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Form OR Function
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Joined: Dec 2005
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Form OR Function
Im in a very tough place. Ive had my name on a streetglide for the better part of a month, then saturday a friend let me ride his 06' roadglide.. WOW i was amazed.. now Im torn. Do i go ahead and get the bike ive been dreaming about or change it up and go with the roadglide which to be honest is kinda ugly but perfomance wise seems far better suited for long hauls. I understand in the end its my choice. Im just looking for input. Thanks
Banned
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 3,499
Likes: 2
From: CANADA
RE: Form OR Function
Hey Moose, ya can't go wrong with either one. Both awesome bikes. The styling really grabbed me on the SG and it has turned out to be a fantastic ride. My second choice was the Road Glide. Get whichever bike ya like the most, that will suit your riding needs.
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 760
Likes: 4
From: Plano, Texas
RE: Form OR Function
How do you ride? Do you do big rides? Or do you just run around town with an occasional run to a local rally? If distance isn't a big deal, then get a bike on the looks alone. If style is all you want, why not buy a chopper? If big miles are a big deal, then get a bike that will do them the best.
Ya know, I hear alot of comments about the roadglide being ugly, but I just don't get it. What's ugly about it? You don't like the shark-nosed fairing, why? Because other people say that they don't like it? Look at the lines of the bike, they rock!!! From the clean front fender all the way back to the floating saddle bags. Don't let the size of the fairing blind you to the rest of the bike. You can do alot of customization to these bikes to give them a style all your own. Yes, I know I'm biased, as I own one. But once you ride one, you see what a superior ride it is. And isn't that why you have a motorcycle in the first place? To ride. And if your going to tour, don't you want a bike that has the tools to do the miles you want to do?
jmho
[IMG]local://upfiles/8977/6C7ABA69DB724AAA806BEB4936F09CC8.jpg[/IMG]
Ya know, I hear alot of comments about the roadglide being ugly, but I just don't get it. What's ugly about it? You don't like the shark-nosed fairing, why? Because other people say that they don't like it? Look at the lines of the bike, they rock!!! From the clean front fender all the way back to the floating saddle bags. Don't let the size of the fairing blind you to the rest of the bike. You can do alot of customization to these bikes to give them a style all your own. Yes, I know I'm biased, as I own one. But once you ride one, you see what a superior ride it is. And isn't that why you have a motorcycle in the first place? To ride. And if your going to tour, don't you want a bike that has the tools to do the miles you want to do?
jmho
[IMG]local://upfiles/8977/6C7ABA69DB724AAA806BEB4936F09CC8.jpg[/IMG]
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 5,548
Likes: 4
From: Southern California
RE: Form OR Function
Had my heart set on a SG as well. Rented both for a 1/2 day each. Found the RG to be very stable ride but I felt disconnected from the road due to seat height and fairing compared to SG.
In the end I decided how many trips to Sturgis I had planned in the years ahead; answer is 0.
Most of my trips are day trips only. 1-200 miles. SG was more connected to the road feel-wise. More relaxed seating position. Cool factor over RG by about 200 X's.
If you plan more day trips go with SG. If you see yourself taking extended trips on a regular basis then go with the RG.
Either way you win.
Ride safe,
Primo
In the end I decided how many trips to Sturgis I had planned in the years ahead; answer is 0.
Most of my trips are day trips only. 1-200 miles. SG was more connected to the road feel-wise. More relaxed seating position. Cool factor over RG by about 200 X's.
If you plan more day trips go with SG. If you see yourself taking extended trips on a regular basis then go with the RG.
Either way you win.
Ride safe,
Primo
Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 694
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Form OR Function
Form or Function? I'm looking at this in a whole different way. Both these bikes have form and function, one may be a little better in one area and one better in the other.Bottom line.... YOUR CHOICE... I can make a VALID argument with either Model. That's why MOCO makes so many models and colors. Do your Home work and study each and just keep lookn' at both. If you want a Popular vote,then the SG would win hands down. I've Jumped on many Band Wagons in my day, some I liked and Some I didn't. So again, Bottom Line... YOUR CHOICE.....hdman
Road Captain
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 678
Likes: 1
From:
RE: Form OR Function
Personally, I've always considered the Road Glide to be ugly which is why I never bought one. I've also heard nothing but praise about it's touring capabilities, and motorcycle touring is one of my favorite hobbies. The good news is that you have both styling and comfort. I bought the Street Glide and then changed the following items to give it longer legs:
Progressive 440 rear shocks
Chubby's WO575 handlebars & all new braided lines and cables
Mustang one-piece touring seat & removeable rider's backrest
Cee Bailey's dark smoke SSC windshield (several different heights)
Softbrake spacers to move the rider floorboards 3/4" further out from the bike
I now have an excellent touring bike that still looks good. It's always difficult balancing form vs function, but you can have both form and function with some careful choices. Good luck whichever route you go. Just my 2 cents.
Doug
Progressive 440 rear shocks
Chubby's WO575 handlebars & all new braided lines and cables
Mustang one-piece touring seat & removeable rider's backrest
Cee Bailey's dark smoke SSC windshield (several different heights)
Softbrake spacers to move the rider floorboards 3/4" further out from the bike
I now have an excellent touring bike that still looks good. It's always difficult balancing form vs function, but you can have both form and function with some careful choices. Good luck whichever route you go. Just my 2 cents.
Doug
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 7,950
Likes: 4
RE: Form OR Function
You've ridden a Road Glide and liked it. Have you ridden the street glide? If not maybe you should take one for a ride and then decide which is best for you.
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 3,475
Likes: 3
From: Southeast Wisconsin
RE: Form OR Function
I once read a quote from Willie G. that went something like this: "It is true that form follows function, but they both submit to style."
I went into my dealer last July with full intentions of buying a Road Glide but they had a Cobalt Blue Street Glide sitting on the floor and I fell in love with the look. At least with me, Willie's words rang true as 'style' ended up being the tie breaker between the two models.
I went into my dealer last July with full intentions of buying a Road Glide but they had a Cobalt Blue Street Glide sitting on the floor and I fell in love with the look. At least with me, Willie's words rang true as 'style' ended up being the tie breaker between the two models.