Harley-Davidson Sport Glide Review | Does this Cruiser/Tourer Live up to its Reputation?

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In this video I ride the Harley-Davidson softail Sport glide for the first time, I give it a full review telling you what to expect if you are considering buying one of these fantastic machines. I go into detail about the performance, handling, the Milwaukee 8 V Twin engine, the stopping power and more. The 107 CI engine in this beautiful motorbike is tuned slightly differently to other models with the same motor like the Softail Standard or as I like to call it, the Street Bob Classic.
The Sport Glide is probably one of the highest rated Softails by enthusiasts, but is it overrated? In this video I find out! This bike has been described as a chameleon by Freddie Dobbs and he is certainly right there. It is a perfect blend between a cruiser motorcycle and a tourer. I have since found out that this bike has been discontinued in the USA which has certainly come as a surprise to me.
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[@MrDarcy-OlMan]

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[@johnludmon510]

The bike was dropped in the USA a couple of years ago and possibly won’t be in the range for much longer which is a shame. I am not sure that Harley took the bike that seriously it hasn’t got the option of the 114 engine and the bike has never had many paint schemes other than black . Personally for me it is the best of the softail range .

[@MrDarcy-OlMan]

That is a shame, didn’t know they had dropped it in the USA!

[@Mike-er7ym]

I don’t think you can get the Sport Glide in the UK anymore as it’s not listed in the 2023 line up 😢

[@johnludmon510]

@@Mike-er7ym It is listed on the Harley UK site just not on the US site . They haven’t released the 2024 lineup it will be interesting to see if the sportglide is still in the range as it has quite a solid following in Europe.

[@MrDarcy-OlMan]

@@Mike-er7ym Its still listed under Cruisers

[@jradish]

yeah i believe they've quit making them for the u.s new model years because they have to justify the price of the low rider st, which is just this bike with the same bags and a fixed fairing. The sport glide has better wheels

[@snickrologen]

Great to see you guys review the sport-glide, I’ve just had a nice autumn trip on mine and enjoyed the smells that’s offered this time of the year here in Sweden. My old friend was riding behind on his slightly older Harley and noticed that I was saluting every farmer in his tractor on the way, perhaps it’s an old habit. Anyway, a phenomenal video as we’ve come to expect from you guys once again! And the bike is great!

[@vanyalizza9871]

Great review Mr.Darcy really enjoyed watching. I keep shifting my preference between the Sport Glide and the Street Bob. Your father review of the Street Bob was like a poem by the way.

[@charlescastell4638]

Over rated? Hardly. I have an '18 Sport Glide that just rolled over 20K miles. Turns corners readily, and eats the miles with gusto. I could not have a better ride; I'll keep it until it falls apart. Brilliant bike all around.

[@jeffmaxwell8821]

Nice review. Bike looks good with the headlight fairing removed too. Strange how the bike has not received the 114 upgrade engine, it looks a good package otherwise.

[@midlife-crysis]

Need to see a drag race of the soft tail standard vs sport glide

[@loddude5706]

Feet-forward, for that 'ram-tube cooled primate' feeling - in any climate'. (HD trouser clips advised in strong headwinds & arctic sandstorms etc. : )

[@JoJo-hc4dj]

Great Harley review Mr Darcy 🎉

[@sambagogo777]

Some excellent points made there re: relative comfort and safety of riding it at speed in comparison to that other HD.

[@MrDarcy-OlMan]

Thank you!

[@hywelblake3707]

Nice review. I have a Sport Glide, Pan am and an Ultra. My go to bike is the Sport Glide. If I could only have one it would be the Sport Glide. Get a stage 2 on them and it really wakes the 107 up.

[@kwakithailand]

Great presentation of an awesome Harley, thanks for job well done, Darcy 🙏

[@user-rl4lf7je7u]

Ah, the rattling fuel cap. Three options: 1. Replace with a lockable cap ($118 AUD) 2. Replace with HD flush mounted fuel caps ($249 AUD) 3. Insert used ear plug on under side of rattling fuel cap to stop rattle ($0.00 AUD) I chose Option 3😂. Seriously good bike. I’m riding a 2021 model and now have 27,000klms on it. Stage one with Vance and Hines big radius and the sound is glorious. I’ve messed with screens (best option was the Memphis Shades El Paso 19 inch). But I’ve returned to the stock mini batwing as it gives enough wind protection and good road vision and no helmet buffeting. It’s never missed a beat and it’s a keeper. When I wear out the pistons it will be going in for a full stage 4 for a second life.

[@nhi6296]

Nice and quite a comprehensive review. Relaxing too. Tq

[@FedNotes]

Nice video! Thank you! You could have focussed a bit more on how easy the front fairing and panniers can be removed and how good and different the bike looks without them. To me the Sport Glide is a 2-in-1 Harley Davidson. Keep up the good work!

[@redhedhair]

That front wheel design had many divided ! ... I still like it, great review 👍

[@MrDarcy-OlMan]

Thanks! 👍

[@martynlaverick3405]

Top review and love the way this bike looks👍

[@MrChancebozey]

Still love my 2019 Sport Glide :) Bumped it up to a stage 3 114 just after i bought it. Nice short stroke 114 cruiser. Would have been nice had they designed the fairing to be large enough to be useful. Running a Memphis Shades Road Warrior fairing that does the job nicely. Two inch diameter mini apes from Burleigh Bars to just below shoulder height and a Corbin seat and I chew up the miles very comfortably. Great vids and content :)

[@Jonathan-L]

Here in Australia, I got the impression that the Sport Glide was a model that didn't sell well (unwanted perhaps?). That's not such a bad thing, as it can end up being a good bike to get on the used market (the same could be said about the Low Rider 107 with the single disc front brake). The value of the panniers make the Sport Glide a better choice over some of the cheaper models, plus it's got the rea'r suspension adjuster knob & cruise control. I regard the Sport Glide as a "gentleman's" Harley Davidson (great for the annual DGR!). It's not perfect, particularly with the short front mud guard (luckily extenders are available on the aftermarket). I personally prefer foot boards rather than the fully forward pegs of the Sport Glide. Overall it's a classy machine with a mix of homage styling (ie the tank mounted gauge) and clever design (eg quick release fairing & panniers to transform the look of the bike). I'm still not a fan of the 'tuning fork' wheel spokes. H-D could easily improve this bike and gain more sales with just a few simple changes (longer front mud guard, Low Rider style wheel spokes & foot boards). The Sport Glide is a rather 'majestic' machine, and you can feel that just by sitting on one in a dealer's show room. I wish I bought one rather than my Softail Slim ... I was just a bit short sighted with my spending budget, but for a few grand more I would have been much better of with the Sport Glide. Did I mention that I'm a 'foot boards' sort of guy? :)

[@felipedourado5721]

Hi Darcy, nice review, as usual. But the flexbility of the Sport Glide, one of the most interestinting features of that model, was not mentioned. I mean, the panniers and the fairing are detachable so you can go from light tourer to cruiser (or the other way round) in a blink. Perhaps you may talk about it in another video. Best regards from Brazil, hope Ol'man is doing fine. ✌

[@MrDarcy-OlMan]

Thank you for mentioning and the Ol 'man is doing well, check out his latest videos 👍🏼

[@tonibeitlich9948]

Vielen Dank für das informative Video 👍. Ich fahre die Sport Glide seit 2 Jahren und bin auch sehr zufrieden. Die Vorgängerin, eine Dyna Switchback mit dem 103 ci Twin Cam Motor habe ich auch noch. Diese wurde zum Gespann umgebaut. Ich fahre mit beiden sehr gerne.😊

[@tonyciriello6872]

If you put "Sport" in the name it should have mid controls, second disk,and the biggest engine they make. Also the ant-lock should disengage below say 20 MPH at the rear. (any bike) You should always be able to spin the bike around at low speed for a number of reasons.

[@davidkeppler56]

No mention of the best feature of the Sportglide. The faring and panniers are designed to be quickly detachable (about a minute), leaving no sign that they were there. This means you effectively get two bikes, a tourer and a cruiser for the price of one.

[@MrDarcy-OlMan]

👍🏼

[@Dakiel89]

I have a '22 Sport Glide and put it a stage 1 with pro pipes and it is perfection, usable in the city, happy in the corners and confortable for long haul rides. It is a pocket sized road glide and i love it for that.

[@cezarmartins3489]

Great video, lad!

[@thomasbuckley34]

Very helpful video. Any suggestions on a better screen to help reduce wind blast as I am getting on a bit.

[@TriumphRascal]

Another good review, well done. I test rode a Sport Glide in 2019 and loved it. I would say it was one of (if not) the most comfortable bikes I’ve ever been on. If it wasn’t for the price, I’d certainly have one. My Royal Enfield Super Meteor 650 May be a lot less powerful and not as comfortable, but it cost £10k less!! Keep up the great videos (with the Old Man).

[@rotax636nut5]

What a great bike, I just wish I could afford one. Thanks for another excellent review Darcy, 👍👍

[@tomoates8568]

Love this bike! It's the only Harley I'm truly interested in, but unfortunately for me I can only really look at the used market since they don't sell this model in the US anymore

[@TheBikeFather]

great video. I love my sport glide.

[@nikitis13]

One of their best all-rounders. Surprised they haven't made it a 114.

[@MrDarcy-OlMan]

I am too!

[@kevinkinney5445]

Advanblack now offers a colormatched frame mount Lowrider ST style fairing that fits the sport glide.

[@spacebear49]

Really is the perfect bike. Shame Harley-Davidson always seems to stop making the good ones.

[@robbyclark6915]

I put that seat (sport glide) on my ‘21 Low Rider S and I really like it. Most go with the saddle man and I’m sure it’s great, but I like my SG seat just fine. Got a good price on it from my local Harley dealership. The sport glide didn’t work out in the states here, but I always liked it. If it had the 114 it would have done better here, I think.

[@s.venkateswarpatnaik2484]

Dear Darcy excellent review you have presented in the video.i like your review video of Harley Davidson motorcycle🎉

[@MrDarcy-OlMan]

Thank you kindly!

[@s.venkateswarpatnaik2484]

@@MrDarcy-OlMan Please convey my regards to your Dad Ol'man because he is my favorite😍

[@christinejorja]

Love my Sport Glide! I think it’s the best bike in the Harley line up, even if they upgrade it with a 114 or 117 engine I would not change mine, though, I'm tempted with a 119 big bore kit! In the Philippines though you don't need more power but a cam upgrade is next.

[@Nucklehead-mm9gf]

I yearn for this bike like ive never have before for any other bike. It's perfect besides handlebars, slip on and taller windscreen. I wouldn't change really anything on it but those things. They don't sell it in America anymore and im really upset about it, I can't get over it honestly.

[@siholmes2006]

Great vid - My Dad owns the Sport Glide and absolutely loves it. I have ridden it a few times and really like how it handles however, I opted for buying the Slim (M8) as I love the look of the Slim and after 3 years of owning, I still grin like a Chesire Cat when riding it. I have recently test rode the Street Glide and Road Glide as I was curious and it just made me realise how much I love my bike - in my opinion; sometimes, less is more. Unless I’ve missed it, I’d love to see your review of the Softail Slim 👍🏻

[@MrDarcy-OlMan]

The Slim has evaded us, but we hope to review an old one asap

[@charlesrichardson5215]

Why do you prefer your Softail Slim? Have you ridden a Fatboy? I am debating if I should buy a Softail Slim, a Fatboy or a Sport Glide and unfortunately can not test ride the Slim.

[@siholmes2006]

@@charlesrichardson5215 I haven’t ridden a Fat Boy - I would love to test ride one to see how it fares but the bike is outside my budget! I prefer the Slim over the Sport Glide because I love the look of it - the Sport Glide is a better handling bike when compared to the Slim but I was happy to forgo this for the look of the Slim 😎. I think the Sport Glide is a lovely bike but that’s just my own personal preference I guess. Don’t get me wrong, all HDs you mentioned are incredible bikes. I’m no expert, I’m just going on my own experience and personal preference. 👍🏻

[@shampoo-supernova]

I had one. Nice bike, very comfy and good for daily rides and bike rallies etc. In the end I binned it for a Triumph Tiger Sport 1050. Goes like stink.

[@MrAndrew1953]

Could you replace the woefully inadequate fairing with a Batwing one? I’m 5’8 so I think I’d prefer mid controls.

[@FrensTimmerpens]

Very nice review of the Sportglide! It remains personal though. I myself bought 1 new in 2021 and traded it in after 4 months. Why: It's actually a bit small for me with 6.2"! I experimented a lot with windshields because you catch a lot of wind. Also I got severe pain in my lower back. The pillion gives no support. So then mounted a Saddlemen Step-up. Handlebar risers I had already had mounted at purchase and handlebar heaters (Kahuna). After 1 week and rain my entire rear end was red with rust! Rust water was running out of the swingarm. There are caps on both sides in the rear bridge (angled tube). They glued those shut after 10,000km anyway! Further, the bike appeared to go over the road like a bumpy horse. The fork went to Hyperpro suspension for new seals, oil and springs! I unfortunately got tired of it quickly (now riding a 2012 Ultra btw). Also, the 2 balance shafts in this 107 cuin takes some power. That is the reason it performs less. But....., on the other hand, does not vibrate at all! Greetz from Holland

[@florislok]

Een mooi weer fiets dus, niet geschikt voor het natte weer in Nederland. Jammer, want ziet er leuk uit.

[@jenshasselmann1699]

I think a stage 2 kit a taller windscreen and a better exhaust, would make the bike perfect👍🏍

[@lonnieclifton3883]

Beautiful bike

[@pippacarron1861]

I love my Sport Glide but it has a few design faults for the shorter rider (e.g. the air filter profile is too high which then bumps your knee) and needs comfort modifications (e.g. boards) to be a real highway cruiser.

[@davidcoleman4941]

Beautiful bike, beautiful flowing lines

[@MrDarcy-OlMan]

It really is!

[@shirleywilding9219]

Ok thanks

[@jesussilvaalvarez3243]

Saludos super video ❤

[@shirleywilding9219]

Do you know where I can get that low sissy bar rack quick release from? Struggling to find one?

[@MrDarcy-OlMan]

It was a Harley-Davidson genuine accessory

[@bernardlesperance742]

The way you speak of Milwaukee Eight bikes keeps tricking me into thinking you're talking about a twin cam. If you haven't already, you really should try out a twin cam Dyna . . . and then see if you still think the same way about Milwaukee Eights in terms of "the Harley-Davidson feel." To me, the Milwaukee Eights feel (and sound with OEM pipes) much more like Japanese bikes than like Harley-Davidsons. Not saying good or bad, just different.

[@MrDarcy-OlMan]

Yes I get what you mean, they are a lot smoother and the stock exhausts are quieter (rules are a lot stricter now). I really want to try some Dynas, will have to see if I can get hold of some

[@JonAtack]

@@MrDarcy-OlMan for a tall guy, if you like legroom with forward controls, try the Wide Glide

[@SulsaCikkectuve]

What came first the bike or the tattoos?

[@HornsoftheStagg]

How's your experience been with the Ruroc helmet so far? Heard they can be a bit loud at higher speeds.

[@MrDarcy-OlMan]

I really like it, but yes can be a bit loud. I wear ear plugs when I ride though so it’s not the end of the world

[@HornsoftheStagg]

@@MrDarcy-OlMan Thanks for the feedback! Appreciate it 😁

[@daryldaryl913]

Getting up to speed on a highway should have been part of the course? Whats it like over 100kms.

[@nonsononessunooko4066]

so when darcy is buying it?

[@MrDarcy-OlMan]

Don’t like it as much as my bike!

[@edgybikercop]

That's one breaking bad motorcycle

[@simongilbert2704]

agree with all you say here ,, inc the awful looking sportster s , what were they thinking ??

[@charlesrichardson5215]

NO mention of one of THE highlights ie being able to quickly change the way the bike looks by being able to easily remove the panniers and cowling.

[@MrDarcy-OlMan]

Which YOU already know about 🤔

[@suleyman2064]

Mr Darcy is next bike HD Street Glide ?

[@MrDarcy-OlMan]

Yes the Ol’Man is testing the street glide special next 👍🏻

[@TheAutisicBiker]

hi would a Drag Star Classic 649 be a good next bike im 48 and on a 125 at the mo doing my mod 1 after xmas thaank you

[@MrDarcy-OlMan]

We’ve never ridden any Yamahas because they haven’t ever replied to us so can’t speculate on that I’m sorry

[@TheAutisicBiker]

ah i see ok thank you @@MrDarcy-OlMan

[@aapddd]

My brother had one as his first bike. It is a pretty good machine. It’s slow though.

[@TheAutisicBiker]

slow dont bother me thats why i like crusers i like to enjoy the road @@aapddd

[@charlescastell4638]

By the way... forgot to mention that the idiots at HD's marketing department killed the Sport Glide here in the U.S. Shot themselves in both feet...

[@CaliBluntz]

I was saddened by the withdrawal of the Sport Glide from the US market, the LRST is cool but I like the look of the Sport Glide more and the fact that you can remove the fairing is a win.😊

[@ReRiderChi]

Good review although not my thing

[@Otto-AutoPilot]

Seems like a more useable Fat Boy for UK roads?

[@MrDarcy-OlMan]

Nothing in it tbh

[@Otto-AutoPilot]

@@MrDarcy-OlMan Other than about £5k! Is the FB worth the premium? I suspect the looks carry handling compromises?

[@ThePakovia]

sport glide or r18?

[@MrDarcy-OlMan]

R18 👍🏼

[@colinoz]

Better off with a Lowrider ST

[@duncancleverley6366]

Went in to a Harley dealer recently for the first time in about 8yrs… disappointed to find almost no bikes with spoked wheels or right way up forks?? Shame.. Good review thank you 👍🏻

[@jamesonpace726]

For about $12k it'd be great, otherwise meh....

[@kevinpollard1550]

All harleys look beautiful but still the breakout for me

[@CaliBluntz]

The Breakout is a great looking bike I don’t like the fat back tire it makes the turn in feel a little sluggish, great for eating up the highway though.

[@cliffordkershaw7943]

Why more power,if you want that buy a sports bike, plenty enough with the stock bike,it's a cruiser,sounds good, wouldn't change anything,you could change the pipes,to make it sound like my Massy Ferguson,,,why

[@MrDarcy-OlMan]

I don’t want a sports bike, it’s nice to have more torque with a cruiser to have more low down

[@kwakithailand]

​@@MrDarcy-OlMan*EXACTLY* torques (at lower revs) are never to many, as Jeremy famously mentioned many moons back 😂

[@berndbecker1001]

Such stupid comments are superfluous and unfortunately countless. Don't tell others what to tune or buy. I also ride Super Duke 3.0 and still want more power for my Harley because it makes it more fun for me.

[@johnhess351]

It would be a perfect bike if it had mid controls and sat upright with a flat seat and was not a cruiser.

[@colinoz]

I don't see the appeal of this bike. Put pillion pegs, seat, saddlebag and screen on your standard and save $

[@workingclassman4347]

Also compared to the low rider st it's a lot lighter I've ridden both and the low rider st before that test ride was the bike I wanted but then I found the st front the sports glide is such a lighter bike and does everything just has good but a lot cheaper and comes with more

[@agamemnon8163]

WHERE OLD MEN?

[@MrDarcy-OlMan]

IN WALES WE DONT LIVE TOGETHER FOR THE LAST 2 YEARS

[@Tommy-Atkins]

Needs a set of screaming eagles ! 😲