Street Glide Standard vs. Special
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 6,088
Likes: 1,962
From: Somewhere on the Bourbon trail
I'd probably go with the Special. As mentioned, the bigger motor and resale would be the deciding factors. It's nice both versions now come in chrome. I'm pretty sure you could most likely get the full crash bars and 4-point docking gratis when you buy.
I got some freebies when I bought my King.
I got some freebies when I bought my King.
Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 126
Likes: 59
From: Northern NJ
I went with the 2021 Street Glide Special. The Boom GTS, Hill hold, ABS, Stretch bags, TPS, Daymaker halogen are the best features.
BTW the handling is amazing and so much fun in the twisties.
BTW the handling is amazing and so much fun in the twisties.
Last edited by StreetGlide2021; Sep 8, 2021 at 01:41 PM.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 3,686
Likes: 4,294
From: Northeast, NJ
I've thought about this, but have nixxed it. I currently own a Dyna Switchback, that also came with the polished aluminum covers. I wound up switching all the covers for chrome, as I do not like the look of the polished aluminum outside of when it's freshly cleaned / polished, and even then....meh. That alone makes the Standard the easy choice....for me.
Resale is not a concern of mine, I don't buy to plan to upgrade soon enough for it to matter. I encountered this exact thing. I settled on the Standard.
I don't like the stretched bags, I didn't want a black engine, the one I chose had the upgraded Boom and ABS already, and the dealer installed an LED Daymaker without charging me for it.
I have since upgraded the suspension to Ohlins, I have added a Mustang Super Solo seat, pillion and sissy bar, changed the bars, and added slipons. I'm in it for less than a Special and have ridden it 12k since Feb of this year, so resale is already tanked.
As far as the engine, I could drop in a 131 if I really wanted (which I've considered but likey won't). I find the 107 to be more than enough and that includes riding two up.
Obviously, it's up to what you want to spend. For me, it wasn't the money the swayed me, I just liked the Standard better and still do.
I don't like the stretched bags, I didn't want a black engine, the one I chose had the upgraded Boom and ABS already, and the dealer installed an LED Daymaker without charging me for it.
I have since upgraded the suspension to Ohlins, I have added a Mustang Super Solo seat, pillion and sissy bar, changed the bars, and added slipons. I'm in it for less than a Special and have ridden it 12k since Feb of this year, so resale is already tanked.
As far as the engine, I could drop in a 131 if I really wanted (which I've considered but likey won't). I find the 107 to be more than enough and that includes riding two up.
Obviously, it's up to what you want to spend. For me, it wasn't the money the swayed me, I just liked the Standard better and still do.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 8,158
Likes: 9,568
From: central NC
Resale is not a concern of mine, I don't buy to plan to upgrade soon enough for it to matter. I encountered this exact thing. I settled on the Standard.
I don't like the stretched bags, I didn't want a black engine, the one I chose had the upgraded Boom and ABS already, and the dealer installed an LED Daymaker without charging me for it.
I have since upgraded the suspension to Ohlins, I have added a Mustang Super Solo seat, pillion and sissy bar, changed the bars, and added slipons. I'm in it for less than a Special and have ridden it 12k since Feb of this year, so resale is already tanked.
As far as the engine, I could drop in a 131 if I really wanted (which I've considered but likey won't). I find the 107 to be more than enough and that includes riding two up.
Obviously, it's up to what you want to spend. For me, it wasn't the money the swayed me, I just liked the Standard better and still do.
I don't like the stretched bags, I didn't want a black engine, the one I chose had the upgraded Boom and ABS already, and the dealer installed an LED Daymaker without charging me for it.
I have since upgraded the suspension to Ohlins, I have added a Mustang Super Solo seat, pillion and sissy bar, changed the bars, and added slipons. I'm in it for less than a Special and have ridden it 12k since Feb of this year, so resale is already tanked.
As far as the engine, I could drop in a 131 if I really wanted (which I've considered but likey won't). I find the 107 to be more than enough and that includes riding two up.
Obviously, it's up to what you want to spend. For me, it wasn't the money the swayed me, I just liked the Standard better and still do.
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2021
Posts: 69
Likes: 31
From: Mason City
New guy here, I just bought the Red standard 2 months ago for $23,500 out the door with Upgraded touch screen but no upgraded abs. I put the stage 1 in, Tab performance headpipe and 4.5 inch Tab Bam sticks with zombie baffles. SE tuner and ventilator intake with the Harley tune, warranty intact. Runs as it should and doesn't sound like a Honda. Minus a little torque, but it's not a race bike. Upgraded all lights to custom dynamics, Mustang Super Touring Solo Seat with passenger pillion. Highway pegs, 14 inch KST kustoms bison bars 1 1/2 inch with Avon grips. Passenger sissy bar passenger matching floorboards and dk floorboard extenders for driver and passenger. LRS 10 inch windshield and a shorty antenna. All for around what the special would have been without modding it the way I did this bike. Make it yours and it is a special.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,641
Likes: 156
From: florida
I had 2 specials, a 15 and a 17. This go round I went with the standard because I wanted the custom color and did not want a blacked out bike or the RDRS. Also did not want to go back to a cable clutch.
I could not find a leftover 2020 in the custom color that had the standard radio so ended up with the GTS which actually i'm happy with.
Rode the special with the 114 and did not feel the small difference in power was worth the money.
Upgraded all lighting to LED's including the JW Speaker adaptive headlight, exhaust, bars and chrome lower forks with Pro Action springs and dampers and still spent less than the special would have been.
I could not find a leftover 2020 in the custom color that had the standard radio so ended up with the GTS which actually i'm happy with.
Rode the special with the 114 and did not feel the small difference in power was worth the money.
Upgraded all lighting to LED's including the JW Speaker adaptive headlight, exhaust, bars and chrome lower forks with Pro Action springs and dampers and still spent less than the special would have been.
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