Menus
- Touring and "sport" at the same time: absolute versatility according to Harley
- V2, 1745 cm3, 84 hp at 5400 rpm, 145 Nm at 3250 rpm, 304 dry kilos, from € 18,260
- Discovery
- In the saddle
- Engine and transmission
- In the city
- On highways and main roads
- On departmental
- Part-cycle
- Brakes
- Comfort and duo
- Consumption / autonomy
- Conclusion
Touring and "sport" at the same time: absolute versatility according to Harley
V2, 1745 cm3, 84 hp at 5400 rpm, 145 Nm at 3250 rpm, 304 dry kilos, from € 18,260
Butter and the money of butter: human beings always like to have a little more of it, that’s how it is. And as it is valid in all areas, Harley-Davidson presents with this Sport Glide a machine that has road ambitions (the suffix Glide, as for the Electra Glide, Street Glide and Road Glide, see Tour Glide in the past, marks the Milwaukee manufacturer’s Touring lineup).
Of course, we will remember that this is not the first time that such a machine has been found in dealerships: the Dyna Switchback, with its suitcases and its removable windshield, was already in this niche. However, at Harley-Davidson, a product-planning Attila wiped the entire Dyna family off the map last year. And paf, a genocide, but as the UN did not protest … To create a diversion, they completely renewed the Softails with no less than 8 new models presented last fall and on these eight motorcycles, Le Repaire had already tried four. Items you will find here: Heritage Classic 114; Fat Bob 114; Street Bob 107; Breakout 114.
That’s not all: in the process, Harley introduced a ninth model in this renewed Softail range and it is therefore our Sport Glide. So what is it worth ?
Harley-Davidson Sport Glide 107 review
Discovery
Be careful, there is a catch. Because the Sport Glide can at the same time appear in its road attire, with its suitcases and its Street Glide-style "batwing" fairing. But these three appendages can also be removed: very easily with the key for the suitcases and even more easily, without a key, for the fork crown, with two clips behind the triple trees. At KTM we have the "ready to race", at Harley we have the "ready to chore", but let’s hope that the aigrefins are occupied with other low maneuvers when they cross a Sport Glide which poses proudly on the pavement. Note that if the suitcases are locked, we will of course not be able to put a helmet inside..
The Harley-Davidson Sport Glide 107 dressed
The Sport Glide is of the bipolar type: suitcases and fork crown removed, the Sport Glide can also pose like a good stripped cruiser. The air of nothing, the difference in appearance between the two versions is real and it will do the buyer good, this ability to switch easily from one machine to another. Butter and butter money, we said in the introduction.
The Harley-Davidson Sport Glide 107 without fairings and cases
For the rest and even if the design covers a certain part of subjectivity, it must be admitted that between the expertly worked "Mantis" rims, the long black exhaust silencer and the long and collected look at the same time, the Sport Glide presents well and imposes dirtily. This is a rewarding motorcycle, without a doubt. Note that beyond the dark burgundy (our test model) and black, a cream color brings a little freshness to the whole.
Harley-Davidson Sport Glide 107 rim
In the saddle
At 680mm, the saddle is low, of course. It would suit as many people as possible, but it should still be borne in mind that the legs and arms must stretch out a little to access the controls and that during maneuvers at very low speed, the excellent self-stability of the machine. does not prevent the use of a sufficiently dimensioned physique. There you have been warned.
Riding position on the Harley-Davidson Sport Glide 107
Then, Harley did not use, in terms of dashboard, a small digital keypad such as the one found on the Breakout, for example. It is still a good big round speedometer which one installed, as is the Harley tradition, on the central console of the tank. A button on the left stalk allows you to scroll through information in a small digital dial; among them, we particularly appreciate the display of the gear engaged and the speed. The starting is done without a key, as on the last generations of Harleys.
Harley-Davidson Sport Glide 107 speedometer
Engine and transmission
Nothing really new here: we find the Milwaukee Eight 107 (1745 cm3) engine, which develops 84 horsepower and 145 Nm of torque. Data largely sufficient, both in terms of the philosophy of the machine as the ability to have a lot of fun on the handlebars. Sufficiently flexible, fairly lively, well filled in the revs, this engine is perfectly suited to the philosophy of the bike. It is connected to a box 6, whose famous "Klonk" have significantly decreased compared to previous generations of engine..
Harley-Davidson Sport Glide 107 V-Twin
In the city
The machine weighs 304 kilos dry and the wheelbase still measures 1625 mm. And against all odds, the Sport Glide is not an unmanageable anvil. On the contrary, we immediately salute its ease of handling and the obviousness of its conduct. In addition, the turning radius is quite good. The big twin, full of length, accepts to cruiser on the boulevards in fourth at a little more than 1500 rpm for 50 km / h, on a trickle of gas. The suitcases remain well integrated (they are narrower than the handlebars) and are not annoying in the city. In addition, they can accommodate a few small items, including an anti-theft device..
Harley-Davidson Sport Glide 107 test drive in town
On highways and main roads
Let’s say it right away: the little bubble really doesn’t protect much. Admittedly, it deflects the air a little at the level of the hands, but we will still take big gusts of wind at the level of the helmet. Well, it’s the same on a Street Glide, which has a fork crown with a similar look..
Wind protection remains limited
This thought being put, we obviously take pleasure in carving the road in Sport Glide. The extension of the 107 engine is no longer to be demonstrated, nor is its recovery capacity. The chassis is healthy and there are no stability problems to report. And given the limited protection, we will reduce its cruising speed. A Harley, Sport Glide like the others, is also appreciated at a walking pace, on the couple, which she knows perfectly how to do !
On departmental
Once again, the agility of this machine is simply astounding, considering its weight. In fact, you twirl from one turn to another with great ease, until you find the limits of the ground clearance (28.7 ° to the left, 27; 9 ° to the right), but by winding your turns, we manage to limit the moments when it rubs. Likewise, the rear shock absorber is adjustable in preload via a dial and if you are mounting a passenger, it will be good to harden a little so as not to penalize the ground clearance..
The Harley-Davidson Sport Glide in a straight line
That being said, the "sport" part of the machine is not oversold, considering the genre, of course. The Sport Glide remains a treat on small back roads, thanks to its ease and the homogeneity of the 107 block and the balance of its chassis. As its name suggests, it is fairly content with a leisurely stroll or a slightly stronger pace..
Part-cycle
The Softail chassis was completely revised last year. Note that the rear shock absorber is now housed under the saddle. For the suspension travel, we will see in coffee grounds, since the technical sheets from Harley are still incomplete. The tires have unusual dimensions: a 130/80 x 18 in front, seconded by a 180/70 x 16 behind.
The Harley-Davidson Sport Glide in a curve
Brakes
A single disc at the front, but we will say that the whole gives satisfactory performance in view of the philosophy of the machine. Just like at the rear, the system is easily dosed and the ABS does not trigger too unexpectedly..
Harley-Davidson Sport Glide 107 front brake
Comfort and duo
With this reserve near the weak protection in the wind, the comfort is rather decent for the pilot, with a well-designed ergonomics and a well-padded saddle. The passenger has a correct saddle, but if its presence is recurrent, it would be in your interest to invest in a sissy-bar because the 107 engine still sheds a little … Finally, you will notice that the rear shock absorber stay a little firm on bumps.
Harley-Davidson Sport Glide 107 seat
Consumption / autonomy
With 18.9 liters of gasoline, a consumption that turns around 6 l / 100 in mixed use, the milestone of 300 kilometers of autonomy is crossed. A fuel gauge and an indicator of remaining autonomy complete the range. What to see coming.
Harley-Davidson Sport Glide 107 fuel tank
Conclusion
So, more Sport or more Glide, this new Harley-Davidson? After testing, we want to say that she was able to place the cursor right in the middle. Travel skills are certainly limited, but they do exist and for a romantic weekend, the capacity of the suitcases is more than sufficient. Of course, the bubble protects little, so we will choose the secondary network; Of course, a sissy-bar is welcome, we will look for it in the gigantic catalog of Harley accessories.
The good news is that these little road skills guarantee agility that cannot be compared to other models in the Touring range. The Sport Glide remains a machine, of its kind, which is light and agile. This has two consequences: a real freedom of mind when walking and the possibility of having a little fun when the road turns. The icing on a cake of dripping chrome: the possibility of going cruising, in bikini mode, in the evening, arrived at the stage. Butter and butter money.
Harley-Davidson Sport Glide 107
Strong points
- Nice engine
- Balanced chassis
- Amazing agility
- Driving pleasure
- Versatility sure
- Interesting bipolar look
Weak points
- Really low bubble
- Small suitcases
- "Ready to chourre" fork head
- Rear shock a little firm on bumpy road
- Sissy bar recommended for the duo
Harley-Davidson Sport Glide 107 specification sheet
Test conditions
- Itinerary: One week of use in Paris and a walk in the Vexin
- Motorcycle mileage: 4700 km
- Problem encountered: none
Competition: not much, actually. A Moto Guzzi 1400 Touring, maybe ?
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