The Harley Davidson Sport Glide | Harley's Chameleon

The Harley Davidson Sport Glide review.

Harley claim that the Sport Glide is for "riders seeking equal parts performance and touring".

I attempt to put this to the test.

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[My_bike_and_me]

Ive had my sport Glide for 18 months and I smile every time I get on it

[RiskyR]

I'm not really a Harley guy, but I do have to say I really appreciate the engineering that has gone into this bike. Great review!

[markjohnston]

I would never have even considered a Harley...until I watched this, Freddie. Great stuff, as ever.

[stevezahn]

Freddie, I’ve got to tell you. I always enjoy your reviews of all kinds of bikes. Many of them I couldn’t care less for, and many I only have slight interest in. But I love watching your enthusiasm for all bikes. But this review, as a life long Harley owner and builder, touched my heart as one of the best heart felt honest reviews I’ve ever heard. I will never buy that bike, because I live in the past and it’s way to new for me. But what you said goes for all Harley’s. I believe you understand what it means to own a Harley, and I sincerely hope you listen to yourself and buy one. Harley’s and Triumphs go together like peas and carrots. It might be time to give the Bonnie a friend.

[Alex-mjdv]

Close to 100k Freddie !! So well deserved mate.. the good, balanced content and good people always win in the long run

[gustaf]

An Englishman giving praise to an American product is not common. Riden motorcyles in the USA since 1968; never desired to own a Harley. Yet, as a national symbol, it's nice to be appreciated - specially by a Triumph owning Brit. Another job well done, Mr. Dobbs.

[willyoung]

Freddie, that was brilliant. HD UK can now get rid of their marketing and sales teams as you are all that is needed. I have never even looked at nor considered a Harley before but by the end of your vid I was hooked. I truly truly want one. Loved the Arnie analogy and the neighbour slap. Best content I have seen for some time. Thank you.

[gambledg]

Congratulations on an excellent review and the purchase of an excellent bike. I am an American and I bought a 2019 model in Vivid Black which now has 47, 000 miles on it, though that is mainly due to the pandemic. I weigh 85.72 kg and I am 1.75 meters tall. I absolutely love my SG. Unfortunately, I must add a lot to what Freddie had to say….. is basically correctly about almost everything.

Here is what he missed: Cruise control and ABS! The Milwaukee 8 engine (M8)! It has four valves per cylinder (2x4 is eight). Harley has made four valve cylinders before, circa WWII, but Harleys were basically four valve engines. The M8 finally changes that. These engines are extensively tested, extremely reliable, and efficient. They are extremely powerful. More power than you need; torque monsters; plenty of roll-on power; 107 cubic inches is 1753 ccs!. The engine is rigid mounted to the frame and counter-balanced to reduce vibration. 6 speed transmission.

Less important are the Mantis rims which I like but make it difficult to add air to the rear tire. Mid-mounted controls. 18.9 liter gas tank. The bike starts with a FOB; you must be within three feet of the bike for it to start. It has Kevlar belt drive.
The thin windshield on the fairing is just for looks; if you want wind protection you will have buy a 15 cm aftermarket product. And if you are a real wimp, buy a Prius. The two fuel caps; one is decoration.

More important. The analog speedometer (put their intentionally) hides a lot of software and electronics (ABS). On the console is an odometer, two trip meters, miles left in the tank per gas in tank, a tachometer, and a clock. There are hazard lights.
In several scenes Freddie can be seen driving on the wrong side of the road (not a good idea), and at 10:48 he mispronounces the word “leverage”. The same people mispronounce schedule and aluminum.

Less important. No one in America rides the SG without the fairing; just the way it is. I think it looks better with the fairing.
More important. Freddie is right; it is a chameleon, but I would use the word “hybrid”. Harley recognized some riders wants a cool around town bike, and others would want to go on trips, or maybe carry something in the bags. I am that person, so they bike was perfect for me. It is not a grand touring bike by American standards; try a Street Glide, Road King, or Road Glide. By the way, I also own a Street Glide.

The fairing does not come off easily when I do it. There is wiring on the left fork when you are sitting on the bike facing forward that gets in the way of removing the fairing latch. No big deal. I would put the fairing and the bags (not paniers) on something soft when you rest them on the ground.

Freddie is right; a single brake rotor is enough.

Harley’s maintenance is expensive!

Harley’s burn oil roughly at the rate of one quart per 1, 000 miles so carry a quart or half quart with you.
The shiny lower part of the engine is an impressive example of chrome and speaks well of HD. It is called the primary converter, or the primary. The fins on the engine are not chrome but polished steel and they are subject to pitting (you have to scrape them with a plastic version of steel wool from 3M).

Don’t let Harley sell you on an experience or an image. Only you can create those things yourself.

It might be true, HD is discontinuing the SG this year. This is another example of HD limiting supply to create demand.
Less important. Tell us the name and brand of those boots. Do you like them?
I can see the SG coming out in a 114 engine.

You might as well check out the latest versions of the Breakout, because after buying that beautiful, practical, and appropriate SG, you are going to see an amazing Breakout (not so practical) and be filled with regret.

Thanks again for a great review, and congrats on your new ride.

[mrpipps]

People who think HD isn't quality are just ignorant. They are beautifully made machines. The problem isn't the quality it's the absolutely absurd prices, and in America at least the culture surrounding HD kinda sucks. I will say this is probably the only HD I would consider for myself.

[harkmannah]

Really enjoying these Freddie Dobbs videos. He comes across; honest, decent, passionate, knowledgeable, funny and cool but not a full of himself. His own man with his own style and content. Great work all involved. 👍🏻

[kevindematteis]

Sport Glide owner since 2020 and I must say your elegant presentation of this fine machine was the best I've seen on the internet. I also have a BMW R18B which I love however my Sport Glide is my go too bike. I'm even contemplating riding her from NYC to Sturgis next week because it's so much fun to ride.

[ianmerrett]

Freddie, you and Monika have just produced one of the best videos on your channel. Loving the scenery and the music simply tops it off, oh and not to mention the lovely HD.

[a.s.k.]

When I waited for my Sport Glide, I’ve ordered last october, I found your channel - and waiting became so easy. Since then I love to watch your wonderful videos. The camera is so professional good (thanks also to Monica - perfect!). Wonderful countryside, small townships and landscapes while you drive the bikes. Nice music. I love your coffee-stops. It‘s all perfect. Your passion and enthusiasm is so nice to hear and see. Best motorcycles-videos, I‘ve ever seen! And - I fell in love to the english countryside because of your wonderful videos. It‘s a real pleasure to watch every time! - By the way:I love this bike!

[roverchap]

An excellent review, Freddie, and one which has made me reconsider whether a Harley could be a realistic purchase for me. Hitherto put off by the weight and the image of H-Ds (and for many of their models that still applies), you've satisfied me that the Sport Glide is a versatile, stylish, and superbly built machine which carries off its weight much more manageably than I ever thought possible. It would have to be a used example, but a Sport Glide is now on my radar. Freddie Dobbs, not so much Influencer as Convincer!

[smokinjoe]

Bravo Freddie as a sportglide owner sense 2021 I can honestly say your review is spot on about this bike it truly is 2 bikes in 1. My only advice to you now Freddie is buy one. You work hard you deserve it and why work hard if you cant have the bike of your dreams😊 go get it mate and the only thing you will regret is not getting it long before ☺️🙌👍

[roddyb]

Freddie, you are such a "luvvie"! You are the chap that we all need to enthuse about life, generally. Keep up the good work and break a leg.

[oto-aoki]

A few months ago this video gave me the last push needed to go and get my sport glide! … today I am revisiting it and I feel so happy of my decision!

[erinsalarun]

It's hard to trust your reviews though Freddie because you're just so positive about everything lol. Every bike you seem to love and never have negatives!

[Lutz-locl]

Greetings from Germany. I just love your enthusiasm, especially when it came to the mirrors. I ride a 2016 Breakout and one of the first things I did was to change them, because it is very difficult to see past your arms. Nevertheless, when I ride past a large storefront and see myself in the reflection of the window, I do say “ahhh… there she is”.

[MacCallion]

That was a terrific review, and I couldn't agree more with your assessment of the Sport Glide. I rode my Sport Glide from Brisbane to Sydney and back last week (2, 000 km) and it was the perfect machine for that trip.