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GLIDE PRO feed back anyone?
6th Gear
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
The GlidePro system fixes the root cause of the problem, rather than adding a brace to control it. I watched him do an alignment a few weeks ago, he really knows what he is doing. Check out the videos on his website.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 2,916
Likes: 31
From: earth
Probably sending my Glide-Pro system back. I already had the Sta-Bo, and the new style Glide-Pro system is not an improvement over the simple and much cheaper Sta-Bo, I did notice more vibration with the Glide-Pro. Im sure that anyone who installed this system as a replacement to the OEM bushings noticed a significant handling improvement but you can achieve better results for a lot less money. The earlier version of Glide-Pro was similar to Sta-Bo but better built. The new Glide-Pro consists of much tighter fitting pivot shaft with some low profile aircraft nuts and complete new bushings, instead of adding support bushings to the OEM swingarm bushings. As with most things I have studied long on the new style Glide-Pro system and it simply cannot accomplish the claims. The dual density bushing theory is sound but the design does not accomplish the concept. The Idea is the harder outer material supports the swing-arm while the softer inner material absorbs engine mount vibrations. In the simplest terms, the engine/trans, swing-arm, and bushings are all bolted together tight as a single unit on the pivot shaft and the softer core Glide-Pro bushings still support the group in the same manner as the harder OEM bushings. It is impossible for this design to effectively manage rear engine mount vibration damping and swing-arm support in one bushing. Harley got it wrong to start with and now Glide-Pros New improved system is just as wrong, they took a very fancy step backwards. I actually experience more undesirable motion in the swing-arm now than I did with the OEM bushings and Sta-Bo. The new bushings have the pivot shaft hole in the center as opposed to offset high like the OEMs, this combined with the softer core bushing actually allows the weight of the engine/trans/swing-arm group to sag. I have very little clearance now between the transmission and frame cross-member. Not sure if there is actually an issue from the driveline/suspension geometry change but its another consideration. The jury is still out on the front motor mount. It is soft, and allows the motor to rock freely for and aft, just not sure how it works since the metal core sleeve of the bushing is not cast into the urethane material, but floats freely and can be pushed out the top or bottom of the mount. Its basically a new broken motor mount with the core completely separated from the damping material. The front mount main bolt basically squeezes the metal mount sleeve and there is a ź gap between the bottom washer and the lower urethane material, its like the mount isnt even connected to the motor. Anyway, going to reinstall the OEM bushings and Sta-Bo in conjunction with the GlidePro front motor mount to see how it works together. Im not yet saying the front mount doesnt work, still need to evaluate. I imagine Ill have a bunch of Glide-Pro believers telling me how wrong I am, but I know what I know. Save your money, use Sta-Bo instead.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 2,160
Likes: 62
From: GA.
I tried the glide-pro stuff last year. Took it off and sent it back a few days later. The vibrations were rediculous and made riding 30 or 40 miles unbearable. I couldn't imagine trying to ride several hundred miles with it.
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Tourer
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 295
Likes: 0
From: Eastern Massachusetts
My original front motor mount on my 05 ultra was starting to tear and separate so I replaced it with the glide pro late last season. I don't have a lot of miles on it but I'm not so sure I like it. I have added vibration in my floorboards, kind of like a buzz that I didn't have with the original Harley 79-B mount. The glide pro was an improvement over the "broken" mount but anything would be an improvement over something broken. I think I'm going to try the Harley replacement for the 79-B in the spring.
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 78
Likes: 0
Great thread! I was actually discussing the purchase of the Glide Pro rear system with a buddy earlier today. Their motor mount was installed over 5K miles ago and I am completely satisfied with its performance to date. Anyone wanting to rid themselves of a Glide Pro rear system (2002 RKC), feel free to contact me.