took a 2017 street glide for a test ride

[rdeady]

I like several things about the f6B like the power, handling,the fact that it has virtually no vibration,rock solid at 80 mph,suspension is top notch seems to float over anything, looks great to boot !!! But I am not happy with the hardness and lack of contouring in the seat or the foot position . Both cause me to want to scoot back as far as possible but then cant really reach the bars. Road with a couple guys the other day(on Harleys) and they were stretched out so nice. I did just sell my 2007 fatboy a few weeks ago. Was a beautiful mint condition bike with a 103 engine (NOT A KIT FROM HARLEY) even had changed out the compensating sprocket to something with less teeth to give it more umphhh. I do not miss that bike as the seat was like a rock even though it was shaped so nicely and the suspension stunk and at 90 mph it wasnt exactly stable . But I'm at a crossroads with this bike. I need to spend some money to HOPEFULLY get what I require or desire from it or I need to sell it. So i figured i do a testride before i purchased a new seatwith a drivers backrest $1200, ergo 3s,flashing breaklights,a new windshield maybe an F4 or the optic armor +4s (tryed mra screen on my honda 17" windshield= did nothing) tryed madstad 11 and 13" which was better then my honda 17" but still not what i hoped for. new speakers as the stereo is lacking,a rack, one of the risers to get the bars up and back a bit, etc etc.
The 2017 streetglide was impressive I have to say. tons of low end torq, they smoothed out the heavy shaking at idle, of course the great ergonomics . Still is lacking in the suspension dept though! wind protection is not great with the low shield and the vent didnt do anything that i could notice on the short ride i took. Nice bike! not cheap at around $26000 for base model?
Oh well Ill have to decide and make a move

[adventurous1]

I like several things about the f6B like the power, handling,the fact that it has virtually no vibration,rock solid at 80 mph,suspension is top notch seems to float over anything, looks great to boot !!! But I am not happy with the hardness and lack of contouring in the seat or the foot position . Both cause me to want to scoot back as far as possible but then cant really reach the bars. Road with a couple guys the other day(on Harleys) and they were stretched out so nice. I did just sell my 2007 fatboy a few weeks ago. Was a beautiful mint condition bike with a 103 engine (NOT A KIT FROM HARLEY) even had changed out the compensating sprocket to something with less teeth to give it more umphhh. I do not miss that bike as the seat was like a rock even though it was shaped so nicely and the suspension stunk and at 90 mph it wasnt exactly stable . But I'm at a crossroads with this bike. I need to spend some money to HOPEFULLY get what I require or desire from it or I need to sell it. So i figured i do a testride before i purchased a new seatwith a drivers backrest $1200, ergo 3s,flashing breaklights,a new windshield maybe an F4 or the optic armor +4s (tryed mra screen on my honda 17" windshield= did nothing) tryed madstad 11 and 13" which was better then my honda 17" but still not what i hoped for. new speakers as the stereo is lacking,a rack, one of the risers to get the bars up and back a bit, etc etc.
The 2017 streetglide was impressive I have to say. tons of low end torq, they smoothed out the heavy shaking at idle, of course the great ergonomics . Still is lacking in the suspension dept though! wind protection is not great with the low shield and the vent didnt do anything that i could notice on the short ride i took. Nice bike! not cheap at around $26000 for base model?
Oh well Ill have to decide and make a move

Perhaps it might have been wise to keep the 07 HD for the around town rides, and spend the 2K ( including the custom seat you desire) to tweek the B to where you want it. The B is fantastic for touring, though not great here in Southern California for day-to-day / commuting to work. The traffic here is insane and abysmal so 8 months of the year I'll use my '06 custom roadliner to share / split lanes (The B is too large to consistently split lanes for miles ). The raining days I drive the Jeep.

The HD is 30K (taxes prep fees etc. etc.), then add another 4K ish for the accessories you need to make it fit correctly for you? And, after spending all that cash on the HD, what if it doesn't fit correctly? I'm presuming you have the cash for the HD and you're not like most of Americans going into debt to purchase an HD, correct?

[gmorstad]

I like several things about the f6B like the power, handling,the fact that it has virtually no vibration,rock solid at 80 mph,suspension is top notch seems to float over anything, looks great to boot !!! But I am not happy with the hardness and lack of contouring in the seat or the foot position . Both cause me to want to scoot back as far as possible but then cant really reach the bars. Road with a couple guys the other day(on Harleys) and they were stretched out so nice. I did just sell my 2007 fatboy a few weeks ago. Was a beautiful mint condition bike with a 103 engine (NOT A KIT FROM HARLEY) even had changed out the compensating sprocket to something with less teeth to give it more umphhh. I do not miss that bike as the seat was like a rock even though it was shaped so nicely and the suspension stunk and at 90 mph it wasnt exactly stable . But I'm at a crossroads with this bike. I need to spend some money to HOPEFULLY get what I require or desire from it or I need to sell it. So i figured i do a testride before i purchased a new seatwith a drivers backrest $1200, ergo 3s,flashing breaklights,a new windshield maybe an F4 or the optic armor +4s (tryed mra screen on my honda 17" windshield= did nothing) tryed madstad 11 and 13" which was better then my honda 17" but still not what i hoped for. new speakers as the stereo is lacking,a rack, one of the risers to get the bars up and back a bit, etc etc.
The 2017 streetglide was impressive I have to say. tons of low end torq, they smoothed out the heavy shaking at idle, of course the great ergonomics . Still is lacking in the suspension dept though! wind protection is not great with the low shield and the vent didnt do anything that i could notice on the short ride i took. Nice bike! not cheap at around $26000 for base model?
Oh well Ill have to decide and make a move

After I bought my f6b I thought I was going to have to sell it right away because my knees hurt too much with the leg position which was the reason for selling my ST1300 and getting the f6b in the first place. Before selling the B though, I installed the Kuryakyn II forward foot pegs and bingo, my leg discomfort was gone. With those foot pegs I can sit in four different positions including bracing my feet against the pegs, straightening my legs completely and getting the bottom of my butt off the seat, leaning back against the rise. I also have a mesh pad on top of the stock seat and with this combination, at 62 years old, I can ride all day.

Good luck

[STRaider]

I own a 2013 deluxe f6b and a 2012 Ultra Classic Limited. The F6B is my solo bike, trip bike etc. The Harley is nice, my wife likes the high back seat and that it's a Harley, but personally, I strongly prefer the F6B. The smoothness, the power, the low center of gravity, pretty much everything about it. The Harley has very limited power, is heavy, but it looks and sounds nice. I am much more confident on the highway on the F6B. Also, I actually prefer the foot/leg position on the F6B, as the Harley has my legs too far forward. I am 6'3" and on the Harley I feel more bunched up. The F6B is spacious and open, and I don't feel boxed in. Of course, the Harley is a Harley, and most other people have strong feelings about Harleys, so there is that aspect. As mentioned, my wife prefers the Harley, but some of that is for the branding (I think).

I've explained to friends that when I ride the Harley, probably 60-70% of my attention (aside from the watching the road) is on the bike, i.e. on the sound, the feel, how it looks, should I upgrade the pipes and radio, what if I had higher bars, etc. When I ride the F6B, it is almost boring by contrast, but I don't think about the bike. I'm too busy enjoying the ride! The bike performs so well, is so easy to ride, is so comfortable, is so smooth and quiet, I don't think about all the things it needs (as I don't feel it does nee anything), I just enjoy the ride. The bike is just pleasurable to ride, period.

I must qualify this to say that while some lean to heavy into brands, coolness factor, etc. (nothing wrong with that), I am very practical in my approach, and don't get too bothered about brands or what everyone else thinks is cool. I drive a VW Passat, for god's sake (and I really like it), so I am not suggesting I represent the market place, but for me, the F6B is the one bike I would keep if I got rid of one, and it's not even close. I strongly prefer it to just about any other motorcycle I have owned, and that includes a Road King Classic, a very farkled Street Glide, and now the Ultra Classic Limited to name a few.

[Jimmytee]

Ride what you want. I'm a flat six lover. Have a Valkyrie and my F6B. I've tried V-twins , but just love these flat 6 engines. That being said, I am 5'8" tall and personaly think the F6B/Goldwings seem to be built for people my height and maybe up to 6 ft. I can see where someone taller than say 6 ft might find these bikes lacking in leg room. For me, I think it's perfect.:icon_wink: I also love the way this bike can go from cruising to getting after it in the twisties.
In the end, you got to do what you gatta do.

[opas ride]

I have not ridden the new "Milwaukee Eight" Harley as yet and probably will not...The previous models I rode tested "sucked" and I would personally never spend the kind of money they want for these bikes!!...I am not into "image, ego, and the good ole boy network" so those that are enjoy your ride and keep spending your money on HD accessories that are marked up by 300%, or more, and keep the marketing guys in jobs!!!.....Ride safe

[jm21ddd15]

Rdeady, sounds kinda like you miss your HD, and the extras you had on your 07 Fat Boy. Your choice. For me, the 6 is all I need in a cycle. Did 750 miles coming home from the Arkansas rally on the stock seat, in 12 hrs, and only stopped for the nite because it was sunset, in deer country. Love this bike!

[Wing'n it]

Never been on a Harley but not for trying just the people that work at the local dealer didn't seem interested in selling a bike or I looked like I didn't have money, their loss. Anyway the B can be tailored to suit you better as I found out, seems crazy to spend another 2k on an already pricy bike but in the long run it's worth every penny. I'm tall and needed to be back as far as possible then bar reach becomes an issue both can be addressed with the proper parts. Helibars is the absolute answer for having adjustable bars and while there are many out there I ended up on a Hartco custom seat and love it!

[Miks]

I purchased y 2015 F6B after trading in a Victory Cross Country motorcycle. All I know, is the first 20 miles on the Honda made me smile, as it has the engine, handling, comfort and style I liked.

I have owned a Street Glide that I purchased new in 2012. I really enjoyed the bike, and put a lot of miles on it while always adding more accessories every month I owned it. First off....the ride sucks on a stock Street Glide! 2" rear travel before factoring sag, it was a rough ride if the road wasn't perfect. Obviously I had suspension work done, but Ultra-Classic shocks and that fixed the problem. Legs were getting wet and when it got cooler, I put the lowers on the crash bars. After continuously making the bike more comfortable, I realized I was trying to make the Street Glide a Goldwing, so I traded in the Street Glide for a brand new Goldwing.

Moral to the story, if you buy a Street Glide, take shorter trips, it is a great bike but not as comfortable on the long haul. I think if you fixed the seat on the F6B, yourlonger legs could be stretched with the highway pegs, and did the handlebar mod, you may save yourself some money. By the way, a Harley Davidson is a small framed bike compared to the Victory and is about the same size as the new Polaris Indian Chieftain. You may want to look at the Chieftain before going after the Harley.

But I get your thinking. I was at a bike rally this summer, and I took a 2016 Ultra-Classic for a demo ride...and FELL IN LOVE! Then I heard about the new Milwaukee Eight, and decided to hold off until I rode one. Personally, I think they made the new Harley too much like a Yamaha, I like the shake of a Harley, it's raw feel and ride, so I didn't pull the trigger. My next bike will probably be the Harley Ultra, but for now I find the F6B to be too much of a bike to push her aside at this point. I really like the fact the F6B runs on regular pump gas - finding premium out in the middle of no-where sometimes drives me nuts, and I just enjoy the ease of finding any gas station and know I can top her off!

[rdeady]

I do like this bike or I would have never got rid of the fat boy. The fat boy way just collecting dust in the garage. I'm just blowing off steam I'm sure I'm going to do the upgrades/extras I need on this bike and then I'm sure I'll be set. May get another little bike for ripping around town but this monster does a decent job ripping itself. In the last 5 years or so I had a cbr600 and a triumph street triple what a blast they were. Was going way to fast so I sold them before I hurt myself. As far as needing a bike for the branding no that's not me as I explained to a harley rider who told me Hondas were not welcome everywhere. I told him I really have no need nor do i want to be where or with people would think like that anyway and I've never been much for conforming. May wind up with Russell day long for the comfort but I don't no that I want to have to slide up at every light to get feet down ( I'm 5 10") and dont find it extremily attractive. really like the look of the mustang though!

[STRaider]

I do like this bike or I would have never got rid of the fat boy. The fat boy way just collecting dust in the garage. I'm just blowing off steam I'm sure I'm going to do the upgrades/extras I need on this bike and then I'm sure I'll be set. May get another little bike for ripping around town but this monster does a decent job ripping itself. In the last 5 years or so I had a cbr600 and a triumph street triple what a blast they were. Was going way to fast so I sold them before I hurt myself. As far as needing a bike for the branding no that's not me as I explained to a harley rider who told me Hondas were not welcome everywhere. I told him I really have no need nor do i want to be where or with people would think like that anyway and I've never been much for conforming. May wind up with Russell day long for the comfort but I don't no that I want to have to slide up at every light to get feet down ( I'm 5 10") and dont find it extremily attractive. really like the look of the mustang though!

Really all that matters is that we ride what we like. Having more than one bike helps, but the F6B is a very good bike to do many different things. I struggled with the looks of it initially, but after riding a friends a couple of times, I didn't care. I was coming off of an ST1300 and could just not get the comfort I was after. The F6B provides that better than any bike I've owned. At this point in my life, that is most important. Oil changes are a breeze, but that air filter change doesn't look too fun.

I just had a minor issue with my Ultra Classic. The transmission cover on the side is held on by the same bolts that hold the exhaust on. Gee, I wonder if those ever vibrate loose? The silver dollar size pool of transmission fluid I found in my garage would suggest they do. I can't believe Harley would do that, but once tightened, I've been reading that they don't leak again. We shall see.

[Blk6bgg6]

Cool looking bike,for sure...boys ,don't know bout you but it ain't bout cool now.long past that..I really do wonder how many guys buy harleys due to peer pressure? I love going to bike night with all those harleys an putting the batbike right in the middle.hillarious! Funny thing is I like the bikes ,however if I'm gonna spend that kind of money an can only buy one,it not gonna be the harley. To each their own but don't go with the herd cause everyone else seems to .

[rdeady]

I've went to bike night at the cabin in Howell nj nothing but a sea of Harleys and my honda . Was funny. And yeah many many guys will ride harley only due to peer pressure and or fear of not fitting in with anything else. Heck we stopped Sunday at biker bar and I had only non harley in lot. When we were leaving I yelled hey who's got the honda let's kick his azz hehe.
Well I just ordered the ergo 3s and mbl wide risers. Next will be windshield then seat

[opas ride]

Another comment for those "HD" guys....Maybe if your such a V-twin fan, you should try an Indian or Victory instead of the same old "crap"...I had two Vics and they were both great bikes..Faster than HD, smoother, handled better, rode better, and looked cooler, but nowhere near as nice as my F6B......JMHO

[Wing'n it]

Another comment for those "HD" guys....Maybe if your such a V-twin fan, you should try an Indian or Victory instead of the same old "crap"...I had two Vics and they were both great bikes..Faster than HD, smoother, handled better, rode better, and looked cooler, but nowhere near as nice as my F6B......JMHO

Nope nowhere near as nice and Victory has the worst shifting transmission I ever rode, think semi crash box. They do however consider a tall rider in their design.

[VStarRider]

I find the comments on the Vics interesting...I test rode the CC Tour right before signing the papers for the F6B on the way home (was still deciding between the two when I test drove the Vic).

I rode the Vic, immediately felt the vibration through the seat under acceleration, some of the cheap-looking details (exposed rubber spark plug wires and boots on a bike with a lot of chrome; imprecise shift indicator; feel of latches, etc) and cut the test drive short. I decided my $19,000 (OTD price) couldn't be spent on a manufacturer that isn't solid on the details. Not at this price range.

Anyway, I wonder if I gave the Vic a fair shot. Not that I am unhappy with the F6B, it is great for all of the reasons listed all over this forum.

Miks - I agree about 87 octane gas! That was a factor in my decision between the Honda and the Vic, which requires 91 octane. The Vic gets slightly better fuel mileage, but that advantage was eliminated with the requirement of more expensive gas. Love the simplicity of the flat-six and 15 years of a proven, albeit dated, design of this bike.

H-Ds dominate this area. They are everywhere. Harley is practically synonymous with "motorcycle", if you ride a cruiser.

[opas ride]

Nope nowhere near as nice and Victory has the worst shifting transmission I ever rode, think semi crash box. They do however consider a tall rider in their design.

Sorry to hear of your transmission reports..On both of the Victory's I had, an 08 Kingpin Tour and a 2011 Vision Tour, the transmissions were just fine and shifted very nicely with no issues....The Indians shift very nicely also....JMHO and ride safe....

[wjduke]

I don't have much experience, but....if you like to ride, I mean really ride, this Honda is it, hands down. I haven't talked to many people, really, I should say anyone, who after I tell them the trip I made to GA and back, would say that could do it on whatever they own. I've talked to Vic, Harley, and Indian owners and not one would do it. That's testament enough for me.

edit...I know a couple who have made the trip to FL, but admittedly bitched and moaned all the way there and back. I could have ridden straight through if my common sense didn't stop me. I was in a zone like never before.

[VStarRider]

Something I neglected to mention....

On my summer trip around NYS, I stopped for a break and a mint chocolate chip ice cream cone. A couple of guys with Harleys and Vics pulled in. I talked to the guy with the Harley for a few minutes, who was admiring my bike. He asked a few questions, like what motor it has, ride, handling, etc. When he asked about the power, I remember talking about the bottomless pit of thrust that this bike has a highway speeds. Seemed like a foreign concept to him.

Him: "Sooo...you don't have to downshift to pass?"

Me: "Ummm...if you have to downshift on this bike, you probably shouldn't be passing."

[Redlinez]

Funny topic. I test rode a 15 Roadking with 2600 miles on before buying my F6B. I think had they been able to cover my negative equity, I may have ridden it out. I got rid of my first B this spring and bought a Ninja 1000. Wife wanted to shoot me (not sure why I thought she'd ride that after riding on the B). I also was interested very seriously in the Victory bagger, but that dealer wouldn't even discuss trading my Ninja. I also test rode a Kawi Voyager expecting to ride home on it. Couldn't stand it. So we wrote up the 15 F6B in matte silver and I didn't need a test ride since I already had owned one. After riding all these bikes, the B immediately felt better than I had previously given credit. It does seem to need some suspension tuning (I think the travel is too short and dampening to soft to handle it), a better seat, and a windshield- but that's it. Planning to have my seat customized locally and leaving my wife's part alone. She loves it. The Clearview shield with a vent did great on my last one, so I'll order another. Comparing it to a new Harley easily justifies "fixing" all the things you may not like.

OBTW- my Honda/Kawi/Suzuki dealer told me the Victory dealer (who is 90 minutes from him like I am) wouldn't talk to me about trading. He also wished me good luck ever trying to sell a Victory if I didn't like it They were discounting the Victory's about $5k like the F6B, which is why I considered one. Read great reviews on them, figured it could have been my poor man's Harley.

[pilotguy299]

...
Planning to have my seat customized locally and leaving my wife's part alone. She loves it.

....

Mean City Cycles?

Go the extra mile and have hers done with the memory foam, and add the deluxe seat heaters front and back. They shaved the side on my seat, memory foam everywhere, and the seat heaters. Did a 450 mile ride right after I got the seat back from them, and it was like I had only ridden to the local stop and rob for milk and eggs. A pic of my seat is on their facebook page, and it looks completely stock.

[NAHD]

Traded my 15 Road Glide for a 16 F6B. No regrets. I did buy the Ergo three pegs and got a Hartco seat coming. The Harley was a hot son of gun at a stop light and roasted my right leg, even after a tuner and decatted exhaust. Also the RG fairing isn't good for much. It's top vent and side vents don't make a lot of difference and it's glove boxes are about as close to worthless as you can get. Also, unless you are into doing the splits the highway pegs didn't help much.
Can't say I totally disliked the Harley but don't miss it much.
One other thing, unless Harley fixed the problem, the Handlebars are an abortion from hell. If you think your leg hurts wait till your shoulders start hurting on that RG. The after market hasn't caught up with the needed modifications for better grips yet either. And finally, maybe, their new hydraulic clutch still has a bug in it. Its been recalled and it warranty extended. Never a smooth let off from stop to go. I will say, engagement of the cruise control on the Harley is better as my B seems to slow for a second to think about it and then engage.

[NAHD]

Parting shot of RG next to its replacement IMG_20161008_091643718.jpg (98.4 KB)

[rdeady]

Let us know how you like the hartco

[Redlinez]

Mean City Cycles?

Go the extra mile and have hers done with the memory foam, and add the deluxe seat heaters front and back. They shaved the side on my seat, memory foam everywhere, and the seat heaters. Did a 450 mile ride right after I got the seat back from them, and it was like I had only ridden to the local stop and rob for milk and eggs. A pic of my seat is on their facebook page, and it looks completely stock.

Planning on calling them, but they're about 4 hours from me. There's an upholstery shop in Garner NC that does them. How much did Mean City charge for that?
Thanks for the Harley ownership input, makes me feel a little better.

[NAHD]

I had a K1200LT BMW prior to the Harley. Spent a butt load of cash for a Russel Day Long. Seat still put my nuts in a bunch. It had a low speed wobble I couldn't get rid of. Handle bars hurt me. Put 30k on and a lot of effort into keeping that bike. Got good and mad one Sunday. Drove it into the Harley dealership and rode out on a Road Glide. BFM. You need to be careful when jumping from frying pan to frying pan.

Also, here's another little secret. Buy a Suzuki 650 Burgman. Mine has an Isuzu head rest for a back rest and an Air Hawk seat pad. That's it and I can ride it all day long. Plus it will smoke a Harley and it's a big gay scooter:)

If this F6 turns out to be another bust, I'm trading it for a fresh Burgman

[pilotguy299]

Planning on calling them, but they're about 4 hours from me. There's an upholstery shop in Garner NC that does them. How much did Mean City charge for that?
Thanks for the Harley ownership input, makes me feel a little better.

I think it was about $675 for everything they did to mine.

[pilotguy299]

...


Also, here's another little secret. Buy a Suzuki 650 Burgman. Mine has an Isuzu head rest for a back rest and an Air Hawk seat pad. That's it and I can ride it all day long. Plus it will smoke a Harley and it's a big gay scooter:)

If this F6 turns out to be another bust, I'm trading it for a fresh Burgman

650 Burgman = mini wing!

I have one as well. It truly is a sleeper and an awesome machine. The downside is that even with a reasonable seat height, it has an effective seat height that is taller. Because of the way your legs have to angle outwards due to the shape of the seat and the floor boards, it's about 1-2-3 inches higher that the spec height, depending on how you put your feet down. And you really can't mod the seat lower.

If it had cruise and even a simple sound system, it would just outshine most any other bike. Especially given the large underseat storage area.

[NAHD]

650 Burgman = Mini Wing!

My work buds call it the Gay Wing:). It's really to bad most people are so frightened of not fitting in.