SJ Harley had demo-rides yesterday. I was HOPING they'd have a RoadGlide. All they had was a Deluxe, a Dyna FatBob (but it had mid-shift controls, otherwise I'd have tried it) and a StreetGlide.

They had a fairly long course for us (about 10 miles).

I went right out on the freeway. That section is fairly washboard. I found it to be the same "firm" ride as the 07 (or my Softail when it was lowered) Not too bad, but for a "touring bike" not great. As we all know the stock windscreen on a Streetglide is worthless over 60 mph, so that was no surprise.

As far as the handling, it was on a RAIL. No variations. Rain grooves, freeway seams, nothing affected it. And the brakes. WOW!! I've never seen ANY motorcycle with brakes that good.

The performance was fair. I'm sure with a Stage-1, it would perform like the 07 SG I demo'd a yr and a 1/2 ago. I did notice the rpm difference. 6th gear is now a usable gear. Instead of 2500 rpm at 70 mph, it's about 2700 rpm. The overall gearing is great. I heard NO noise what so ever in 5th gear.
Once I figured out the radio, it sounded great.
My only concerns (gripes etc) really would be the stiff susp, and the heat. OMG!!! The heat off that thing !!! It was about 85 deg out. After I came off the freeway, the remainder of the ride was city streets. Going slow or sitting still, what a frickin hotbox!! I could not hang with that. It had that rr cyl cutout. I did not know how to turn it on or off. I guess you twist the throttle backwards? Anyhow, nearing the dealership, I stopped at a light and this thing (to me) starts missing, so I think "oh Great !!". When I went to take off, it pinged and rattled til the rr cylinder kicked in. It dawned on me a minute later what happend, but still wasn't happy about it.

Is it a sweet bike? YES !!! Is it (that much) better than my Heritage? I'm sorry to say it's not. That's just my opinion. I'm sure allot of you who moved from a Softail to a SG would disagree.

I have made arraingments to rent a RoadGlide in 2 weeks. THAT is what I really want to try. I would like to know from someone who has put an Electra Glide seat on a RG, is it still necc to change the handlebars? It seems the EG seat would move you up into just the right posn. I guess I'll find out in two wks, because hopefully we can "borrow" a seat for my rental.

 

Two things to remember on "demo days"

1. Your most likely riding a brand new bike, with very little miles. The motors do run much hotter when they are new and tight and not broken in at all, and running the original dino oil. My 09 was very hot the first few hundred miles, but by 1000 miles, was much cooler.

2. You don't know how much air is in the rear shocks. The 09 (in my experience) require a LOT less air in the shocks. If you pump them up to where you would in prev. years, they WILL ride harsh. And for all you know, the dealer pumped them up firm in case someone wants to demo it two-up.

I ran 25 lbs solo on my 07 SG
I run 5-10 lbs solo on my 09 SG

If I put the same 25 lbs I put in my 07 in my 09, it bucks like a bronco over every bump.

 

Thanks for your review. I like to read as much as I can about the 09s.

 

Appreciate the review.