For many HD enthusiasts the idea of upgrading to a touring model looms in one's mind at some time or another. I'm no exception and in 2013 my riding habits changed as I met someone who wanted to share my riding passion. Having a larger bike more capable of carrying a pillion plus luggage comfortably with ease was my objective. The prospect of retirement present, I looked at the Harley Streetglide which offered more comfort with built-in gadgets and serious mile-eating prowess.
This led us to decide on a Streetglide Special.
Meet my Amber Whisky Streetglide Special. A few practical extras such as heated grips, a must for serious touring and riding year round, lower fairing covers with extra speakers and a detachable tour pak made this bike a true beast. As part of the Rushmore model range Harley listened to riders' requests and made significant but subtle improvements to functional items on all its touring range. Simple touches such as easy opening saddlebag release catches allow the rider to open the capacious bags with one hand. The infotainment consol initially looks complicated but quickly becomes straightforward to use with features such as music, sat nav and comms. For me music and the satnav were wonderful additions.
Living with a Streetglide was different to other HDs I've owned. The Batwing fairing is Classic Harley which works with the minimal fairing screen. Being able to deflect the air over the screen by the vented opening makes riding distance at speed a pleasure, deflecting wind directly over the head of the rider. Weather protection from the fairing is good and offers amazing wind protection on the hands. The heated grips on the worst of days only had to be turned up to setting 4 and that felt hot. Overall the Streetglide is pleasing on the eye, I guess my preference is the retro look of a motorcycle which is instantly recognisable and shouts HD.
Eating miles is what the Streetglide does best with a stylish look about it from any angle. It's a heavy bike compared to the Sportster, Dyna and Softail platforms and whilst I found cross country motorway riding a breeze, smaller country road riding with super tight mountain turns two-up became arduous. The weight of the bike at very slow speed turns meant careful footing was required if trying to manoeuvre the bike by hand. Even the ease of taking the bike out was a chore as I'd navigate it carefully down the steep slippery drive to the main road where we lived. I'd certainly take no chances in fear of dropping such a heavy machine, creating an expensive and stressful event. Even trying to upright the machine would be very difficult should a mishap occur. It can happen to any rider at any time.
After a year of Streetglide ownership we decided to return to a Dyna choosing the Switchback. Satisfying all our requirements, versatile with the coolest of retro looks which screams Harley Davidson. Yes smaller bags and no infotainment systems included as standard, but as with all things HD, extras can always be added. Noticeably and importantly the Switchback is so much easier to ride around those tight mountain roads two-up and manoeuvrability is a pleasure. The versatility is a pleasure and doesn't detract from the serious motorcycling capability the Switchback offers for distance riding.
In conclusion, I use my Switchback daily. It's easy to ride in and out of its house plus importantly, up and down the driveway so adventures are always possible.
This led us to decide on a Streetglide Special.
Meet my Amber Whisky Streetglide Special. A few practical extras such as heated grips, a must for serious touring and riding year round, lower fairing covers with extra speakers and a detachable tour pak made this bike a true beast. As part of the Rushmore model range Harley listened to riders' requests and made significant but subtle improvements to functional items on all its touring range. Simple touches such as easy opening saddlebag release catches allow the rider to open the capacious bags with one hand. The infotainment consol initially looks complicated but quickly becomes straightforward to use with features such as music, sat nav and comms. For me music and the satnav were wonderful additions.
Living with a Streetglide was different to other HDs I've owned. The Batwing fairing is Classic Harley which works with the minimal fairing screen. Being able to deflect the air over the screen by the vented opening makes riding distance at speed a pleasure, deflecting wind directly over the head of the rider. Weather protection from the fairing is good and offers amazing wind protection on the hands. The heated grips on the worst of days only had to be turned up to setting 4 and that felt hot. Overall the Streetglide is pleasing on the eye, I guess my preference is the retro look of a motorcycle which is instantly recognisable and shouts HD.
Eating miles is what the Streetglide does best with a stylish look about it from any angle. It's a heavy bike compared to the Sportster, Dyna and Softail platforms and whilst I found cross country motorway riding a breeze, smaller country road riding with super tight mountain turns two-up became arduous. The weight of the bike at very slow speed turns meant careful footing was required if trying to manoeuvre the bike by hand. Even the ease of taking the bike out was a chore as I'd navigate it carefully down the steep slippery drive to the main road where we lived. I'd certainly take no chances in fear of dropping such a heavy machine, creating an expensive and stressful event. Even trying to upright the machine would be very difficult should a mishap occur. It can happen to any rider at any time.
After a year of Streetglide ownership we decided to return to a Dyna choosing the Switchback. Satisfying all our requirements, versatile with the coolest of retro looks which screams Harley Davidson. Yes smaller bags and no infotainment systems included as standard, but as with all things HD, extras can always be added. Noticeably and importantly the Switchback is so much easier to ride around those tight mountain roads two-up and manoeuvrability is a pleasure. The versatility is a pleasure and doesn't detract from the serious motorcycling capability the Switchback offers for distance riding.
In conclusion, I use my Switchback daily. It's easy to ride in and out of its house plus importantly, up and down the driveway so adventures are always possible.
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