Comparing Street Glide and Softail Heritage or Deluxe

[Kansas]

I'm 5' 7" and have been riding Dyna family bikes since 1980 and I'm making a switch.  I've test ridden the new 2009 Softail Heritage and Deluxe and found them easy to ride and comfortable, but I haven't ridden a new Street Glide.  The SG seems like a better value, has a low seat height, but wonder if dealing with a bigger bike is too much to ask of these old bones.  Is the 2009 Street Glide a comfortable ride for somebody with admittedly short legs?  Any input?

[HV]

I really think you need to try a SG ..they are not as big as you think when riding them... but until you try one you will not know

[Sportsterboy]

My wife is 5'6" and pretty small (about 125 lbs).  She rides a FXD SuperGlide.  At the KC Demo rides a couple years ago, I finally got her to try the Street Glide and also a RK Classic with HD "Reach" seat on it).  She liked the Street Glide and had no problems handling it.  If she was looking to trade the FXD it would be for a Street Glide.  If you have ridden Dyna's with rubber mount motors, you would like the Street Glide.  Plus, you have bags/windshield and radio already without trying to add them on after the fact.   

[Bigs]

I'm have a '06 RG and wanted to try one of the '09 RG's. They are to high for me. The Heritage Softail is OK but you don't get the protection that you get from a SG. I also think the SG will probably ride a little better. Of all the '09 Harleys I think I like the SG best since I'm 5'7" and like the faring and hard bags.
  Bigs

[blk-betty]

Kansas

I too am 5'7" with a 30" inseam.  I ride an 06 Street Glide.  I purchased it having never riding one, just sitting on it at the delearship.  I sold a 02 Softail Standard for the SGlide and I knew for my style of riding that I wanted a touring bike and preferred the full faring and hardbags so a Roak King was out.  Because I am short I didn't even consider other touring rigs like an EGlide or RGlide except to sit on them and found them all too tall.  The first modification I made was a Corbin Close Solo seat which is lower than the stock seat but Corbins are also my preferred seat so I didn't give anything up per say with a hard seat just to ride a touring rig.  No matter what bike I have it will have a Corbin seat, I like them that much.  The first ride was a little shaky at slow speeds but anything above 5 mph I felt perfectly comfortable.  In fact I can manuever the SGlide in slow speed situations so much easier than I could on the Softail.  I always watched the cop slow speed demonstrations with awe but now I know their secret - a HD touring rig is a heck of lot easier to manuever than a softail.  I feel totally comfortable on my bike and after owing a touring bike, if I could only have one HD (which is the case excluding wif'e bike) it would definately be a touring bike with a fairing.  The protection from the faring and the radio is a huge plus, as are the hard bags.  We do a lot of distance riding and I just scored a new king size tour pack on Ebay for 30% less than retail and I'm now good to go.

My wife has an 06 Deluxe, she is 5'3" and moved up to the Deluxe from a 02 Lowrider - which was her first motorcycle other than a brief experience with an 883 Hugger 10 years prior with her first husband.  Again we put a Corbin Close Solo seat on her Deluxe as she had a Corbin seat on the FXDL.  She handles the Deluxe so much better than the FXDL.  Having both bikes in the garage gives me a litte better spective and I can say that I do enjoy riding her bike sometimes but I much prefer my SGlide.  In fact if she wasn't so short I would really like her to get a SGlide for the comforts on the road - fairing, radio etc. - but that's not gonna happen, she's just to short.  Where the Deluxe has it advantages is parking or manuvering without the engine like backing up - especially on an incline or gravel.  I do have to watch were I park the SGlide to make sure I can get out Ok, so far it's never been a problem as long as I look before I leap when parking.  That is not a problem for me on the Deluxe.  In fact after riding my bike for a while and hopping on the wife's to move it or back it up for her, it almost feels like a mini-bike as the seat is so low.

Haven't ridden an 09 SGlide with the new suspension but hear it's the cat's meow so can't say what may be different but I think the 06 Deluxe and 09 Deluxe would be close to identical as far as ride quality and height.

Do yourself a favor and ride a Sglide.  Don't be too intimidated by the size, if you go that route you'll be surprised how quickly you'll get use to it.  As I said, the creature comforts on the fairing equipped touring rigs can't be matched by the Softails or Dynas.  If your not into distance riding or don't care about protection from the elements the Deluxe is a great bike as well.  BTW, yesterday bought a detachable tour pack for her Deluxe on Ebay for a steal so we are set for travel.

Best of Luck!      

[Dennis The Menace]

Gotta agree with mark and others, go ride a Sglide and then you will pretty much know.  The Sglide already has a lowered assend, so if you need lower you can still get a seat change or go with front end lowering, if you have to.

The bikes will feel comparable on the road, for the most part.  To me, the batwing steers slower than a non-fairing bike, and even a RoadGlide.  I had an Ultra as well as a Softwail and 2 RG's, so I know the difference between all of them.

The only thing to be aware of on a Sglide is that it is heavier and feels different coming off the stand.  You will notice that right off, but dont think that is a deal killer.  Once you get the Sglide toward straight up, she will stay there better than a softail, in my opinion.  Not sure if its center of gravity or what, but the touring bikes just seem to be easier to handle off the stand than you would think.

Kansas, I know you have been doing a lot of research and are ready to pull the trigger.  get to the dealer and ride or rent a Sglide just to be sure....it will be time well spent.  But, be prepared to change your mind, cuz ya just might take the Sglide home!  LOL

menace

[Hoist!]

No offense but you couldn't have been riding Dyna's since 1980. That aside, you need to decide on your purpose and understand your riding style. If you plan extensive touring, it's a no-brainer! Get the FLHX! If you wanna pose on Main Street and trailer a lot, get the Heritage! Hope I don't piss of the Softail guys (which I'm definitely not) with this one!

Hoist!

[Sc00ter]

I'm 5' 7" and have been riding Dyna family bikes since 1980 and I'm making a switch.  I've test ridden the new 2009 Softail Heritage and Deluxe and found them easy to ride and comfortable, but I haven't ridden a new Street Glide.  The SG seems like a better value, has a low seat height, but wonder if dealing with a bigger bike is too much to ask of these old bones.  Is the 2009 Street Glide a comfortable ride for somebody with admittedly short legs?  Any input?

If it is your old bones that concern you, stay away from the softail.   The ride is harsh and extended rides are tough!  Both the Dyna and FL give a better ride. And don't worry about your short legs.  I am 5 11, but have a 30" inseam and can easliy ride the SG.  You will be able to handle a Street Glide.  But, if you find you have problems with the height, there are lots of options to get your feet on the ground.  From the choices you are considering, I believe the Street Glide is the way to go!

[fattyboy3]

5' 7"  29"  inseam. I have an 09 SG and an 08 heritage classic. with both I'm on my toes. SG is more comfortable and easier to handle. no doubt. but thats me, Eaglerider rents both try one for a day or two and find out for sure which is for you.

[PoorUB]

Like others have said, you need to ride, then decide. One of my friends is your size, and rides and Ultra, with a lowering kit in the rear. He has a bum knee too.

[torque4me]

rumor has it the moco's finance arm (ie: hd credit) will be repossesing $3,000,000.00 worth of Harley's over the next 3-5 months which means that they will have to sell them....
so... it may be worth your time doing nothing for a little bit.

not trying to be negative but may want to check out to see if true. 30" inseam here and street glide is fine!

[Sc00ter]

Another consideration may be that it is easier to lower a FL and maintain a good ride than it is to lower a softail and maintain the ride.  There are more and better lowering options for the FL.   

[Bladesmith]

We all have different needs..I'm over 60..Wife stopped riding with me ...and I hardly ever do more then 300 miles per day....My Deluxe is perfect for me

[markslappey]

I went from a Dyna fxdx to a Fatboy to a RK to a 07 Street Glide .after installing the IDS SG is most comfortable short and long rides -there is a Texas dealer that will install a 103 upgrade on any new bagger for free if you pay MSRP for bike

[HDZiggy]

Don't get the SG. There are just way to many of them on the road these days. KIDDING
Picking up my new one up, today.
As everyone has said, riding is the only true way to tell for sure what is going to suit your riding style. Coming of a Fatboy, the clean lines and ride were what sold me on the SG. I'm 6'2" so ride height was not a factor. In fact I'm even getting the Deepbucket Sundowner put on it.( GF needs more padding )
Good luck.
Zig

[Kansas]

I appreciate all the great input.  Dennis's comment about the SG feeling heavy off the jiffy stand is exactly what I encountered and made me think the SG was just too motorcycle much for me to deal with.  I guess I better just test ride one and see for myself.  Torque4me's comment about Harley repoing a lot of late model bikes was an angle I hadn't considered but appeals to my thrifty Scottish heritage.  I typically take a road trip a season and if a Softail isn't a good choice for a few 500 mile days in the saddle that too is good to know. I was already concerned about the teeny tiny saddle bags on a Deluxe in regards to loading up for a trip.  Also, I guess I should have said I have had FX series bikes rather than Dyna's, but you get the idea.  Super Glides and FXRs and Low Riders over a long time. I had my last Low Rider so dialed in there isn't any point in doing another one to get it just exactly the way my last bike was.  Time for something entirely new. Anyway, thanks for sharing your experiences amongst the different models.  I learned a lot.

[redrokit8]

I had three Ultra's before switching to the Road Glide.
I'm 5'11",175 lbs and the Glides would wear me down with the heavy steering caused from the batwing fairing. I also felt they were top heavy when trying to manuver into tight spaces or riding in heavy stop & go traffic. I always felt the bike had more of me in control than I had of the bike.
IMO the Road Glide is easy to plant your feet squarely on the ground,lighter to manuver in town and actually less wind buffeting due to the frame mounted fairing. You don't have to struggle to keep the handle bars straight when trucks and buses are passing by.
I did get leg guards for the colder months, over sized H/D Winshield and H/D adjustable back rest to make it more comparable to the Glide features which I did like. Plus the usual Race Tuner & Monster Ovals.
A lot easier for me to live with in my personal situation. Great bike.

[Fxstchewy]

I recommend the FLHX, i bought an 07' and really like it, i like it so much i haven't changed anything on it except Race Tuner, SE legal pipes and SE a/c. Chewy

[Tex_Bagger]

I'm 5 ft 10 and have no worries on the 07 SG.  I threw the HD low profile seat, it's perfect and a great fit/  Low speed handling is awsome once you get used to it.  This is my 3rd HD and my second FLH, I had a fat boy I loved but the SG beats it in every venue except for looks, hard to beat that low softail look and feel but you wont be sorry about the street glide.

[Faast Ed]

If you wanna pose on Main Street and trailer a lot, get the Heritage!

Pose on mainstreet?   Oh my,......            

[hardonthemerch]

No offense but you couldn't have been riding Dyna's since 1980. That aside, you need to decide on your purpose and understand your riding style. If you plan extensive touring, it's a no-brainer! Get the FLHX! If you wanna pose on Main Street and trailer a lot, get the Heritage! Hope I don't piss of the Softail guys (which I'm definitely not) with this one!

Hoist!

Guys who don't seem to know what they're talkin about - Don't piss me off. Irritate... but not piss off.

Anyway, - For the past 2 years, I end up dresser shopping each spring. - I've ridden everything except a roadglide thus far. Keep in mind my decision is based on what I've ridden and compared to MY bike. - I've ridden other softails and not enjoyed as much. This being said because my choices have been to keep my bike over the others I've ridden. I even swapped for a couple of hours with a friend who"s OL just bought him a new streetglide. Radio=NICE... smoothness=as expected.    Fairing and lower bars than I was used to= poor handling for me

New 96" motor and 6spd = Not impressed AT ALL.

Feeling like I'm riding a roll of carpet = Not impressed.



I've owned and ridden:
77 Lowrider
85 FX evo 4 spd belt drive
120" softail wide tire
120" rigid
evo sporty wide tire
03 sftl standard
96" evo rigid
my 03 sftl in it's current form. - hard bags, heritage front end, wide apes (don't like the handling of the narrow apes) and this bike just rides, handles, and simply feels better than all the touring rigs I've been on. I have ridden a RK with 12" bars, and a dipped deat that I liked fine, but it was def not any better than mine. I understand that the rubber motors must be smoother at highway speeds... but news flash: Mines not shaky. I can and do cruise at 80mph all day long with no problems.

[hardonthemerch]

...and in regards to the posing thing mentioned.....

I see WAYYYY more people posing on RK's and Streetglides than any other HD made bike. You see a guy unloading 4 days worth of road "Potty mouth" from a sporty or softail, and then pull over to his campsite with your dresser behind your SUV on it's dual axle trailer and say


"poser"












- lol

[hardonthemerch]

.... I just remembered something else... a buddy of mine who picked up a 06 RK custom carb model last spring.... traded his EVO heritage for it.

Over scotch and pills in the garage just Sunday night - he says... "man I sure miss that heritage sometimes" - "it was sure easy to handle when blistered, unlike this top heavy sob"!

[Kansas]

There are certainly some divergent opinions out there.   They all make sense too.  My plan is to buy one last new Harley and ride it until I get too old. I'm also sick of endless modifications and I am simply not going there again.  I do a short commute to work and typically take a road trip to someplace every season so I need to be able to pack some gear.  This year I am planning on doing a ten day herd of cats HOG trip to Arizona and swing back through southern New Mexico. I had pretty much decided to get a Deluxe until the reality of the teeny bags caught my attention. I'd buy a Heritage but all the studs and conchos are just not for me.  I'll take a look at the Road Glide as suggested by redrokit8 if it handles better than FLHX.  I don't want to spend the large bucks and have to change the seat, lower the bike, and start the endless parade of trips to the parts counter and service department. I kind of wish now I had just kept my last Low Rider that I had spent years modifying.  Too late now.

[payday]

Choosing a bike model is like vanilla, chocolate & strawberry. Everybody likes something different and for different reasons. You need to ride and decide on the model of your choice. I have had many, many Harley's. 3 late model Softtail's two Roadkings, two Ultra's  and one Streetglide. In my opinion, you can not beat a Touring mdel for ride, handling and convenience. The "09" Touring models are by far the best HD ever made overall. I have an "09" Ultra and Streetglide. I have the Ultra for two up riding and the Streetglide for a Solo ride. I truly love the Streetglide. You sit very low, it comes off the kickstand easy and it looks nice. You have to decide on your own which bike fits your needs best.

TS