RoadGlide vs StreetGlide
Road Master
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 962
Likes: 141
From: Idaho
I'm one of the weirdos who prefers the look of the Shark to the Batwing, and I really love the new Shark with the gills. There's the dynamic benefits too from having the fairing mounted to the frame rather than the forks. And then there's the benefit of not seeing your bike coming around the corner every 5 minutes.
But the bottom line for me is that the Roadie looks better than any Batwing bike and it rides better too. Yeah, the Batwing looks more "old school", but who gives a fvck?
But the bottom line for me is that the Roadie looks better than any Batwing bike and it rides better too. Yeah, the Batwing looks more "old school", but who gives a fvck?
100% the way I feel. I couldn't have said it any better.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,306
Likes: 3
From: Vancouver, BC
As soon a Harley makes a touring bike that doesn't have 40 lbs of plastic crap filled with electronic garbage, bolted directly over the front tire, and blocking the view of the road, this debate will have merrit. Oh waitq, they do. It's called a Road King and it handles better than either fairinged bike. Ha!
Last edited by CRF; May 2, 2016 at 10:27 PM. Reason: Because I can't type!
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 905
Likes: 51
From: New Jersey
Had a Road for 5 years. Never saw any blind spots when turning at night. Not sure where people get that crap. It was more stable in wind and had less buffeting behind that big *** windshield.
On my Limited, I can do slow speed maneuvers a lot easier. Don't know why, I just can. The bike feels more agile to me. Maybe it's because I'm sitting closer. There is more cool stuff to you can add to the batwing bikes than to the Road Glides. That was my experience.
Never quite got like the look of the Road Glide fairing. I really bought it because I have long legs and I thought it made me feel like I had a lot of room. After 5 months on my Limited, I feel no difference in leg room. But I do notice that the radio does seem like it's two days away from me.
On my Limited, I can do slow speed maneuvers a lot easier. Don't know why, I just can. The bike feels more agile to me. Maybe it's because I'm sitting closer. There is more cool stuff to you can add to the batwing bikes than to the Road Glides. That was my experience.
Never quite got like the look of the Road Glide fairing. I really bought it because I have long legs and I thought it made me feel like I had a lot of room. After 5 months on my Limited, I feel no difference in leg room. But I do notice that the radio does seem like it's two days away from me.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 3,156
Likes: 56
From: Milwaukee
love my SG. Probably never get rid of it. However I was able to ride my buddies RG for a weekend and really get the feel of the bike. Fit me like a glove and was an amazing ride. Really considering adding one to my garage.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,561
Likes: 187
From: Florida
I've had both and went with the RG because I felt it handled better at slow speeds and highway speeds, I didn't feel cramped up, and liked the looks. All reasons that are subjective. Both are nice scoots and represent America's economy at its finest (supply & demand), because they are extremely over priced when compared to a RK or an Ultra. Big money makers for the MoCo, for sure.
About three or four years ago, I used to think that the Road Glide was the most ugly bike that Harley makes (well, besides that Rocker C). Then something weird happened. It started growing on me. In 2013 I would find myself standing at the dealership staring down the line of Roadies thinking, maybe that is the bike for me.
I ride with a large motorcycle association and EVERYONE has a Street Glide. I didn't mind the SG, in fact, I always thought it would be my next bike. Finally, in 2014, I was ready to pull the trigger. I had ridden both and much preferred the Road Glide, even despite all of the talk about how it would take FOREVER to get used to a fixed fairing. I didn't even notice.
Problem was, there was no Road Glide in 2014. Talk was swirling around about how radical the fairing redesign was. How it was getting the Rushmore treatment. My back was killing me on that Street Bob and I had the cash for a brand new Harley. I wanted the Road Glide so badly that I waited it out another year on that Street Bob, not even 100% sure if the Road Glide was even coming back.
Finally, I got one of the first Rushmore RGs at my dealer. I have ridden more on this bike than any Harley before it. I still smile every time I am going down the road.
Funny part of the story, I have a buddy that has a Street Glide and feels the same way about his bike that I do mine. All depends on what you like in the end.
Honestly, I did like having a touring bike that is different from every batwing out there. The problem is that every time I hit the road I see more and more and more Road Glides out there. Must be that everyone else is wising up.
Also, I know maybe 10 people that went from a Street Glide or Ultra to a Road Glide. I don't know one single person that went from a Road Glide to a batwing. Do you guys?
I ride with a large motorcycle association and EVERYONE has a Street Glide. I didn't mind the SG, in fact, I always thought it would be my next bike. Finally, in 2014, I was ready to pull the trigger. I had ridden both and much preferred the Road Glide, even despite all of the talk about how it would take FOREVER to get used to a fixed fairing. I didn't even notice.
Problem was, there was no Road Glide in 2014. Talk was swirling around about how radical the fairing redesign was. How it was getting the Rushmore treatment. My back was killing me on that Street Bob and I had the cash for a brand new Harley. I wanted the Road Glide so badly that I waited it out another year on that Street Bob, not even 100% sure if the Road Glide was even coming back.
Finally, I got one of the first Rushmore RGs at my dealer. I have ridden more on this bike than any Harley before it. I still smile every time I am going down the road.
Funny part of the story, I have a buddy that has a Street Glide and feels the same way about his bike that I do mine. All depends on what you like in the end.
Honestly, I did like having a touring bike that is different from every batwing out there. The problem is that every time I hit the road I see more and more and more Road Glides out there. Must be that everyone else is wising up.
Also, I know maybe 10 people that went from a Street Glide or Ultra to a Road Glide. I don't know one single person that went from a Road Glide to a batwing. Do you guys?
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 6,044
Likes: 336
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