Ok, I've pretty much decided on the SG for my next scoot. I've heard all the good stuff now how about the negatives on this beautiful ride?

Thanks in advance for your candor and please ride safe out there,

Primo

 

The SG is a beautiful ride. I was in the dealership last week and they had a SG parked next to EG Classic. They were the same price. What I don't understand is why would the MOCO strip down the 'glide and charge the same price as the EGC?? I love the look and feel of the SG, but, heck...for the same price you could get the EG Classic and when the mood strikes, just take off the tour pack and change the windscreen or cut it down and presto!!! you have a SG. That's just my opinion...I'm trying to convince my wife on a EG Classic, but she wants a RK...Oh well

 

Mine's on order, so I don't have personal experiences to this point. However, I am on the lookout for any issues anyone has with them. So, here's some of what I've heard:

The mirrors mounting issue. Misdrilled at the factory with the first production bikes, machine has since been reset, and recall is out to correct the first ones. I saw this one myself while shopping at the dealer, but you shouldn't run into it unless you're picking up a lightly used one.

Radio issues. Common to all the bikes in the line with the new HK radio. Some questions about weatherproofing, as the displays have been known to go out after a rain. Sometimes they come back on with no problems once they're dry, sometimes they're gone. Additionally, there's a software update for the radio, was supposed to correct for some operating issues. If I remember correctly there was a problem reading some user burned CDs. Some had problems, others didn't.

Front motor mount malfunction. Apparently the "original" mount on the bike is prone to failure, and the engine will of course start flopping like a headless chicken. There is a service bulletin out regarding inspection and replacement with a newly desinged mount. Some shops are apparently not replacing unless it fails, some are replacing automatically if you have the older or original mount.

Clearance issues. The bike has a lowered suspension, and some folks weren't prepared for the results. Switching from a higher clearance bike to the SG has caught a few folks out. Also, in the suspension arena, getting the ride adjusted for body weight of rider and or passenger has been a problem with some folks, and no issue with others. I suspect it's just a dial and try 'til you hit the spot you like situation.

I've read a couple of anecdotal references to engine performance problems, one was a lemon, and the MoCo replaced it. Another was a fellow coming off of metric crotch rockets and expecting the SG to sound, feel, run, accelerate, handle, etc. like his other bike. Completely unrealistic, no understanding of the differences in the mills and designs of two such different bikes, and no notion of what he was getting into. No REAL performance problems reported from him. Other than those, I've heard nothing in regards to the drivetrain, and it's the same one in all the Glides.

Most of what I've heard from here and elsewhere has been overwhelmingly positive. Folks that wanted that bike, went into it with open eyes, and were prepared for the differences have loved it. Other folks new to riding, or new to HD who picked that one as their first...have loved it. All of the above mentioned issues have been the minority, and there's some form of resolution from the MoCo.

As to converting an Ultra, it's been looked at, there's a thread on here about doing that very thing, and the poster researched all the money aspects, was leaning hard into doing it, it was making financial sense...but he wanted the solid Cobalt and the UC isn't solid. So, it's certainly a viable option. But there are a number of things that have to be changed or adjusted if you really want to go all the way to the SG look. It's not just tour pak and windscreen. With the exception of suspension and cruise control, it IS mostly cosmetic (oh, and CB). So if someone was interested, they could duplicate the look. After all, that's where the SG was born: people stripping their Glides.

I knew all this stuff when I ordered my SG, and clearly I ordered it anyway. And I'm fully expecting to love it!

Good luck.

 

I have NOTHING negative to say about my Street Glide either; however, prior to putting the bike away for the winter I had only 221 easy miles on it.

Mine was a late build and the mirrors are not any issue for me.The motor mount issue? That is to be seen I guess in the future.

All in all I loved the look of the bike when I first seen it sometime in August and love it even more now....

In thee midst of "personalizing" right now... my photos

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[quote]ORIGINAL: dexo54

The SG is a beautiful ride. I was in the dealership last week and they had a SG parked next to EG Classic. They were the same price. What I don't understand is why would the MOCO strip down the 'glide and charge the same price as the EGC?? I love the look and feel of the SG, but, heck...for the same price you could get the EG Classic and when the mood strikes, just take off the tour pack and change the windscreen or cut it down and presto!!! you have a SG. That's just my opinion...

I will second that opinion. I love my bike but if I had it to do over again I would have bought the EGC for the same money......

 

I don't have StreetGlide but I do have a EG Standard and I rode a SG before buying, so in my opinion the SG ia a awesome looking bike, every time I go to the dealer I look at one to get some ideas on how to improve my bike, the ride is not as good as mine, they say the low profile shocks from HD are not that good,I have heard that a set of progressive shocks will help in that department 100%, also the tiny windsheild was to small for me, I wear contacts and it doesn't block enough wind, but thats just me, might be perfect for you.
All in all it's hard to beat the SG if you like a clean mean look, if you like alot of frills go to the classic or the Ultra.

 

Depends on what you want.

I didn't want all the extra chrome. I like the solid paint without all the extra crap on it. I like to ride not be cleaning my bike all the time. I think the SG is alot sportier of a look.

Negatives? Ummm having Dunlop tires..I have NEVER liked dunlop so that is a preferance.

I'm coming from owning sportbikes for the last 6 years and I don't regret buying the SG at all.

I thought about the Classic, but realisticly it wouldn't of made sense because of the above reasons plus I will never use the trunk and it's not the look I was after.

 

I've put a little over 1000 miles on my Street Glide so far. The only problem to report is squeaky front brakes. I'll be replacing the front pads with Lyndalls soon. Seems to be common to a lot of new baggers from what I've been hearing. Other than that, no problems whatsoever. Mine was built 11/1 - don't know if that's considered "late" or not.

Doug

 

As far as my blue beast, I would do it all over again. Is it perfect? Nope!

Brakes are a little squealy. You will hear that alot.. not sure why, I think the calipers are the same as the rest of the touring bikes. Somebody told me it has something to do with the fender/wheel combo, and the dust not getting out of there quick enough. Different pads will solve that.

The antenna is a little long. Easy to fix.

Silver clutch and brake levers in black control modules. ***** G musta fallen asleep. Not a big deal at all, just did not like looking at it. Put black levers on it, and my eyes are happy. I kinda don't like the tank medallion either... trying to figure out if I can find another emblem to go there... Any ideas? I may just be tripping on this, who knows... Change it, make it better?

Whoever ends up on the stock pillion seat is gonna complain, but I have never known someone to have a Harley and keep the stock seat, so again, just being picky. I put a sundowner and a backrest on, I am happier, the girlfriend is comfy, and i think it looks good.

The only real complaint that I am gonna have is the radio. I got one that is weird. It is gonna have to get replaced. That can take a while. If you get an SG, MAKE SURE you check out the CD player religiously on your delivery ride. Some will skip alot... If it ain't right, tell the dealer. They know about this, and a good dealer will just wheel it back into the shop, and get started on the paperwork.

Soooo... 5 things to complain about. Brakes and the radio issue are the only really valid things, other stuff is subjective, or personal taste related. Rockville Harley Davidson, where I bought my bike, is a good bunch, and I am confident that we will get everything sorted out.

Other folks complain about the SG being harsh out back... Well, it is lowered.... short travel shocks are harsher... I like the way the bike sits, and it leans into a corner a lot sexier than the other tourers... So, that complaint doesn't mean much to me.

All in all, I got what I wanted, a clean looking bagger with a radio in the fairing. Some minor quality issues on a first year model, but all external stuff. A radio and some brake pads. They can be fixed pretty easily. The rest of the bike is nicely finished, and there is nothing that needs to come off. Its easy to clean, a blast to ride, and people smile when they see it. It stops me for a second every time I walk past it. Just to put it in perspective: buddy that I know just bought a brand new Honda VFR800, and he had brake problems and two lights that died within a week. No bike is perfect. What you want to find is a dealer that will stand behind what they sell, and knows how to navigate warranty paperwork. Go get one, I am willing to bet there will be no regrets. And if there are, well, get yourself a different one... Harley makes some really cool bikes now. I would like to have 2!!!! Thinking about dumping the VFR and the rat, and finding an older sporty to play with, turning it into the loud disrespectable sibling to the Glide... Hmmmmmm...

 

I got my Street Glide in November. As far as negatives, it has the standard things any new harley has. So plan on SERT, SE Stage 1, pipe of your choice, an extra seat for the passenger. I also added the red lense stop light turn signal combo unit, oil cooler, passenger backrest assembly and I removed the rear shifter arm. My size 16 feet just did not fit. I'm 6'3 220 and the bike fits me perfectly.

Sense you had a road king before, the street feels very similar except it feels lighter and more nimble because of the lower rear end. I had a road king before I got my Street and, for me, the street feels much better. Mine also has front brake squeal stopping at very low speed. The dealer will fix it as soon as I get it in there.

I love the clean custom look of the bike and the way it feels and handles, it was made just right for me.



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