Road Glide vs Street Glide

D

Dennis Ron F

New member
Road Glide with it's ridged mounted fairing handles better it windy conditions.
Street glide (with a little taller windshield) creates a better pocket for less buffeting.
Otherwise the bikes are really similar.
 
The Roadglide handles better, but personally I can't get over the look of the RG fairing and the dual headlight and if I had to pick one, I'd get the Streetglide. Sorry Kapone, but your opinion on which is better looking and mine are totally different. That fairing and those headlights may be functional, but they aren't good looking.
 
RoadKing2000, maybe it's an acquired taste. I've loved the Road Glides from the moment I laid my eyes on one. I actually hated the Batwing fairings and thought they looked like the Predator! Now, having said that, with all the riding I do and seeing the Batwings after folks have added their personal touches, I do like them. In fact, my next bike will be a Street Glide (for the Wife, but I'll ride it also). I have never understood how people look at the Road Glide and call it ugly...maybe it's a West Coast thing since I see this bike the most!

Oh, and Road Kings are nice too!
 
On the H-D website the specs. for Seat Height and Ground Clearance are different. The Road Glide sits taller and has more ground clearance. That is part of why people think the Roadie is better in the turns and part of why people say the Street Glide is a better fit for smaller people. I'm 5.11 and love my Road Glide. Both are great bikes but the Roadie fits me and my riding style better. If you really want to know how different they are you need to ride both...in the wind and on a twisty road.
 
For those that are saying that the Road Glide is the same as a Street glide except the fairing... A little clarification: They are referring only to the 2010 & 2011 RGC's. Good bit of differences between the 09's and below,of course the 2011 RGU, and Street Glides.

By the way... i recently went through this same torment. I can say, as seen from my signature, i chose the RGC. I will be putting the vented lowers on to assist in the wind buffeting issues they are talking about, but i just dig the looks of them anyway. Makes it look fat . My RG definitely had some wind issues when stock but didn't compare to my other bikes . The shield helps but the wind coming from below the fairing is what causes the buffeting.

The Street Glide is just a dime a dozen. The RG's may get there thanks to people like me. But i can say right now... I am one of only a few seen in a large city of riders. Street Glides... If you have a vivid black one, you better mark it someway or you may just get on the wrong bike when you come out!

(of course the dime a dozen comment is not a put down. They are awesome bikes!)

In short, you aren't hurting either way you go!
 
They are the most non-Harley looking Harleys right behind the vrod. They remind me of something Honda would make and I do not like the dual headlight or the fairing. That's my story and I'm sticking to it. Maybe it's a acquired taste that I havent acquired, but I don't like the look one bit. Never have, and probably never will. I do not begrudge their place in the Harley line up, or your right to love the look, but it's a line I won't be getting into and it's a look I won't be loving. A Roadglide is a great bike....for someone besides me. There are other Harleys I'd rather look at and have. Park a Street Glide and a Road Glide in front of me and I'll take the Street Glide and leave the Road Glide for you and we can both ride away happy. I believe I said before that I have no issue with the function of the fixed fairing. I just don't like the look and the dual headlight may be functional, but I don't like the look of that either.
 
From my seat, I enjoy the spacious feeling. I like having the instruments farther out, and the windshield not in my face. I get on a UC and I feel confined....and I feel like a Shriner in a parade when I get on a Street Glide!

To each his own. I'd prefer EVERYONE else get batwings! For looking at, I prefer a Road King, but for riding - well, you already hnow!
 
First you'll have to make sure you pick the right Street Glide out of the hundred or so others around that look just like it. 8-)
 
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