Superglide VS Superglide Custom
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Joined: Jun 2006
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RE: Superglide VS Superglide Custom
I bought a '06 vivid black Super glide and spent the $2300 difference for the custom to make my bike go fast. One thing that is a really a PITA on the super glide is the handlebar mounted speedo makes it a challenge to change handlebars.......other than that I am happy with my choice.
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Joined: Sep 2006
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From: Minnesota
RE: Superglide VS Superglide Custom
T 3 -- when I decided to get back into bikin' a couple years ago, I wanted a Superglide (basic, make what you want out of it, ...). My only gripe about this bike, and this is based on the Superglide, Bad Boy, and DWG I used to own at various times -- I feel the look and ease of keeping a black motor clean is worth whatever it might cost to get it, and the Superglides have always had the plain aluminum engines (back as far as I go, anyway). The black engines stay looking great for years, where the bare aluminum gets a little tired looking after a few years. The Street Bob solves this problem, and perhaps a couple other issues you run into by buying a Superglide, without breaking the bank. Someone perhaps knows of a miracle cure for the ugly 3 year old bare aluminum engine issue, but I've never run across the perfect answer. I'll probably get my butt chewed for going down this path, but you have to admit that all the "deluxe" models have a black engine, and I think many people feel it's a better look. It's personal opinion of course, but the big twin these things are built around looks much better to me in black with the polished aluminum / chrome accents. You can easily change many things on a Superglide, but turning your new bare aluminum engine into a black engine is not one of them. Two years ago there wasn't a bike in the whole line that really appealed to me (the forward controls on the DWG make the air cleaner dig into my leg, so that was out as well). I was finally ready to buy when the Bob was introduced. My .02, just something to think about.
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2006
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From:
RE: Superglide VS Superglide Custom
ORIGINAL: JayMN
T 3 -- when I decided to get back into bikin' a couple years ago, I wanted a Superglide (basic, make what you want out of it, ...). My only gripe about this bike, and this is based on the Superglide, Bad Boy, and DWG I used to own at various times -- I feel the look and ease of keeping a black motor clean is worth whatever it might cost to get it, and the Superglides have always had the plain aluminum engines (back as far as I go, anyway). The black engines stay looking great for years, where the bare aluminum gets a little tired looking after a few years. The Street Bob solves this problem, and perhaps a couple other issues you run into by buying a Superglide, without breaking the bank. Someone perhaps knows of a miracle cure for the ugly 3 year old bare aluminum engine issue, but I've never run across the perfect answer. I'll probably get my butt chewed for going down this path, but you have to admit that all the "deluxe" models have a black engine, and I think many people feel it's a better look. It's personal opinion of course, but the big twin these things are built around looks much better to me in black with the polished aluminum / chrome accents. You can easily change many things on a Superglide, but turning your new bare aluminum engine into a black engine is not one of them. Two years ago there wasn't a bike in the whole line that really appealed to me (the forward controls on the DWG make the air cleaner dig into my leg, so that was out as well). I was finally ready to buy when the Bob was introduced. My .02, just something to think about.
T 3 -- when I decided to get back into bikin' a couple years ago, I wanted a Superglide (basic, make what you want out of it, ...). My only gripe about this bike, and this is based on the Superglide, Bad Boy, and DWG I used to own at various times -- I feel the look and ease of keeping a black motor clean is worth whatever it might cost to get it, and the Superglides have always had the plain aluminum engines (back as far as I go, anyway). The black engines stay looking great for years, where the bare aluminum gets a little tired looking after a few years. The Street Bob solves this problem, and perhaps a couple other issues you run into by buying a Superglide, without breaking the bank. Someone perhaps knows of a miracle cure for the ugly 3 year old bare aluminum engine issue, but I've never run across the perfect answer. I'll probably get my butt chewed for going down this path, but you have to admit that all the "deluxe" models have a black engine, and I think many people feel it's a better look. It's personal opinion of course, but the big twin these things are built around looks much better to me in black with the polished aluminum / chrome accents. You can easily change many things on a Superglide, but turning your new bare aluminum engine into a black engine is not one of them. Two years ago there wasn't a bike in the whole line that really appealed to me (the forward controls on the DWG make the air cleaner dig into my leg, so that was out as well). I was finally ready to buy when the Bob was introduced. My .02, just something to think about.
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 55
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From: Minnesota
RE: Superglide VS Superglide Custom
I stand corrected on the ease of cleaning the "not black" motors, it's great that they've done things to improve this. I had a tough time keeping my '93 FXR engine looking good. I still like the looks of the black engines better, but that's just personal preference, no right or wrong. Just wanted to point out that you can get a black motor in a "basic" bike by buying a Street Bob if you find the black motor appealing.
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2006
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From:
RE: Superglide VS Superglide Custom
ORIGINAL: JayMN
I stand corrected on the ease of cleaning the "not black" motors, it's great that they've done things to improve this. I had a tough time keeping my '93 FXR engine looking good. I still like the looks of the black engines better, but that's just personal preference, no right or wrong. Just wanted to point out that you can get a black motor in a "basic" bike by buying a Street Bob if you find the black motor appealing.
I stand corrected on the ease of cleaning the "not black" motors, it's great that they've done things to improve this. I had a tough time keeping my '93 FXR engine looking good. I still like the looks of the black engines better, but that's just personal preference, no right or wrong. Just wanted to point out that you can get a black motor in a "basic" bike by buying a Street Bob if you find the black motor appealing.
Tourer
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 322
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From: Cortlandt Manor, NY
RE: Superglide VS Superglide Custom
I went with the Custom and the stock cast wheels. I got a good deal at the end of 2005 and I would have put that chrome on anyway.
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Joined: Jun 2006
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From: Templeton California
RE: Superglide VS Superglide Custom
Someone perhaps knows of a miracle cure for the ugly 3 year old bare aluminum engine issue,
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Joined: Oct 2005
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From: Union Bridge, MD
RE: Superglide VS Superglide Custom
I went with the Super Glide FXDI and added a few things like the painted console. I didn't like the black crinkle console and tried the chrome one but thought that looked cheesy on a basic FXDI. I also added dual gauges with chrome bracket, mini apes and braided cables. It already had SE pipes on it but they will be gone soon. I am resisting adding chrome and trying to keep it basic. Also, the less chrome the lighter the bike is. Cast wheels are lighter the laced or chromed for lighter rotating mass which, all things being equal, will make you a bit quicker and a bit more nimble.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,324
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From: Dutchess County, NY
RE: Superglide VS Superglide Custom
When I bought my bike the only real difference was the Chrome.
However now that the custom has the speedo mounted on the gas tank I would probably go with the Custom. I like the functioanlity of the handlebar mounted speedo but it presents a little bit of a problem if you want to go with a set of layback risers like on the low rider and I think the speedo on the tank just looks allot better.
I don't think you can really go wrong with either bikes though.
However now that the custom has the speedo mounted on the gas tank I would probably go with the Custom. I like the functioanlity of the handlebar mounted speedo but it presents a little bit of a problem if you want to go with a set of layback risers like on the low rider and I think the speedo on the tank just looks allot better.
I don't think you can really go wrong with either bikes though.