2012 Harley Davidson Wide Glide Review
HARLEY-DAVIDSON DYNA GLIDE (2010 - on) Review
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At a glance
| Owners' reliability rating: | 4 out of 5 (4/5) |
|---|---|
| Power: | 110 bhp |
| Seat height: | Low (26.8 in / 680 mm) |
| Weight: | High (650 lbs / 295 kg) |
Prices
Overall rating
Next up: Ride & brakes
4 out of 5 (4/5)
Harley's Wide Glide dates back to the seventies. The new for 2010 bike retains the old-school low-rider looks of long, raked and wide-spaced forks (hence the name Wide Glide), skinny front wheel and minimalist bulk. But what makes the new bike far superior is it has modern handling and ride quality due to frame and suspension updates. The rest of the package is just as good.
Ride quality & brakes
Next up: Engine
3 out of 5 (3/5)
Not too firm, not to soft… about right is MCN's view of the Wide Glide after our first ride in America. The ride is good considering the skinny 21in front wheel, raked out forks, 1715mm wheelbase all nailed to the ground with 295kg of weight (claimed dry figure). Half a point is deducted because the 'Tommy Gun' exhaust arrangement scrapes the road far, far too early – about the same time as the footpeg touches.
Engine
Next up: Reliability
4 out of 5 (4/5)
The motor is the common across the range TwinCam 96 (1584cc) air-cooled 45° lump, rubber mounted in a stiffer frame. It doesn't lack torque and because of this the engine is real easy to use – from the moment the clutch bites the engine is so tractable in all riding conditions. Precise fuel injection and timing helps here. Power is not a key ingredient for this machine because cred and looks is what the Wide Glide is about.
Reliability & build quality
Next up: Value
4 out of 5 (4/5)
Quality and reliability are two things Harley-Davidson have been riveting into its production lines for several years now. As an everyday hack it's chrome and general plating will need a fair amount of elbow grease to keep it all mint. However, the Wide Glide uses a known engine with modern running gear around it and we know of no associated vices.
Value vs rivals
Next up: Equipment
4 out of 5 (4/5)
A thoroughbred Harley-Davidson custom with big gutsy motor for £10k… value indeed if you want a Harley in your life. To be fair it is a class act. Find a Harley-Davidson Dyna Glide for sale.
Equipment
3 out of 5 (3/5)
Equipment is hard to quantify on a Harley, especially on a Wide Glide where chromed parts and shiny paint, sissy bar, drag-style handlebars and black wire-spoked wheels are what make a Wide and are obviously included in the bike's genetic make up… and price.
Specs | |
| Engine size | 1584cc |
|---|---|
| Engine type | Air-cooled, 45°, 4v Twin-Cam V-twin four-stroke. Six gears |
| Frame type | Tubular steel |
| Fuel capacity | 17.3 litres |
| Seat height | 680mm |
| Bike weight | 295kg |
| Front suspension | Non-adjustable |
| Rear suspension | Preload adjustable |
| Front brake | 1 x 300mm disc with 4-piston caliper |
| Rear brake | 292mm disc with two-piston caliper |
| Front tyre size | 80/90 x 21 |
| Rear tyre size | 180/60 x 17 |
Mpg, costs & insurance | |
| Average fuel consumption | 37 mpg |
|---|---|
| Annual road tax | £96 |
| Annual service cost | - |
| New price | £12,495 |
| Used price | - |
| Insurance group | 14 of 17 How much to insure? |
| Warranty term | 2 years unlimited mileage |
Top speed & performance | |
| Max power | 110 bhp |
|---|---|
| Max torque | 93 ft-lb |
| Top speed | 145 mph |
| 1/4 mile acceleration | - |
| Tank range | 170 miles |
Model history & versions
Model history
1980: FXWG Wide Glide introduced
1992: Intro of FXDWG 1340cc Dyna-chassis Wide Glide
1995: New switchgear, new frame with lowered seat height
1998: New nine-plate clutch
1999: New 1450cc engine
2000: New front forks
2001: New style seat and security system
2002: Alarm and immobiliser now standard, new bullet indicators
2004: Intro of FXDWGI , now with fuel injection
2006: New 6-speed gearbox, 1449cc
2007: Intro of FXDW with all-new 1580cc Twin-Cam 96 engine
2008: Limited edition 105th Anniversary model released. Model then deleted.
2010: Re-introduction of Dyna Wide Glide
Owners' reviews for the HARLEY-DAVIDSON DYNA GLIDE (2010 - on)
1 owner has reviewed their HARLEY-DAVIDSON DYNA GLIDE (2010 - on) and rated it in a number of areas. Read what they have to say and what they like and dislike about the bike below.
Review your HARLEY-DAVIDSON DYNA GLIDE (2010 - on)
Summary of owners' reviews | |
| Overall rating: | 4 out of 5 (4/5) |
|---|---|
| Ride quality & brakes: | 4 out of 5 (4/5) |
| Engine: | 4 out of 5 (4/5) |
| Reliability & build quality: | 4 out of 5 (4/5) |
| Value vs rivals: | 4 out of 5 (4/5) |
| Equipment: | 3 out of 5 (3/5) |
4 out of 5 Cool Cruiser
21 June 2010
Test rode one of these and loved the light but steady handling. It also cornered much better than I'd been lead to believe. The keyless ignition and slick gear change were great too. Unfortunately it sounded like a paper bag fluttering in the wind. Liked the 'flame' paint job so much that I decided to take the gamble and buy one as my first 'big' Harley. Ordered it with a Stage 1 tune in the hope that this would give it more character..... This made it a different bike entirely. It now sounds absolutely glorious, and pulls like a train. On a sunny day, it is total therapy for the soul. Test rode a Fat Boy Special recently, which gets a great name, but it simply wasn't the same bike. If you want to find out what Harleys are all about, get one of these with the tune. Dont buy one without it. You cannot fail to love it. It is the essence of what Harleys are all about, and sheer joy to open up on the road.
Ride quality & brakes 4 out of 5
Engine 4 out of 5
Reliability & build quality 4 out of 5
Value vs rivals 4 out of 5
Equipment 3 out of 5
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Harley-Davidson Wide Glide
2012 Harley Davidson Wide Glide Review
Source: https://www.motorcyclenews.com/bike-reviews/harley-davidson/dyna-glide/2010/
