OK guys, I know it’s not about an XS650 or an ST1300, but I am having a motorcycle adventure this week and wanted to report briefly on it. My family and I are in Phoenix to escape the cold CDN weather for a week and I have rented a Harley Street Glide from Eagle Rider for a few days. They are easy to deal with and I know everyone is wondering about the cost soooo....$956 USD taxes-in for 4 days including $1M liability insurance and zero-deductible on the bike.
Here is a brief report on the big hawg.
The HD is definitely a different feel from EVERYTHING else and I can see why there is a clear delineation between Harley riders and non-Harley riders.
It weighs even more than my ST1300 but has around 50 HP less, although the traditional 45* v-twin produces lots of torque. The redline is about 5300 rpm (versus 8500 on the Honda) and it has a 6-speed tranny. The clutch pull is moderate (about like an XS650) and the brakes seem OK. I have only ridden it for about 30 miles so far - and I liked it, but boy it IS different.
The biggest differences I have found so far are in the foot and handlebar controls:
- the sitting position is very low - anyone can’t flatfoot this bike likely shouldn’t ride;
- floorboards which are mostly ahead of you, not pegs which are mostly under you;
- front brake pedal that looks like something off a Toyota Corolla - and its waaaayyyy up forward;
- shifter is a big heel&toe affair - I couldn’t figure it out so I just used the toe shifter up&down like on a Japanese bike;
- turn signals - all I can say is...unique. Each bar has a button to signal in THAT direction instead of one button on the LH bar for both directions. It makes right turns a little busy, I found. The system is self-cancelling and seems to work well however
The one major criticism I have are the instruments - which are very complete, but much too small IMO. I found myself squinting and straining to see what the heck gear I was in and the little symbols for oil etc. were virtually illegible. I also found programming the GPS to be....puzzling and oddly, the engine kill switch is black (not the customary red) and I damn near shut the bike off on the freeway while trying use the RH turn signal. I like good controls and instruments - and frankly, these just aren’t. I’m sure I will get used to the peculiarities but the too small instruments are simply a bad thing (IMHO).
Given the age demographic of H-D riders, I’m surprised they would muff these details.
The engine noise is quite subdued - the biggest drama is the start-up when lots of gnashing and thrashing happens (fun at first but to an engineers ears, a bit off-putting). Once underway, the sound is a pleasant throb, but not loud and the gear shifts are pretty darned smooth. On the road I didn’t find vibration a major issue (nothing like the mobile paintshaker feeling of an XS650 that’s for sure). H-D has done a commendable job of quelling that famous Harley kidney-punishing thump.
As noted, the power is good (and with a displacement of 107 cu.in. or about 1800 cc’s - it darned well should be). My cousin and I got up to around 75 MPH on the short freeway ride to our vacation rental home - and the Harley had a lot more. The acceleration is OK - I would characterize it as “stately” but quite adequate, rather than the frantic arm-straightening rush of a big “metric” bike.
All of that said, the Street Glide is a neat bike and I am sure the I’ll enjoy riding it around beautiful sunny Arizona!
More on Pete’s Excellent Desert Adventure to come - watch this space!
EDIT - the bike is actually a Street Glide rather than the more elaborate Road Glide. Sorry for the mix-up.