FLHT or FLHX- help me decide
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Tourer
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 464
Likes: 1
From: Edgewater FL
FLHT or FLHX- help me decide
Electra Glide Standard or Street Glide- I am trying to understand the main differences. Same engine, transmission, frame, tires, and fairing. The Standard is 3" higher unladen at the seat. Is this mostly seat? Or seat and suspension tuning. This may not be bad for me, almost all bikes seem cramped for me with a 34" inseam. Help me learn what the website isn't telling me.
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 88
Likes: 12
From: NY
The street glide is lowered to give it a 'slammed' look. They use shorter shocks. Also the bags have no protective bars so it looks sleek. And the windscreen is very short on the SG. If you ride solo the SG is tolerable. If you ride two up a lot you will need to change the shocks. I put on a pair of ultra shocks which are fine and you wouldn't notice the height change really. These you can usually swap with a guy looking to lower his ultra. If you need to keep the lowered look guys use progressives which are around 500 or ohlins which are more. I think the SG has a great look which is why it is very popular. Buy what lokks good to you...
Buy the street glide .The standard has ugly wheels silver motor with no chrome , Ugly seat ,turnsignals and lights on the fenders, no radio , big windsheild and black gauges. The street glide has nicer wheels ,clean fenders, bullet signals, nicer seat ,silver gauges ,matching bag latches ,rear fender fillers,radio,fairing mount mirrors,streamliner pegs and boards ,lowerd rear shocks and its worth more $.
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 129
Likes: 0
From: Cape Cod, Massachusetts
The SG is the sportiest touring model, great hot rod look, less suspension and comfort in exchange for looks. EG is a Cadilac, plusher ride, better seat, longer shocks. Best bike for 2 up touring.
Club Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 263
Likes: 1
From: Canton, GA
I've had an Ultra and recently traded it in for my 2010 Street Glide....ride is lower (which I like despite being 6'2" tall with a 36" inseam) and it feels more like riding a real motorcycle again. The Ultra felt "top heavy" to me and perhaps the windshield was too tall. Just know that I am very happy with the Street Glide.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,921
Likes: 33
From: Lewisberry PA
rent both....
Ride both, even rent both for a weekend to see which you really like. Then buy what you like and enjoyed. I traded for the X and tour on it both 1 up and 2 up. Still riding stock shocks. I love the looks of the X. As someone said, its the most popular bike.
I don't recommend the denim black!
I don't recommend the denim black!
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,437
Likes: 80
From: currently an Okie
Flht = ugly
I've put a lot of miles on my FLHX and have no complaints about the ride. Last weekend the wife and I put 1200 miles on it.
As has been said before, the motor on the FLHT just looks bad. It's not black and chrome like the streetglide. It's grey and more grey.
My vote is for the StreetGlide.
As has been said before, the motor on the FLHT just looks bad. It's not black and chrome like the streetglide. It's grey and more grey.
My vote is for the StreetGlide.
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Road Master
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,145
Likes: 98
From: Colorado Springs
Buy the street glide .The standard has ugly wheels silver motor with no chrome , Ugly seat ,turnsignals and lights on the fenders, no radio , big windsheild and black gauges. The street glide has nicer wheels ,clean fenders, bullet signals, nicer seat ,silver gauges ,matching bag latches ,rear fender fillers,radio,fairing mount mirrors,streamliner pegs and boards ,lowered rear shocks and its worth more $.
In my opinion (even though I own an FLHTP Police Bike because of the engine - 103") These are the main differences (but they are mostly only cosmetic) and why I like the Street Glide best (I'd put FLHT shocks on it if I bought it). The lowered shocks do degrade the cornering ability significantly. If you are a new rider, or a less aggressive rider, you may not notice. (If you think your Street Glide corners as well as a FLHT, you haven't got it yet... keep riding).
For me I looked and looked until I found a cream puff FLHTP with a 103". It goes like a rocket (for a Harley), was affordable (for a Harley) and handles well (for a Harley). I'll spend a little to make it look more like a FLHX (without the lowering).
Figure out what is more important to you, looks or performance. What would you have to change to either model to make a good compromise? What is cheaper? Buy that one.
To me any bike (Harley or other) is a blank canvas, it won't stay stock for long, because "Stock Sucks".
Excellent advice!!!
Last edited by ocezam; Apr 27, 2011 at 06:24 PM.
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,824
Likes: 59
From: SW Burbs of Chicago
Get the standard. Add what you want to it. You can get a better than stock radio. The passing lights make you more visable. Standard is less expensive in the long run. IMO Its a blank canvas. I like my silver engine. Arent the SE engines silver?