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I went from a 2018 slim to a 2018 SGS.Took about a week to get real comfortable with the handling of the bike.Like it was mentioned above practice on your slow speed maneuvers.The first time i went to make a u-turn the front of that bike felt like it was just going to shoot into the ground i rode it out but it was bit unerving.Have 6000 miles on it now and its a dream ride.Good luck and ride safe.
I went from a Yamaha V-Star 950 (between a Sportster and Dyna size-wise) to a Road King. The weight was really only noticeable picking it up off the stand, and low-speed tight turns.
The braking distance, you mean longer or shorter? My sportster is a 1200L so brakes are not its strong point.
I have heard the dyna bikes were basically a big twin version of the sporty, so hearing your experience on slow speed handling does not surprise me. In the DVD motorman does recommend the barnett clutch for sportsters. Says much easier to operate in the "friction zone". I have noticed on mine that it is not as easy to operate the clutch in that manner as other bikes I have owned. Will be interesting to see how this one feels.
Shorter. As I posted; My FXDLS had the twin discs up front, so it stopped pretty damn good for a Harley.
Ok so more details. First off here is what I rode.
Its a 2020 Street Glide, 114 M8. I guess if I am going to test it might as well be a good one, huh? I will talk about the engine in a bit. The first thing I noticed is it is s real stretch for me to reach the kick stand. Wonder if there is an electric option, LOL. DID i mention I am 5'7", with a 29" inseam?
I could stretch and reach it though. The seat was not exactly what I would want, ie hard as a rock, but it sufficed for this test. I did ask the salesman for road suggestions, and he gave me a good one. On freeway for about 1/2 mile, then off to hwy 166E, which I have driven a number of times. Then 1/2 mile later, turn on to a winding road that goes through the country side for about 10 miles. Then right turn back to freeway, and follow freeway for about 2 miles back to dealer. Mileage might be off, cause it was about a15 mile ride. HUGE difference in smoothness, both in road feel and engine vibes. Of course considering the engine it has, that was expected.
The country road handling was way smoother than the sportster, and I got comfy with it pretty quick, in that respect. Faster than I thought. Starts and stops were just a little awkward, but not as bad as I expected. Partly cause I can flat foot the Street Glide. I read they have 12" shock, vs 13" on the Electraglides. Feels about right. So I also assume the EG will have a little better ride too?
The shifter worked well for me either way, using my toes or using the heels. Not sure how I feel about that part just yet. The brake took a little adjustment, mainly because you actually lift your foot to engage it, like a car. This is news to you guys, I know. LOL.
kupitz
Thanks for the heads up on the clutch. Not sure I like the feel of the hyd one, but I assume its something you get used to?
The engine, WOW. That sucker is smooth, and pulls like a freaking train. On the leg back to the dealer, I opened it up to about 80, just to feel the ride. Again very smooth and never felt like it was going to ride the tar snakes or the grooves in the road. Going through the gears, I kept expecting for the pull to slowly taper as road speed climbed, but each time I upshifted and twisted the throttle, it pulled just as hard as it did in first.
To quote Clint Eastwood in Firefox, "Man what a machine". Those new M8 engines are NICE. Now granted, I really have no other big twin to compare it to, but it still was nice.
I might have to alter my future purchasing plans. A new one is still off the table, 30k would cause serious problems at home. However as the salesman pointed out, by the time I am ready, some M8's might be on the used floor, at a price closer to what I want.
Guys thanks a bunch for the tips and encouragement.
Oh yes, the salesman has me pretty much talked into an SG and adding tourpak and comfy 2 up seat. I did sit on an EG Ultra and I could not flat foot, just from the arch forward touched. Also I could not reach the kickstand, BUT all the floor controls actually seemed closer. Is that just the seat style?
Last edited by handirifle; Nov 7, 2019 at 08:28 PM.
I took a MC safety course (Motorcycle Safety Foundation) at Tinker Air Force Base many years ago when I bought my first touring bike. I had been riding for years and thought it was a joke. When we went out for the driving portion of the class, the instructor said "and for those of you with touring bikes, you're gonna scrape." I looked at the guy next to me and asked "what does that mean?" He just shrugged his shoulders. During the course, I scraped the floor boards more times than I could count. The training area sounded like a metal shop. I learned a lot of valuable lessons. There was a lot of emphasis on crash avoidance. But I think equally as important, I learned the limitations of my bike. I'm not saying you need it. But, you will have an intimate familiarization with your bike when it's over.
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