Looking at a SG for commuting

[Fxdb]

Yes it may sound crazy but I'm looking at a street glide (possibly) for my 120 mile round trip commute that I'll be starting in a few months. I'm looking for feedback from the guys that own Street Glides or any similar baggers since right now I'm on a dyna and that is my only experince on 2 wheels outside dirtbikes.

Currently I've got 44,000 on my 2013 street bob but it is getting more uncomfortable as I get older. Its great for lane splitting (in Cali) but not so good for cruising long distances.

Should I get a SG? Is there another model I should go with? Should I think about a victory? Does anyone here ride that much and what do you think?

 

[t8ness]

I have a 14 and I have a similar commute. I put 18k miles on mine in roughly 8 months. The stock seat is comfortable but I’d look Into an aftermarket one with a backrest. Also, when it’s cold, you have to bundle up. Up top with a decent jacket and gloves you’ll be ok. It’s the legs that suffer the most. I bought the soft lowers, but they kill gas mileage. Looking at getting hard lowers, if only for the cold months. Oh, my other complaint is the suspension, I’m looking to upgrade to Legends soon because if the ride is rough it will be unforgiving on your back...


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[Fxdb]

What do you average for MPG at what speeds?

 

[Mojo]

You might want to get some hard lowers for the bad weather days. They help immensely!

 

[Sealion]

Heated gear makes a world of difference for cold days. I rode for five years in Colorado before I got rid of my dinosaur arms and paid for a jacket and gloves. Kicked myself for waiting so long. I transitioned from a Road King and the fairing blocks the wind well to keep your hands warmer.

 

[pyuchem]

I like my street glide. Bought in May 2016 and have close to 30k miles on it. If there’s one thing I don’t like it is suspension. I’ve Installed Legends suspension but still not close to smooth ride like new Indian Chieftain I had. That suspension was like riding on a cloud.

 

[t8ness]

Looking at a SG for commuting

What do you average for MPG at what speeds?

If I keep it below 80. I average about 242 miles per tank. Those soft lowers dropped that to about 180 miles


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[t8ness]

I like my street glide. Bought in May 2016 and have close to 30k miles on it. If there’s one thing I don’t like it is suspension. I’ve Installed Legends suspension but still not close to smooth ride like new Indian Chieftain I had. That suspension was like riding on a cloud.

Reminds me of my work BMW RT. That thing handles beautifully, and the suspension was outstanding. Rode the same roads with Harley and RT, the difference is night and day...


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[Fxdb]

If I keep it below 80. I average about 242 miles per tank. Those soft lowers dropped that to about 180 miles


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Good God that is a huge difference

 

[t8ness]

Good God that is a huge difference

Yea. I took a recent trip from the IE to San Francisco. All freeway, with only stops for gas. I was only averaging about 180 miles. I couldn’t understand why, just knew I was going to be pushing about 250 a tank.


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[Fxdb]

Yea. I took a recent trip from the IE to San Francisco. All freeway, with only stops for gas. I was only averaging about 180 miles. I couldn’t understand why, just knew I was going to be pushing about 250 a tank.


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I average 180 from my dyna but its cammed and I ride aggressively so I expect that. Plus the SG has a larger tank I believe. Would the hard lowers get the same mileage?

 

[t8ness]

I average 180 from my dyna but its cammed and I ride aggressively so I expect that. Plus the SG has a larger tank I believe. Would the hard lowers get the same mileage?

I think the hard lowers are aerodynamically designed, and they have vents. The soft lowers are almost like a parachute on the front of your bike lol. The SG has a 6 gallon tank


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[Fxdb]

I think the hard lowers are aerodynamically designed, and they have vents. The soft lowers are almost like a parachute on the front of your bike lol. The SG has a 6 gallon tank


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That makes sense. I have some frogg toggs and rain gaiters right now but not having stuff hit my legs would be nice.

 

[Fxdb]

I like my street glide. Bought in May 2016 and have close to 30k miles on it. If there’s one thing I don’t like it is suspension. I’ve Installed Legends suspension but still not close to smooth ride like new Indian Chieftain I had. That suspension was like riding on a cloud.

I rode 20k on my stock seat and suspension before I switched it out on my dyna not knowing that the stock shocks were complete sh!t and that you should switch them as soon as you leave the lot. I thought the aftermarket shocks were amazing then I rode a friends Victory and his Indian and I didn't want to get back on my dyna.

 

[Yarddog]

My commute is a daily round trip of 180 miles. I've owned Harleys for 44 years. I own a Street Glide.

I also have a Suzuki Intruder for commuting.

I'm a realist, and I've derived the opinion over a bunch of years and a bunch of Harleys that the Japanese bike will provide the reliability that I require for a commuter. Over the long run, the Harley will be significantly more expensive.

And, I prefer my fun bike to not be my daily bike. More fun thataway.

 

[Fxdb]

My commute is a daily round trip of 180 miles. I've owned Harleys for 44 years. I own a Street Glide.

I also have a Suzuki Intruder for commuting.

I'm a realist, and I've derived the opinion over a bunch of years and a bunch of Harleys that the Japanese bike will provide the reliability that I require for a commuter. Over the long run, the Harley will be significantly more expensive.

And, I prefer my fun bike to not be my daily bike. More fun thataway.

I like how you think.

 

[Yarddog]

Yeah, fxdb, in my mind it's 'trash the ricer, keep the Harley for the good times'!

If my commute was a lot shorter, I'd consider riding the hog to work. I have done so in the past. But I don't look forward to riding it as much on my days off.

 

[azglocker]

I only ride 40 miles a day round trip but I've loved my street glide for the journey. No lane splitting in AZ so I can't say if the big Ole bat wing will be a hindrance there. I try to ride around 80mph but that drops my economy down to about 35 mgp. I get about 200 miles per tank, with my odometer always saying empty right around 5-5.2 gallons used. Never have gotten a good answer as to why the specs don't say what the useful tank volume is! It's like including your lawn in the square footage of your house.

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[Larry37807]

I bought a Street Glide new June of 2016. In 13 months I put 49,385 miles on it. Rode all over the SE and SW US. Never had an issue at all. All I had added was soft lowers for cold weather. I liked the ability to remove them in a minute or less when it got warm. I never really noticed a big mpg drop like the other poster. I replaced it with a 2018 SGS which I picked up the day they were released and now has just over 18,000 miles on her. My stock seat took about 15-20,000 miles to get comfortable. The only thing I would add would be a low profile tour pack for multiple day trips. Semper Fi.

 

[Fxdb]

I appreciate everyone's feedback, I think I may look at a 17 SGS here soon so I'll post pics on the forums when it happens.