streetglide question
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Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 581
Likes: 28
From: Sunbury, PA
streetglide question
I currently ride a road king but I am thinking about getting a new street glide special. My concern is that I am only 5'3" and the fairing might block to much view of the road. Could someone give me a measurement from the top of the headlight to the top of the fairing (not the top of the windshield). I want to put a tape line on the road king windshield and take it for a ride to see how much view the fairing will block.
thanks
thanks
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2013
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From: Somewhere on the Bourbon trail
You could always demo one to be sure. You also have the area shielding the bars on the sides if that's a concern.
I'm a little taller and rented an SG and an RK when I was deciding. The fairing didn't block too much of the road for me, although I do like to see everything in front of me.
I'm a little taller and rented an SG and an RK when I was deciding. The fairing didn't block too much of the road for me, although I do like to see everything in front of me.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 25,307
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From: Eastern NE
OP; pretty creative on your part w/the tape-off idea, but definitely go in & take one for a spin. It's not just the batwing...many other features and minor handling differences in these two bikes. Best to get a true "from the seat" experience. 
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2014
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From: Lititz Pa
Your going to have more problems with getting feet on the ground then seeing over the faring. Have a SGS 2014 lowered front end 1" had my seat reworked feet hit flat after that. But I am 5'8'. RK sits better for short people. I have a limited low maybe that will work for you. I would just test ride on to see.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 6,129
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From: Santa Cruz
The notion that ya need to see the front wheel or even very close to the front of a bike has never made any sence to me? What do need to see? Weren't ya looking ahead and already know what is there? I sure can't see much right in front of me in my lifted truck...
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Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 581
Likes: 28
From: Sunbury, PA
Rick58 Thanks for getting me that measurement. I know I can demo a streetglide but I wanted to ride a few days with the line on the windshield to see if it bothers me losing the view of the road. I can reach the ground pretty decent on the streetglide in stock form so I now with a reworked seat and lowering the front an inch I will be fine.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2007
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From: anacoco, la
Your going to have more problems with getting feet on the ground then seeing over the faring. Have a SGS 2014 lowered front end 1" had my seat reworked feet hit flat after that. But I am 5'8'. RK sits better for short people. I have a limited low maybe that will work for you. I would just test ride on to see.
don't worry about being short and riding a fairing bike. i'm the same height, and i've been riding a fairing since 2008 when i started with a batwing. in 2010, i went with the roadglide. you shouldn't be looking that close to you anyway, look further down the road.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,593
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From: South Carolina-First to secede and hopefully the next.
You don't notice it. At least I don't. And a tape line on the windshield won't tell you a lot. The fairing is a good bit wider. I'm just a couple of inches taller and honestly, I don't really pay any attention to the fairing when I ride. I don't ever really wishing I could see something blocked by the fairing.
And imo-if you like the RK you'll love the SGS.
And imo-if you like the RK you'll love the SGS.