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Always said a RG was next after my RK. ”too many SG’s out there”. I went to look at the ST and Special… they had both, in Gunship. The RG fairing was just a bit too far and wide for me. I much preferred rhe SG and went home with a 22 SG Special Gunship/black
I MUCH prefer the traditional looks of a batwing fairing of the SG over the shark-nosed RG. However, can you even reach the radio on a RG? Beyond looks, at your stature, I would think this would be a challenge. I know it would be tough for me at 5'7"
Last edited by UrbanRunner; Feb 5, 2023 at 12:56 AM.
With everything being pretty much equal but the fairings and how they mount, I prefer the classic look of the Street Glide. As for the wind thing, some people tend to focus on? If its windy, you'll feel it on either bike. I think the RG riders use that OPINION to sometimes justify why they bought it. 🤔 To each their own. Both fine rides. You'll love either one.
OP; Have to ask, how much riding experience do you have (new, seasoned)? Have you saddled a touring bike of any kind? Reason I ask, if you;re fairly new to motorized 2-wheelers, jumping into HD Touring is a huge step.
Other than that, depends on how your test ride pans-out...which rides better & if you have a fairing preference (fixed vs. fork-mount). Good luck in choosing - both are sweet scoots.
With everything being pretty much equal but the fairings and how they mount, I prefer the classic look of the Street Glide. As for the wind thing, some people tend to focus on? If its windy, you'll feel it on either bike. I think the RG riders use that OPINION to sometimes justify why they bought it. 🤔 To each their own. Both fine rides. You'll love either one.
I disagree with your statement and I have owned both. The SG is better in the rain and cold weather but the RG handles better, deflects wind better on highways at higher speeds, and is just overall more comfortable on longer rides. The radio comments are SG owners justifying their purchase but with handle controls, there is no need to touch the radio even when I had my ultra and sg I never touched it anyway. OP I am your size and have no issues with either
Cannot and would not ever recommend one (SG vs RG) over the other. If you don't already have a preference then you MUST ride both to get a preliminary feel. They do feel different from each other. They handle differently, and you interact differently with each bike. Those differences may not be extremely dramatic, and some may not be able to discern them, but they are there. I believe many...if not most... RG owners have been previous owners of a batwing bike. They understand the ride qualities of each bike and now own what they prefer. I came to the RG(L) that way....eyes wide open. '17 UL x 3 years. Did a good test ride series on both bike types and the RG clearly won the comparison contest for me in stock form. It might not for you or the next 3 guys...and that's why I think it's advisable to RIDE them and make an experienced decision vs a hopeful one.
I test rode both on highway and urban street the day I bought mine. They both have characteristics that I liked.
I preferred the lighter front-end feel and felt better low-speed maneuverability on the Road Glide. I liked that the guages and infotainment weren't in my face and I felt I had better visibility as well.
I seemed to sit lower on the Street glide, which I preferred, and the stock handlebars were closer but this gave the bike an overall smaller feel.
Everyone likes the classic appearance of the batwing but it didn't take long for the frame-mounted fairing to grow on me.
I ultimately chose the Road Glide. My dad rides a Road King and my step-mom has a Street Glide.
Everyone will tell you that the touring bikes are all the same bike (Road King, Road Glide, and Street Glide) except the fairings/windshield. But they each have a different feel to them when you're riding so you really have to test all of them and decide what you like.
Last edited by Spearhunter1; Feb 5, 2023 at 11:10 AM.
I disagree with your statement and I have owned both. The SG is better in the rain and cold weather but the RG handles better, deflects wind better on highways at higher speeds, and is just overall more comfortable on longer rides. The radio comments are SG owners justifying their purchase but with handle controls, there is no need to touch the radio even when I had my ultra and sg I never touched it anyway. OP I am your size and have no issues with either
As I said. Both fine rides and that's your opinion, just as my statement was. The "wind thing" is all what a rider perceives. There are different variables and opinions on both.
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