If you're digging into the particular 2017 street glide special specs , you probably already understand that 2017 was a massive 12 months for Harley-Davidson. This wasn't just the minor refresh or a new color scheme; it had been the particular year they lastly dropped the Milwaukee-Eight engine into the touring lineup. For a lot of riders, this bike represents the sweet spot between "modern enough to become reliable" and "raw enough to nevertheless feel like the Harley. "
Let's enter the nitty-gritty of what makes this bike tick and why people are usually still hunting them down on the used market today.
The Cardiovascular from the Beast: The Milwaukee-Eight 107
The absolute headline of the 2017 street glide special specs will be the engine. Before 2017, all of us were all using the Twin Cam 103. While the particular 103 was a workhorse, the Milwaukee-Eight (M8) 107 introduced something totally different in order to the table. We're talking about the 1746cc V-twin that will finally addressed some of the temperature and vibration problems riders had been going on about for the decade.
The "Eight" within the title refers to the particular eight valves—four for each cylinder. This setup allows the engine to breathe method better than the predecessor. On paper, it puts out about 111 ft-lb of torque in 3, 250 RPM . In the genuine world, that means when you're cruising at 65 your and need in order to pass a semi-truck, you don't always have to downshift. You just turn the grip and go.
A single of the best things about the M8 107 is how smooth it is at nonproductive. Harley added the single internal counter-balancer that cancels out about 75% of the primary vibration. Don't worry, it nevertheless shakes enough to let you know it's alive, but it won't rattle your fillings loosely at a crimson light. Plus, it runs significantly chiller. They redesigned the exhaust and shifted the catalytic converter to keep the heat away from the particular passenger, which will be a huge win if you program on doing any kind of long-distance touring with a partner.
Suspension and Dealing with Improvements
You could have all the power on the planet, but in the event that the bike grips like a moist noodle, it doesn't matter. For 2017, Harley didn't just take a look at the motor; they completely overhauled the suspension. This particular is a part of the 2017 street glide special specs that often gets neglected, but it's arguably the most essential change for trip quality.
Upward front, they slapped on the Showa Dual Bending Valve (SDBV) technology. I know, it sounds such as marketing jargon, yet it actually works. It basically gives you the overall performance of a racing-style cartridge fork but with less weight. It dampens the lumps much more linearly, so the front finish doesn't dive as hard once you get a handful of brake.
In the back, they moved far from the old air-adjustable shock absorbers. If you've actually owned an older touring bike, a person know this of trying to discover a hand pump to modify your sag. The 2017 Special comes with emulsion rear shocks that feature a single knob for pre-load adjusting. You just take the left saddlebag off, give the particular dial a few clicks, and you're set for the passenger or extra baggage. It's a "set it and forget about it" system that will actually holds the settings.
Braking and Safety Functions
Stopping a good 830-pound machine (wet weight) requires a few serious hardware. The 2017 street glide special specs include the Reflex Connected Brembo Brakes with ABS as a standard feature. On the base Street Glide of that will year, ABS was an alternative, but on the Special, a person got the good stuff right out of the container.
The "Linked" part of the system is quite smart. It digitally connects the front side and rear brake systems when you're traveling over 20-25 with. In case you slam on the rear brake pedal in an emergency, the system automatically applies the correct amount of front pressure to maintain the bike steady. It's among those functions you hope a person never need, but you're sure glad it's there every time a deer jumps away in front of you.
Infotainment and Technology
Let's talk regarding the dashboard because, let's be honest, we all like gadgets. The 2017 Special came equipped along with the Boom! Box six. 5GT touchscreen infotainment system . At the time, this particular was the superior quality option. It's got a 6. 5-inch color screen that's actually usable also if you're putting on gloves.
This features GPS navigation, Bluetooth connectivity intended for your phone, plus an USB port for charging or playing music off a thumb commute. The sound comes through a set of 5. 25-inch speakers mounted within the fairing. Whilst they're decent with regard to around-town cruising, if you're doing eighty mph on the interstate with a full-face helmet, a person might find your self wishing for an upgrade. But for a stock setup within 2017, it had been pretty impressive.
The "Special" cut does mean you get the gloss black inner fairing. This might sound like a little detail, yet when compared to matte plastic material on the standard design, it makes the cockpit feel a great deal more premium.
Dimensions and Capacity
If you're wondering if this bike will match in your garage or if you can in fact reach the earth, here are the actual 2017 street glide special specs :
- Length: 95. several inches
- Seat Height (Laden): 26. 1 inches (This is quite low, which makes it great for shorter riders)
- Clearance: 4. seven inches
- Fuel Capacity: 6. zero gallons
- Weight (As Shipped): 795 lbs
- Weight (In Running Order): 830 lbs
That 6-gallon container is a lifesaver on long outings. You can very easily get 200 in order to 230 miles out of a tank if you aren't riding like a maniac. The gas economy is scored at about 45 mile per gallon , though that varies wildly depending on how much "fun" you're having along with the throttle.
Aesthetics: What Makes this a "Special"?
Aside from the particular tech and the brakes, the "Special" designation is largely regarding the look. In 2017, Harley has been leaning hard in to the "darker" aesthetic, even though there was nevertheless plenty of chrome in order to be found when compared to fully blacked-out variations we see today.
The 19-inch Enforcer front steering wheel and 16-inch rear are iconic. They have got a clean, machined look that actually defines the profile of the bike. A person also obtain the "stretched" look within the saddlebags which wraps around the exhaust, giving it a lower, custom-bagger silhouette right from the factory.
The 2017 model year also offered some killer paint options. Past the standard Stunning Black, you can find them in Charcoal Denim, Black Denim, Velocity Crimson Sunglo, and some others. The paint high quality on these bikes is usually top-notch—Harley knows how to lay down a deep clear coat.
Riding Experience: What's It Actually Such as?
The 2017 street glide special specs look great on paper, but how does it feel? In the word: balanced. The particular Street Glide provides always been the particular "cool kid" of the touring household because it does not have the heavy Tour-Pak of the Super Limited, making this feel a lot more flickable in the edges.
The M8 engine pulls easily from the bottom of the rev variety all the way up to the top. The clutch system pull can also be surprisingly light for any huge twin, thanks to the hydraulic Assist & Slip clutch. If you've ever sat within stop-and-go traffic along with an older Harley, your left forearm will thank you for choosing the particular 2017 or newer model.
The particular wind protection through the "batwing" fairing is iconic, yet the short 4-inch windscreen that arrives stock on the Special is mostly for style. If you're over 5'10", you're going to obtain some serious motorcycle helmet buffeting at road speeds. Most proprietors swap it away for a 6 or 7-inch "flare" windshield within the first week associated with ownership.
Is It Still Value Buying?
Looking at the 2017 street glide special specs today, the bike stands up remarkably well. It was the first season from the modern period for Harley. Whilst the 114 and 117 engines possess come out ever since then, the 107 remains a fantastic motor with plenty associated with power for many individuals.
Something to keep in brain if you're purchasing for an used one: 2017 was the "guinea pig" yr for the Milwaukee-Eight. An extremely small quantity of early devices had issues with "sumping" (oil pooling within the crankcase) or "transfer" (primary essential oil getting into the transmission). However, by right now, most of those bikes have possibly been fixed under warranty or never had the problem to begin with. It's usually worth asking the previous owner in case they had the newest oil pump set up.
Overall, the 2017 Street Glide Special is the landmark bike. This took the traditional bagger style everybody loved and finally gave it the particular modern engine plus suspension it well deserved. Whether you're looking to cruise the boulevard or cross three state lines within a weekend, the specs on this bike prove it's even more than up for the task. It's comfortable, fast enough to be fun, and offers that unmistakable Harley-Davidson soul that's tough to find inside a spec sheet.