The dealer had a demo day today. Half the group got broken away from the lead group so the demo guide took his own route. Which ended up being a much longer ride than the typical demo.

I was on the Street Gllide and found it to be a quite comfortable bike. I just wish I had enough money for a touring bike and had more time for long trips. I wouldn't like it in the urban traffic and would keep a Sporty for daily riding.

The one thing I didn't like was the abrupt clutch engagement the bike had. It was also heavier than my Sporty. Not good in urban stop and go. I thought I read on the forum from someone else that said they also had an issue with the short, abrupt engagement. My question is, is this normal for the new touring bikes? I stalled the damn thing a few times until I got used to it. But I wasn't happy.

I've ridden other bikes and this one seemed much shorter than usual.

 

I bet they have Syn3 in it. Change the fluid to F+ and it'll be fine.

 

that hydraulic clutch takes a bit of getting used to. But once you do, it's just another lever.

 

I love quick abrupt engagement. This means its not slipping especially when u get on it. I hate a slipping clutch and thats what u get when u put in synthetic. No thanks. I have never stalled my UC or fat bob when taking off from a stop and run all my clutches with quick engagement. maybe its from my mx days since thats whats ideal on a mx bike.

 

I've never been on an MX bike and I suppose it's just a matter of getting used to it. Yet, in the heavy; daily urban traffic I ride in 75% of the time, an abrupt engagement isn't what I'd like. It also makes slow speed maneuvering more difficult.

As for the Syn3, I thought only the CVO bikes came with that out of the crate?

 

They do, and it sucks. F+ is what you want in the primary.

 

I love the way the clutch works, its now and positive everytime you shift. Syn-3 has nothing to do with it. Had regular primary oil in it and shifted exactly the same. One thing people need to learn is that Harley synthetic oil does not have moly in it and most of the aftermarket brands do which will cause some slipping and burning of the plates. I think the hydraulic clutch has more to do with it than anything.
NEVER use Type F trans fluid unless you want to give the Mo-co $700 to replace the clutch and trans bearing, been there done that!
Harley oil is designed for ROLLER bearing motors not ball bearings like all automobiles.
I know oil is a heated discussion and I have tried many but Harley is the only oil I will ever use again.

 

I went from a 2001 Softail to a 2014 SGS. The clutch took a while to get used to but I don't think anything about it now.

 

I've got a 2014 Limited and the hydraulic clutch feels exactly the same as the HD hydraulic clutch I put on my 2002 Fat Boy 10 years ago. I love the positive feel of the hydraulic clutch. I couldn't stand the standard clutch on my fat boy.

It's possible that they didn't have the clutch on the bike you rode properly bled. If you've got air in the line, the clutch won't completely disengage, like having the cable not properly adjusted. That would make it feel abrupt. Did the bike creep with it in gear and the clutch in?

 

it is weird especially since it should be designed to have some throw to it instead of quick into gear. Would be much better if it would have less then instant engage especially in traffic. Having sad that "IT DOESNT" and it just takes a few miles to get use to.