NOOB help... Super vs Wide
You can compare any bike on the HD Website.....
http://www.harley-davidson.com/en_US...are-bikes.html
http://www.harley-davidson.com/en_US...are-bikes.html
Tourer
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 415
Likes: 2
From: Wichita Falls, Texas
Wide Glide - Highway
Since the thinner tire on the WG makes highway cruising "less" desireable, would putting a wider tire help? Not sure a WG would look good with such a tire. I guess you have to sacrifice something if you want the look of a WG.
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 539
Likes: 7
From: Colorado
Not sure about the new WG but the 07 and older ones came with a MH90 front. I put a 90/90, widest you can go on the stock rim, and did notice a bit of improvement (could be in my head but whatever).
Thread Starter
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Road Master
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 756
Likes: 1
From: Austin, TX
To the OP ...Both bikes are great. I've put a few miles on both (2010 WG and 2012 SGC). Obviously either bike is built to please, and to each his own. However, I have to dsagree with a prevailing opinion about the WG on this thread. The WG does not make a better "high speed cruiser" ...for two reasons. First being, the rake on the forks. The second being the skinny 80/21" front tire. The 80/21" tire alone degrades from smooth tracking at highway speeds (in comparison to the SGC's 100/19"). Thats why the bigger cruisers and touring bikes have fat front tires (and the MOCO went to a fat front tire on the new Spotster Custom). Thats also why you always hear the Bagger Dudes that go from a "touring tire size" up front to the "stylish/trendy" 21" (or bigger) front wheel/tire complain about loss of ride quality. The rake of the forks on the WG further amplify that degraded ride/handling (ever ride a custom chooper?!). Of course the WG is not raked like a custom chopper ...so my comparison is "relative".
Don't get me wrong, i'm not bad mouthing the WG at all ...the WG is a sweet bike and can and will get you cross country to Sturgis or Daytona when needed. And yes, it will do it with a bit more "attitude" than the SGC (both bikes being stock). However ...the Dude riding the SGC wont feel quite as "beat-up" after a 500 mile day in the saddle crossing interstate 10 or a couple hours in the twisties as the Dude riding the SGC.
I also spent some time on a 2007 Street Bob. But my Buddy had so much mod going on with it (lowered rear, after market solo seat, big apes, and an obnoxiously loud pipe set-up) ...it was hard to evaluate against the WG (stage 1) and SGC (stock). See ...I've been shopping for a Dyna to put in the garge next to my Street Glide (Busa and Triumph too). So I've been riding all the Dynas. Got a friend with a 2009 Fat Bob too.
All that being said ...I couldn't turn down the opportunity to get 1% financing on a new Harly right now (MOCO Promo), and I bought a 2012 SGC (Vivid Black).
Don't get me wrong, i'm not bad mouthing the WG at all ...the WG is a sweet bike and can and will get you cross country to Sturgis or Daytona when needed. And yes, it will do it with a bit more "attitude" than the SGC (both bikes being stock). However ...the Dude riding the SGC wont feel quite as "beat-up" after a 500 mile day in the saddle crossing interstate 10 or a couple hours in the twisties as the Dude riding the SGC.
I also spent some time on a 2007 Street Bob. But my Buddy had so much mod going on with it (lowered rear, after market solo seat, big apes, and an obnoxiously loud pipe set-up) ...it was hard to evaluate against the WG (stage 1) and SGC (stock). See ...I've been shopping for a Dyna to put in the garge next to my Street Glide (Busa and Triumph too). So I've been riding all the Dynas. Got a friend with a 2009 Fat Bob too.
All that being said ...I couldn't turn down the opportunity to get 1% financing on a new Harly right now (MOCO Promo), and I bought a 2012 SGC (Vivid Black).
When I got my 1200XLC I thought I wanted a thicker front tire, and in some applications I still do. Now I love the look of the thin front and am not bothered by its performance at all. I feel like I need to be behind the front tire and not on top of it when I ride a skinny in the front.
this is all god back and forth and I thank you all for chiming in.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 2,036
Likes: 8
From: Temecula, CA
I came from a rigid mount Sportster to the Wide Glide and definately can feel a difference in handling. Biggest thing was with the stock pipes on it they would drag almost every time I made a right hand turn. Aftermarket pipes solved that issue. Even so, the bike doesn't have near the lean angle of the Sporty and I think this is mainly because it has the "lowered" suspension on it.
I haven't road a custom but I have always heard they will handle more like a Sportster with their "regular" ride height.
On the highway my Dyna is much better than my Sportster. At high speeds (95+) the steering feels a little light twitchy but at freeway cruising speeds (60-80) the bike is very stable and will only be unsettled by the largest ruts. (As in those that are about an inch wide.)
I haven't road a custom but I have always heard they will handle more like a Sportster with their "regular" ride height.
On the highway my Dyna is much better than my Sportster. At high speeds (95+) the steering feels a little light twitchy but at freeway cruising speeds (60-80) the bike is very stable and will only be unsettled by the largest ruts. (As in those that are about an inch wide.)
Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 118
Likes: 1
From: new jersey
i also went from a sportster to a 09 fxdc.
i was happy that the fxdc came stock with a 2-up seat, and i liked the look of it alot, but thats as far as that goes.
in the beginning after a few 2-up rides that stock seat was replaced with a 2-up from lepera. i remember having to stop after 40 miles or so with the stock seat due to the discomfort it caused my wife.
all the complaining stopped with the new seat.
i was happy that the fxdc came stock with a 2-up seat, and i liked the look of it alot, but thats as far as that goes.
in the beginning after a few 2-up rides that stock seat was replaced with a 2-up from lepera. i remember having to stop after 40 miles or so with the stock seat due to the discomfort it caused my wife.
all the complaining stopped with the new seat.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 2,352
Likes: 6
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Club Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,241
Likes: 16
From: Fort Myers, Fl.
Hey chamba, I remember you from the sporty forum. (I was under the name of JC Sporty) I just came from my sporty to a WG, and really love it. More power, much better ride, and the 180 tire and rake really make the bike. My wife inherited my sporty, so it's still around if I want to ride it. So far, I haven't wanted to.
Thread Starter
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Road Master
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 756
Likes: 1
From: Austin, TX
i also went from a sportster to a 09 fxdc.
i was happy that the fxdc came stock with a 2-up seat, and i liked the look of it alot, but thats as far as that goes.
in the beginning after a few 2-up rides that stock seat was replaced with a 2-up from lepera. i remember having to stop after 40 miles or so with the stock seat due to the discomfort it caused my wife.
all the complaining stopped with the new seat.
i was happy that the fxdc came stock with a 2-up seat, and i liked the look of it alot, but thats as far as that goes.
in the beginning after a few 2-up rides that stock seat was replaced with a 2-up from lepera. i remember having to stop after 40 miles or so with the stock seat due to the discomfort it caused my wife.
all the complaining stopped with the new seat.
I am interested because I got into my sporty B/C I wanted a 2up and my old bike was too modded to consider putting it back on without lots of changes...