By NastyNils· ·
Motorcycle comparison · Cruiser vs Tourer
Indian Chief (MY2014) vs Harley-Davidson Touring Street Glide Special FLHXS (MY2014)
You'll feel the Indian Chief's twin pull from idle, and it's silky the whole way up. The Harley-Davidson Touring Street Glide Special FLHXS doesn't wait for revs: its throttle opens onto a thick shove down low. It punches hardest as you swing out to pass.
So which one do you buy?
The Touring Street Glide Special FLHXS has the edge if…
Comfortable long-distance riding
Edges it: Touring Street Glide Special FLHXS
The Touring Street Glide Special FLHXS should leave you a bit fresher after a long day. What tips it: better wind protection and more range per tank. Should, not will: the margin is small.
A confidence-building first motorcycle
Slight edge: Touring Street Glide Special FLHXS
As a starter bike, the Touring Street Glide Special FLHXS comes out a touch ahead. The reason: lighter steering and more comfort. Small enough that a better fit on the other one would outweigh it.
Daily commuting & city riding
By a nose: Touring Street Glide Special FLHXS
The Touring Street Glide Special FLHXS makes slightly more sense as a commuter. It's down to easier everyday riding and a smaller footprint. Don't read much into a gap this small.
Sporty riding on twisty roads
Narrow edge: Touring Street Glide Special FLHXS
The Touring Street Glide Special FLHXS is a touch more fun when the road starts bending. That comes from a sportier chassis.
Which one's the smarter buy
Different bikes, different deals
A cruiser and a tourer do different jobs, so neither is the clear better buy for the money. The Chief costs less, but that doesn't make it the smarter spend if you need touring gear.
What makes each one tick
Chief
For all its heft, the Chief stays planted on a stiff aluminum frame, with suspension that gives a little over the road. Corner entry doesn't turn into a fight: the front tucks in willingly and the chassis holds its line through the bend. Down the straights, the Thunder Stroke engine hauls on a heap of low-rpm torque. There's no buzz in the bars. Each shift clicks home cleanly under a light clutch.
Touring Street Glide Special FLHXS
The Street Glide Special's plush seat and relaxed reach to the bars mean a full day in the saddle doesn't wear you down. Air through the batwing's vent breaks up the buffeting, and there's no chop in the ride at highway pace. There's a muscular surge of low-end torque behind every crack of the throttle. The exhaust answers with a rumble.
The Voice of Experience
What actually separates them
- The Chief has the lower seat: 26.0 in (660 mm) vs 27.4 in (696 mm).
- The Touring Street Glide Special FLHXS makes more peak power: 86 hp (64 kW) vs 73 hp (54 kW).
- The Chief makes more peak torque: 119 lb-ft (161 Nm) vs 105 lb-ft (142 Nm).
Which one for the way you ride
Nothing splits them on running costs. Ride both back to back and the decision usually makes itself.
Who each one is built for
What's good, and what you'll live with
Chief
What owners say
Strengths
- Mighty Thunder Stroke 111 engine
- Surprisingly agile handling
- Outstanding fit and finish
- Smooth, positive transmission
Touring Street Glide Special FLHXS
What owners say
Strengths
- Torque-rich Twin Cam 103 HO engine
- All-day touring comfort
Known problems to check before you buy
Chief
- VCM connector failure causing loss of forward lighting Recall 22V635000 The electrical connection for the Vehicle Control Module may fail, which can cause loss of forward lighting. The high beam indicator will flash if this occurs. A recall (22V635) was issued for 2014-2020 models to inspect the VCM connector and update software.
Touring Street Glide Special FLHXS
- Front brake line pinch, front wheel lock-up (Recalled) Recall 14V319000 On ABS-equipped 2014 Touring models the front brake line could be assembled so that it gets pinched between the fuel tank and the frame, raising front brake fluid pressure and potentially locking the front wheel. Harley recalled affected 2014 FLHX/FLHXS and other Touring models (NHTSA 14V319000) built July 1, 2013 - May 7, 2014. Dealers inspected and replaced damaged lines and fitted cable straps.
- Saddlebag mounting receptacles can release the bag (Recalled) Recall 15V427000 The saddlebag mounting receptacles may not hold the saddlebag securely, so a bag can separate from the motorcycle while riding and become a road hazard. Harley recalled 2014-2015 Street Glide Special (FLHXS) and other Touring models (NHTSA 15V427000); dealers replaced the receptacles with an updated part from July 30, 2015.
- Hydraulic clutch master cylinder failure (Recalled) Recall 15V216000 Gas bubbles in the clutch master cylinder could cause a loss of disengagement, especially after being parked for extended periods. This could result in unintended bike movement when starting in gear. Harley recalled 45,901 units (NHTSA 15V-216-000) built April 28, 2014 – October 24, 2014. The remedy was a flush and rebuild of the master cylinder.
- Clutch master cylinder component failure, creeping in gear (Recalled) Recall 14V537000 A component inside the clutch master cylinder can fail and bleed off the pressure that keeps the clutch disengaged, so the bike may creep forward while the rider is stopped in gear. Harley recalled 2014 Street Glide Special (FLHXS) and other Touring models (NHTSA 14V537000); dealers rebuilt the master cylinder from September 17, 2014.
- Clutch master cylinder gas build-up, 2016 models (Recalled) Recall 16V471000 On 2016 models the clutch master cylinder can lose the lift needed to disengage the clutch, especially after the bike has been parked for a long stretch, so it may move unexpectedly when running in gear. Harley recalled 2016 Street Glide Special (FLHXS) and other Touring models (NHTSA 16V471000); dealers inspected for gas in the fluid, then flushed and rebuilt the cylinder from July 19, 2016.
- Air in clutch system and wrong release plate (Recalled) Recall 13V515000 The clutch master cylinder could let air into the clutch system, and some bikes left the line with an incorrect clutch release plate; either fault can stop the clutch from disengaging. Harley recalled 2014 Street Glide Special (FLHXS) and other Touring models (NHTSA 13V515000) built May 3 - October 14, 2013. Dealers rebuilt the master cylinder and fitted the correct release plate from late October 2013.
- Upper rocker box gasket leak A slow oil weep from the upper rocker box seals has been documented by some owners, often appearing after 60,000 miles. It is considered a cosmetic leak and typically does not cause major issues if left unaddressed.
What they cost used
Both bikes priced used at the same age: 10 years old.
- Chief
- about $9,600
- Touring Street Glide Special FLHXS
- about $16,000
At ten years old, the Indian Chief sits around $9,600 while the Harley-Davidson Touring Street Glide Special FLHXS runs about $16,000. That's a $6,400 gap in the Chief's favor. These are US market estimates, not live listings.
What they share
- Engine
- 45° V-twin
- Cooling
- Air-cooled
- Gearbox
- 6-speed
- Final drive
- Belt
- Fork
- Telescopic
- Rear tire
- 180/65-16
Where the spec sheets split
| Chief | Touring Street Glide Special FLHXS | |
|---|---|---|
| Seat height | 26.0 in (660 mm) | 27.4 in (696 mm) |
| Wet weight | 831 lb (377 kg) | 818 lb (371 kg) |
| Chief | Touring Street Glide Special FLHXS | |
|---|---|---|
| Displacement | 1811 cc | 1690 cc |
| Power | 73 hp (54 kW) | 86 hp (64 kW) |
| Torque | 119 lb-ft (161 Nm) | 105 lb-ft (142 Nm) |
| Chief | Touring Street Glide Special FLHXS | |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel capacity | 5.5 US gal (20.8 L) | 6.0 US gal (22.7 L) |
| Chief | Touring Street Glide Special FLHXS | |
|---|---|---|
| Front tire | 130/90-16 | 130/60-19 |
| Wheelbase | 68.1 in (1730 mm) | 64.0 in (1626 mm) |
What comes fitted, what costs extra
| Chief | Touring Street Glide Special FLHXS | |
|---|---|---|
| Navigation | Not offered | Standard |
| Luggage System | Not offered | Standard |
Head to head, area by area
Both bikes on the same scale, one area at a time.
