Harley-Davidson Dyna Superglide - 2008 Motorcycle Review

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GeorgeChabot
Conyers, GA

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Get your motor runnin - head out on the highway

love boy toys, daily driver, motorcycle rider, City commuter, safety conscious, quality conscious, looking for durability, willing to pay for quality

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Pros

Clean lines, Powerful, Exhaust note, Image

Cons

Entry level, Not many features

APR

2008

Harley-Davidson FXD Dyna Super Glide (2008)

This is the latest version of the entry level Harley Big Twin that has been produced since 1971.

The Harley Davidson Super Glide is for the rider who wants to step up from the Sportster but doesn't want all the extra features and expense of the full dress Hog.

The Super Glide keeps the same chassis and powerplant of the big Harley, but eschews the trimmings, fiberglas, and what the old chopper builders simply dismissed as "garbage." The Super Glide is a bike that thus respects and keeps continuity with Harley's long history of customized street bikes from mild to wild. These bikes can perhaps best be described as moving sculpture. Just a big engine, two wheels, custom paint, and chrome, chrome, chrome.

The current Super Glide FXD is part of the Dyna family of Harley-Davidsons. There are six members of the family, including the Street Bob, the Low Rider, Fat Bob, Wide Glide, and Custom Super Glide, each in various states of trim and having somewhat different features.

The Dyna engines are 96 cubic inches (1600 cc) and are fuel injected and of course have electronic ignition. The engines are rubber mounted to quell the old complaint of low speed vibration that some people loved and others hated.

These huge capacity motors are mated to a six speed manual gearbox for 2008, a new feature and one that gives a little better gas mileage in the high gear. But people really don't ride Harley-Davidsons for the gas mileage. They are buying the image, and image just drips off these bikes from the first time your start the motor and hear the rolling thunder roar of the unique exhaust note that only a Harley has.

The Super Glide had its genesis in the mind of Willie G. Davidson who mated the front end of the Sportster with the chassis and drive train of the Big Twin. The result was a bike that had a lot of the custom features that builders were already stripping the big Hogs to get. Thirty-seven years of continuous production seems to show that Mr. Davidson's idea was a hit.

The basic instrumentation consists of a speedometer in a tank mounted console, fuel gauge, oil pressure, neutral, high beam, and low fuel lamps. The turn signals are handlebar mounted and self-canceling which is a nice feature. The front end is stripped and the lower legs turned and chromed presenting a very clean appearance. A single high capacity headlamp shows you the way. Ten bar alloy wheels are mounted with Dunlop tires - a skinny one on the front and a BIG one on the back.

Riding position of the Super Glide is English style, i.e., with your feet under you on pegs growing from under the the engine case, unlike they typical Big Twin foot forward seating. The English position is ideal for riders of shorter stature, but I find this position cramped because I'm over six feet. Height challenged people should try a Super Glide if they think they want a Harley.

The key switch is on the right side near the front downtube. Since the bike has fuel injection, there is no choke and no tank spigot to turn on. You turn on the main switch, turn the kill button to run and you'll hear the fuel pump pressurize the system for a second or two. Then hit the starter button and the engine catches and settles into a fast idle. I still let it warm for a minute or so, till the idle slows down. Then it is fully ready to ride and rides without hesitation typical of a carbureted bike.

Taking it on the boulevard the Super Glide shows you where it lives. This is a street cruiser and responds to the distance between stoplights with exhilarating acceleration. You can take it on the road and take advantage of the 5th and 6th gears to get that 54 EPA MPG high way the company touts.

Harleys are not for everybody, but if you think they might be for you, take a look at the Super Glide.

Harley-Davidson Dyna Superglide - 2008 Motorcycle is recommended by GeorgeChabot

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Comments about GeorgeChabot’s Review

GeorgeChabot wrote on Jun 17, 2008 at 5:00PM

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In response to Navyvet46's comment from Jun 13, 2008 at 12:57AM:

Hey, thanks for sharing! Women are buying more and more Harleys. Probably a third of new ones sold go to women. ;>

Navyvet46 wrote on Jun 13, 2008 at 12:57AM

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I have had my Super Glide now for three months. This is my first Harley. I have been riding Motor Guzzi's for the last ten years. I retired from the USN and all my buddies ride Harley's. This bike is a thill to ride from the low riding seat to the big forks I love the power she has in the low gears. The wife loves it as much as I do and this is the first time she has rode with me. I have to complain about one thing the Head light!! to small and the beam isn't what I am used to, But the big engine and the sound this bike makes is something to fall in love with. Like I said I have only had her for three months now once I have her like I want her. I think this Super Glide was the right bike for my first halrey. My plan is to turn this bike over to Momma and get me a Road King down the road. but for now this is a great bike. Very very fun to ride

kid-kansas wrote on Apr 21, 2008 at 1:33PM

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In response to GeorgeChabot's comment from Apr 21, 2008 at 1:12PM:

True, I am on my way to check out my new pipes. I should have them on about the first of the month. ;)

GeorgeChabot wrote on Apr 21, 2008 at 1:12PM

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In response to kid-kansas's comment from Apr 20, 2008 at 10:47PM:

Hey, that V Star is a cool bike and exactly the same dimensions as a big Hog cruiser. You won't know the difference, except the glub glub is missing and the wallet is heavier. ;>

kid-kansas wrote on Apr 20, 2008 at 10:47PM

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I love the look and sound of a Harley, it's my wallet that grumbles...lol I am putting a set of Cobra's on mine but that stumbling idle will still be missing ;( However my wallet is happier...lol