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

[Rooster57]

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!

[FuzzyWuzHe]

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

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

Thanks!

If they are used to long distance riding, shouldn't be an issue. If they go on an ice cream run every once in awhile, I'd recommend they do some rides building up to 200-300 miles a day. Without that, there may be some soreness until they get to that level.

Fuzzy's rules of thumb (for me, others may have different limits)

On a Harley touring bike - 500 miles a day

On a Gold Wing - 600 miles a day

On a Harley trike - 600 miles a day

On a Gold Wing trike - 6540-700 miles a day.

Those are like my comfort limits. They are also like averages, for example, if I was doing 3300 miles on my Harley Ultra Limited, I would do it in like 7-8 days minimum. Having said that, I'd be a little tired of the saddle after that. LOL

On a vacation type pace, say 500 miles day one to get to the first "sight", then a couple hundred miles a day to see the sights, then 500 miles to the next ... well you get the idea, shorter days in between the longer ones.

This thing is as subjective as tires or oil or seat covers. If they are used to riding long distance, they will be fine. If not, build up to it.

Just as a "oh by the way", they will need to prepare for weather ... if you leave on a long ride, it will find you ... LOL. If they are not used to leaving home for a couple of week ride, they could use some input from you as to how to prepare for what WILL find them.

[Rooster57]

If they are used to long distance riding, shouldn't be an issue. If they go on an ice cream run every once in awhile, I'd recommend they do some rides building up to 200-300 miles a day. Without that, there may be some soreness until they get to that level.

Fuzzy's rules of thumb (for me, others may have different limits)

On a Harley touring bike - 500 miles a day

On a Gold Wing - 600 miles a day

On a Harley trike - 600 miles a day

On a Gold Wing trike - 6540-700 miles a day.

Those are like my comfort limits. They are also like averages, for example, if I was doing 3300 miles on my Harley Ultra Limited, I would do it in like 7-8 days minimum. Having said that, I'd be a little tired of the saddle after that. LOL

On a vacation type pace, say 500 miles day one to get to the first "sight", then a couple hundred miles a day to see the sights, then 500 miles to the next ... well you get the idea, shorter days in between the longer ones.

This thing is as subjective as tires or oil or seat covers. If they are used to riding long distance, they will be fine. If not, build up to it.

Just as a "oh by the way", they will need to prepare for weather ... if you leave on a long ride, it will find you ... LOL. If they are not used to leaving home for a couple of week ride, they could use some input from you as to how to prepare for what WILL find them.

....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]

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.]

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........

[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........

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

[FuzzyWuzHe]

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

+1

[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]

....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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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