Street Glide or Road Glide
Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,730
Likes: 199
From: Vancouver BC
Ive had 2 RG’s and now a SG. They’re both great bikes. It always turns into a war when this gets brought up. Do some research, ride them both and decide for yourself. Can’t go wrong either way.
Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 544
Likes: 53
From: East Tennessee
I'm just the opposite. I went from a batwing (Electra Glide) to a Road Glide, but never fell in love with the Road Glide. Kept it for 5 years, barely rode it and now I'm back to a batwing.
4th Gear
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: Texas
Comes down to a personal opinion my friend, which one do you like the looks of better? They both function about the same, I just bought a 2018 street glide special and the only complaint is why I didn't do it sooner. Anyway, go test drive them both at a HD dealership, then make a decision.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 5,202
Likes: 792
From: Kansas City, Missouri
I'm more of a tour pac type of guy. So I like Ultras. RG Ultra and Ultra limited. I ride my Limited most of the time but its still under extended warranty. My take is the RG does better on the hiway. you don't get the blast of air on the front forks so its more stable. If you ride in a strong cross wind it will want to blow you sideways on the RG. The Limited gives better rain and cold protection but does get the front end effected by the wind on the batwing, both from trucks and weather. So I just blow by the truckers and get back into clean air. The best bet would be to rent each for a 1/2 day or so and ride the same roads and decide which you like best. Either can good for a 800 mile day.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 4,505
Likes: 380
From: Florida
Ive owned 3 Road Glides and the batwings, Im waiting on September to pickup a Street Glide when the 2019s hit. Ride both for at least 50 miles, Ive found I get less wind etc on the batwing but thats me. Both great bikes.
Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 707
Likes: 470
From: IA
I'll add another comment about test riding.
Test ride all 4 bikes. If you just test ride the Street Glide and the Road Glide, you won't get a good idea about real wind protection. Neither one are worth a damn with their stock windshields. But ride them to get an idea of "weight", and how the different fairings affect the steering feel. Also, test ride the Ultra version of each bike, so that you can see how it feels to have a decent windshield in front of you. The windshields are easy to change, but I don't know how anyone rides a Street Glide or Road Glide with a stock one. They're terrible.
As for my experience with the two, my first fairing bike was a road glide in '03. I rode it 2 years like that and had enough. Through a couple of taller windshields and seats, I finally changed out the entire fairing to a batwing. It was SOOO much better! I went from being pounded by the wind to enjoying my rides again. Note that I did Iron Butt rides in both configurations. Also, I didn't feel any perceptible difference in steering feel or find any real difference in MPG, which I tracked during IB rides. My wife was very pleased with the change as well. These findings are a bit outdated, as the fairing is redesigned now. I mention them because they are a real world experience that should help persuade you to take your evaluation of the two models seriously. Good luck, and remember, ride all 4. It'll be that much more fun!
Test ride all 4 bikes. If you just test ride the Street Glide and the Road Glide, you won't get a good idea about real wind protection. Neither one are worth a damn with their stock windshields. But ride them to get an idea of "weight", and how the different fairings affect the steering feel. Also, test ride the Ultra version of each bike, so that you can see how it feels to have a decent windshield in front of you. The windshields are easy to change, but I don't know how anyone rides a Street Glide or Road Glide with a stock one. They're terrible.
As for my experience with the two, my first fairing bike was a road glide in '03. I rode it 2 years like that and had enough. Through a couple of taller windshields and seats, I finally changed out the entire fairing to a batwing. It was SOOO much better! I went from being pounded by the wind to enjoying my rides again. Note that I did Iron Butt rides in both configurations. Also, I didn't feel any perceptible difference in steering feel or find any real difference in MPG, which I tracked during IB rides. My wife was very pleased with the change as well. These findings are a bit outdated, as the fairing is redesigned now. I mention them because they are a real world experience that should help persuade you to take your evaluation of the two models seriously. Good luck, and remember, ride all 4. It'll be that much more fun!
Club Member
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 6,905
Likes: 4,877
From: Midwest
If long distance touring comfort is the main criteria and you want a faired bike, the question should be, do you want the Ultra Classic or Road Glide Ultra ? I had an Ultra Classic for four years before trading it out for a new Road King last year. I put about 50K miles on it. Super Glide is my around-town bike and have ridden it to Sturgis but comfort-wise you just cant beat the Ultra line. I just got tired of the fairing and having all that stuff in front of me and went for the RK and its my tourer now. I have also ridden the RG and SG on demo days and rented a SG for free one week while my bike was getting a warranty repair. The SG is more fun to ride around town but on the highway it was a different story. Lots of head buffeting, I felt every little bump in the road, hated the stock seat, noise and wind loud enough that the stereo is worthless above 65. Can be rectified with new seat, windshield, shocks, etc..but thats a lot of coin and there is still the fact that the Ultra has more storage, has lowers etc, which WILL help immensely in keeping you dry in the rain.....
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 4,777
Likes: 2,771
From: Out West
If long distance touring comfort is the main criteria and you want a faired bike, the question should be, do you want the Ultra Classic or Road Glide Ultra ? I had an Ultra Classic for four years before trading it out for a new Road King last year. I put about 50K miles on it. Super Glide is my around-town bike and have ridden it to Sturgis but comfort-wise you just cant beat the Ultra line. I just got tired of the fairing and having all that stuff in front of me and went for the RK and its my tourer now.
I’ve owned a Road King, a batwing, and a shark nose. I currently have a Road Glide Ultra. Between the two bikes with fairings, I prefer the shark nose because it seemed to handle better than the batwing. But I’m ready to go back to the simplicity of a Road King...black, lots of chrome, and white walls.
Last edited by Advocatus Diaboli; Jun 1, 2018 at 11:38 AM.
Club Member
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 6,905
Likes: 4,877
From: Midwest
Ditto.
Ive owned a Road King, a batwing, and a shark nose. I currently have a Road Glide Ultra. Between the two bikes with fairings, I prefer the shark nose because it seemed to handle better than the batwing. But Im ready to go back to the simplicity of a Road King...black, lots of chrome, and white walls.