Hello everyone. If you are considering a Street Glide or just interested in someone's opinion on the subject then I hope this post helps you out oris at least interesting I've had the 08 Street Glide for a month now and here is the 1k mile review. For my 300 mile review check out:

https://www.hdforums.com/m_3338459/m...tm.htm#3338459

The more I ride the Street Glide, the more I REALLY LIKE IT! My wife thinks I left her for the motorcycle. But its okay, I've got the kids fooled into thinking their Dad is cool even if it isfar from the truth.

What amazes me is the ride. The air suspension is amazingly more comfortable than the Softail models, namely the Fat Boy. I was not sold on the stock seat at first but it seems to be breaking in and getting more comfortable. I was going to replace it with a Sundowner or Mustang One Piece Touring, but I'm putting that on hold.

Riding with the stereo adds a completely different experience to riding.After a 1,000 mile myonly wishes and the sound system arebuilt in XM or Sirius and MORE POWER.

As I mentioned in my earlier review, I really like the Brembo Brakes.The Brembo'sbrakes have excellent stopping power. I thought it might be nice to have ABS, but I chose to go without it. No regrets. The brakes are easy to control. ABS might add a small safety factor but without actually trying it, I need someone to convince me it is a "must have".

The Street Glide has an interesting tendency to forget its idle setting if you don't shut down using the kill switch before the ignition switch. I did this once and the bike idled at 2,000 RPM even with the engine warm. I read on this forum that all you need to do is slowly rotate the ignition switch on/off four times with the kill switch in the on position. This resets the idle. It works. Maybe the MOCO will have a fix for this in the future.

I am beginning to like the fly by wire throttle. I think if you are real nit picky you can tell the difference, but honestly, I don't think it matters whether you have throttle cables or not. The difference is that small.

One item I really like is the cruise control. The bike maintains the speed you set and the set and resumebuttons are in thumbs reach of the throttle. If you are shopping for a Street Glide, put cruise on your list.

I maintain that the agility of the Street Glide is impressive compared to the Fat Boy and it's hard to believe I'm riding a bigger bike. The Street Glide definitely has a higher center of gravity compared to the Softail models, but after making the switch, I wouldn't go back.

On the topic of windshields. I wear a helmet and have the usual issues with having my head feel like it was in a paint shaker from buffeting. I switched out to an 8 inch Fastaire windshield and while it looks okay, the helmet buffeting still gave me a headache. I switched to a Cee Bailey's 12 inch SSC and I REALLYlike it. The buffeting is reduced by 75%. The windshield breaks the conventional mold, but Ithink it looks good. IMO a 13 inch SCC would help some, but not significantly enough to justify another $120 or further changing the low profile look of the bike. BTW, the true heightof an SSC is three inches less than it's stated height. I have a Clearview 8 inch with recurve on order. I will post my observations after I receive it. I will eventually sell the windshields I don't want to keep.

I really like the Freedom Wings bottom fairing deflectors. I like how you have unlimited adjustment options and they really calm the airflow down behind

 

do it yourself and save the money


wow another SG satisfied owner!!!!!

 

I too have just reached the 1000 mile marker on my 2008 Glide. The bike is great so far except for a defect in the front fender where the paint is starting to crack. Having come off a 2007 suzuki 109r the rear suspension will need some help. It just doesnt have that planted feeling when corning hard. I think I am going for the penski upgrade shocks and springs.
I have to disagree on the seat. I think it is junk and I have a c&c sport touring seat on order. The windshield has been changed to the next height up. I hope it works. I havent been able to ride today.
The abs and cruise are a awesome addition to the bike. The brakes are way better than the older baggers I have driven.
The high idle issue was also a problem for me but I have been not using the kill switch to shut it off and all is well.
Stereo needs better speakers and more power. Sirius would be a awesome addition to the system.
I am also looking for more sound from the exhaust but not really loud. I think the reinharts td's are going on the bike asap.

Planed parts to buy:
Reinharts td's
Sert
Stage 1 aircleaner
Hogpro 18" wheels with 880's
Headquarters 103 kit
king tour pack for the trips with detach
Penski shocks and springs


Does anyone know a tuner they can recommendin connecticut?

 

Thanks for the great feedback!
I have an 08 SG and just turned 2800 miles. As far as the exhaust note, I have the same requirements as you. Iwent withthe Rush slip-ons and couldn't be happier. Just enough!!

I am going to install either (or both) the fork baffles and the Batwing. Do you have any experience with the fork baffles?

I couldn't agree more on the cruise control, a must have.

I had the dealer do the first service (2200 miles) but I'll take it from there.

 

Good report with a lot of use full insight.
As for the pipes give Bub 7's a thought good deep sound but not too loud.

 

I also just turn 1000 miles. I'm happier and happier everyday!!!!

 

I have 4K on my 2008. Like Atrain68 Itoocame off a Fat Boy. Which by the way unto itself is a fantastic ride! My idle issues I think are different then others. Sometimes I will fast idle for 10 seconds coming to a stop roughly 1500 RPM. I cannot explain why it does this but it does not have me concerned really. And does it only occasionally. I get the expected fast idle at startup. As it warms now afterthe cam changeit wags RPM for about a minute between fast idle and normal idle.

I have added 211 cams, Bassani Power curve true dualheaders, with Reinhart Slip ons.SERT, and dyno leaving the 96 as it came.The sound and performance now is infact awesome over bonestock. But the exhaust system I cobbled upis not for the faint of heart. I would call it from a range of 1 to 10 that my exhaust is at the 7 level for loud.

The bike definately is heavier moving around by hand and foot. But while riding seems as nimble as the lighter softail. Ride wise I have not messed with my shocks much. I think the Softail did a bit better on harsh un-expected bumps.....But like I said I have not messed with air pressure.

What I will say is it took me 3 HDs to get to the Street Glide. Personally I do not think Harley makes a better bike for comfortable when it comes to an FLtwo up riding, good looks, and universal to do anything you would like to it to suit your tastes. But by far, like most 2008 owners report I think its the best year to ever come out of Milwaukee for quality.

 

I'm now at 1200 miles. I really love riding this bike. I came from an 03 Fatboy that was really juiced up.

I put on an AN Big Sucker, the RH True Duals and the PCIII. I did the work myself. Here are my observations:

The True Duals: They sound fantastic, their sound is the epitome of a Harley Davidson. But.......I found that the True Duals are to close to the driverfloor boards and passenger floor boards and too closeto your left side, inner thigh. I have considered putting the stock pipes back on and getting RH slip ons. I put on foot board extenders (from soos) to help out, but now therear foot boards hit the back of my calves when I back it up and also when I put my legs down when coming to a stop. This is very annoying.

PCIII: I like it so far because it gives me the option of toying with it if need be. However, once something is running good, I leave it alone. I swear by the creed, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it."
One issue I had waspopping on decel, andI couldn't get rid of it. So i took it to a shop and had them tweak the map. They didn't do a dyno, just tweaked the map.No problems since.

ABS: I love them! I had to jam on the breaks within my first 200 miles. They worked and they worked very well! Kept me upright and stopped me on a dime! Stopping like that scared the **** outta me, because I have never had to do that before. But it was the best $759 accessory I ever add on toa bike. I've had people tell me that since they never had them before, why start now. People are afraid of change, and sometimes change is good. I think this is a change for the better.

Gas Mileage: I getting about 38-40 mpg with the setup I have.

Stereo: I think the stereo needs more power and better speakers. When you cruising, it sounds like a cheap radio. For as much as we spend on these bikes, you would think they would have a sweet *** sound system. The stereo has issues playing MP3 discs as well. It freezes up on certain tracks. And yes, I do have the latest software updates for the stereo. I also tried burning the mp3's in various ways and still come up with the same freeze issue.

Seat: I don't know about the stock seat. I immediately put on a sundowner (2 up) seat. The sundowner is very comfortable.

Windshield: I put on a 10 inch windshield. The chopped windshield looks cool as hell, but not too practical. The 10 inch is fine, but if I were to go on a serious road trip, I would move up to a 14 inch windshield. My wifesays that she gets beat with alot of wind from the 10 inch windshield.

When I bought my bike, I got a pit-pass, which coversall the scheduled maintanence for up to 10,000 miles. The pit pass cost me $600 and will be done by the dealership.

This is my opinion of the 08 Street Glide. So far the best bike I have ever owned and my wife loves it as well.