I'm thinking of getting a 2021 Sport Glide in white. I have been riding a sportster for about 6 months. I'm going to let my son have it. Looking for what folks like and dislike about this model. Any input appreciated.
The Sport Glide is probably one of the nicest handling Softails...especially when swapping out the shorter rear shock with a longer rear shock from a Heritage or Fat Bob. The bags are big enough to keep rain gear and and other stuff for daily commuting or a weekend trip.
Just picked up my Sport Glide (in white a couple weeks back, and I can't even begin to describe how much I love it. I did the evolution thing for the typical Harley dude ... Sportster (1200 Custom) to Softail (Deuce) to Touring (Electra Glide). Never did get used to the weight and bulk of the Electra Glide, and I found my riding time significantly reduced due to those factors. My Sport Glide brought back my love of riding and gave me a comfort and confidence that has been lacking for quite some time. Also, I dig that the Sport Glide can be a couple different style bikes, depending on my needs/wants. My opinion, and assuming you took it for a spin and liked it, buy the damn thing!!!
For me it is a perfect fit. Best. Bike. Ever. Allow me to explain.
I travel a lot for work (serious, a whole lot) so the idea of ever spending a week on a bike is not going to happen. (They make airplanes for that ****) That rules out the Street, Electra, and Road Glides. Plus the Sport comes in at around 670# vs 850#. That is huge!
So, I ride weekends, day trips, maybe an overnight-er. I live in the mountains about 90 miles from everywhere. Wanted light and nimble but comfortable enough. It does it all. I came from a Dyna Low Rider 103. That always felt "twitchy" like I was chasing it. This is planted: A real joy to ride. Some complain about the small fairing (I wear a helmet - so, I dont care) Recognize it is NOT a Street, Electra or Road Glide and embrace it for what it is. There are some nits and hits over other soft tails.
Hit - Larger fuel tank than some others.
Nit - The seat for the rider is fine. Ride two up? Plan on a new seat. My wife made it 15 miles and said turn around. $300.00 or so.
Hit - Cruise control and ABS.
Nit - Most use 4.5" risers. I bought mine used, the P.O. had them on, they are nice, but did not mine test rides on stock bars. No issue for me.
Hit - Pretty good stock suspension by my assessment.
Nit - Most curse the standard wind deflector, like fairing, not an issue for me. Again the P.O. had installed the HD 5" I might buy the original size as i think it looks better.
Hit - Transformer, for me I run it fully bagged and fairing 90% of the time, but it still looks good as a straight up cruiser.
Other than that it is all about personal choice. 2021 comes with painted bags. Suspect the will get the tuner issue on 2021's will be worked out soon enough. Mine is 2018, so I painted bags, changed oil pump to 8 lobe, etc.
Generally I always have "one foot in the next...Bike" (Boat, Sand Rail, Motor-home, you name it - always looking) with this bike I have zero interest in changing. It is 100% perfect for me. So much so that I have no real issue on ongoing upgrades as I have no intetion of getting rid of it. (Waiting from custom chrome wheels, and going to 200mm rear tire....)
Go test ride one. Let us know when you pull the trigger and what your first "upgrade" is.
I found a white one, new out the door price is right around $21,500
I found 2 used ones locally, a 2018 Black w/ 15,000 miles for $15,999 and a 2019 Silver with 2600 miles for $16,999. Both at the same dealer. Add about $1000 for fees and taxes, tag. So basically I could get the silver one for 18k out the door, 2 years old with 2500 miles or pay $3500 more for new w/painted bags to match...
Still leaning towards new but all the BS additional charges (doc fee, crate, freight, prep...) really have me distrusting the new bike dealer
I'm pretty much in total agreement with Payson there. I went from a Sportster to an R1150RT to a Road Glide to a Fat Bob (Dyna) to the Sport Glide. It's the best bike I've owned so far. Great for touring as well as commuting. The seat upgrade is pretty much mandatory in my opinion, but that's not unusual for any bike.
Take it out for a test ride (if you haven't already) and see if it speaks to you, that's the real test.
Went from Touring for many years to several softails, couple Heritages etc. Never liked the handling that much on any of them. Test rode a Sport Glide a couple years ago and knew that the new frame was a big improvement. Bought a 2020 in fall 2019. Great handling bike that can do most anything. Torque cam, 6 inch risors, and Drag Specialties floor boards with DK adapters was all it needed to make a great bike better.
The Sport Glide is probably one of the nicest handling Softails...especially when swapping out the shorter rear shock with a longer rear shock from a Heritage or Fat Bob. The bags are big enough to keep rain gear and and other stuff for daily commuting or a weekend trip.
The FXR fairing looks great on your bike. What make is it?
05-14-2021, 06:14 PM
a couple weeks back, and I can't even begin to describe how much I love it. I did the evolution thing for the typical Harley dude ... Sportster (1200 Custom) to Softail (Deuce) to Touring (Electra Glide). Never did get used to the weight and bulk of the Electra Glide, and I found my riding time significantly reduced due to those factors. My Sport Glide brought back my love of riding and gave me a comfort and confidence that has been lacking for quite some time. Also, I dig that the Sport Glide can be a couple different style bikes, depending on my needs/wants. My opinion, and assuming you took it for a spin and liked it, buy the damn thing!!!
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