I Have a question for you old sage experienced 2 wheel riders!

[Rooster57]

I Have a question for you old sage experienced 2 wheel riders!

Hey Dudes!

....as I posted earlier, wife and I just finished a 3345 mile round trip to Yellowstone and Mt. Rushmore from DFW Texas.....my 2016 HD TriGlide has Legend Axion front shocks added and 14" ProAction rear shocks with Comfort lift also added.....we ran 2 up and with more luggage than I thought possible the entire trip (23lbs rear tire pressure and 36lbs front tire pressure)....The Trike rode so well that I simply was not tired when I got home....I mean I have driven cars and pickups for half the distance and was much more tired at the end of the ride!

........Here's my question: My daughter and son in law own a 2016 HD Street Glide Special (Std Shocks)....he weighs 200 lbs and she weighs appx 110 lbs....they would like to ride 2 up and take the same long trip one day on the Street Glide.............I dont know if that would be a pleasant ride or not? (I have never owned anything but this 2016 TriGlide.)

.......Many of ya'll have driven 2 wheelers for 40 yrs and would certainly know the answer to my question.

....So, What do ya'll think about riding 2 up on a HD Streetglide for over 3300 miles?

.........Please chime in.

Thanks!

 

[Rooster57]

Thanks for reply Fuzzy!


....They are weekend warriors!....always short distance riders (they would not be seen on a 3 wheeler).....longest trip they have taken is about a 8-9 hr ride to Arkansas and same the same distance back 2 days later....I saw them when they returned and they were totally worn out (he had to go lay down and rest = he's only 48 yrs old!!!!!)

...as for the bad weather finding you.."SO TRUE!" ...I spent months watching that weather up north to be sure there were no bad weather risks during trip....But bad weather found me anyway and dumped on me biggly in The Badlands! ....absolutely NOT in the forecast! (I think its STILL raining there!)

 

[Mykneesbehurtin]

As Fuzzy said build up to it,a stock Street Glide seat will show its shortcomings very quickly.Aftermarket shocks are pricey,a good pair can go as high as 700 plus.If they plan on doing 5-600 a day a good windshield will also help.And you as far as miles per day 6-700 a day on a trike is about right.So when they think they are ready they should ride 500 miles from home then spend the night then ride back,then figure doing that every day for a week our more.If they can do it with out any trouble then they should be to go.

 

[Rooster57]

reply to Steve

Thanks Steve!.....Good advise! (makes sense)

 

[1dn5up]

Did lots of long trips in my day , you need a real comfy saddle or your going to have 2 miserable people.

 

[Peter A.]

Trip

All good/excellent advice, the most I’ve personnely ridden is 1050 mi in one day (2 up-2 wheels). I highly recommend the little overnighter + a good seat & windshield.

Wife/I leave July 1 for Alabama from California - plan on 350-400 mi days, but than I just turned 74 yrs last week.

Have to TOOT my horn: I received my 400,000 mile patch from HOG Friday.

Y’a All ride SAFE........

:Coffee:

 

[LadyonaMission]

All good/excellent advice, the most I’ve personnely ridden is 1050 mi in one day (2 up-2 wheels). I highly recommend the little overnighter + a good seat & windshield.

Wife/I leave July 1 for Alabama from California - plan on 350-400 mi days, but than I just turned 74 yrs last week.

Have to TOOT my horn: I received my 400,000 mile patch from HOG Friday.

Y’a All ride SAFE........

:Coffee:

Happy Belated Birthday. I hope you had a wonderful celebration.:birthday_balloon:

 

[Teufelhunde]

A Street Glide may be built on a touring platform, but, in stock form, is NOT a good touring bike for two......He will need a better windshield, seat, rear shocks, added carrying capabilites (tour pak).

YMMV

Lon

 

[TG Bob]

Here you go. My wife rode a Street Glide for almost 10 years (I had an FLHTC) and I got to know the bike well. The stock seat is OK for the rider if he has a hard a_s but is absolutely terrible for the passenger (that rear portion of the seat is for looks). The stock shocks only have 2" of travel. Load up the bike with 2 people, crank the pressure to max and you might have 1" of travel to deal with bumps. The stock windshield (4" high) is again for looks - for traveling you need something much higher. The Street Glide itself was a fun bike to ride but I was amazed how much rougher the ride was (hard seat, no suspension) compared to my Electra Glide. I would say get with DK Customs and have them set up a set of 13" long shocks (they have almost 3.5" of travel) for the weight of rider, passenger + luggage. Get a good seat and a taller windshield and it would be good to go. The longer shocks (stock is 12") will raise the rear of the bike so it won't have that "lowered" look but it will steer better and ride MUCH better. After the trip, put the stock shocks back on if he really likes the lowered look (and stiff ride) and save the shocks for future trips. One other thing he might consider is to install a set of the adjustable wind deflectors on the fairing that come stock on the regular touring bikes. These knock out a lot of the updraft blast that causes the rider to get tired.

 

[Old Road Dog]

Run as far as you can for as long as you can.Shut down.Start again next day.Slow down.Surprising what you might see.

 

[PosseRider]

Forget the long mileage runs on the interstate, & travel the US. & State routes. More relaxing & you will see more. Dump the HD shocks.

 

[Jack Klarich]

When ever I had Baggers I put hiway pegs on my front crash bar so I could stretch my legs out, this takes the strain off the back

 

[Rooster57]

Thanks PosseRider!

....Yes, I saw that first hand as I took mainly US Highways coming South from S.Dakota thru Nebraska to Dodge City = NICE RIDE!.

.....Then rode to Oklahoma City to DFW = SUCKED MOSTLY in comparison! ( I did fret a little about finding gas on some of the US Hiways, but I always did)

Cheers!

 

[Rooster57]

Thanks Jack!

When ever I had Baggers I put hiway pegs on my front crash bar so I could stretch my legs out, this takes the strain off the back

....True! They already have them on their Street Glide (I know because I bought them!)

Cheers!

 

[Rooster57]

Thanks Michael!

Run as far as you can for as long as you can.Shut down.Start again next day.Slow down.Surprising what you might see.

....I'm nodding my head up and down as I read your advise here! (good advise)

 

[Rooster57]

Thanks TG Bob!

Here you go. My wife rode a Street Glide for almost 10 years (I had an FLHTC) and I got to know the bike well. The stock seat is OK for the rider if he has a hard a_s but is absolutely terrible for the passenger (that rear portion of the seat is for looks). The stock shocks only have 2" of travel. Load up the bike with 2 people, crank the pressure to max and you might have 1" of travel to deal with bumps. The stock windshield (4" high) is again for looks - for traveling you need something much higher. The Street Glide itself was a fun bike to ride but I was amazed how much rougher the ride was (hard seat, no suspension) compared to my Electra Glide. I would say get with DK Customs and have them set up a set of 13" long shocks (they have almost 3.5" of travel) for the weight of rider, passenger + luggage. Get a good seat and a taller windshield and it would be good to go. The longer shocks (stock is 12") will raise the rear of the bike so it won't have that "lowered" look but it will steer better and ride MUCH better. After the trip, put the stock shocks back on if he really likes the lowered look (and stiff ride) and save the shocks for future trips. One other thing he might consider is to install a set of the adjustable wind deflectors on the fairing that come stock on the regular touring bikes. These knock out a lot of the updraft blast that causes the rider to get tired.

.......This is SOLID info that I did not know about the Street Glide!....and yep, they got short window and no stock air deflectors and a stock seat and stock shocks! (they are all about fashion and looking cool ....their ages: is 48 and she is 42) ....they don't like the princess seat look in the rear and prefer the sissy seat, ect,ect.

..............I told them that I thought with the stock Street Glide, making a 3400 mile trip to Yellowstone would be miserable if not dangerous riding 2 up for hour after hour (in my opinion) due to fatigue.....AND I just went thru several hours facing some steady "BONE RATTLING" 40 mph winds in the Great Basin area of Colorado during that trip! (really a grueling experience) ....I mean sure it CAN be done.....but, Shee-sh!!!!

.....anyway, this is good info and I understand what and why modifications should be made to the Street Glide before riding 2 up on such a long trip! ......Thanks again Robert!

Cheers!

 

[Rooster57]

reply to old dog

Run as far as you can for as long as you can.Shut down.Start again next day.Slow down.Surprising what you might see.

yep....thats what i always do anyway......The first day is usually the longest drive!

Cheers!

 

[Rooster57]

reply to Lon

A Street Glide may be built on a touring platform, but, in stock form, is NOT a good touring bike for two......He will need a better windshield, seat, rear shocks, added carrying capabilites (tour pak).

YMMV

Lon

Thanks Lon for advise.............This is exactly what I was thinking too, but because I hadn't actually drove or owned a Street Glide it is difficult for me to convince others.....That's why I asked you guys for input!!!!

.....Thanks again!

T

 

[Rooster57]

Thanks Frank!

Did lots of long trips in my day , you need a real comfy saddle or your going to have 2 miserable people.

My thoughts exactly!

 

[Rooster57]

Thanks for advise Peter A!

All good/excellent advice, the most I’ve personnely ridden is 1050 mi in one day (2 up-2 wheels). I highly recommend the little overnighter + a good seat & windshield.

Wife/I leave July 1 for Alabama from California - plan on 350-400 mi days, but than I just turned 74 yrs last week.

Have to TOOT my horn: I received my 400,000 mile patch from HOG Friday.

Y’a All ride SAFE........

:Coffee:

...have a great tip from Calif. to Alabama!....."May the winds stay with you and your tank stay full my Brother!"

Cheers!

 

[Jack Klarich]

Randy, I dont use 1 but I think a backrest for the driver would be a BIG plus

I some times wear my back brace on long hauls, It helps my posture

 

[LadyonaMission]

Randy, simple solution. Let them take your trike.

 

[LadyonaMission]

...have a great tip from Calif. to Alabama!....."May the winds stay with you and your tank stay full my Brother!"

Cheers!

:wave4:Have fun and keep us posted.

 

[GARYD]

It all depends on how many stops you do.

 

[Rooster57]

reply to Lola

Randy, simple solution. Let them take your trike.

....Hey Lola!

They wouldn't be seen riding a trike! (it's for old people only they think....and has no other value!)

Cheers!

 

[Rooster57]

Reply to Jack

Randy, I dont use 1 but I think a backrest for the driver would be a BIG plus

I some times wear my back brace on long hauls, It helps my posture

.......You are correct about a backrest my brother! .....I have one on my trike and it is absolutely worth its weight in gold on long trips!!!!!!.....I keep it set just close enough to my back to force me to straighten up some while riding and avoiding the slumped "cat back curved position" that is all to easy to do and cause back fatigue over long runs!

.....But, unfortunately my daughter and son in law does NOT think it looks cool to have a back rest...........(even though I've told them the benefits of it)

Cheers!

 

[LadyonaMission]

Randy,

Maybe you should not worry about their comfort and let them learn from experience like the rest of us.

Long time ago, when I didn't know better I rode my Sportster 640 miles in one day. orag:

 

[Rooster57]

reply to Lola

Randy,

Maybe you should not worry about their comfort and let them learn from experience like the rest of us.

Long time ago, when I didn't know better I rode my Sportster 640 miles in one day. orag:

True, my Lady!

Cheers!