2014 Wide Glide

[Big Dave]

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bigdavespics/10688591123/" title="wide-glide-5-1600px by Big Daves Pics, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5490/10688591123_19c82c90e6_z.jpg" width="640" height="428" alt="wide-glide-5-1600px"></a> (http://www.flickr.com/photos/bigdavespics/10688591123/)

Spent the last few days with a new Wide Glide.

The 103 cube is exactly what the Dyna needed. Relatively light (in H-D terms - 295kg), the big torque motor pushes it along quite satisfactorily. It gets to cruising speed and maintains it nicely. Gearbox is pretty crisp for a 1700 too.
Cornering clearance is limited on the exhaust side, but for Cruiser-ing it's a very pleasant motorcycle.

Full write up and pics will be in Kiwi Rider.

[AllanB]

You know the best update I would like on a HD like that is a decent pair of front brakes. Fucking cruiser single front brake shit - darn things weigh 30% more that a 'regular' ride but have half the brakes. I'm happy to cruise at a steady 110 but I expect to be able to emergency stop in a bloody hurry regardless of the motorcycles 'style'.

[skippa1]

Still a great looking bike

[scumdog]

Love it, - first buy when I win Lotto!:niceone:

[AllanB]

Actually given HD's vested interesting it producing lots of Screaming Eagle bits it is surprising the front end is not set up to carry a second brake as a SE 'performance' modification. They must be slipping in the marketing department.

I shall pen them a stern letter.

[carbonhed]

You know the best update I would like on a HD like that is a decent pair of front brakes. Fucking cruiser single front brake shit - darn things weigh 30% more that a 'regular' ride but have half the brakes. I'm happy to cruise at a steady 110 but I expect to be able to emergency stop in a bloody hurry regardless of the motorcycles 'style'.

Don't think it works that way at all with that style of bike. The rear brake can do a huge amount of the work because of the weight distribution. An owner can probably describe it better. I think some performance cruisers can actually outbrake sportsbikes... much to my disgust.

[Drew]

Don't think it works that way at all with that style of bike. The rear brake can do a huge amount of the work because of the weight distribution. An owner can probably describe it better.I've had the same thing said to me. They don't unload the back tyre when you grab the front brake, so you can use more rear brake than shorter lighter bikes.

I think some performance cruisers can actually outbrake sportsbikes... much to my disgust.I think you need to take that with a grain of salt. Maybe brake later for a turn, due to a lower approaching speed.

[Wayz]

You know the best update I would like on a HD like that is a decent pair of front brakes. Fucking cruiser single front brake shit - darn things weigh 30% more that a 'regular' ride but have half the brakes. I'm happy to cruise at a steady 110 but I expect to be able to emergency stop in a bloody hurry regardless of the motorcycles 'style'.


This Guy, been moaning about Harley Davidson since ages ago......., Just recently did around 1000ks on my XL1200Custom without any rear brakes, so I was totally dependent on engine braking and front brakes, and guess what no issues whatsoever,my bike handled it like a champ.....like someone else said you will get a better idea once you take one for a blat :yes:

[AllanB]

The ones I've ridden lack in the braking department. Have not been for a demo run on a Hog for about 18 months though but I doubt much has changed. Apologies for posting actual experience on KB :bleh:

And no way one of those pictures would out brake a sport bike - I was going to write equivalent but there is no reference point other than purchase value.

I have a vague recollection of something like the Ducati Daviell (SP) braking better than their top sport ride (pre Pingale SP) and one of the Suzuki models (not a cruiser) could outbrake a GSXR.

Some 'wet day' internet research required.

[AllanB]

This Guy, been moaning about Harley Davidson since ages ago

Insert any cruiser with substandard brakes mate, Suzuki, Yammy, Harley brand is irrelevant it is no better than the others.

And I'd happily own a HD - make a good base for a personalised custom. I owned a 83 Kawaka for 20 odd years and one of the biggest grips I had that eventually made me flick it was the lack of braking - darn old school single disk. Every time I jumped on something new the brakes were the biggest thing I noticed.

And it is that difference I notice still if test riding a HD or other brand cruiser, running single disk fronts.

Personally I think there is a market being missed in cruiserdom and only covered to a degree by Suzuki - the performance cruiser - what do you buy if you are over the sport bike crouch? Naked? want a cruiser - what do you have to drop the safety of decent braking.

Ridden a bike with well equipped front brakes? Night and day compared to the Sporty. Big jump between my front set-up and the latest CBRRRRRR too!

Oh add Triumph to my list - these fuckers have access to the best brakes in the world on their other range of bikes but put a limp dick unit on the Bonnie. And YES I've ridden one and desire to own one - another good base to modify :-)

Actually the XR Sporty had a much better front end - see they can do it!

[carbonhed]

I've had the same thing said to me. They don't unload the back tyre when you grab the front brake, so you can use more rear brake than shorter lighter bikes.
I think you need to take that with a grain of salt. Maybe brake later for a turn, due to a lower approaching speed.

I was thinking of things like the Diavel, V Rod muscle... I imagine it would take some effort to pull a stoppie on one of those whereas on a sports bike it's no challenge at all to have no weight on the rear wheel.

[Wayz]

Oh add Triumph to my list - these fuckers have access to the best brakes in the world on their other range of bikes but put a limp dick unit on the Bonnie. And YES I've ridden one and desire to own one - another good base to modify :-)

Actually the XR Sporty had a much better front end - see they can do it![/QUOTE]

Fair call mate, I love my harley cos its exactly that, A FARRKING HARLEY!!! :niceone:

At the end of the day they are what they are, if you don't like them ride something else.

[RDJ]

My '02 FXDXT (Dyna, bought in '03) was chosen primarily for the dual front brakes (as well as the OEM touring bags and screen) and it stops excellently well with them. My latest addition, an '04 Sportster Roadster (bought in '12 while I'm on assignment in Oz) I chose over other Sporty years and models again because of the dual front discs. In a hurried stop, using front duals and the rear works well together, although it takes practice for me to keep that move sharply coordinated. The '04 turbo VRSCA front duals (non-ABS in that decade) work very well too. I wouldn't want to have a bike with a single front disc.

[Trade_nancy]

I had a 45 min test ride of the 2013 version of this bike and did not enjoy it at all. Mainly I think due to the lighter front, extended forks, pissy brakes. It didn't turn into corners nicely. I then took out a Fatboy - different result. Perfect ride. Pity it is so fugly. Back to Triumph.

[Big Dave]

What a load of internet Arse biscuit.

Brakes on this bike are fine. Mostly I use one finger to operate the front. Two for a yellow light. The main reason for twin discs on high performance bikes is heat dissapation. Not such a big deal on a cruiser.

Handling on this bike is also good. Yah - I've been riding it for two weeks and it's good.
Much better than the rake and 21" front wheel would indicate. Good geometry compensates.

Only gripe I have is the cornering clearance is limited on the exhaust side. Otherwise it's well mannered and stable.

Lovely to ride, great lookin' bike.

[AllanB]

Actually my biggest bitch about Harley specifically is if I am out fanging it on my Jappa thinking I'm doing really well and some arse on FXRSSST is keeping up with me..............

I blame tyre pressures ...............

[Trade_nancy]

What a load of internet Arse biscuit.

Brakes on this bike are fine. Mostly I use one finger to operate the front. Two for a yellow light. The main reason for twin discs on high performance bikes is heat dissapation. Not such a big deal on a cruiser.

Handling on this bike is also good. Yah - I've been riding it for two weeks and it's good.
Much better than the rake and 21" front wheel would indicate. Good geometry compensates.

Only gripe I have is the cornering clearance is limited on the exhaust side. Otherwise it's well mannered and stable.

Lovely to ride, great lookin' bike.

I have a tourer - not a high performance bike as such and don't generate much heat in braking. I think 2 sets of disks in front of 400Kg including rider and pillion is a damned fine idea and the Wideglide front end typifies a choice made - form over function.

[Drew]

I have a tourer - not a high performance bike as such and don't generate much heat in braking. I think 2 sets of disks in front of 400Kg including rider and pillion is a damned fine idea and the Wideglide front end typifies a choice made - form over function.Dave is on the money, you are clearly not understanding the principles I'm afraid.

To give this some context, we'll go to yet another of the silly things I've done on a race track. Bike was an FZR750, racing it in post classics. Unfortunately it had one warped brake rotor, and would get quite interesting under heavy brakes. So I took the bent one off, and ran with just the other.

Could brake harder and deeper than ever before on the bike. The only down side, was that it literally melted the disk. The trailing edge of every vent hole in the disk, was very thin and the material dragged back to the leading edge of the next hole.

Still got the disk, I'm quite proud of it. Stupid Buel disks are notorious for doing the exact same thing.

So it's not about braking power mmmkay, it's about maintaining that power without things getting too hot.

[Crasherfromwayback]

You know the best update I would like on a HD like that is a decent pair of front brakes. Fucking cruiser single front brake shit - darn things weigh 30% more that a 'regular' ride but have half the brakes. I'm happy to cruise at a steady 110 but I expect to be able to emergency stop in a bloody hurry regardless of the motorcycles 'style'.


I have a tourer - not a high performance bike as such and don't generate much heat in braking. I think 2 sets of disks in front of 400Kg including rider and pillion is a damned fine idea and the Wideglide front end typifies a choice made - form over function.

It's no good putting another disc/caliper of the front of the bikes with the 21" front wheel. The tyre's contact patch is tiny and very easy to overwhelm. The reasonably large floating disc and big caliper they have on 'em is just fine. And others have said...you can use a shitload of rear brake too to help haul 'em up. They're all ABS equipped too. So youi can just jump on everything. You'd be surprised how quickly you can stop the things.

[RDJ]

The main reason for twin discs on high performance bikes is heat dissapation. Not such a big deal on a cruiser.

Ah, didn't know that, worth remembering. I thought (= assumed) twin discs would be better because of the ability of twin discs to cool faster given the doubled area for the same braking effect. I do prefer the twin setup but it's good to know that if I rent a single-disc during my travels I'm not worse off for brakes :yes:.

[Big Dave]

I thought (= assumed) twin discs would be better because of the ability of twin discs to cool faster given the doubled area for the same braking effect. .

Isn't that what I said :-)

Less likelihood of fluid boiling too.

I had a fairly long talk with Erik Buell about it and heat outcomes in the ZTL perimeter brakes - at a bar in outback Victoria. That was a 'pinch me' moment.

Anyway, Wide Glide doesn't go hard enough for heat dissipation to be the issue and the brakes are fine.

I did 150km on a new Heritage with a single front stopper yesterday. It needed more lever effort than the Widey, but there was still nothing at all wrong with the brakes. Particularly for a 360kg vehicle.

If you put 'savage' stoppers like a sportsbike on them I bet the old timers would tuck them for sure.

[ruaphu]

Actually given HD's vested interesting it producing lots of Screaming Eagle bits it is surprising the front end is not set up to carry a second brake as a SE 'performance' modification. They must be slipping in the marketing department.

I shall pen them a stern letter.

Yep moot point Al, it's the golden rule when making cars more powerful. more power = more brakes. My ole Suzuki 1500 cruiser had the single front disk with only singe pot caliper, was scary compared with the GSX 1200Y I was used to pootling around. However a mates honda little 750 cruiser has a sinlge disk front, works a treat. We finally dumped the Suzie for a 2000cc Kawasaki cruiser thats near on 400KG and has a twin disk front end, I'm amazed how well the behemouth pulls up. So set up is critical I suppose to get efficient braking. Horses for courses stuff eh.

Dave, that Harley looks awesome, look forward to seeing the write up. Have to say, those exhausts look like copies of Vance and Haynes products, shame HD didn't lift them up and inch or two to improve clearance eh. Cheers Ando

[Big Dave]

Thanks. Article is done and dispatched. Ride impressions and a bit of the model's history.

I have a new Fat Boy with my Heavy Duty magazine hat on this week.
Been chalking up some very enjoyable miles on that too.