Product Review: 2007 Harleys

Photos and article by FastFred Ruddock, July 9, 2007

The opportunity to do this product review was not expected. My 2003 FLHT Electra Glide was found to need warranty work to replace much of the contents behind the cam cover after just over 103,000 miles of fun. While I've been waiting for parts Low Country Harley Davidson has provided some alternative transportation. The new extended warranty is worth the cost.

The first bike I rode from July 3rd to July 5th was a 2007 Road Glide complete with a stereo sound system. The bike rode great and handled much better than expected. I rode this bike from Charleston to Columbia and around town. The gas mileage was nearly the same as my current bike and the power was also roughly the same. The six speed was nice and sixth gear reduced rpm at 80 mph to just 3000. However my five speed also cruises nicely at interstate speeds. The only negative was my iPod could not be connected to the stock stereo. The single cd player was okay but a far cry from over 300 in my iPod.

The next bike I rode was a 2007 Street Bob. I only rode this bike for about 24 hours from the 5th until the 6th of July. The ride is awful as the rear shocks appear to barely one inch of travel. However the gas mileage was marginaly better the Road Glide. This bike might make a decent bar hopper but it is no road bike. I rode this bike from Charleston to Summerville to the Isle of Palms before taking it back to the shop. I had intended to ride it to Columbia but decided a two hundred mile ride in its saddle was out of the question. I'd suggest a lighter rigid bike if don't care about the ride.

July 6th I swapped bikes for a 2007 Heritage Softtail. I immediately went home and packed the saddle bags and rode to the mountains of Western North Carolina. The Heritage Softtail did not ride as nice as my 2003 FLHT but the Softtail did handle very nice on twisty roads. I rode several hundred miles on the interstate and then some back roads and city driving in Asheville and surrounding areas. The gas mileage was less the 40 miles/gallon. The saddle bags have more room than those of the FLHT or Road Glide.

While this has been fun I am looking forward to getting my 2003 FLHT back. I miss my dirty black road bike.