I just bought this Roadie and to my eyes, it's not fugly at all... it's gorgeous!





Prior to seeing this bike, I was a little ambivalent between the bats and the shark. But I think Harley got it right with this one. The blacked out engine, simpler and more tasteful graphics make the bike a little more attractive to me. But that just a looks thing. Some call the Roadie ugly, but I sure don't see that viewpoint at all.

To me, the Roadie is designed for better performance (wheel not affected by weight of fairing nor by wind on the fairing), fairing plunges through the air a little better than the bat, the two headlights light up the road significantly better than the single light, even with passing lights added. I like the more open feel of the cockpit on the Roadie.

I ride with a full face helmet and with only 750 miles yet on my new bike, the feel of the wind is typically pretty clean. It gets a little dirty with strong prevaling/ambient winds, but not much from the wind simply caused by the bike moving forward. I'm happy with the more open feel and super low windshield. I might get a taller screen for long high-speed freeway trips, though.

I know the Street Glide has been much more popular in prior years, but I think a lot of Harley riders are beginning to eagerly come around to appreciating the more progressive, modern and functional look of the Road Glide. To me, it's a forward-thinking, forward-looking design that's functionally oriented and progressive. The dual headlamps totally ROCK! They light up your way on a lonely dark night like nobody's businesss. This is a case of form following function and I think Harley really got it right.

This definitely isn't a bike for those who must have the "old-school" look... for that matter, neither is the Street Glide. This is a bike for those who love the traditional Harley roots, engine, etc. but like the more modern, progressive features and look. I think it's the Harley with the most appeal to the next generation of riders and progressive older riders. I'm in the latter category.

 

Decisions, decisions, decisions......unless you can spend a day or two
on each bike and put them thru identical rides, this could be a tough choice.

After 22k miles I did notice slight buffeting on my last ride.....
With the speedo needle laying across 110 mph my beanie flew off my head,
I could still hear Lynyrd Skynyrd coming out of my speakers.
Buffeting has been a non-issue for me and my set-up......

Ya can't go wrong with either choice really.......my ridding bud swears by his '08 S/G as much as I swear by my '08 R/G.
We swapped rides once, and mutually agreed that will be the ONLY time we swap rides.

 

I prefer the looks of the Street Glide, but the ride of the Road Glide (I'm certain I'm not alone on this). Harley Davidson take note!

If your going to do alot of riding go for the RG.

 

The 2010 RG is actually a Street Glide with a shark nose fairing. Thats why cruise controll is now an option.

 

I think your correct on this one. People dont realize that a LOT of head buffetting is air coming up from below. Especially if your legs are up on highway pegs. The air glides right up your leg and into the cockpit area. The option (new to 2010) of using Harleys VENTED fairing lowers, would have swayed me that much more towards the Road Glide if it would have been an option a year ago.

If I were buying right now, what with the SG like look of the new RG custom, and the option of running the better, vented lowers, as well as recent windshield choices that were not available before, would make it a VERY tough choice for me. The only things I do NOT like about the 2010 RG, are the single sided exhaust, lack of a taillight, and the dearth of color choices.

I AM considering converting my SG over the winter. Mostly need to decide if I want to live without a tourpack or not. That, and I would really like to ride an RG with lowers on it. Time will tell.

 

The street glide is o.k. and if you have to ask what to buy, go with the masses and get SG. But, the Road Glide Custom in black denim is the coolest effin' thing the MOCO has ever built. But that's just my opinion.

 

I love my streetglide. I have ridden in lots of different wind and weather conditions. I haven't had buffetting problems but I went to an eight inch windshield and added a fork baffle. The bike handles great, the front end never feels heavy. I never liked the look of the roadglide until last year. The 2009 CVO or the 2010 black denim are sharp looking bikes.

 

IMO, RG with lowers is the best ride for the long distance.

 

a tour glide in white gold pearl and id be trading in tomorrow

 

I spent close to a year deciding which way to go when I decided to get a tourning bike. I looked at everything including BMW's but decided I would go with the Harley for alot of reasons. I really liked the way the Street Glide looked and hadn't paid much attention to the Roadie. But, everytime I road the Street Glide I felt too confined by the fairing. I'm 6'2" and weigh 275. So, I started looking at the Ultra but had the same problem, duh!! I finally gave the Road Glide a chance and after riding it I loved it. I had been doing research but had not read much about the Road Glide. After I did, it was clear how much the writers and riders like the RG. It handled better, less wind buffeting, more room in the cockpit, etc. The more I looked at it the more I liked the look too. And, now that I have one, I like having a bike that you don't see at every event. They are unpopular so in a group of 50 bikes, I may be one of two Roadies. So, after riding them all I fell in love with the RG. No regrets over a year later. Will probably never own another style touring bike.