When a touring bike is mentioned, most people think of a Harley-Davidson, and for good reason. Harley has designed several well-rounded machines for power and comfort.
They have done so well at this, competitors have been trying to steal sales from them in this market segment. The Street Glide might well be the best Grand American Tourer on the market, with incredible comfort, power, and customizability, a Street Glide has been a top choice for riders since 1984. It is often chosen over its Harley brethren for reasons like weight and pricing. The stripped-down tourer has become its own masterpiece. There are a ton of different ways you can customize your Street Glide too, one of the many benefits of owning it is the vast aftermarket.
10 There Are Endless Ways To Customize It
When it comes to customization, Harley-Davidson is king, with dozens of modifications created by Harley and hundreds more from third-party manufacturers, you can turn this tourer into an extension of yourself. It’s limber enough for a daily commuter through a big city, or you can add a quick-release trunk and convert it to a full touring motorcycle.
There are heated grips, sound systems, and a huge variety of chrome add-ons you can add to the Street Glide. The customization doesn’t stop at cosmetics or comfort options either, you can add more power to the already very powerful bike with Screamin’ Eagle performance kits. There are four stages of performance-enhancing parts, so if you are a speed-junkie, this might be the route for you.
9 Comes With A Full Infotainment System
All Street Glides comes with the Boom Box infotainment system. The standard Street comes with the 4.3 inch model, which does not include navigation, but is an upgradeable option. The ST and The Special versions come equipped with Boom Box GTS, which does come with navigation. All models come equipped with two 5.25 inch speakers.
It is Bluetooth compatible, so you are able to stream your own music unless you decide to use the AM/FM radio, or Sirius. The infotainment dash also incorporates basic features like the bike's temperature, and warning lights. The best part is that it is Weather Band ready, so you will be able to get live weather updates while traveling across the country.
8 There Are Many Options To Choose From
There isn’t just one option for the Street Glide, in 2023 Harley-Davidson offers three. There is the Street Glide, Street Glide Special, and Street Glide ST to choose from. Within all three models, there are 15 colors to choose from too. With other touring bikes you will be lucky to get 3 color options. The engine sizes vary between 107 cu in, 114 cu in, and 117 cu in. The Standard Glide is able to display 12 different languages and the Special and ST can display as many as 17 languages. Harley-Davidson has thought of everyone when designing this tourer.
7 The Street Glide Has An Engine Powerful Enough For Any Adventure
It has an engine strong enough for almost anything you have in mind, as stated earlier, there are many options to choose from. The different Glide engines come with 111 ft-lb, 118 ft-lb, and 127 ft-lb of torque, respectively. You can take it clear across the country and back without any issues. The compression ratios on these machines are great. They have a 10.0:1, 10.2:1, and 10.5:1, which means they are more efficient at extracting energy from the fuel and air mixture. It has a 6-speed transmission, so you will ride comfortably without feeling any vibrations.
6 It Is Perfect For Touring And Commuting
Just because the Street Glide is a tourer doesn’t mean it's not good as a daily commuter. Since it doesn’t have a trunk (although there is the option to get a quick-release trunk) it is a lot lighter than other tourers. Also, without the trunk, it has a lower center of gravity, so it has improved maneuverability. If you live in a major city, then you know traffic is an issue. The low seat height allows shorter riders to lay their feet flat in stop-and-go traffic. With an engine big enough for touring and light enough for city commuting, it is one of the most well-rounded Harleys on the market.
5 The Street Glide Gets Good Gas Mileage
The standard and the Special both get 43 MPG (18 Km/l) and the ST has 41 MPG (17 Km/l), so with a 6-gallon (22.7 liters) tank you will only need to refuel at about the 250-mile mark. Most Harley-Davidson touring motorcycles have an average of over 40+ MPG. Competitors like the Indian Pursuit can't break past the 40 MPG mark. So, you can rest assured you are getting the most out of your purchase.
4 It Was Built With Rider Comfort In Mind
The Street Glide is by far one of the most comfortable machines you can ride. It has an extra wide, extra comfy seat that can help you handle those long hours on the road. You can lean with confidence knowing you will lean out as far as you want with their improved suspension. Riders have reported an easy ride despite the fairings being fork mounted. Even when riding in a city through rush hour traffic the Street Glide still holds up its comfort thanks to its perfect balance. Let's not forget, it is a Harley, so that means there is an endless amount of after-market options to customize it to your comfort level.
3 A Lighter Touring Bike That Doesn’t Compromise Power
The Street Glide weighs in at about 825 lbs. (375 kg), the Road Glide is about 25 lbs. heavier. That might not seem like a lot, but when making a sharp turn in a busy city intersection you will notice it. The CVO Road Glide is a lot heavier and weighs in at about 866 lbs. due to the added trunk. The trunk itself changes the center of gravity, so it would require a bit more concentration to execute a turn.
The CVO Limited weighs in at about 940 lbs. (428 kg), that’s more than a 100 lb. more. Turning that monster will require full concentration, control, and having to turn your body at a higher degree to make a turn. That’s why the Street Glide might be a better choice especially if you’re someone that likes to customize their ride (and most likely add weight).
2 A Powerful Bike For Riders Of All Sizes
The Street Glide is a perfect bike for any size rider, it is also powerful enough for any adventure. Normally, in most motorcycles, powerful engines are built around a bigger chassis, requiring a larger rider to ride it comfortably. The seat height sits at a low 26.1 inches. Harley-Davidson’s Premium Ride suspension allows the rider to lower or raises the motorcycle up to 0.75 inches (1.9 cm). So, you can rest assured that it’s the perfect height for you.
1 Comes With Many Safety Features
We are riding iron horses. We are exposed to the elements, and naturally, we inherit a bit more of the dangers of the roads. Harley-Davidson has thought of all the safety features you might need to keep every ride fun and safe. All motorcycles have the option for Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS). Another great feature is C-ABS, which is the Cornering Anti-Lock Brake System. It is a neat feature that allows you to brake around a corner safely by reading your Glide’s lean angles.
Something all motorcycles should be equipped with is a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS). Riders should check their tire pressure before every ride, but sometimes we are so excited to ride we leave without checking. It works the same way as your car, it’ll turn on the sensor warning light alerting you the tire pressure on your bike is not ideal. Just because we are on motorcycles does not mean we should not worry about our safety.