'08 Harley FLHX Street Glide review (yes, seriously)

[chornbe]

Bike Review - 2008 Harley-Davidson FLHX Streetglide

I recently purchased a new HD FLHX Streetglide. The reasons are varied and many, but let me just say it was not due to any negative points about my FJR. I can't really say anything negative about that bike at all, other than that much power can be addictive and dangerous My reasons were a mix of pillion peace of mind (not "perchy"), simplicity, dealer and aftermarket support, low seat height (I'm short) and hey... I just like Harleys. This leaves two very distinct, very different and very good machines for different purposes in my garage: the Streetglide for 2-up, touring and general riding, and the CBR600F4i for weekend trips with the riding buddies, blasting the twisties and commuting(?).

I won't bother attempting to compare the 'Glide to the FJR nor to the CBR. That's like comparing apples and lasers, or like sticking an elevator in an outhouse. I might make the occasional comparison to the Shadow Sabre I used to have. I rode most of what was available in Harley's lineup a few years ago ('03 and '04) when I was shopping pretty seriously for my first new bike. Some of my memories of those rides were re-affirmed, some changed or shattered.

The expected
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Yes, the engine shakes enough to rattle your teeth at idle. Once you come off idle the bike becomes a very smooth, very stable and responsive machine. The engine is torquey without any real peaks in power. It delivers its modest but very adequate power in a smooth, predictable linear fashion. The bike pulls hard from just off idle to near red-line at 5500RPM. Those with sport bike experience will giggle and say "That's just when my bike starts to develop power". Yes, that's true. This engine redlines when I4s and triples are just starting to come awake. But the bike is geared to actually use the power the engine develops, so by the time I've run thru' the gears, I'm loping along at 80 at about 2500 RPM if I used the 6th gear.

Yes, the bike has a "big bike" feel to it, but not lumbering and certainly not cumbersome. In fact, inside of just a few moments on the bike, I was doing circles and figure-8s in the dealership parking lot before the ride home. The bike carries its weight almost perfectly dead center in the chassis and low. In fact, the only bike I've ever been on that *feels* like it's got a lower CoG is the GL1800, but at almost 200lbs heavier, the 'Wing still feels a little heavy in comparison. That's not a dig on the 'Wing at all, just a reflection of the facts; I love the 'Wing. It helps that the Streetglide is lowered a bit from the rest of the Electraglide family. It's considered the "Hot Rod" version of the 'Glide.

The features
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The bike comes equipped with the famous, wind tunnel tested, patented "bat wing" fairing. In the fairing's console ride the normal array of gauges, the Harmon-Kardon stereo system, integrated fairing mounted mirrors and the shortie, smoke-tinted windshield. There are plenty of features on the Ultra that are missing on the stangard 'Glide, the Glide Classic and the Street Glide. In features and creature comforts, the Street Glide sits between the Electraglide Standard and the Classic. It contains much of the creature comfort for the rider at the expense of those same comforts for the pillion.

The good
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The bike pulls like the typical example of a freight train. The FJR outpulled it, but c'mon... the FJR is a whole other category of "powerful" (honest, that's the last FJR comparison, really). The Sabre I used to own will beat this bike off the line, but once in motion, I think this bike would top-end the Sabre with little difficulty. That may be largely a matter of gearing; for a 600+ cruiser, the Sabre pulled off the line well enough to surprise more than a few people. The bike pulls, shifts smoothly and confidently, and the heavy-flywheel effect keeps the engine where the power is as you release the (relatively) feather weight clutch into the next gear. Clutch effort is drastically reduced from earlier models, thankfully. Had this been as tough as earlier models, I would have either bought something else or paid extra for the hydraulic clutch conversion. Yeah, they can be *that* tough on some models.

I know I might sound like a fan-boy or someone who drank the reverend's KoolAid, but the bike handles far, far better than most will expect, and better than many who haven't ridden one will ever believe. The chassis and suspension does have something of an "industrial" feel to it, but even a well-built truck can handle better than most cars if it's designed properly. This bike does not corner as tightly or quite as quickly as other machines I've owned and ridden, but it is very, very stable in the turns, it will lean quite a ways before dragging flexible parts and considerably further even then before hitting dangerous hard parts. Yes, I have dragged the kickstand and floorboards, but the amount of pivot in each provide a warning rather than being dangerous.

The now-standard Brembo brakes are very interesting, incorporating a flexible solid disc design, rather than button-affixed floating rotors. The rotors still have some suspension & flex in them between the hub and friction surfaces, but remain a simple, proven single-piece design. The calipers are multi-pot and incorporate integrated dust shields. The bike stops. Impressively so, given all the factors. I thought my Sabre handled and stops well for a cruiser. This bike beats it in both categories hands down.

Rider comfort is somewhere between good and superb, owing much of that comfort to the rare and surprising GOOD OEM seat. The seat is constructed, near as I can tell, from multiple layers of foam at different densities. The outer layers are soft and you sink in, only to be met with a firmer inner layer. This gives the feeling of being cradled into the seat without it being a bucket design. The seat, however, is small. The stock Electraglide seat is larger and more comfortable. I have ordered a better seat, mostly for pillion happiness. I could make do with the stock seat just fine, I believe.

The rider floorboards are of a sprung, cushioned design where the foot decking floats in the housing. This helps to eliminate engine vibrations being transmitted into the rider's legs, as well as giving a fairly luxurious feeling. Like squishy carpet. It's really quite nice. I wish the Cobra floorboards that I overpaid for on the Sabre were half this nice.

Aftermarket and Harley-Davidson accessory support is, of course, amazingly rich and varied. I spent roughly half for a Harley-branded "Sundowner" seat that I paid for the Mustang seat for my Sabre. Dealer support is also amazing, including loaner bikes for service, free HOG membership, complete owner's documentation and some technical documentation, a book filled with all the documentation available, tech-specs on the electrical system and lighting, etc. The new-owner experience has completely blown away any of the Japanese and multi-line dealers I've ever dealt with in the past.

This particular bike is painted in the White-Gold Pearl. This color is amazing. In pictures it just looks white. But in person, it's a pearl-coated white that also contains flecks that shine with gold, green and blue depending on lighting. On a bright, sunny day, it's just amazing.


The bad
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The shortie windshield sucks. If I was taller or shorter in the torso, it would likely be fine. As it is, at 5'6" with a 29.5" inseam, the top of helmet resides in a tulmut of turbulence and "dirty" air at speeds above 65 or so. This same turbulence hits the passenger helmet at about the same height. I've got a 9" windshield on order for the bike. The stock Electraglide 14" 'shield puts the top edge of the 'shield directly in the middle of my vision. So, it's the 9" or nothing I suppose. I feel pretty good about the 9" 'shield fixing me up. Otherwise, I'll explore the aftermarket a bit more.

The pillion does not get native back support or floorboards on the Street Glide. Both of these features are standard on the Classic and Ultra. I corrected this by ordering stock passenger floorboards (again, about half of what the aftermarket demands for my old Honda) and the Chopped Tour Pack from Harley Davidson directly. It's a pricey but feature-complete, purpose-built option. Aside from providing the "wrap around" back rest like the Standard and Ultra, it also provides tons of additional storage. The Chopped version slopes down in the back and maintains the lowered, "hot rod" appearance of the Street Glide.

The standard stereo installation does not include the intercom or CB modules. These are both addons that are modular plug-ins to the Harmon-Kardon stereo. While it would have been nice to include them in the package, at less than $100 per, it's probably worth it for buyers to add them as desired. For me, it's fine that they're not included as I'm a Chatterbox user for bike-to-bike and intercom duties.

To get the Harley-branded bag liners for the hard saddle bags, you have to buy the Ultra. I may order them; they're $49 for the pair.

In conclusion
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I have zero hard complaints about the bike beyond the windshield (an easy fix). It's smooth at speed. It's powerful enough. It handles well enough. It stops better than one would think. It's ridiculously easy to ride in slow-speed an parking lot maneuvers. It's comfortable and spacious for rider and passenger both. The hard saddle bags hold LOTS of stuff (as will the on-order tour pack). The color is fan-freaking-tastic. Yes, the bike is considerably more expensive than some of the competing, similar models, but given the great trade-in I got on the FJR and the Burgman, I'm not sorry. The parts are all quality and in most cases, are made from actual steel where competitors might use plastic. The bike is simple, using an air-cooled engine with no-maintenance hydraulic lifters, simple belt drive, bolt-on transmission, fuel injection and cast wheels. This is exactly what I wanted when I agreed on this bike; simple, purpose-built, and solid and reliable. I have no regrets.

[atypical1]

Congrats. I tested one of those at a bike show a couple of years back and agree about the quality of it. No doubt it will be fun for touring and for anything involving a pillion.

Don't sell your CBR though...


 

james

[kendenton]

Great write-up!  I agree, these bikes handle better than most folks would believe.  I can almost see one in my future one day....

[1KPerDay]

 

I'd rather have the un-lowered ground clearance and passing lights, but that's a cool bike. Congrats!

[jude]

Tats, chaps and tassels?   

Seriously, you'll enjoy that ride.  I liked my Road King, too. In fact, when my Sport-Touring days come to an end, I'm getting the Road Glide - and tats.  Lot's of tats.

[Johnny Monsoon]

Great review!  HDs offer a lot (not the least of which is that amazing paint; I had the same paint on my Sporty).  It'll make a nice addition to your stable!

[chornbe]

Thanks all. It's a great machine. I'm having tons of fun (tho' I did ride the CBR to work today).

[rzims]

We jsut did a 4 day ride with a bunch of cruisers and s-t types....one of the guys had a new street glide in black cherry or somesuch color...that bike was gorgeous.
Someday I'd love to have one.

[Willie G]

Congrats!

A well-thought-out decision!      

[Indy Raven YZF]

I actually rode my Dad's Road King over the summer and was somewhat shocked.  It wasn't near as bad as I thought.  I hated the brakes, but I'm really picky about brakes (my YZF had awesome brakes, the Z750, not bad, the Harley, not even close). Maybe new pads and lines would help it.  My god was it comfortable though.  And behind the windscreen it wasn't noisy at all (had Dad's half helmet on as he needed my full-face to ride my bike).  All in all, if I could have 2 bikes and could afford one, I'd consider it, but I'd have to have a sporty bike for those days when I wanted to go really fast.  

So you pretty much have the best of both worlds, congrats.

[919Maniac]

Great write up and it sounds like a nice bike for the purpose.  A question for you - do you plan to wear full gear while riding this thing or do you feel obligated to wear the pirate costume.  I would imagine many HD faithful would razz an ATGATT gear selection - not that it matters to anyone past 3rd grade but you know what I mean.

[chornbe]

Great write up and it sounds like a nice bike for the purpose.  A question for you - do you plan to wear full gear while riding this thing or do you feel obligated to wear the pirate costume.  I would imagine many HD faithful would razz an ATGATT gear selection - not that it matters to anyone past 3rd grade but you know what I mean.

Ya know, it's funny. The day I went in to finish up my shopping (pretty much the 9th time I was in test sitting, talking, looking over, etc), they offered me a test ride on a few machines. Of course, I obliged and helped them burn off the excess fuel. They tossed me a helmet, and I rode off in sneakers and jeans and a t-shirt.

When I went to pick it up, I wore my scorpion helmet, mesh jacket and gloves, but still jeans and sneakers.

I stopped in a few days later wearing my 'stich and riding boots, etc., and I got all kinds of looks from all the HD-ophiles and employees. I chuckled. Silly pirates

[thatguy]

Wow.You didn't even mention the fly-by-wire throttle.Harley did that good of a job with it.I've been waiting for someone who wasn't a Harley regular to say something about the '08 baggers.If you need help installing accessories lemme know I'm PHD certified and wouldn't mind at all.Oh and they still lookat me funny when I show up at work on the Tuono or the RZ wearing the Darien.

[Nitro]

Nice bike!  
 And you did it right  with the sportbike still in the shed!

 I'd love one for my cruising 2 up and  some long trips! Got to ride my buddies this summer and really enjoyed the new engine and the 6 speed. Did find it funny they all complained it was  geared to high and had no power in 6th tho! hahaa  I think they are now just finding out what its like to have to gear down from overdrive to make it go, ....something new!!  Nice package I figured!

I also liked the louder stock pipes this year, sounded much nicer than the usuall stockers and not obnoxious like most open pipes(like I had).

I did  own a 02 flht   and loved it for a time, One thing I found out the hard way after owning numerous japanese cruisers ansd thinking they were the greatest was that  the Harley is so much superior! First time I rode a  glide after owning my meanstreak i really couldnt believe it! yrs of making fun went down the drain instantly. I would love to have one in the garage with my vfr. Would much rather a streetglide than a fjr or a st for my 2 up riding as  I  know how the cruiser thing makes me slow down and enjoy the trip in a totally different way!

Not that i will ever give up my vfr for the zoom zoom, but  I do want me a FATBOB or a Streetglide in the garage!!  
Going to H demo days next week..will see..

One other thing..when you do tire of it you wont take the beating on it  the rest of us are used to. I did find that with the 02 flht I owned..sure a nice surprise!

Plus Now you can do the black leather thing instead of the shiny plastic hockey equipment thing and you don't have to pretend to be a racer!  just ride!

Hey..one thing..On mine i found going to the shorter shield 4" made it perfect! better for me at 5'9 than the tall one was!.I could look over it and it had no buffetting, just nice airflow..

anyway..nice report.
Enjoy the bike!

[2006FJR]

I am also an FJR guy and I have also considered a Harley in my near future. I am looking at the Road King. Time will tell and thanks for the great post.  

[olderigetfasteriam]

Nice write up.

I take a trip with my brother every year and I look forward to swapping bikes with him (2005 Electra Glide Standard). It is a nice change of pace from my Concours (which he likes to ride as well). It handles decent and I love the powerband. Best part is buying beer, you could get a keg in the trunk!

We like to have a good laugh at the end of the day at the Harley riders trying to wave at him and then hurry to get their hands down before I pass. Although many don't like to wave at him as he wears a full face Shoei.

I may consider one in my future but alas my wife says I look silly dressed like a pirate. Arrrrggghhh.

[Giaka]

Congrats and more photos please.

[R Doug]

Wow, that's quite the nice resume of bikes owned you're accumulating there.  Nice report!

[chornbe]

Wow.You didn't even mention the fly-by-wire throttle.Harley did that good of a job with it.I've been waiting for someone who wasn't a Harley regular to say something about the '08 baggers.If you need help installing accessories lemme know I'm PHD certified and wouldn't mind at all.Oh and they still lookat me funny when I show up at work on the Tuono or the RZ wearing the Darien.

Ya know... I never gave the throttle a moment's notice. That means it's done right. The bike just works.

[chornbe]

Hey..one thing..On mine i found going to the shorter shield 4" made it perfect! better for me at 5'9 than the tall one was!.I could look over it and it had no buffetting, just nice airflow..

anyway..nice report.
Enjoy the bike!

Yeah, I know that if I was taller, the buffeting would be gone and I'd just be in a nice stream of air. But alas... I'm little

Nice write up.

I take a trip with my brother every year and I look forward to swapping bikes with him (2005 Electra Glide Standard). It is a nice change of pace from my Concours (which he likes to ride as well). It handles decent and I love the powerband. Best part is buying beer, you could get a keg in the trunk!

We like to have a good laugh at the end of the day at the Harley riders trying to wave at him and then hurry to get their hands down before I pass. Although many don't like to wave at him as he wears a full face Shoei.

I may consider one in my future but alas my wife says I look silly dressed like a pirate. Arrrrggghhh.

I think I'd like a bumper sticker that says "You never wave when I'm on my metric, why start now?"