RoadGlide vs StreetGlide
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 905
Likes: 51
From: New Jersey
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?
Tourer
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 353
Likes: 7
From: East Tennessee
If I try to put Harley oil in my Roadie it just spits it right back out.
All the opinions have been beat to death in multiple threads, but I did hear a new one the other day. Something I never would have thought about.
This is deer country, and riders hit deer and go down all the time. Sometimes they don't make it. Tragic. The fact that the RG fairing is bolted directly to the frame and not to the front forks means that no matter at what angle you hit the deer, the impact force goes straight back along the frame line, and usually doesn't hit the handlebars. A fellow RG rider hit a deer at 70, cut it in half, coasted over to the side of the road, put down his jiffy stand and got off. He said that just like railroad locomotives have cow catchers on the front, that fixed fairing is a "deer catcher".
Never hit one, can't speak to it personally, just something I heard.
All the touring bikes are great, ride the one that moves you.
All the opinions have been beat to death in multiple threads, but I did hear a new one the other day. Something I never would have thought about.
This is deer country, and riders hit deer and go down all the time. Sometimes they don't make it. Tragic. The fact that the RG fairing is bolted directly to the frame and not to the front forks means that no matter at what angle you hit the deer, the impact force goes straight back along the frame line, and usually doesn't hit the handlebars. A fellow RG rider hit a deer at 70, cut it in half, coasted over to the side of the road, put down his jiffy stand and got off. He said that just like railroad locomotives have cow catchers on the front, that fixed fairing is a "deer catcher".
Never hit one, can't speak to it personally, just something I heard.
All the touring bikes are great, ride the one that moves you.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 2,651
Likes: 1,278
From: PA
Exactly..... I know a lot of guys that went from a Street Glide to a RG or an Ultra etc. But I've yet to see a mass exodus of guys hopping off a Road Glide to a Batwing.
Raise the Shark Signal!!!
#SharkNation
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,575
Likes: 7
From: Wisconsin
I suggest YBNORML has the best avatar. I always read his posts in great detail.
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From: outskirts of ba habba
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Tourer
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 482
Likes: 14
From: Detroit
I have had a 13 Road glide custom and now I have a 14 street glide special. To me my road glide seemed to ride a little smoother but I didn't care for how far the fairing felt away from me sat on a Rushmore road glide and it felt even further away. That being said I went with the street glide and I love it but it just doesn't have that same ride to me, seems like the road glide is a good fit for our 6' and up brothers.