TEST DROVE: 2012 H-D FLHX (Street Glide) with new 120R race engine

[CHAMPt]

So went over to local H-D dealer to check out some new one's with a buddy.  He rides a '12 V-Rod Muscle that we usually swap so he can take the wife for a ride.  (He actually has my Valkyrie right now, lol).  Anyways, strolling through, 2 Street Glides where sitting somewhat by themselves, looked modified via intake and exhaust, but what was so special?  Had the new 120R motor that H-D has been raving about.  They really like this motor, and there's really no better motor you can get straight from the factory, it's 10ci bigger than the SE bikes, and quite a bit more power.  A claimed 120hp and 130trq to the wheels.  One of them was used with 14k miles, the other was new with 69 miles on it (both '12), all of which were claimed tuning miles on the dyno to achieve those numbers.

"Finally" I'm thinking.  An H-D "tourer" that could rival a Valk for the comforts, and with those kinda numbers should trump the Valkyrie for power!  ...at $32,000!  Well ok, scratch price, lets compare bike for bike, give H-D the benefit of the doubt.  FLHX comes standard now with EFI, that's good, 6-speed tranny, that's good, hard bags and a bat wing fairing (both of which MY Valk doesn't have, so check points there)... so is it really worth all that?  Test ride was in order...

I took the used one for a ride, and my goodness... one of the touchiest throttles (fly-by-wire mind you) I've ever experienced on a bike.  I've ridden turbo Busa's and racebikes that weren't so touchy.  So already, they illusion was set that this bike was "quicker".  Well I wanted to get it on the open road to see if that was just throttle, or if it really did feel more powerful.  Long story shorter, I wasn't all that impressed.  H-D guys at the dealer didn't like that, I think they were expecting me to have an amazement on my face as if I just hopped off of a ZX-14R.  Very impressive, none the less, but I replied to their remarks as... "this should be the standard!"  But for $32k... sorry, I'll get another Boss Hoss for that kinda price.  This was a basic black Street Glide with all standard options such as CD player, cruise, air shocks, and the aformentioned goodies.  All nice to have to upgrade from the Valkyrie... but at that price?  A base FLHX goes for around $22k, and this motor called for another $10k on top of that.  It obviously doesn't deliver the power as smooth as the Valk, and it only reaffirms the 6 cylinders deliver that power in a much more linear way.  The 6-speed on it had such short ratios, I felt like I was shifting a sportbike at some points shifting it so soon. 

If I can get my dad to run down there with me, I'd like to run them side by side just to see how much beter it just may be, if at all.  Even with those numbers from the 120R, I still think the Valkyrie would give it a run for it's money... if not out run it.  If you look up a '12 black Street Glide, you know what it looks like pretty much.  Just the intake and 2-1 exhaust was the difference.

[Momz]

Yep, the 120R does have big TQ/HP numbers and they are fast.

But it is an overstressed twin-cam, that makes even more heat than the SE 110. When you make that much heat on an air cooled motor,....how long do you think it will last?
Does HD specify a specific ultra slippery oil? I'm sure a product like "Z-Max" may help.

But Honda 1520 six bangers have been known to exceed 500K miles. I'm quite happy riding my Valks.

[R J]

They said these miles were from dyno runs.

I thought dyno runs were where the bike was stationary and only the back wheel was run up.

HUM:  apparently they took the speedo pickup off the front wheel and put it on the tranny or rear wheel.

Problem is, it is still a HD.

I have a buddy, who has borrowed my trailer twice now to go get his big bad HD.  He blew the engine again.    I'm curious if HD is going to full warranty the engine again for him.    I know the selling dealership has to  request HD to fix the engine for him.    The dealership it was at both times told him to take it home to the seller..

[ricoman]

/quote]



I think you'll find that the speedo pick-up is off the transmission-not the front wheel.

[R J]

/quote]



I think you'll find that the speedo pick-up is off the transmission-not the front wheel.

I don't know about HD speedo pickups, but I know MGM's is off the front wheel.

You got any documentation of it being on the tranny.

[ricoman]

/quote]



I think you'll find that the speedo pick-up is off the transmission-not the front wheel.

I don't know about HD speedo pickups, but I know MGM's is off the front wheel.

You got any documentation of it being on the tranny.

http://www.v-twinforum.com/forums/harley-davidson-touring/63115-speedo-pickup-99-rkc.html

http://www.harley-davidsonforums.com/forums/sportster-general-discussions/30843-speedo-odometer-issue.html

there are many, many more-you can look for yourself

[sandy]

Factory HP numbers are usually optomistic and taken at the crank on an engine dyno. Honda claims 100 HP on Valks but 90-96 are more normal at the rear wheel.

[Momz]

I was on the M/C training range last night with a student on his 650 Star.
His bike got HOT after just a few excerises.
I couldn't imagine using a SE110 let alone the 120R.

HD is supposed to introduce a derivitive of the "twin-cam" motor with liquid cooled heads. This motor will have to have a radiator, but it should be easy enough on the big dressers.
It is a shame that so many HD owners/riders cannot except the V-Rod.

[Momz]

http://www.cycleworld.com/2012/06/12/harley-davidson-headed-for-cooler-waters/

[shortleg]

  I have to admit that my Street Glide has been upped to 103 CI
with cams and pistons and such.
   89 HP and 106 TQ.
  It,s a nice bike but will never be as smooth or last like
my Valk. The heat thing will always be there on an air cooled
motor. We all know that with this years heat the heads on our
Valks will put out some heat also. The greatest thing with our Valks
is if you have to get caught in stop and go the Harley will BITCH
about it.
             Shortleg[Dave]

[Jess Tolbirt]

always comparing your valks against the harleys,, why not do some comparing against the bmw's or the kawasaki's or the triumphs?

i will guarantee you one thing the harley will outdo on a valk and thats heat!!! i had to gut the cat and richen it up to get it tolerable to ride...

[CHAMPt]

always comparing your valks against the harleys,, why not do some comparing against the bmw's or the kawasaki's or the triumphs?

Well since you say so...

Just bought BMW's "new" 6 cylinder sport tourer, the K1600GT.  Obviously, 1600cc's, inline 6 that is only 22" wide and motor with tranny weighs ~225lbs.  129 trq and 160hp, 6-speed, 40mpg avg, elec windshield, heated seats and grips, integrated Garmin GPS, etc etc.  $10k less than that Harley.  But I still the Valk.  Can't get rid of it.  Don't want to!

[Jabba]

Wow... I likey the BMW 1600.

Jabba

[cookiedough]

Me likey the new BMW's too, just don't think any cycle is really worth over 20 grand though.  You'd have to drive it all the time even in snowy winter to make it worth having in my book.  For only about 8 months of the year tops riding a cycle in the upper north of the states,  to me doesn't pay spending over 10 grand on any bike including a good used 1832cc goldwing.  Now if money were no object,  I'd get a newer goldwing (not the current new ones look butt ugly in 2-tone fairings/plastic), a bmw 1600, and a can am spyder maybe.  At least with a can am spyder, the wife can drive it since don't need a cycle license and is safer since cannot tip it.

[bscrive]

I love the BMW 1600 as well but I found that the parts on it were made too cheaply.  I think that if the bike ever went down all that plastic would explode everywhere.  Runs beautifully though.

[cookiedough]

I love the BMW 1600 as well but I found that the parts on it were made too cheaply.  I think that if the bike ever went down all that plastic would explode everywhere.  Runs beautifully though.

Just don't plan on laying it down then and wouldn't worry about that at all, that is what insurance is for. 

I never have seen the new BMW 1600, but if like every other vehicle made nowadays,  the plastic parts are junk and very cheaply made and do not last on any vehicle made now.  So, nothing new to me and shouldn't be to you either.

[CHAMPt]

Not gonna say it don't seem cheap with all the plastic, or that all the electronics makes you wonder when they're gonna crap out on you.  It does have an extremely clunky transmission for a BMW, let alone a $20k bike, let alone a bike equipped with such a smooth motor...  but it seems to be a known problem..."normal". 

Don't see it lasting as long as the Valkyrie, but its already done a few firsts for me on a motorcycle.  Satellite radio, 200+ miles on a tank, touring comforts, and insta-wheelies all on one bike.  I'll enjoy it while it lasts!

[3fan4life]

Not gonna say it don't seem cheap with all the plastic, or that all the electronics makes you wonder when they're gonna crap out on you.  It does have an extremely clunky transmission for a BMW, let alone a $20k bike, let alone a bike equipped with such a smooth motor...  but it seems to be a known problem..."normal". 

Don't see it lasting as long as the Valkyrie, but its already done a few firsts for me on a motorcycle.  Satellite radio, 200+ miles on a tank, touring comforts, and insta-wheelies all on one bike.  I'll enjoy it while it lasts!

I took one for a test ride a couple of months ago and this was pretty much the same conclusion that I came too as well.

However, if I had plenty of $$ there would probably be one in my stable as well.


What impressed me the most about the bike was how well it handled.

[Gryphon]

  It does have an extremely clunky transmission for a BMW,

  Am I missing somethiing?  Maybe it's because my BMW( Bring My Wallet) experience is with airheads ( early R series ), but I assumed all Beemer transmissions were clunky.  Are the K series different?