Possible new SG owner.
Thread Starter
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6th Gear
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Staten Island, NY
Possible new SG owner.
Folks, just wanted to introduce myself and ask a few questions about the SG. Name is Yarvis, 40 something from NYC. Been riding bikes since 1982. Currently own two very cool and different bikes. (well to me anyway) A 2001 BMW R1200c and a 2006 HD VRSCD Night Rod. Thinking about trading the NR for a 2012 Blue pearl SG with ABS . Two dealers willing to give me $7600 in trade for my night rod and sell me the SG for 21k . No freight or prep. No one other than these two dealers has done better in both price for new bike and for trade. So if I bite this bullet, what are decent pipes and tuner to use that WONT break the bank? Any other "must haves" that I can do that also won't break the bank?
Thanks all!
Thanks all!
Last edited by Yarvis; Apr 2, 2012 at 09:34 PM.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 2,022
Likes: 60
From: Greer, South Carolina
"Must haves" are different for each of us, but here's my opinion:
1. You'll need windshield that will actually shield the air instead of dumping it in your face.
2. You'll probably want new mufflers , if not a complete Stage 1. I put V&H 4'' Twin Slash Rounds on my 2011 Electra Glide Classic. They have a good sound even with the catalytic converter still in the headpipe. (see attachment below)
3. Highway pegs are always a must have for me. I use them all the time, in town, on highway, everywhere. They're a great way to stretch your legs and move 'em around as you ride.
4. Windshield bags are a great convenience.
5. If you plan on riding with a passenger, you'll want to get first, the detachable mounting hadware that goes on the rear fender and second a detachable backrest and pad.
6. Oh yes, one of the handiest things - the gas cap door that is pushbutton operated and not key operated.
7. Replace your antenna with the hidden antenna that's installed under the fairing.
8. Buy a pair of front axle nut covers. It's a good way to dress up those exposed axle ends for $30.
Okay, I've spent enough of your money. Now go get a parts and accessories catalog and start spending your own money.
1. You'll need windshield that will actually shield the air instead of dumping it in your face.
2. You'll probably want new mufflers , if not a complete Stage 1. I put V&H 4'' Twin Slash Rounds on my 2011 Electra Glide Classic. They have a good sound even with the catalytic converter still in the headpipe. (see attachment below)
3. Highway pegs are always a must have for me. I use them all the time, in town, on highway, everywhere. They're a great way to stretch your legs and move 'em around as you ride.
4. Windshield bags are a great convenience.
5. If you plan on riding with a passenger, you'll want to get first, the detachable mounting hadware that goes on the rear fender and second a detachable backrest and pad.
6. Oh yes, one of the handiest things - the gas cap door that is pushbutton operated and not key operated.
7. Replace your antenna with the hidden antenna that's installed under the fairing.
8. Buy a pair of front axle nut covers. It's a good way to dress up those exposed axle ends for $30.
Okay, I've spent enough of your money. Now go get a parts and accessories catalog and start spending your own money.
Last edited by one-up; Apr 2, 2012 at 10:20 PM.
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 254
Likes: 18
From: Chicago, Illinois
I agree with that list. Got the two into one twin slash that sounds great. Not duals but still great sound. I guess I am the only one but I love the look of the antenna sticking out. Reminds me of my 59 Impala. Windshield is definitely #1. Almost unrideable without the proper size. Measure straight out from between your nose and chin and thats the size you need. Get a mid height backrest for passengers, the low ones are pretty much no good. I would also add some decent handgrips in there. The stock are terrible. Didn't know they had a push button door for the gas cap. Gotta get that right now.
Banned
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 488
Likes: 1
From: So. MD
I don't know too much about the full length exhaust for the baggers. I do have some friends that have had good luck with Bub7's, and they sound great. I put V&H Big Radius pipes on mine. You don't see them on a ton of baggers, but that combined with the sound is whey I chose them.
For tuners, I like and use the Screamin' Eagle Race Tuner. Dealers can work with it, and it's adjustable later on for whatever else you may add.
I second the windshield. I have the ClockWerks 6.5" on mine, and at 5'9" it's perfect for blocking wind and still looking good!
Get the 4-point docking ports for the rear so you can bolt on a backrest or tour pack later on if you want.
Highway pegs are nice, but a nicer, more comfy set of crash bars are better!
The stock grips do suck.
There are a TON of things that are great for these bikes. As far as the "must have's" if I had to do it again.....(and I think for 20+k these bikes should COME equipped with these 3 things!!)
1.) Painted inner fairing. It makes the bike look so much more finished, less cheap. Don't have the dealer do it for $700. It's really easy to get off yourself, but even if you have a shop do it you should be able to get it done for around $300. Well worth it!!!!
2.) Chrome front forks. Again, it just finishes the bike off so well!
3.) Ipod interface. If you don't have a bike with a radio now, you are about to. I never owned an Ipod till I bought this bike, and bolting it to the handlbars then trying to screw around with it on the road sucks. The interface rules!!
Gratuitous pics:
For tuners, I like and use the Screamin' Eagle Race Tuner. Dealers can work with it, and it's adjustable later on for whatever else you may add.
I second the windshield. I have the ClockWerks 6.5" on mine, and at 5'9" it's perfect for blocking wind and still looking good!
Get the 4-point docking ports for the rear so you can bolt on a backrest or tour pack later on if you want.
Highway pegs are nice, but a nicer, more comfy set of crash bars are better!
The stock grips do suck.
There are a TON of things that are great for these bikes. As far as the "must have's" if I had to do it again.....(and I think for 20+k these bikes should COME equipped with these 3 things!!)
1.) Painted inner fairing. It makes the bike look so much more finished, less cheap. Don't have the dealer do it for $700. It's really easy to get off yourself, but even if you have a shop do it you should be able to get it done for around $300. Well worth it!!!!
2.) Chrome front forks. Again, it just finishes the bike off so well!
3.) Ipod interface. If you don't have a bike with a radio now, you are about to. I never owned an Ipod till I bought this bike, and bolting it to the handlbars then trying to screw around with it on the road sucks. The interface rules!!
Gratuitous pics:
Last edited by PGDredd; Apr 2, 2012 at 10:28 PM.
Thread Starter
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6th Gear
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Staten Island, NY
Guys:
Thanks for the wonderful suggestions! I almost forgot the old lady is "allowing" me to trade in the Night Rod for this bike possibly, how could I NOT remember to get the detachable backrest and pad? The Ipod interface sounds like something I will also need right away. Is this an HD accessory? I went to the IMS this year and there was a vendor there selling an easy to bolt on centerstand, does anyone know what I'm talking about?
Thanks for the wonderful suggestions! I almost forgot the old lady is "allowing" me to trade in the Night Rod for this bike possibly, how could I NOT remember to get the detachable backrest and pad? The Ipod interface sounds like something I will also need right away. Is this an HD accessory? I went to the IMS this year and there was a vendor there selling an easy to bolt on centerstand, does anyone know what I'm talking about?
Thread Starter
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6th Gear
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Staten Island, NY
Oh yes, I better get a REAL test ride. I took one of the new Victory's for a ride the beginning of last spring and the buffetting was intense. Are SG's prone to this as well with the stock small windscreen? I'm not a tall man by any means, I wear a full face modular and I enjoy riding with the chin part up for more air, am I going to really need as new screen?
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 438
Likes: 6
From: Kamloops BC
Yup, the stock windshield is fairly useless. I went with the KW 8.5" and love it. Still have the wind in the face feeling of being on a bike, but buffeting is much more manageable.
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Road Master
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 914
Likes: 1
From: Republic of Texas
ABSOLUTELY they are, and discussions on how to deal with this are legion here, and elsewhere. The stock "windscreen" doesn't, (screen the wind, that is), and you'll undoubtedly want to replace it with one of the many alternatives (also numerous discussions about which one). The stock windscreen is eye-candy to sell the bike - it does little to protect the rider from wind buffeting, which makes the ride unpleasant, if not unsafe - especially if you wear glasses, and the buffeting makes your glasses jump up and down, as I experienced - very unsettling.
After buying and trying several of the available options, I'm getting the performance I need from a 7" Long Ride Ultra shield. I'm 5'11" tall.
You may also find that even with a suitable windscreen, you get more wind buffeting than you want, coming from the bottom of the batwing fairing. You can deal with that with the several add-on air deflection accessories available from HD, as well as aftermarket sources.
I'm in the process of doing all the above with my newly-acquired 2012 SG presently.
After buying and trying several of the available options, I'm getting the performance I need from a 7" Long Ride Ultra shield. I'm 5'11" tall.
You may also find that even with a suitable windscreen, you get more wind buffeting than you want, coming from the bottom of the batwing fairing. You can deal with that with the several add-on air deflection accessories available from HD, as well as aftermarket sources.
I'm in the process of doing all the above with my newly-acquired 2012 SG presently.
Last edited by racklefratz; Apr 3, 2012 at 05:23 PM.
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Road Master
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 762
Likes: 14
From: Bellevue, NE
Since I don't ride a SG, I forgot about that little trim piece HD calls a windshield. Yes, that should go immediately when you buy the bike, and the detachable backrest and pad could be added at the same time. Something to keep in mind is that if the accessories are installed at the time you buy the bike, they're covered under your factory warranty. Also, a lot of dealers will install accessories you buy with the bike at no charge for labor. Ask about that. For the iPOD, you can get away with using a cord from, for example, Radio Shack. It plugs into the headphone jack on your iPOD, and into the AUX port on the front of the radio. Since nobody bothers to load tunes on their iPOD that they don't like, plug it in, use the 'shuffle' function, and you're good to go! My buddy secures his with a little Velcro and a couple of zip ties. Doesn't look too bad, and a lot cheaper than the interface, if I remember correctly. Stage one upgrade, including exhaust, I would do down the road a little later on, after you've had some time to listen to what other people have on their bikes. It's a PITA living with a exhaust that you end up not liking later on because you made a hasty decision. Above all, read. Ask questions. Sift through the BS that is ever-present on ALL forums and you may end up making good decisions, and with a bike you"ll be happy with for quite some time. Good luck.