Renting a 2017 SGS
After picking up the bike from Surdyke Harley in Festus, MO, I logged roughly 200 miles on it to my destination of Birch Tree, MO. Here are my initial thoughts
Pros:
Power, this 107 is a night and day difference from my 88. I can set the cruise on the highway and this has power in all RPM's i hit that I could cruise endlessly.
Transmission, that sixth gear makes a big difference on the highway. No to very little vibration at 70-80 MPH.
Cruise Control: This is a must on any bike i purchase in the future. The ability to move my right hand around and not lose speed was great.
Luggage room: The hard bags make for more room than my saggy leather ones on the Heritage. With a tour pak, I could practically move all my belongings!
Cons:
The adage of you sit in a Softail and sit on a Touring bike could not be more true. I did not feel "one" with the bike. This is simply foreign to me and I will likely be more comfortable with the bike with some more miles during the daylight.
Stock headlight is garbage. The daymakers I have on my Heritage has spoiled me but makes me wonder why daymakers are standard for safety reasons. I'll stick to riding the rental the rest of the time I have it during the day.
Meh:
Having a stereo/infotainment center is not that big of a deal. It was nice to have some tunes while cruising but I realize I like my "zen" time on the bike and ended up turning off the tunes at one point.
The fairing was nice but the windshield was short and I had lots of helmet buffering. I did not notice much more wind being deflected off my body with the batwing in comparison to the Heritage. I would be opting for a taller windshield if I was to get this.
Suspension is good but I do not think it is better than my Progressive upgraded Softail. Tomorrow, I am riding to Arkansas to tear up some twisties...so more to come here.
I'll update tomorrow night after hopefully at least a 500 mile day. Stay safe and keep the rubber side down.
Pros:
Power, this 107 is a night and day difference from my 88. I can set the cruise on the highway and this has power in all RPM's i hit that I could cruise endlessly.
Transmission, that sixth gear makes a big difference on the highway. No to very little vibration at 70-80 MPH.
Cruise Control: This is a must on any bike i purchase in the future. The ability to move my right hand around and not lose speed was great.
Luggage room: The hard bags make for more room than my saggy leather ones on the Heritage. With a tour pak, I could practically move all my belongings!
Cons:
The adage of you sit in a Softail and sit on a Touring bike could not be more true. I did not feel "one" with the bike. This is simply foreign to me and I will likely be more comfortable with the bike with some more miles during the daylight.
Stock headlight is garbage. The daymakers I have on my Heritage has spoiled me but makes me wonder why daymakers are standard for safety reasons. I'll stick to riding the rental the rest of the time I have it during the day.
Meh:
Having a stereo/infotainment center is not that big of a deal. It was nice to have some tunes while cruising but I realize I like my "zen" time on the bike and ended up turning off the tunes at one point.
The fairing was nice but the windshield was short and I had lots of helmet buffering. I did not notice much more wind being deflected off my body with the batwing in comparison to the Heritage. I would be opting for a taller windshield if I was to get this.
Suspension is good but I do not think it is better than my Progressive upgraded Softail. Tomorrow, I am riding to Arkansas to tear up some twisties...so more to come here.
I'll update tomorrow night after hopefully at least a 500 mile day. Stay safe and keep the rubber side down.
I would say that my initial post about the bike did not change much over the course of the other 500 miles I put on the bike. The powertrain of these new machines is unbelievable. The luggage space of the hard bags over the bags on the Heritage is fantastic as well. The suspension, after I figured this bike out, is great for solo riding. Well planted in the corners and provided a comfortable ride across all the crappy highways MO-Dot services. However, the seating position was not as laid back as I would have wanted it. Apes would most likely fix this problem. (which I have on my bike currently.)
I am not impressed by the Batwing Fairing. I feel there is no wind protection difference between it and the windshield I have on the Heritage and my Heritage's shield is taller. This is why the next bike I rent will be the RGU.
I learned a new appreciation for having the infotainment option. The mindless cruising on 4 lanes that I took needed some tunes, and boy that was sure nice.
If I was buying a bike for me, this would not be it. The thing about this bike that I wish I had with my Heritage was cruise and the 6 speed transmission. I cannot justify a bike payment for that. Hopefully, the RGU will impress me more.
I will post my impressions of the RGU in a new thread at a later date.
She did not feel "safe" because of suspension settings and how it cornered. I was in the middle of nowhere and could not youtube how to adjust the suspension, so it was most likely on the factory setting. Not being familiar with the Touring bikes, I have no knowledge of suspension adjustments.
That is a sick bike sir. That is how my rental should have been set up for what I was renting it for.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 11,630
Likes: 990
From: NC
Well, you needn't expect the Road Glide to ride any different because it is the same bike as the Street Glide. (same seat, same suspension)
The only differences are the Fairing and handle bars.
I have a '17 RGS and a '16 FLHXS.
I really like the RGS; I am surprised. Really like the SGS.
Both bikes will need a taller windscreen. I did buy a seat from a '16 FLHTCU to keep my wife happy.
I do swap the seat between both bikes if we are riding off on 300 or more mile rides............
The only differences are the Fairing and handle bars.
I have a '17 RGS and a '16 FLHXS.
I really like the RGS; I am surprised. Really like the SGS.
Both bikes will need a taller windscreen. I did buy a seat from a '16 FLHTCU to keep my wife happy.
I do swap the seat between both bikes if we are riding off on 300 or more mile rides............
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 2,021
Likes: 260
From: Seattle
Well, you needn't expect the Road Glide to ride any different because it is the same bike as the Street Glide. (same seat, same suspension)
The only differences are the Fairing and handle bars.
I have a '17 RGS and a '16 FLHXS.
I really like the RGS; I am surprised. Really like the SGS.
Both bikes will need a taller windscreen. I did buy a seat from a '16 FLHTCU to keep my wife happy.
I do swap the seat between both bikes if we are riding off on 300 or more mile rides............
The only differences are the Fairing and handle bars.
I have a '17 RGS and a '16 FLHXS.
I really like the RGS; I am surprised. Really like the SGS.
Both bikes will need a taller windscreen. I did buy a seat from a '16 FLHTCU to keep my wife happy.
I do swap the seat between both bikes if we are riding off on 300 or more mile rides............
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