairing attenuates the sensation of speed, so I did not have the impression that it pulled much more than the 114, maybe it takes the turns faster but it is not obvious. I did not play with the driving modes, I immediately put the sport mode which in my opinion is the only useful one, the rest is useless, the real driving mode is your right hand. The throttle actually bothered me a little, it offers less resistance than the previous versions and is therefore very sensitive, I had several jerks when going over potholes or coming out of a bend when accelerating again, but that too is probably something to get used to.
The suspension seems better than the previous versions, but it's still quite firm. That said, I haven't looked at the setting, which wasn't necessarily suitable for me. In any case, the rear is still inferior to my EMCs (french shocks maker) , the front being quite similar to mine.
In conclusion, I find this model very pleasant and easy to ride, but I wonder if the pre-2024 Street Glide special wasn't already. It's been a long time since I've tried one. Back at the dealership, the boss explained that changes had been made to the frame that gave this model a new balance. We'll see. In any case, I'm not sure I'd like this model; too many changes, too much technology. I prefer the old version, especially for its more classic and sleeker bodywork. I don't like the chopped saddlebags, the angular tank, and the small front fender, which probably doesn't offer much protection from water splashes.
So I happily picked up my RKS for the way back, but I keep in mind the protective side of the Batwing, which isn't so bad after all.

 

The overly sensitive throttle has a lot to do with riding in Sport mode and not being used to it. It is responsive.

 

I have not got my 2025 yet, but I am looking forward to it.

 

So for the throttle I also had the explanation, the potentiometer is no longer in the handgrip but in the hand control switch, they changed the system for more smoothness precisely...
That's why...

 

The older bikes had very high AFR Targets at low MAP which caused herky-jerky throttle feel and response. Not sure about the new bikes but the old bikes really benefited from lower AFR Targets at low MAP.