Issue: What bike is better, a Street Glide or a Road Glide?
Trying to decide between a street glide and a road glide can be tough. Below you can find some opinions on what are the advantages and disadvantages between each model.
Things to consider:
-Distance you will be riding
-Your height
-Storage room
-ETC
Of course you will want to ride each bike before you make your decision, but the thread below will give you things to consider before making your choice.
As a 6'4" guy that went from a '09 Dyna Super Glide to a Road Glide, I can say, assuredly, you won't be cramped. I did feel like the dash was a bit in my face, when riding my buddy's batwing, though.
I've got an RG Ultra, with highway pegs. It took a few tries to get the Long angled Adjustable Highway Pegs dialed in, but the lower fairings don't get in the way.
Dito I'm 6"1" rode both and fell in love with the glide.
I myself am a bigger guy and I had a bat wing for years and loved it or so I thought. 2 years ago I traded it in and gambled on buying a road glide not being sure if I was even gonna like it. Within the first week of owning it I wanted to return the bike and I actually contacted the dealer to trade it back in. A friend of mine talked me into holding onto it and giving it a chance. I ended up putting on a klock works windshield and a cvo seat on it and now you couldn't get me to buy another bat wing. The shark nose grows on you and the bike rides so nice who cares what it looks like.
I am visiting from the Dyna section. I love my Street Bob, but think that I am going to make the jump to a touring bike. I had my mind set on a Street Glide and for the last 5 years or so have thought that the Road Glide is a hideous looking bike.
Funny thing is that over the last 6 months it is growing on me. Once I actually did the research all of write-ups of how good it handles vs. the fork mounted fairing on the Street Glide I have been changing my mind.
I know that the Street Glide and Ultra owners will love their bike and the Road Glide guy love theirs. Has anyone owned both at some point. I would be interested in the opinions of people that have had considerable time on both and how you think they compare.
I know that to make my decision I need to ride both and see how they feel, just looking to see what you guys think. Also, I am 6'1", so I am a little worried about being cramped on a touring bike for long hauls.
Thanks,
L0W
I have had both. And the winner is. ROAD GLIDE! Now for the qualification statement. I am 6 ft 2 in tall and 185 lbs. I state that as the correct windshield makes the difference in my answer. I use a Madstad and I have 0 turbulence issues at any speed! The road glide's weakness, is the airflow and turbulence with the wrong windshield
Now for the positive. No comparison in handling, a frame mounted fairing is superior to the fork mounted batwing fairing in handling. Hands down!
Whether around town or on an interstate, the road glide is great. I have 0 turbulence at interstate speeds and I can hear my radio at 40% volume at 75 to 80 mph. In the rain it's a dream. I rode a batwing to Sturgis and back (4500 mile) trip. The buffeting of the fairing was distracting in a steady 20 knot crosswind. Does not happen on a road glide!!!
Well truth be known I would think that 10-15 BW's are probably sold to 1 RG?
Now I wonder why that is?
You do not see Harley pulling the BW's off the floor and stocking just the RG's?
I think even RK's sell more than RG's?
You can ramble on about the virtues of each, it does not matter. Numbers do not lie folks.
Tis' what it tis', and that's all she wrote.
I just traded in my 08 SG for a 2011 RG Ultra. And man am I happy. I hated the RG look too. But it slowly sacked me in. Best looking bike now. (Cause I own one) lol.
I know there's a dramatic difference in ride due to the frame. The 11 being the newer design. The 08 having the shimmy in turns is gone on all the newer 10 and later touring bikes. But road feedback. Wind deflection on the SG fairing is gone. Cornering is night and day. The over all ride is not just different but better all the way around. I have 1500 miles in mine in the 2 weeks I've owned it. Don't see any reason to never ride anything but a RG from here on out.
03-17-2015, 05:51 PM
