Wednesday, February 25, 2015
2008 Harley Davidson FLTR Road Glide – Motorbike Bicycle
I was actually hoping for a Road King when I asked Harley if I could borrow a bike for our ride on the Blue Ridge Parkway. However, as the date approached, Harley asked if I could take a Road Glide instead. Although it’s build on the same platform (same frame and engine) as othe Harley Touring models, the Road Glide is unique among Harleys, the only one with a frame-mount fairing instead of the handlebar “bat wing” used in the Electra Glide series. This fairing style was introduced in 1980 on the Tour Glide.
The trunk is available as an option, and the bike begs for it, in my eyes, since the big fairing just suggests long rides on the open road.
However, after a week and a bit over 2000 miles, the Road Glide thoroughly changed my opinion. Other than some differences in the wind protection from the larger fairing and the welcome stereo system, I didn’t expect there to be a noticeable difference between it and the Road King I had been hoping to ride. The frames are essentially the same and so is the general layout— Harley’s hard saddlebags, rider floorboards, triple disc brakes, and so on. However, the Road Glide surprised me.
Despite the extra weight of its fairing, the Road Glide seems to have more cornering clearance than the Road King, giving it surprising lean angles. The fairing provided good wind and weather protection in the areas it covered, and its lack of lowers was actually welcome in the warm weather that mostly blew through my ride. The dual headlights provided a bit more illumination out front than the normal single headlight of the same wattage.
The Road Glide uses Harley’s usual hard saddlebags, with their seemingly complex but actually quite simple and effective closure system. The riding position suited my five-foot-ten frame quite well, and the handlebar bend was comfortable. The Road Glide consistently turned in better fuel mileage than Road Kings I have ridden (and any other touring bike in memory), perhaps due to better aerodynamics provided by the fairing. Harley’s 1450cc big twin does consistently turn in great mileage. Otherwise, the bike was about what I expected: smooth, pleasantly powerful, easy to manage, and a comfortable ride.
General information | |
| Model: | Harley-Davidson FLTR Road Glide |
| Year: | 2008 |
| Category: | Touring |
| Rating: | 79.4 out of 100. Show full rating and compare with other bikes |
| Price as new (MSRP): | US$ 18145. Prices depend on country, taxes, accessories, etc. |
Engine and transmission | |
| Displacement: | 1573.25 ccm (96.00 cubic inches) |
| Engine type: | V2, four-stroke |
| Torque: | 125.56 Nm (12.8 kgf-m or 92.6 ft.lbs) @ 3500 RPM |
| Compression: | 9.2:1 |
| Bore x stroke: | 95.3 x 111.3 mm (3.8 x 4.4 inches) |
| Fuel system: | Injection |
| Cooling system: | Air |
| Gearbox: | 6-speed |
| Transmission type, final drive: | Belt |
| Clutch: | Multi-plate with diaphragm spring in oil bath |
| Fuel consumption: | 4.35 litres/100 km (23.0 km/l or 54.07 mpg) |
| Greenhouse gases: | 100.9 CO2 g/km. (CO2 – Carbon dioxide emission) |
| Exhaust system: | Chrome, cross-over exhaust w/ dual mufflers and taper End Caps |
Chassis, suspension, brakes and wheels | |
| Rake (fork angle): | 26.0° |
| Front tyre dimensions: | 120/70-ZR19 |
| Rear tyre dimensions: | 240/40-R18 |
| Front brakes: | Single disc. 4-piston calipers |
| Rear brakes: | Single disc. 4-piston calipers |
Physical measures and capacities | |
| Dry weight: | 341.1 kg (752.0 pounds) |
| Weight incl. oil, gas, etc: | 357.9 kg (789.0 pounds) |
| Seat height: | 749 mm (29.5 inches) If adjustable, lowest setting. |
| Overall length: | 2,380 mm (93.7 inches) |
| Ground clearance: | 130 mm (5.1 inches) |
| Wheelbase: | 660 mm (26.0 inches) |
| Fuel capacity: | 22.71 litres (6.00 gallons) |
Other specifications | |
| Starter: | Electric |
| Color options: | Vivid Black, Black Pearl, Pewter Pearl, Dark Blue Pearl (New), Crimson Red Sunglo (New), Crimson Red Denim (New), Candy Red Sunglo, Mirage Orange Pearl, 105th Anniversary Copper Pearl/Vivid Black |
| Comments: | 40 Watt 4-speaker AM/FM/WB/CD/MP3 advanced audio system by Harman /Kardon®; frame-mounted fairing; cockpit-style full instrumentation; black engine with chrome covers; cruise control; air-adjustable rear suspension, Brembo® brakes; fuel range count down indicator; electronic throttle |
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