M8 Street Glide vs Road Glide
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 1,512
Likes: 345
From: Ohio
I went with a street glide but what any of use went with is irrelevant.
The first couple of responses nailed it - you really have to ride them both and decide what works best for you. Preferably longer than a dealer test ride on each. If you can swing renting them for a day (each) then that would probably be ideal. The best part of a day rental is that you can probably fit in a good test in all the kinds of riding you plan on doing... two up highway touring, dozen mile ride to work and home, grocery shopping, bar hopping, rural twisty roads with friends, whatever.
The first couple of responses nailed it - you really have to ride them both and decide what works best for you. Preferably longer than a dealer test ride on each. If you can swing renting them for a day (each) then that would probably be ideal. The best part of a day rental is that you can probably fit in a good test in all the kinds of riding you plan on doing... two up highway touring, dozen mile ride to work and home, grocery shopping, bar hopping, rural twisty roads with friends, whatever.
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 354
Likes: 315
From: Alexandria, VA
I think you've already answered your own question - you like the look of the Batwing, so go with the Street Glide. It's a very subjective choice. I've had them both, each has pros and cons but not hugely different. Couple of thoughts:
* Headlamps are LED and far better in the Road Glide
* Extra storage cubby in Road Glide
* Frame mounted fairing on Road Glide means less weight on the front end.
* Easier - much easier - to reach Nav and radio controls on Street Glide
* Better hand protection on Street Glide from wind, cold, etc.
* Road Glide passes trucks on the highway with less wobble and push than Street Glide
* Street Glide is The Motor Company's # 1 seller which means easier to resell.
* Street Glide is nicknamed the "Me Too", bike because everyone has one.
* Headlamps are LED and far better in the Road Glide
* Extra storage cubby in Road Glide
* Frame mounted fairing on Road Glide means less weight on the front end.
* Easier - much easier - to reach Nav and radio controls on Street Glide
* Better hand protection on Street Glide from wind, cold, etc.
* Road Glide passes trucks on the highway with less wobble and push than Street Glide
* Street Glide is The Motor Company's # 1 seller which means easier to resell.
* Street Glide is nicknamed the "Me Too", bike because everyone has one.
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 64
Likes: 2
From: Alabama
Like everyone says go test ride both.. rent both for a half day .... I'm 5.7 140lb I had a 13 ultra (bat wing) great bike I purchased a 17 RGS 1000 miles ago it fits me great .. if something happened to my RG I would would replace it with a RG .... the RG is like a ugly child your going to love it ....both great bikes
Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 112
Likes: 21
From: Texas
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Road Master
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 962
Likes: 141
From: Idaho
I had a 16 RG and traded for 17 SG for no other reaso than I wanted something different and the only color I was going to buy was Laguna orange and I don't like the looks of it on the RG. I like them both for different reasons but if it come down to how hard changing bars is it's the RG hands down. Changing bars on a batwing is nothing short of a pain in the *** to say the least.
Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 107
Likes: 38
From: Cape Coral, Florida
I rode both before I bought my streetglide, and the differences were significant. The street glide bars move around at speed from buffeting on the highway. There is also a noticeable amount of buffeting on my helmet as well.
The roadglide was SMOOTH overall, no noticeable buffeting. Very nice isolation. The only problem I had was the appearance....the road glide is a face only a mother can love. It reminds me of a catfish, it feels like there is a station wagon hanging on the front of the bike ( yes, I know, very exaggerated)
i knew I could never get over the look of a road glide, so that settled it for me.
YMMV
Tony
The roadglide was SMOOTH overall, no noticeable buffeting. Very nice isolation. The only problem I had was the appearance....the road glide is a face only a mother can love. It reminds me of a catfish, it feels like there is a station wagon hanging on the front of the bike ( yes, I know, very exaggerated)
i knew I could never get over the look of a road glide, so that settled it for me.
YMMV
Tony