What's better riding than a Super Glide?
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,968
Likes: 34
From: Lockport Township, IL
I love the SuperGlide and could never be without it. Brakes have always been just fine. That being said, the best handling bike I have ever had is the Ultra! Believe it or not, the Ultra is far easier to manuver in tight spots. I can easily do a "U" turn in my driveway on the Ultra. Although the Ultra LOOKS like a big heavy garbage truck, it really does handle well and is the most comfortable ride I have ever had.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 4,082
Likes: 11
From: Long Island, NY
Have you been on the Road Glide? Just rode one last week (over 1400 miles) and if you like the handling of the Ultra, you'll love the handling of the RG. Awesome machine! Would love to have one as a second bike.
I love the SuperGlide and could never be without it. Brakes have always been just fine. That being said, the best handling bike I have ever had is the Ultra! Believe it or not, the Ultra is far easier to manuver in tight spots. I can easily do a "U" turn in my driveway on the Ultra. Although the Ultra LOOKS like a big heavy garbage truck, it really does handle well and is the most comfortable ride I have ever had.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 4,082
Likes: 11
From: Long Island, NY
Maybe the brakes on the demo bike were shot? HD has done a pretty good job in regards to improving the quality of their stock brakes. Could always upgrade with PM or Brembo. Steel braided lines will also improve the feel.
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
From: Kansas
Wednesday I got out and took a long ride South for a few hours. I stopped in at a HD dealer and found myself looking at the Super Glides while stretching my legs. The next thing I know I am out on a demo ride of one. The ride was about a 6 mile course they offered me. I couldn't believe how much nicer it is over a 1200 custom sportster. The SG just handled good enough I was ready to take it home with me. The last part of the ride back to the dealer was on a 55 mph stretch of lightly used highway. The bike got up to speed really fast and shifting was a breeze. The problem I found was in slowing down. I wasn't use to mid controls and at first thought that was the problem. Pressing down hard on both brakes did what I thought was minimal braking compared to the sporty.
I read on these forums that brakes are a known concern of riders on the Super Glide. I was going to put on forward controls but I hesitate to think I would have to do a brake upgrade just to be safe on the road.
So I get to my question is there another model next in line after the Super Glide that handles as well but has better brakes?
I read on these forums that brakes are a known concern of riders on the Super Glide. I was going to put on forward controls but I hesitate to think I would have to do a brake upgrade just to be safe on the road.
So I get to my question is there another model next in line after the Super Glide that handles as well but has better brakes?
Thread Starter
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 5,023
Likes: 1,352
From: Virginia
I don't think the brakes were shot maybe not well adjusted. The bike was brand new and only had 1 mile on it.
Fat Bob? I always liked the look of those, ok next on my list to demo then.
Fat Bob? I always liked the look of those, ok next on my list to demo then.
Banned
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 488
Likes: 1
From: So. MD
There's another thing to keep in mind, especially if the bike only had 1 mile on it. Break in.
When I took my '10 WG home (better riding bike, too in my unbiased opinion, lol) it had 4 miles and the brakes felt like ***. As I put miles on it they definately got much better. A brand new set of brakes will always feel a little mushy........hell, I'd almost slap the salesperson for not warning you of that and being careful of the new tires if that bike only had 1 mile on it.......
Good luck and let us know what you end up with!
When I took my '10 WG home (better riding bike, too in my unbiased opinion, lol) it had 4 miles and the brakes felt like ***. As I put miles on it they definately got much better. A brand new set of brakes will always feel a little mushy........hell, I'd almost slap the salesperson for not warning you of that and being careful of the new tires if that bike only had 1 mile on it.......
Good luck and let us know what you end up with!
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Thread Starter
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 5,023
Likes: 1,352
From: Virginia
The difference I was told between the wide glide and super was the turning radius. That the wide glide had a larger turning radius than the super glide. Other than that I was told they are exactly the same. I didn't have time to stay there long enough to test a wide glide, wish I had. They had one on the floor that they had installed Burley slammers on and it just looked really good. Yes good point I should have remembered about the brakes being new and not seated in when I took it out. It is funny but all the salesmen I have talked to want you to just take a bike out on the highway and go like hell on it. To me that is certain disaster waiting to happen. I want to "feel" out a bike before I do any speed on one.
There's another thing to keep in mind, especially if the bike only had 1 mile on it. Break in.
When I took my '10 WG home (better riding bike, too in my unbiased opinion, lol) it had 4 miles and the brakes felt like ***. As I put miles on it they definately got much better. A brand new set of brakes will always feel a little mushy........hell, I'd almost slap the salesperson for not warning you of that and being careful of the new tires if that bike only had 1 mile on it.......
Good luck and let us know what you end up with!
When I took my '10 WG home (better riding bike, too in my unbiased opinion, lol) it had 4 miles and the brakes felt like ***. As I put miles on it they definately got much better. A brand new set of brakes will always feel a little mushy........hell, I'd almost slap the salesperson for not warning you of that and being careful of the new tires if that bike only had 1 mile on it.......
Good luck and let us know what you end up with!
Banned
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 5,403
Likes: 7
From: Southwest Florida
The difference I was told between the wide glide and super was the turning radius. That the wide glide had a larger turning radius than the super glide. Other than that I was told they are exactly the same. I didn't have time to stay there long enough to test a wide glide, wish I had. They had one on the floor that they had installed Burley slammers on and it just looked really good. Yes good point I should have remembered about the brakes being new and not seated in when I took it out. It is funny but all the salesmen I have talked to want you to just take a bike out on the highway and go like hell on it. To me that is certain disaster waiting to happen. I want to "feel" out a bike before I do any speed on one.
The WG has a longer wheel base, ergo a bigger turning radius. They also have wider forks, ergo "Wide Glide."
The WG is also a little dressier than the SG, I think. If you take a close look at 'em, I think they have some add-ons that the SG doesn't have.
I chose the SG because, a) It handles better, b) Never been crazy about Forwards, c) Money.
I owned a '77 FXE (SG electric start) and an '84 FLHTC (Dresser, bells, whistles, fiberglass bags). Had the Dresser for about 6 years. I liked it. It was cool. But it's a hand-full. I mean, you start making 3-point turns, backing it up, maneuvering it in parking lots, trying to get out of crowded-bar-parking (not that I ever went to bars) and occasionally trying to put it on grass/dirt/gravel at parks, the beach -- Whatever. Not that I would ever go to a bar at the beach. Nah......
I dug it, good motorcycle. Just more than I wanted to F-Up with. Definitely a highway motorcycle.
Right after I bought it (a year?) I drove it from here to Cleveland, roughly 1,200 miles, in 22 hours -- Flat. And that's what they're for -- The open road.
But I don't do that anymore. My idea of 'roughing it' is the two-ply at the Holiday Inn.