Harley-Davidson Sport Glide 2020 — Specifications

Who hasn't dreamed of having two motorcycles in their garage for the price of one? That's the risky, almost utopian, bet that the Harley-Davidson Sport Glide has been attempting since its launch. The idea is seductive on paper: a Softail base, agile and responsive, to which a bat-wing fairing and removable saddlebags are originally fitted. With the turn of a key, you would go from a stripped-down custom for Sunday rides to a small touring bike capable of swallowing the highway. Does reality live up to this promise of versatility?

It is important first to understand the philosophy of this Sport Glide. It is not a simple accessorized Softail. The engineers designed the elements, notably the fairing and the saddlebags, to integrate perfectly with the line when they are mounted, and to leave no unsightly hole or visible attachment once removed. That is the difference between an added accessory and a motorcycle designed as convertible. The result is aesthetically successful, especially on the all-black versions. But behind this beautiful idea lie inevitable compromises. The bat-wing, less imposing than that of a Road Glide, offers limited protection, and the saddlebags, although lockable, have a much smaller volume than pure Touring models. You won't be going on a three-week trip with this.

Where the Sport Glide seduces is in its basic behavior. Freed from its appendages, it reveals its true character: that of a modern Softail with a stiffened frame and a Milwaukee-Eight 107 engine. With its 145 Nm of torque available from low RPM, the V-twin delivers an addictive surge, even if the displayed power of 83 horsepower will not shake the sportbikes. The weight, announced at 304 kg dry, is forgotten once in motion, offering pleasant maneuverability in the city. It is precisely this liveliness that is sorely lacking in Touring behemoths when it comes to weaving through traffic jams. The low seat at 653 mm will also reassure smaller riders.

Who is this machine for? Clearly for the occasional touring rider, the one who wants to be able, on Saturday, to attack a mountain pass with the feeling of a custom, and on Sunday, to go visit a friend 200 km away without being completely demolished upon arrival. It is an excellent response for those who do not have the space or the budget for two specialized motorcycles. But you must be aware of its limitations. On the highway, the wind will shake you more than on a true touring bike, and the 120 mm ground clearance will remind you of it in tight corners. Its price, around 18,500 euros for a 2020 or 2021 Sport Glide, places the machine in the yard of high-end customs. Nice used models are now available, a relevant option to amortize the cost of the inevitable Harley-Davidson Sport Glide accessories that you will want to add.

Ultimately, the Harley-Davidson Sport Glide will never replace a specialist, whether it is a touring or a pure custom. But it excels in the art of intelligent compromise. It offers a freedom that few motorcycles offer: the ability to change mood in a few minutes. It is not a perfect two-in-one, but it is an honest motorcycle, pleasant to ride and incredibly practical for everyday use. A test ride of the Harley-Davidson Sport Glide will convince you if you are looking above all for a versatile road companion, with an inimitable sound and a well-tempered character.