Road Glide vs Street Glide
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 437
Likes: 107
From: Indiana
Road Glide vs Street Glide
Hey how's it going everybody out there? I've been riding off and on for most of my life but am finally ready to purchase my first Harley. I'm stuck between the Road Glide and Street Glide and was wondering if any of you that has either one could give me some pros and cons of each. My wife likes to ride but with 4 kids don't plan on making any real long distance trips on it anytime soon. Let me know your thoughts on each. Thanks in advance!
Seth
Seth
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 2,143
Likes: 576
From: memphis
get the one that appears to you. only difference is fork mounted fairgrounds vs fixed.
also, you can do a search on your question and read until your eyes bleed.
oh...and welcome to the forum.
good luck on your new scoot!
also, you can do a search on your question and read until your eyes bleed.
oh...and welcome to the forum.
good luck on your new scoot!
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 1,253
Likes: 482
From: MA
Personal preference. I love my road glide and hate riding street glides... I feel like the bars are always way too wide and the fairing is in your face. Also a little heavier steering since the fairing is mounted on the bars vs. the frame like the road glide.
I'd suggest riding, or at least sitting on them.
I'd suggest riding, or at least sitting on them.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 6,863
Likes: 3,727
From: St. Charles, MO
I think you'll get a different opinion from everyone here, but I'll give it a go...
I came from a 2010 Ultra Limited (batwing like the Street Glide) to a Road Glide.
On the Street Glide (I'd say by far, Harley's most popular touring rig), you have the batwing, fork-mounted fairing. Relatively speaking, this fairing is closer to you on the saddle, and therefore the touch screen is closer to you, making it easier to use the touchscreen from the saddle.
Too, the speakers are closer to you in the saddle. Some believe this makes it easier to hear the stereo (it does, IMHO).
The batwing also offers superior hand protection (assuming you don't go with apes).
The Road Glide fairing, OTOH, is frame mounted. This makes for MUCH lighter handling, particularly at lower speeds. Personally, I also think it handles the wind better, from a standpoint of semi's passing, etc., but that is somewhat subjective.
The fairing being further away also means the windshield can be tall enough to prevent buffering, but be mounted lower in your vision.
I like the fairing being further out; it feels much more roomy in the cockpit, even though it's the same size.
The Road Glide, the radio/GPS is just below your line of site, so it's easy to pick up without looking down (your speedometer is lower, so it requires looking down, but I personally don't look at that too often).
The Road Glide has dual headlights, the Street Glide has a single. Both are bright; I find the RG wider and better at lighting. YMMV.
For me, I control the radio with the hand controls, so the reach is a non-issue.
Both are fine cruisers. Rent or test ride both, with your passenger, and figure out which one suits you best.
Good luck!
I came from a 2010 Ultra Limited (batwing like the Street Glide) to a Road Glide.
On the Street Glide (I'd say by far, Harley's most popular touring rig), you have the batwing, fork-mounted fairing. Relatively speaking, this fairing is closer to you on the saddle, and therefore the touch screen is closer to you, making it easier to use the touchscreen from the saddle.
Too, the speakers are closer to you in the saddle. Some believe this makes it easier to hear the stereo (it does, IMHO).
The batwing also offers superior hand protection (assuming you don't go with apes).
The Road Glide fairing, OTOH, is frame mounted. This makes for MUCH lighter handling, particularly at lower speeds. Personally, I also think it handles the wind better, from a standpoint of semi's passing, etc., but that is somewhat subjective.
The fairing being further away also means the windshield can be tall enough to prevent buffering, but be mounted lower in your vision.
I like the fairing being further out; it feels much more roomy in the cockpit, even though it's the same size.
The Road Glide, the radio/GPS is just below your line of site, so it's easy to pick up without looking down (your speedometer is lower, so it requires looking down, but I personally don't look at that too often).
The Road Glide has dual headlights, the Street Glide has a single. Both are bright; I find the RG wider and better at lighting. YMMV.
For me, I control the radio with the hand controls, so the reach is a non-issue.
Both are fine cruisers. Rent or test ride both, with your passenger, and figure out which one suits you best.
Good luck!
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 437
Likes: 107
From: Indiana
Yeah sorry guys did a search and found several threads on the same topic. After reading through a few of them and without riding one yet I think I'm being sold on the Road Glide but will definitely rent one for the weekend before making a final decision. Just can't wait to get one and get back out on the road!
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,724
Likes: 205
From: ORYGON
the best advise........ check out both....... try to test ride both...... and your decision will be obvious....to you.............
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