Need buying advice
Thread Starter
|
Novice
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
From: Alabama
Need buying advice
Hello I would like to thank all of you that offer your advice. I am deployed in Afghanistan right now and am buying a new Harley when I get back. I have already started the process but am kind of stuck between a street bob and a wide glide. In the past I have owned a 10 street bob and a 07 road glide. Liked both of them, both had their pro and cons, but have decided to go back to the dyna. I have been leaning towards the wide glide just because I like the rake on the front end a little more. Would like to get thoughts on this and pros and cons between riding differences if there are any. Thanks to all the can tell me what they know, especially to those who have rode both and can tell me the big differences.
HOOAH Dan. Get home safe and bring your buddies with you.
A few things to consider.
The SB comes stock with mid controls unless you order from H-D1 and select the forwards. (Or pay the dealer to install forwards.) the WG comes with forwards.
The SB doesn't come stock with a passenger seat or pegs. The WG has the seat, pegs and I think the low sissy bar is stock.
The WG has wider fender struts and can handle a wider rear tire.
Aside from some added chrome on the WG, those are the main cost differences.
Once you get past that stuff, they are similar. Different dash, obviously different rake/front end/front wheel.
Riding the two bikes shows the differences though. The WG is longer due to the rake, so steering input is a bit slower than the SB, and the narrower WG front tire is slightly less planted in rain grooves and hard cornering. On the other hand, the longer wheelbase makes for a more stable straight-line experience.
These differences aren't super dramatic. I've ridden with plenty of WG riders who push their bike just as hard as Superglide or SB riders.
Either way, you're going to love being on a Dyna again.
A few things to consider.
The SB comes stock with mid controls unless you order from H-D1 and select the forwards. (Or pay the dealer to install forwards.) the WG comes with forwards.
The SB doesn't come stock with a passenger seat or pegs. The WG has the seat, pegs and I think the low sissy bar is stock.
The WG has wider fender struts and can handle a wider rear tire.
Aside from some added chrome on the WG, those are the main cost differences.
Once you get past that stuff, they are similar. Different dash, obviously different rake/front end/front wheel.
Riding the two bikes shows the differences though. The WG is longer due to the rake, so steering input is a bit slower than the SB, and the narrower WG front tire is slightly less planted in rain grooves and hard cornering. On the other hand, the longer wheelbase makes for a more stable straight-line experience.
These differences aren't super dramatic. I've ridden with plenty of WG riders who push their bike just as hard as Superglide or SB riders.
Either way, you're going to love being on a Dyna again.
Last edited by SLV; Dec 19, 2013 at 09:12 AM.
Both bikes are great, but my preference is the WG. My advice would be to rent one of each for a weekend. It does not cost that much and it will give you enough time to figure out which one you like the best.
Thread Starter
|
Novice
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
From: Alabama
Thanks for the advice. I would love to be able to test drive before I buy. I know I like how the SB rides. The only problem is I'm buying through a military program that gets it cheaper and I have to do it while I'm deployed or I miss out on the deal, thats why I'm trying to get others advice. When I did have a SB it seems like I kept trying to do things that ultimately looked more like a WG without the rake. I like that look and if the ride isn't that much different will probably go that way. The one thing that does worry me is the cornering in rain or catching the cracks. Didn't have a bad time with it on the SB but wouldn't want it to be much worse either.
90% of my riding is done in the Mountains. I live next to Yosemite. I have been caught in snow and rain and my WG has always come through. I did install a 90/90 on the front and that helps with tar snakes and grooves. I am used to forwards and the rake and can keep up with my Beemer buddies no problem.
Trending Topics
Tourer
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 310
Likes: 11
From: Pinellas Park, FL.
Dan, if you can get around Bagram AF, there was a dealer on the base when I was there a couple years ago, you can save several thousand if you buy it in country and pick it up when you get home.
Stay safe my friend.
Doc
CVMA1-1
Stay safe my friend.
Doc
CVMA1-1
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Thanks for the advice. I would love to be able to test drive before I buy. I know I like how the SB rides. The only problem is I'm buying through a military program that gets it cheaper and I have to do it while I'm deployed or I miss out on the deal, thats why I'm trying to get others advice. When I did have a SB it seems like I kept trying to do things that ultimately looked more like a WG without the rake. I like that look and if the ride isn't that much different will probably go that way. The one thing that does worry me is the cornering in rain or catching the cracks. Didn't have a bad time with it on the SB but wouldn't want it to be much worse either.
The main control difference is in the rake and parking lot maneuvers. It's just a bit longer and the low speed turn ratio suffers very slightly.
I should point out that the stock forwards on the WG seem to provide a more stretched out feel. I'm not certain they are different, but it does seem to have more legroom than a SB with forwards. If you are taller than 6'1' or so, you might appreciate the space.
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 69
Likes: 0
From: Fly over country
Hello to you and thanks so much for your service.
Never had a Street Bob, never had a Wide Glide, but I did go from a Sporty to a Super Glide Custom. I was worried about the extra weight of the Soper Glide, when compaired to the Sporty. Really like the way the Super Glide rides and handles. Probably not as quick as a Street Bob, but not as slow as the Wide Glide. Face facts, we are only talking rake, tire size, options and amount of chrome.
Never had a Street Bob, never had a Wide Glide, but I did go from a Sporty to a Super Glide Custom. I was worried about the extra weight of the Soper Glide, when compaired to the Sporty. Really like the way the Super Glide rides and handles. Probably not as quick as a Street Bob, but not as slow as the Wide Glide. Face facts, we are only talking rake, tire size, options and amount of chrome.