Dyna Glide ModelsSuper Glide, Super Glide Sport, Super Glide Custom, Dyna Glide Convertible, Super Glide T-Sport, Dyna Glide Police, Dyna Switchback, Low Rider, Street Bob, Fat Bob and Wide Glide.
Alright guys had a blast at the demo rides yesterday! Went with a good friend of mine and his girlfriend, my wife is pregnant so no riding for her right now, I was riding solo.
We showed up as ride #1 was leaving out. We went ahead and got signed up to ride and grabbed a free burger while we waited for the next ride. I've done demo rides previously and it was always so busy I was only allowed to sign up for 1 or maybe 2 rides at a time, not today. I signed up for 3 bikes right off the bat and told the guy I would sign up for more once I figured out what I wanted to ride. I ended up doing 5 rides back to back, about 3 hours of ride time total.
To begin with, a couple gripes about riding in a escorted ride with strangers. I don't like riding in groups in the the first place, I typically ride solo or with 1 or 2 other friends at most. Very first ride we almost had a collision. They strictly told us do not turn right on red, if you get caught at a yellow go ahead and stop and the follow bike will come forward to lead the group. We got caught at a yellow mid way through the group and the bike in front of me stopped, as did I but the guy behind me locked the brakes up and swerved and barely missed the guy in front of me (we were staggered). Should have booted him from riding at that point but I digress. Other riders were weaving back and forth like they were on a crotch rockets and speeding up and slowing down frequently and aggressively.
Bike #1 was the Low Rider S. Obvious choice for a low rider owner. I really enjoyed the bike, great power from the 114, the new softail platform is really great, rides smooth, handles well. I didn't care that much for the seating position. Felt too hunched over and aggressive for my taste. I'm sure some others would love the setup. Great looking bike!
Bike #2 was the CVO Street Glide. I mean what can I say, it's the top dog. Has all the upgrades you could want, very cool looking bike. Power was plenty from the 117, even on a big heavy touring bike. Radio sounds good, I like having the radio and touch screen. Ride is smooth and sweet. It is a fantastic bike to just look at, all the details that make the CVO are really cool. Not saying it's not worth it, but I personally couldn't see myself spending that kind of coin on a motorcycle.
Bike #3 was the Pan America. Ah yes, the one I was waiting on, I eagerly jumped on only to realize damn this thing is tall, I'm on the short side but I was tippy toeing trying to hold the bike up. One of the demo workers gave me a quick run down, oh let's switch the ignition on, wow, I can flat floot it now. A surprise feature I didn't know existed, the suspension automatically lowers itself at a stop to allow you better footing, then raises itself back up when you take off. No switch to press, it does it automatically and seamlessly. I could tell when slowing for a stop and putting my feet out I could barely reach but by the time I stopped I was firmly planted on my feet. Really damn cool.
The worker gave me a quick run down of the ride modes, he set me off in Rain, and told me to switch through Normal and Sport as I got comfortable. I didn't bother asking about the seemingly 50 other buttons and switches on the handlebars, too short of a ride to try and play with whatever else is there. I left the dealership and shifted into second, ok lets see what this thing has got. Hmm, feels quick but not fast. A little disappointed in my initial acceleration I remembered the rain mode I was in, ok lets make the switch, I jumped to sport mode and boom, there it is. This demo doesn't allow me to get much space for acceleration but I did what I could. Engine pulls hard, very hard. Makes quite a good noise in the higher rpms and doesn't seem to let up. Reminds me of the VROD engine, power comes in high and strong, engine sounds like it's trying to suck squirrels from the nearby trees. Although my nuts were starting to hurt I had a big grin on my face.
The bike feels light and nimble, the infotainment screen shows a ton of information, all digital. It says phone not connected, not sure what extra stuff you get with a phone connected, there are no speakers. It's a neat bike for sure, the technology is way ahead of anything else Harley has going on for the other bikes. That being said, it doesn't look, feel or sound like a Harley-Davidson. I'm not saying that is a bad thing, I'm sure for the bike to handle what it needs to for it's purpose they had to design it the way they did. For someone into that style of bike I'm sure it is a great competitor, but for me, it's not my style. I would love that engine in a different layout though!
Bike #4 Softail Heritage. The big surprise of the day for me. I really enjoyed this bike way more than I thought I would, I felt like I had more room for my legs than the touring bikes. It felt light and nimble, very planted feeling. But I didn't even want to ride it aggressively. I was so comfortable I just wanted to sit back and cruise. Felt like I could ride this bike all day, seat was comfortable, bar height was perfect, really enjoyed the floorboards, I don't like windshields but even that didn't bother me. The new softail platform is really, really good nowadays.
Bike #5, the recliner, er, Ultra Limited. The bike my wife says we are buying. Feels like you are riding a couch. I felt more cramped on this bike than the heritage. I think maybe it has to do with the low bar height and big fat seat on there. I just felt like I was really sitting up on the tank. I loved the snake venom color, my favorite color of the day. The supreme highway cruiser, feels like you could ride across the state without a break. It's big and heavy, but surprisingly easy to ride once you get moving. I think I would like it more with a seat and bar change just to help me feel a little more roomy on it. I was wearing my mesh jacket on all the rides which kept me nice and cool with the air flowing through it, but on the ultra you get almost no air across your body it feels like. I was starting to get pretty warm riding it around.
Sorry for the long winded post, wanted to get all the details I could remember in there. Feel free to ask questions about any of the bikes I'll try to my best to answer.
Great report. Now I got to get to a Demo Day event. Love the paint on the second bike. I also do not like riding in the group on these events. Problem is that you have a mix of new riders and old riders that often leads to a less than smooth ride.
Nice demo ride review. I usually go to one each year, but there wasn't one last year because of COVID. I'm hoping they have one this year, I really want to ride the Pan America. I agree, the escorted rides kinda stink. At the last one I was at, they made a point that no "slingshotting" was allowed - where you hang back slow and then rocket forward real fast. I'm guessing they've had some accidents from people doing this. I had one OOPS moment, I was on a CVO Road Glide which, at almost 900 pounds, is pretty beefy compared to my bike. The group came to an abrupt stop and when I put by feet down my right foot was on gravel and it started to give. I don't know how I didn't drop it, but that was a big pucker moment, almost dropping a $42K bike!
Nice demo ride review. I usually go to one each year, but there wasn't one last year because of COVID. I'm hoping they have one this year, I really want to ride the Pan America. I agree, the escorted rides kinda stink. At the last one I was at, they made a point that no "slingshotting" was allowed - where you hang back slow and then rocket forward real fast. I'm guessing they've had some accidents from people doing this. I had one OOPS moment, I was on a CVO Road Glide which, at almost 900 pounds, is pretty beefy compared to my bike. The group came to an abrupt stop and when I put by feet down my right foot was on gravel and it started to give. I don't know how I didn't drop it, but that was a big pucker moment, almost dropping a $42K bike!
I was at an event several years ago where someone dropped a CVO street glide coming back in the parking lot. Thankfully he wasn't hurt but they did tell him he wasn't allowed to ride anymore that day.
On a side note I was hoping they had a regular road king there to ride I wanted to compare it to the softail heritage but no luck this time.
On a side note I was hoping they had a regular road king there to ride I wanted to compare it to the softail heritage but no luck this time.
That Sotftail Heritage is very interesting bike. I wanted to demo one back in 2018 when I last did a Demo Day event but the controls were too far forward for me. I am not looking for a new bike anytime soon but if I were I would love to try one of those Heritage bikes.
That Sotftail Heritage is very interesting bike. I wanted to demo one back in 2018 when I last did a Demo Day event but the controls were too far forward for me. I am not looking for a new bike anytime soon but if I were I would love to try one of those Heritage bikes.
I've never been interested in the Heritage until they re-did it in 2018. After riding this one I came away extremely impressed. I felt like I had so much room on it and was super comfortable. I hate how expensive they are. I would want the blacked out version which comes with the 114, the 107 is enough for me but by the time you get the blacked out version you are way over the cost of a road king and knocking on street glide territory. I am kinda kicking myself because I was at the dealer in early 2019 and they had 2 leftover 18 heritage models that were discounted down to I think a tick over $16k. I should have jumped on one!
I've never been interested in the Heritage until they re-did it in 2018. After riding this one I came away extremely impressed. I felt like I had so much room on it and was super comfortable. I hate how expensive they are. I would want the blacked out version which comes with the 114, the 107 is enough for me but by the time you get the blacked out version you are way over the cost of a road king and knocking on street glide territory. I am kinda kicking myself because I was at the dealer in early 2019 and they had 2 leftover 18 heritage models that were discounted down to I think a tick over $16k. I should have jumped on one!
If I were to buy a new bike it would have to be at least a 114. I demoed a 2018 Fat Bob at my last Demo Day event and I was impressed with that motor.
If I were to buy a new bike it would have to be at least a 114. I demoed a 2018 Fat Bob at my last Demo Day event and I was impressed with that motor.
I’m not sure the power difference between the 107 and 114, I know the 114 felt very strong on the low rider s I demoed but didn’t really get on the 107 heritage much.
I’m not sure the power difference between the 107 and 114, I know the 114 felt very strong on the low rider s I demoed but didn’t really get on the 107 heritage much.
I have not tried the 107. Been trying to find the HD Demo Day schedule but unlike years past I am not finding it.
I went out for a short ride tonight, my first ride of the season on temps above 80 degrees. At one point I glance down and I see a solid red light on the speedo. It's the light for the security system. I pull over, shut the bike off, wait a minute, fire it up - light is still on. I feel it's safe to ride the 6 miles home, so I do. A quick check online, that light means one of the lights on the bike is malfunctioning. I determine the rear brake light is on bright even when no brake lever/pedal is pressed. More digging. I check the DTC codes, I have a B2223, which indicates the rear brake has stayed on for more than 2 minutes.
Dug into the factory service manual next, ended up at the section called "Running Lamp Diagnostics." Find the rear brake light switch by the rear master cylinder, remove a green wire - now brake light goes out. Survey says: Replace the rear brake light switch. It's about $8. Tomorrow I'll see if I can find one locally.
I literally just posted a YouTube video last week with my 30,000 mile review, and I thought "wouldn't it by ironic if something broke next week. LOL. Well, these are the kinds of problems I can deal with.
04-26-2021, 11:26 AM
