Will a Street Glide be a good ride for serious commuting...on the order of 2000 miles a month? The thread on "What would riders like to see improved" was eye-opening to say the least. In lurking here for quite a while, it seems like the TC88 must be radically underpowered; almost a given that the bike will have to be upgraded ASAP with SERT, pipes, many times a 95" kit, dyno tune, etc. So why is it that a $20000 motorcycle has to have another two to five thousand spent to make it run acceptably? Is a "potato, potato" exhaust sound that important? Why can't the engine be updated in design to modern standards? Why does the V-twin still have chain-driven cams and balancers on the softail engine? Doesn't that imply that the design needs to be upgraded? Probably the EPA will mandate changes that will force moco to update whether they want to or not...why don't all the big twins have the six-speed trans? Etc. Etc.

So I am really wanting a street glide very badly. Just totally awesome looking ride...but I am wondering if the money spent at this time should be on a different bike that could handle this much highway running? I don't like that the metrics are just copies of the Harleys; on the other hand, the metrics have got up-to-date technology that the bagger should absolutely have. The other sport-type bikes styling makes me want to throw up they are disgusting to the eye. The sound of ridiculously loud exhaust is a bummer also. Quiet is good. I want to hear NO EXHAUST NOISE AT ALL. Loud pipes are seriously unimpressive to everyone other than the rider of the loud bike. Chrome sucks. I don't want to spend 25 grand to join a club and buy a lifestyle. I want to buy a kick-*** bike to RIDE and that works. It would be refreshing to walk in a HD dealership and be treated civilly. These are my thoughts on a bike and unimportant if they do not agree with what everyone else thinks.

Well I will have my street glide one day. Just maybe right now I should consider something else that is more reliable and does not have to be upgraded right off the showroom floor to make it work right? Or is that not a concern? I thought about getting an old electra glide and putting a S & S 95 or 113 inch motor in it as well as making the suspension and brakes right...maybe would cost less and get it right that way? Please everyone provide some feedback on all this stuff; I have never ridden a Harley (motocross racer) so admittedly if ya have to tell me I just don't get it right? ;-) --not a troll BTW--

 

I commute to work every day also...more on the order of 700 miles per month (commute only) though.

I would say the street glide will be an excellent commuter bike in every regard except if you like "spirited" riding. I am one of those that felt my electraglide was seriously underpowered in its 88" configuration. So far the moco has neglected to provide a more powerful engine in stock trim, no doubt because they know they will make a lot more money off us in the long run if they don't. I predict the time will come when they will be forced to provide more performance for our hard earned money, or lose the business to their competitors; because of the ever tightening EPA restrictions. I've heard several shops in California refuse to modify new Harleys in any way performance wise because of the fines being levied. If I lived in California and were in the market for a new bike, I would NOT be buying a harley.

I'd say do a test ride on one and see how you feel about the ride. It may be enough power for you. Many riders change little to nothing in the engine and are satisfied.

If you think you need more performance and still want the look of the street glide, I'd buy a used electraglide classic and drop some money in the motor. You can accessorize the classic to look just like a streetglide little by little.

I hope you find what you're looking for.

 

If I understand you correctly, you are looking for a comfortable ride to commute to/from work. A stock 'glide of any design is from the factory a verygood motorcycle.....it doesn't need power upgrades at all, nor does it need a different exhaust system. I ride a 2002 Ultra Classic and have ridden it stock for the past 40,000 miles. I often ride two up and it has enough power to cruise easily at 75 mph all day long, and it will pull any 6% grade in fifth gear. The Ultra has a lot of frontal area so I expect that lesser equipped bikes will do even better.

Now if you are the sort who values lots of power, wants low e.t. times, things of that sort, then expect to spend more money on those things. If you are like me, you can be happy with the factory setup.

I admit to going with the Stage 1 air cleaner kit for one reason only; when I travel north on I-15 towards Cedar City I frequently face heavy headwinds on a 6-7% grade. The kit gives me a little more horsepower to maintain 75 mph and for a bonus, I get 10% better mileage.

The charm of Harley ownership is that you can customize it to suit your needs and wants. Don't think you have to do the stuff these guys talk about to be happy with the bike. It will be just fine stock. IMHO of course.

 

I would think it would be plenty of power stock, but if you want more. My nephew added a programable computer, air cleaner, and slip-ons to his Street Glide, and he seems happy with it.

 

Sorry for Double Post



I would think it would be plenty of power stock, but if you want more. My nephew added a programable computer, air cleaner, and slip-ons to his Street Glide, and he seems happy with it.

 

My Dyna Low Rider is currently stock. It runs better than acceptable. I have no problems running 80 miles an hour at just over 3500 rpm.

It will pull any hills that are in the Memphis, Tn area, in 6 th gear, and still have power to roll the throttle open for a rush.

It has the 6 speed transmission. Expect to see it in others in 07. It has the easy pull clutch. I find myself turning left instead of right just to go the long way. I have a bad back and did change the seat to a touring model. I have no problem going 3 or 4 hours.

The EPA mandates are a lot to do with the mods that most people do after they buy it. The EPA is gonna effect the rice burners to.

Want it to run like a scalded dog. Start with a stage 1 which is pipes and high flow air cleaner, adding a dyno tuning and programming with the Screaming Eagle Race Tuner, turns on some of the power that is lurking in the shadows.

There are lots of Harleys that belong to the 100+ HP club.

The Dyna motor is dang near totally redesigned, Oil tank in the bottom of the engine, stronger parts, better oil flow.

Don't think that the new Twin Cam 88 is dependable. Check out this link. Ever hear of Hog Air

Street Glide, Low Rider, Night Train. All great rides.

My Low Rider, $16,816. By the time I added accessories, Tax, Title, and License. $20,300.

I didn't even think about one of the wanna be's. I bought my Harley Davidson.

 

My StreetGlide was perfect, right out the door. I think you will find that the reason most of us folks add the upgrades is personality. I have the tendency to tinker with any toy that I have. Heck, if I owned a rice burner, I would probably tinker with it, but I will never own one, so that is a dead issue. The bottom line is that my bike was dependable and comfortable right off the floor. I think that if you get one, you would't be disappointed.

 

As I said, some people are going to feel the stock 88" has plenty of power. Having said that, remember the streetglide, or any touring model for that matter, has a couple hundred extra pounds to be moved by that 88".

As far as your 6th gear, its the same 1:1 ratio as the five speed transmissions have been using for years. The sixth gear is just the addition of another gear in the middle creating a closer ratio gearbox....Its not a true overdrive.

 

Based on what you say, I would think that you would be happier with something from the Yamaha shop. Although, I hear they don't give them things away either these days. I'm replying because I am an old motocrosser. Love the dirt, didn't figure I would ever own a highway scooter with a jukebox. I absolutely love my SG. I am done with the racing mindset. I'm perfectly content just putterin down the road and if I want to spend some money on upgrades I'll do it at my convenience. Good luck -- gotta go get my order in to Chi HD for some more "stuff". [sm=biker.gif]

 

I just sold what you're looking for. BMW R 1150 RT. Quiet like a sewing machine. Not one piece of chrome. (The only thing shinny was the stainless exhaust.) Adequate power. Very advanced engineering and totally sterile. No personality at all which Harley has plenty of.

By the way, when you say "metric" you're not just talking about rice burners.