The Battle of the Glides - Guest Post

Road Glide® Custom vs. Street Glide®. Which one is better? What are the differences? It’s about time you found out. These models are identical from the fuel tank back. Same seat height (26.1 in). Same Rake (26 deg). Same fuel capacity (6 gal). Same luggage capacity (2.26 cu ft). Same engine (Twin Cam 103™). Same fuel system (ESPFI). Same stock exhaust (Chrome, 2-1-2) and wheels (Black, Slotted 5-Spoke Cast Aluminum). Same price for a Vivid Black at MSRP ($19,499). The difference is found in the fairing. The Street Glide® has a Bat-Wing Fairing. Originally designed by Chief Styling Officer Willie G. Davidson, the fairing on the Street Glide® is fork-mounted and has symbolized American-made touring motorcycles for over forty years. The Road Glide® Custom, on the other hand, has what is called a Shark-Nose Fairing. This fairing is frame-mounted, a relatively new style for the Harley-Davidson® lineup. Fork-mounted vs. Frame-mounted. Bat-Wing vs. Shark Nose. What’s that mean when you are riding down the road? When you turn the handlebars of a Street Glide® the fairing turns with you. When you turn the handlebars of a Road Glide® Custom, the fairing stays straight. As you are riding down the road on the Street Glide®, the force of the wind is being transferred from the fairing, to the handlebars, up your arms and into your bike. You, as the rider, are feeling (and in some cases fighting) the force of the wind you encouter on the ride. This can lead to hand, arm and back fatigue earlier in the ride. As you are riding down the road on the Road Glide® Custom, the force of the wind is being transferred from the fairing, to the forks, to the frame of your bike. As a rider, you are left sitting on the bike, in complete control, enjoying the ride for as long as the road continues. Because of the difference in fairing designs, the Road Glide® Custom has dual headlights where the Street Glide® only has one. Because they are different models, they each have an array of paint options. Accessories for the two models, are typically interchangeable as long as they don’t conflict or compliment the different fairings. Some say that the Street Glide® is designed more for the jaunts around the city, whereas the Road Glide® Custom is better designed for the endless days of riding across country. We think where you ride and how you ride is not dictated by the bike, but by the rider. What this all comes down to is the feel of the ride. And the only real way to figure out your personal preference is to take these cold-blooded motorcycles out on the road for a spin. Today's post was a guest post from Gateway Harley-Davidson. See more articles on their blog at gatewayharley.blog.com and follow them @GatewayHarley.

Start your engines!

Is it music or noise?

If you've ever been at a stoplight in the summertime with your window down, sitting by a motorcycle in the next lane, you've probably wondered why they are so loud. Now there are some sports cars and old jalopies that are loud too, but in general motorcycles are louder than cars. Well for one thing, motorcycle engines are exposed, not under a hood. But another reason is safety. Motorcycles are harder to see than cars or trucks, they have a smaller profile, taking up far less room in the driving lane. So if you can't see the motorcycle, maybe you can hear it. One of the most quoted statements at an accident scene involving a motorcycle is, "I didn't see it officer!". So while some motorcycles are louder than others depending on their size or style, the fact that motorcycles are louder than cars is a good thing. Now some local municipalities have ordinances against excessive noise, but most motorcycles, unless outfitted with after market pipes and accessories, will fall under these guidelines. I don't know about you, but I would rather pull up next to a motorcycle at a stoplight than a teenager with his stereo blasting any day! So look before you switch lanes. Check your rear-view and side mirrors and listen for a motorcycle. We're watching you too!

Summer riding

Is it ever too hot to ride?

With high temperatures hitting triple digits and setting records on a daily basis, some people might ask the question: "Is it ever too hot to ride a motorcycle?" Obviously, that is a personal question since everyone has their own feeling on the subject, but for me I would say no. I went out on a ride last weekend and the temperature was 104 degrees. I wore blue jeans and a t-shirt, which some might question for safety, but hey, in my opinion, it is too hot to wear a jacket. So I took my chances. Now when you are riding, even though it is hot, the breeze does keep you cool as you ride. When it becomes uncomfortable is when you have to stop for a traffic light. That's when you feel the extreme heat coming up from the pavement beneath you. Asphalt is the worst. So pick a route with few lights and you're gonna be OK. Now again, it also depends what you are going to do when you reach your destination. Are you out for a pleasure ride or are you going to work? Depending on what kind of job you have, you will either have to changes clothes when you arrive, or wear some wet clothes for a while due to perspiration. Another key point is to drink plenty of fluids before and after your ride. Stop for a break along the way too, depending on how far you're travelling. Many motorcycle dealerships were giving away free water to riders who stopped in for a break to cool off and see the new models in the showroom. So again, from my perspective, while it can be too cold to ride in the winter, it's never to hot to ride in the summer. See you on the road!

Getting serviced

In the shop...

Most motorcycles owners will tell you that the worst season of the year is winter, because for most people living in an area that experiences all four seasons, winter riding is not an option. Well while that may be true, the worst time for a motorcycle owner is when your bike is in the shop. This is because not too many people want to ride their motorcycle in the winter when the temperature is below 30 degrees, but when the temperature is perfect for riding and your bike is in the garage getting serviced or waiting for a part to come in, boy, that just makes you want to scream! I experienced this firsthand recently. About a month ago I went out to my garage to start up my bike to take it to work. It was a very nice warm day. The bike started, but when I gave the throttle some gas, I felt something snap. My throttle cable broke. Bummer! Luckily, my bike was in my garage, but I still had to call my local HD dealer and ask for them to send a trailer out to pick up my bike. After waiting over a week for the parts to come in, I got a call from the dealer. The parts came in and they were working on my bike, but they found a problem with my carburetor. Great, more bad news. Now I had to wait another week for more parts that they didn't have in stock! By the time I got my bike back, I had missed 3 weeks of spring riding and I was $800 lighter in my wallet! Now my bike is running like new and I'm happy to have my bike ready to take a spin when ever I want, but now I can tell you this, having your bike in the shop is way worse than suffering through the cold winter!