2017 Harley-Davidson Street Glide Special

Ignition

2017 HARLEY-DAVIDSON STREET GLIDE SPECIAL

CW FIRST RIDE

two THUMBS-DOWN: For a pre-production engine tested with heavier balancer and less vibration, which Harley owners (and non-owners) turned away

MPG:Fuel mileage we managed over the course of our weekend on the Street Glide

PERCENT: Reduction in clutch pull over outgoing model

Building the faith without disappointing the faithful

Joseph Gustafson

Harley-Davidson motorcycles are synonyown one is to immerse yourself in the tradition of the American pioneer, from pilgrims to astronauts. You don’t change; you change the world. And you chose a bike that does the same.

Whether you’re willing to accept it or not, however, certain things do change: wants, needs, and laws. That point brings us here, to Washington State, for a ride aboard Harley-Davidson’s new Milwaukee-Eight-equipped Touring models. These bikes have the lofty mission of bringing the H-D experience forward into new regulatory and market environments while retaining the classic H-D look, sound, and feel. Do they keep the flame lit without disappointing the faithful? We jumped on a 2017 Street Glide Special with Milwaukee-Eight 107 engine to find out.

First, Chief Engineer Alex Bozmoski walks us through the M-E’s changes, showing us how modeling advances have allowed Harley to decrease tolerances everywhere and go back to a single cam, reducing noise. A switch to a new knock sensor ensures more precise firing, while hydraulic lifters remain and remove the need to

adjust valves. A new flywheel has been reweighted to increase inertia by 20 percent, and then there’s the big change: Harley’s switch to four-valve heads and new combustion chamber for faster, more efficient burn.

The result? A slew of incremental performance enhancements. There’s 10 percent more torque available as soon as you want it, so the new models are two or three bike lengths quicker to 60 mph than the old model and maybe one or two faster from 60 to 80 in ideal conditions. Exhaust temperatures are said to be 100 degrees lower than the outgoing model’s, so you’ll be more comfortable too.

The Milwaukee-Eight is ready to make an impression. Like a gangly high schooler who becomes a graceful supermodel adult, gone is the frizz, awkwardness, and rudeness of the Twin Cam. And although power delivery is smoother, the hallmark engine vibration remains, albeit toned down carefully, precisely to give you just enough.

There’s always been torque, but now there’s noticeably more of it. The engine is vastly more flexible. Rather than groaning near redline, it lunges at it. Passing maneuvers that caused a second thought on a Twin Cam, specifically ones at 60 mph or above, are

just a throttle pull away. On back roads, that flexibility lends to more playfulness and speed.

A big part of the bike’s improved competence relates to the revised suspension, which includes a new Showa 49mm fork featuring “dual bending valve fork technology” and emulsion shocks that increase preload capacity by 30 percent.

A ton of effort was put in to give riders more comfort and capability, and it shows.

The fork itself is better at soaking up pavement irregularities and transmitting much less shock to the bars. There’s more feel from the front end at high speeds, less wobble at low speeds, and improved confidence all around. The bike holds a line easier and doesn’t wallow in transitions.

The Street Glide itself gives you the highlights of the Harley experience, without the hardship. The

bags are just big enough for a small backpack and change of clothes. And the fairing is just tall enough to cover the brunt of the wind but not so expansive as to keep you from the feel of cutting through it.

Of course, cornering clearance is still limited, and the bike feels heavy in parking lots. Also, the brakes are a weak point, with little initial bite and feel.

Still, it has never been easier to convert to the church of Harley. To buy a Harley has always required shifting your priorities. You wanted that attitude, that heritage—that feeling—and were willing to sacrifice function to get it. But with the new MilwaukeeEight, there’s less compromise than ever before. It’s not “good for a Harley.” It’s good period.

CLUTCH PLAY: The slipper/ assist clutch is narrower for reduced engine width at the clutch cover. The benefits are an easier reach and less heat felt when foot down ata stop.

2007 HARLEY-DAVIDSON STREET GLIDE SPECIAL

Air-/oil-cooled V-twin

DISPLACEMENT 1750 cc

27.0 in.

FUEL CAPACITY 6.0 gal.

830 lb.

$23,699 (Vivid