A Message For Prospective Newbies
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 3,513
Likes: 116
From: OKC
Super Glide Custom is THE bargain bike of the entire HD lineup. A true motorcycle that will do everything.
Dynas are around the same frame size as the older shovel FLs, just sportier. If you can't get enough stuff on it to take a road trip, you're carrying too much
Dynas are around the same frame size as the older shovel FLs, just sportier. If you can't get enough stuff on it to take a road trip, you're carrying too much
Club Member
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 6,905
Likes: 4,877
From: Midwest
I agree the Super Glide is a nice all-round bike and suitable for a new rider. I started riding last year and got the SG in August after tooling around on a Yamaha 250 right after taking the MSF class.
I have put 14,000 miles on it so far and enjoy it so much I ride it every day, rain or shine, provided I have the free time. It is good for general crusing, grocery stops, commuting, day trips, etc.
I did one large road trip on it. I rode it out to Sturgis earlier this month and put a total of 4,900 miles on it in a week. It is very doable but not the optimal bike for such a trip. The only question at that point becomes, is your body up to it? I am 48 and in pretty decent shape and I wasn't taxed physically. I was just a bit fatigued at the end of the trip and had a good number of saddle sores. I wanted more space as well, as I carry some camera gear and I had no more room. Such a trip done two-up would not have worked out.
The bike can be easily made to work as a long-distance cruiser, provided you accept it's limitations on carying capacity and space. But I guess that is true of any bike, really. I think in the end, it is more of a question of how much you are willing to take physically than what the bike can take on its own. Any bike will keep going. How much are you able to keep going? After renting a Ultra Classic for a day, I quickly discovered that the big tourers make it a whole lot easier for you to keep going.
So, based on my experience and what I have learned, I would pick a particular model based on what you plan on doing with it rather than style or popularity. Sometimes, like with me, you don't figure out what you really want out of a bike and what you want to do until you get some time on the road.
I have put 14,000 miles on it so far and enjoy it so much I ride it every day, rain or shine, provided I have the free time. It is good for general crusing, grocery stops, commuting, day trips, etc.
I did one large road trip on it. I rode it out to Sturgis earlier this month and put a total of 4,900 miles on it in a week. It is very doable but not the optimal bike for such a trip. The only question at that point becomes, is your body up to it? I am 48 and in pretty decent shape and I wasn't taxed physically. I was just a bit fatigued at the end of the trip and had a good number of saddle sores. I wanted more space as well, as I carry some camera gear and I had no more room. Such a trip done two-up would not have worked out.
The bike can be easily made to work as a long-distance cruiser, provided you accept it's limitations on carying capacity and space. But I guess that is true of any bike, really. I think in the end, it is more of a question of how much you are willing to take physically than what the bike can take on its own. Any bike will keep going. How much are you able to keep going? After renting a Ultra Classic for a day, I quickly discovered that the big tourers make it a whole lot easier for you to keep going.
So, based on my experience and what I have learned, I would pick a particular model based on what you plan on doing with it rather than style or popularity. Sometimes, like with me, you don't figure out what you really want out of a bike and what you want to do until you get some time on the road.
Last edited by MiniWolf; Aug 20, 2013 at 09:45 AM.
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 987
Likes: 1
From: Maryland
One of my friends just bought a new Harley and I reminded him of the Dyna line.
He was up for a Sportster and I told him to keep the Dynas in mind because they're a great bike between the Sportster/Softail line. He now has a Super or Wide Dyna, can't remember. And he is quite happy with it.
He was up for a Sportster and I told him to keep the Dynas in mind because they're a great bike between the Sportster/Softail line. He now has a Super or Wide Dyna, can't remember. And he is quite happy with it.
Novice
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: Laredo
Yeah the wide glide jumped in price due to the ABS being standard. But I don't really care for the color schemes online I guess ill have to wait and see them up close. Anothe quick quest the wide glide shown online looks diffrent then the color choices is it available in that color or did they just use a diffrent paint for the display shot.
^^^ i love the new charcoal color on the 14 WG and i just got a 13 Midnight pearl flame WG w/ ABS and paid 15,3k for it minus taxes.. so i felt i didnt do too bad.. and its also my first bike. i was warned when i first started looking to stay away from the sportie just because i'd be looking for something bigger in a year or so. so i went with the bigger option. its not my first time on a bike, but its the first bike of my own
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,759
Likes: 1
From: Breaux Bridge, LA
Good advice to someone who already has a MC endorsement is test ride them all. I already had my MC license and had been riding a few years when I bought my FLHX and unfortunately I had Streetglide tunnel vision. I always regret not test riding a Road King because that bike really appeals to me now and I'm not liking the fairing any more. I like the Street Bob too, if I didn't take any long trips I'd pass on the a King and a Streetglide for one.
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Thread Starter
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 3,145
Likes: 2,907
From: New York
Nice To See So Many In Agreement
Thank you to those that agree with my advice. I would like to add two thoughts to MiniWolf's statement, "So, based on my experience and what I have learned, I would pick a particular model based on what you plan on doing with it rather than style or popularity. Sometimes, like with me, you don't figure out what you really want out of a bike and what you want to do until you get some time on the road." Great line, Mini. Here is my two cents:
First: You MUST take a good long test ride on ANY bike before plunking down your hard earned money. Every Harley is a work of art and look fun to ride, but, like a member of the opposite sex, they all don't fit, feel and ride the same.
Second: EVERY bike is a compromise! That is, a Super Glide makes a GREAT bike in the twisties and rides up to a couple or three hundred miles before you need a good break. A Road King or Electra Glide will take you for hours on end of comfort but when it comes to mountain roads you will have to work a tad harder. Very fun and exciting, but its not built for twisties.
So the bottom line is....Everyone should own AT LEAST two bikes! Just sayin'....
First: You MUST take a good long test ride on ANY bike before plunking down your hard earned money. Every Harley is a work of art and look fun to ride, but, like a member of the opposite sex, they all don't fit, feel and ride the same.
Second: EVERY bike is a compromise! That is, a Super Glide makes a GREAT bike in the twisties and rides up to a couple or three hundred miles before you need a good break. A Road King or Electra Glide will take you for hours on end of comfort but when it comes to mountain roads you will have to work a tad harder. Very fun and exciting, but its not built for twisties.
So the bottom line is....Everyone should own AT LEAST two bikes! Just sayin'....