Getting it Right with this 2018 FLSB Sport Glide

Popular Fusion

Sports Touring models are a hit and miss affair for Harley-Davidson. Some past attempts at creating a cruiser/touring fusion have been less successful than others. Introduced in 2018, the FLSB Sport Glide appears to be a winner for the Motor Company. Despite early naysayers, media response and sales would seem to indicate that the Sport Glide is going to be one popular ride. 

Dual Purpose

Some detractors have called the Sport Glide a 'poor man's bagger,' but this does not give credit to its multiple roles. The Sport Glide's advantage is that can be converted from a loaded highway machine to a stripped down boulevard cruiser in just minutes. The factory-installed, detachable fairing, lockable leather hard bags, and optional luggage trunk is what sets the Sport Glide apart from the other new Softails.

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Easy Rider

Another distinct advantage to the Sport Glide is the excellent handling from its inverted fork frontend. Once the domain of the aftermarket, Harley-Davidson now offers an inverted fork on select 'performance' models like the FXDR, Fat Bob, and Roadster. Combined with the 107 Milwaukee-Eight engine, the Sport Glide has been described as “effortless to ride,” with little to no vibrations reported at highway speeds. 

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Black and Chrome

Unlike a lot of other 'convertible' models, the Sport Glide looks good all stripped down. Pictured here with a set of aftermarket T-Bars, the Sport Glide's blacked-out inverted frontend holds the newly designed 'Preying Mantis' wheel. In what seems to be a popular design move, Harley-Davidson mixed chrome into the blacked-out scheme to achieve just the right amount of contrast. 

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Modular Machines

The Motor Company has experimented with Sport Touring models in the past. One of the more notable of these designs was the 1983 FXRT Sport Glide, although the fairing and bags were not quickly removed. The 1989 FXR Lowrider Convertible, the short-lived 2001 Dyna T-Sport, the 2012 CVO Softail Convertible, and the under-appreciated 2012 Dyna Switchback are just some of the past variations on the Sport Touring theme. 

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Sport Classic

The Heritage Classic is the Sport Glide's main competitor in the Harley-Davidson lineup. Mechanically, the two machines are identical except that the 114 cubic-inch engine is an option for the Heritage Classic. The deciding factor for some is the new versus 'retro' styling of either machine. Among other items of discontent from owners and prospective buyers is the lack of optional mid-controls, and the lack of a dual disc front brake. 

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Roomy Bags

The lockable hard bags on the Sport Glide might be its biggest selling feature. Using a 'clam-shell' design similar to FXRT bags, the Sport Glide's bags open with a dampening system and are surprisingly roomy. So much so, that automotive news agency Driving, stated in their 2018 Sport Glide review, that “You know something is seriously wrong...when a Harley’s saddlebags are more accommodating than a Honda Gold Wing’s.” 

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Commuter Canyon

The Sport Glide is winning over non-Harley-Davidson riders — and that is important. The next generation of riders want options and the Sport Glide seems to hit that mark with its ability to go from everyday commuter to canyon-carving, touring bike with a flick a few fasteners. Harley-Davidson's styling department should get a lot of credit. The Sport Glide looks good, and despite the premium price tag, looks do sell motorcycles — and the Sport Glide is selling.

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