WHY DID HARLEY DISCONTINUE THE SPORT GLIDE
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- Опубліковано 26 лип 2024
- Why did Harley discontinue the Sport Glide in the US? Did they make an error? My opinions on what the Sport Glide could have been and how I think Harley made an error.
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I’ve got to agree with you on the low rider st. I’m 6ft and after road testing my sport glide I was told to sit on the low rider st in the showroom. I was totally cramped and very happy to buy the sport glide. I’m glad I tried sitting on it otherwise I’d never know.
Really made me happy to buy a sport glide though that’s for sure
Yeah, I don’t understand why they’ve made the low rider st riding position so cramped!! If I feel cramped being 5’6 god knows how you felt😂
Anyway, we got the right bike for us!
Ride safe and thanks for the comment 👍
I got my SG used about 2 1/2 years ago and it is everything I need in a bike. Doing a lot of around town...remove bags and shield. Going for a long weekend...put it back to stock. Watching the different channels like your's that own this model ,I've made a few upgrades and truly love it. I'm in the state of Washington and I've only seen one other in the Olympia area. Lots of bigger baggers around but I'm not interested as the SG handles SO nice.
I agree, it’s got everything and can be switched from one style to another in a minute or two. Couple that with the handling and I can honestly say I don’t think there is a better model in their line up.
I’ve test ridden the heritage and road king special and both are extremely comfortable. I didn’t like the handling of the heritage and the road king special, although really comfortable and handling was great, the weight for every day riding is too much for me!
Thanks for taking the time to comment, I really appreciate it!
Ride safe! 👍🏻
You hit on one of the other things that I love about my SG, there aren't many of them around. I live in the DFW Metroplex and have seen very few.
Simple answer, YES! One of the best Harley's ever built.
Yep! 👍
I was fortunate to get a sport glide before they discontinued it. Absolutely love it. It’s also very customizable so Harley could have sold lots of accessories.
Thanks for the comments! Yeah, it’s a great bike and so versatile! Enjoy and stay safe 👍🏼
They are still making/selling them here in Australia. Look like the perfect all-rounder to me. People complaining about the 107 clearly havent ridden an 80 or an 88 TC.
Yes, they still make them and sell them here in the UK at the moment too! They discontinued them in the US 2 years ago though which I don’t understand.
I agree that the 107 is more than enough power!
Thanks for your comments and ride safe 👍🏻
I am very pleased with my SG. Bought it new in 2021 snake venom colour. In the meantime Stage 2 (100 hp) mini floorboards & Ohlins in the front (amazing)and Klockwerks windshield together with the Saddleman seat. This bike runs like the wind. Short or long rides (longest run of 850 km one day) no prob. Lucky to have this bike and yes pour decision of HD but if u have one who cares.
Great comments!! Glad you’re enjoying it!!
Ride safe 👍🏼
Nicely put together, keep it upright.
Thanks Derek, much appreciated!! You too 👍
Very nice video, I have a 21 sport glide that I've turned into a mini bagger and absolutely love it and get plenty of praise from those who see it. Thank you.
Thanks for your comments! Yes, it’s a great bike!! Enjoy!
Mini ultra is what I call her😎
@@user-rh1hb3xn1u 👍🏼
Yes! Im American and pray every year they bring it back so I can buy it new!
I agree, 100% . From NZ.
I have a 2018 S. G. I put a taller windshield on it; floorboards; risers and rack. I love it, especially the floorboards which allow me to move my feet around.
Well, they discontinued the Evo Sporty, so they're in the habit of making poor decisions.
True…
Great video Sir! I love my Sport Glide. I've been riding her for 6 years, she was the 1st one to come into the dealership. I'll admit that I was intrigued by the Low Rider ST, I like the FXR-style fairing and the idea of having the extra power. If I want more power, I can spend a couple of K on new cams, etc. However, I don't like the mid-pegs (I'm 6') because as you pointed out, they have to be less comfortable for long rides. I replaced my pegs with Kuryakyn Hex floorboards which make my rides more comfortable. I also replaced the stock fairing with an El Diablo fairing from LA Fairing Company. It's not a quick detach, but I don't mind and it looks good and does a good job of keeping the wind buffeting to a minimum. Additionally, I love the looks of the Mantis wheels and hate the bronze ones on the LRs. All that being said, why HD didn't keep producing the Sport Glide is a head scratcher. I think that the previous HD CEO, Jeff Bleustein, wanted to reach a broader market and viewed the SG as a step in that direction. The new CEO, Jochen Zeitz, thought that HD should go the other direction and make HD more exclusive. Reimagining the SG as the LR ST kind of follows that philosophy as the Low Rider name is venerated in the HD cruiser community. I've heard other riders say that the SG looks like a "girl's bike" which makes me scratch my head. But hey, I'm a guy, what do I know? 😆 Another comment was that the bike looks to European which in some ways, I get it what with the mini-fairing and hard saddlebags. On the other hand, it doesn't make a whole helluva lot sense because there was the Dyna Switchback with its hard saddlebags and windshield. At the end of the day, who knows why HD makes some of the decisions it makes. Thanks again for the great video, ride safe!
Hi Royce, thanks for the kind words and taking the time to provide a comprehensive response!
I agree with all you’re points, HD have definitely put their efforts into the Low Rider S/ST but as I said, I think they have missed a trick!
The Low Rider S provides the performance platform and if they had put the 114 and FXR fairing on the SG, with the forward pegs I think they would’ve had a winner. Basically that is what the LRST is (with the exception of mid pegs and 117 engine).
As you say, what do we know! 😜
Thanks again for your response!
Ride safe and take care 👍
I live in the US and got to buy the Sport Glide the last year it was sold and I am SO glad I bought it when I did. I love my sport glide and the issues I found were the same you stated at the beginning of the video and they don't bother me all too much. I did buy a taller windscreen, which has helped quite a bit. I've also done some other upgrades and customization to it and have more plans to do so. I've put about 13k miles on it since I got it and can't wait to continue racking up the miles!
Yes, the 107 doesn’t bother me, I’ve done a stage 2 torque cam and the power available is more than enough for me! The single disc is ok, obviously dual discs would be better but it’s got more than enough stopping power. Finally, the fairing! That’s either a love or hate things but can easily be remedied!
Like you, I love my SG and it has everything I need!
I watch your channel so keep us posted with any future upgrades!!
Happy new year, have a great 2024 and stay safe 👍🏻
@@Midlife5 Well thank you so much! I'll actually have a video soon for a couple minor changes soon! :-)
@@buffaloharleychick look forward to seeing it 👍🏻
The sport glide and low rider ST are still sold in South Africa as 2024 models. The sport glide is the best selling HD at the moment as I am told by my usual dealer. Im looking to upgrade to it from my 2012 HD 48 as the ride is just becoming too rough these days. I usually only take test rides in empty back roads as I am not used to them but with the sport glide I literally went on the highway and almost went home with it lol. Still asked the guy if it had stability control or something cause it was such a smooth ride.
Yes I agree, it really is a great ride! I think the bike is sold everywhere in the world apart from the US and Canada and it does really well!
Strange but I suppose HD know their market better than us.
I hope you upgrade, you’ll love it!
Enjoy and ride safe!
What also amazes me is they discontinued the Deluxe and the Slim. Some of those snazzy Icons models like the Highway King and the HydraGlide should be added to the model lineup as full time models instead of jacked up price, one year only models.
They want to transform the company into selling low production numbers/high priced, status signalling products like Aston Martin, Rolex etc.
Totally agree Barry, the only issue is they haven’t got the reputation of some of the the luxury brands
Put a cr483 in mine, set of big radius freedom pipes, s&s manifold and 6.2gms injectors in it. It now has 120hp & 125tq. Smokes the rear easily, handles nice and looks awsome now it has 21" breakout front wheel.
Wow…. Sounds amazing!! 👍
It’s still being made in Thailand for the Australasian market the sportglide
Hi Lee, yes it’s still here in the UK at the moment too. It seems like a really poplar bike all over the world so I don’t understand why they discontinued it in the states?
Obviously they know their market better than me but seems weird 🤷🏼♂️
Midi controls ruin the st..way pricey to change to forward controls..
Thank you
No problem, glad you liked it!!
Stay safe 👍🏼
Loved my sportglide but being picky the shock absorber and damper adjusting selector are garbage..most don't work..
Thanks for the comments! Yeah I agree, I had to change out the suspension and it made a world of difference!! 👍🏼
Could it be that they discontinued the Sportglide because it was very cheap for a softail with saddlebags🤔 The lowrider ST is lot more expensive in the UK than the Sportglide and although to customers the 117 engine is worth paying more for, the manufacturing cost is more or less the same😶 Perhaps for 2024 the USA maybe getting an "uprated" Sportglide with some new features which allow them to raise the price a bit🤔🙃🙂 Might be a winner😎
Interesting thought! Would be interesting to see if they did make an ‘upgraded’ version. Defo think it would be a winner 🏆
They discontinued it here in the US, is because it was eating into their bigger, more profitable bikes.
Yeah, I agree!
I’d love a sport glide. The only thing an ST has is the frame mount fairing
Hi Chris, yes I agree. The frame mounted fairing is far better on the ST. Apart from that I personally think the Sport Glide is the better overall package.
Thanks for your comments, really appreciated! 👍🏻
Discontinued it cos the under priced it..
Yes, maybe you’re onto something there as it was one of the cheapest softails but had loads of extras like panniers, screen, cruise control etc.. 👍🏻
@@Midlife5 that’s why I bought mines and I think it’s the best bike in the Harley stable and the mos underrated
@@citydread1327 me too! I think it’s a great bike! Thanks for the comment. Ride safe 👍🏻
The best chassis Harley ever built for their M8 is the Softail line.
The 3 best designs (Slim, Deluxe and Sport Glide) have all been discontinued?
I heavily researched things like wheelbase, rake, trail and that line rocks.
They had the best engineered and handling chassis by far from Harley in the Air/x cooled engine.
You can have my M8 Softail when you can pry it from my dead cold fingers. Harley execs = dumbass
Harley riders. hmmm... wtf are you buying and why? I will never understand. Got mine. I'm good.
Totally agree.. obviously I have mine too so I’m good but can’t understand the logic of HD!
Thanks for the detailed comment, really appreciated.
Ride safe 👍🏻