Street Glide Performance
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 2,053
Likes: 39
From: San Diego
More performance is in the nature of many bikers. There will never be enough accelleration for some riders.
When my Nephew brought home his latest bike, a Ducatti 1100, a bike that exceeds the highest expectations of any Harley rider, and indeed most people in the world, the first thing he did was hop it up even more with items that he had read about in their forums.
The need for speed is strong in many of us, however others just want enough power for safe passing on two lane roads, and the ability to climb long grades without slowing so much we become distractions.
I even see the same thing from truckers. While these guys are pretty much turtles, they also want to be among the fastest turtles.
Think it depends more on the person, and sometimes the wallet, than the bike.
When my Nephew brought home his latest bike, a Ducatti 1100, a bike that exceeds the highest expectations of any Harley rider, and indeed most people in the world, the first thing he did was hop it up even more with items that he had read about in their forums.
The need for speed is strong in many of us, however others just want enough power for safe passing on two lane roads, and the ability to climb long grades without slowing so much we become distractions.
I even see the same thing from truckers. While these guys are pretty much turtles, they also want to be among the fastest turtles.
Think it depends more on the person, and sometimes the wallet, than the bike.
Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 243
Likes: 14
From: St. Michael, MN
Yeah, the SG is no sport bike, but for what it is, I feel it handles well & I think it has plenty of power. Try riding a 1600 kawi nomad, now THAT's an underpowered, heavy, poor handling bike. Top heavy, doggy, terribly long rake & trail compared to the SG. the SG feels like my old 750 shadow compared to the nomad. The one thing the nomad had over the SG was leg room riding comfort, it was a big bike! Plenty of room to stretch, but I would never go back!
Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 689
Likes: 6
From: Glen Rose TX
I agree that it is a big heavy bike that handles like a bighog, because it is, so deal with it.
That said they don't do anything real surprising and there are things to do to improve them. Ride it as is for now and get it to breathing better then decide how much you want to put into the handling and performance wise.
That said they don't do anything real surprising and there are things to do to improve them. Ride it as is for now and get it to breathing better then decide how much you want to put into the handling and performance wise.
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 1,920
Likes: 77
From: dallas
bike handles great ( and stops great too) . You will be impressed. Like someone said earlier, best handling HD tourer. Anyway, its the prettiest IMO.
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Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 553
Likes: 14
From: Southern NH
Street glide are like old school muscle cars. They just need the power to match. They can be alot of fun in a straight line. Just dont expect them to turn and stop. That being said its time to build the motor.
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 86
Likes: 0
I'm about to pull the trigger on a '14, and the handling improvements are a big reason. Last fall I test rode two SGs back-to-back: a very nicely set-up 2012 with only 2400 miles, and a new 2014. Both handled well, but the 2014 has a crispness to the steering and braking that the 2012 can't match. I was on unfamiliar twisty roads, and the 2014 was actually pretty damn sporty, enough that I'm contemplating letting go of my old SV650 therapy tool when I get the SG.