Road King vs Road Glide
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,048
Likes: 1
From: Canada
To the OP
You live in Edmonton. I know the amount of open spaces and endless highways to run. Also the Grain and logging trucks. Bugs, sand, winds.. .. life on the Praries but at the footsteps of the Rockies.
I had an 02 Heritage which is close in styling to the RK. Went to an RG for where we live and I couldn't be happier. Just change the windshield and your good to go.
Heywood
You live in Edmonton. I know the amount of open spaces and endless highways to run. Also the Grain and logging trucks. Bugs, sand, winds.. .. life on the Praries but at the footsteps of the Rockies.
I had an 02 Heritage which is close in styling to the RK. Went to an RG for where we live and I couldn't be happier. Just change the windshield and your good to go.
Heywood
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,182
Likes: 0
From: Phoenix
I put about zero stock in what you are saying ftanner because you obviously don't know s*#t about this topic!
Ride the bikes back to back and tell me they even feel anything CLOSE to being the same bike.
Like I said in an earlier post...I've got thousands of miles on both machines (owned a RK for three years and am now on my 2nd RG.) How 'bout you...ever even rode a RG?
Me thinks you're the one smokin' banana peels pal.
Ride the bikes back to back and tell me they even feel anything CLOSE to being the same bike.
Like I said in an earlier post...I've got thousands of miles on both machines (owned a RK for three years and am now on my 2nd RG.) How 'bout you...ever even rode a RG?
Me thinks you're the one smokin' banana peels pal.
I guess you've never even bothered to look at the service or parts manuals for the Touring bikes. They're the same freaking bike. The difference is some fiberglass and plastic that can be bolted on. But then I don't expect you to know that.
There's a reason that they're both in the TOURING section on Harley's web site/
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 409
Likes: 3
From: Nor Cal/Wine country
It all come down to if you want a fairing and music I suppose. The beauty of the RKs is that it can be stripped down in minutes to be a "street night" cruiser, or you can bag it up and add a trunk and have a worthy cross country cruiser. For about $1200-$1500 you can even add a really nice fairing with better tunes than HD sells if you go in for that.
The fugly (RG) on the other hand can only be stripped so far, and you're stuck with that hideous nose. Nobody can argue that it's not a capable machine, and owners that have them swear they handle the wind better than anything HD makes. I suppose if your constitution is strong and you don't mind people pointing and laughing, then the fugly might just be your bike...
My $.02
The fugly (RG) on the other hand can only be stripped so far, and you're stuck with that hideous nose. Nobody can argue that it's not a capable machine, and owners that have them swear they handle the wind better than anything HD makes. I suppose if your constitution is strong and you don't mind people pointing and laughing, then the fugly might just be your bike...
My $.02
Last edited by nsodpty52; Feb 22, 2010 at 05:49 AM. Reason: add photo
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 741
Likes: 3
Seems like everybody else thinks so too except for our self-proclaimed resident touring bike authority ftanner! LOL 
Last edited by ghostflamed; Feb 22, 2010 at 06:39 AM.
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 741
Likes: 3
Fact of the matter is that most HD riders nowadays base their purchase decision on what they think makes them look good first and what actually rides well a distant second.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 4,530
Likes: 607
From: Raleigh NC
The only difference in seats, is the RK has a short nose and a long console, while the EG/SG/RG use the long nose, and short console.
Seats are in the same location on the frame, and you CAN use either seat on any TOURING bike (1997-2007)
RK uses "risers" and handlebars, while the EG/SG/RG don't use "risers" (edited to add) or rather, we don't have the RANGE of risers the RK, and other models have)
Floorboards are mounted in the same location on the frame of all touring bikes.
Most riders wind up replacing the bars, and seatsright off the bat. I don't care for the RK's stock bars, but then again, I wasn't too fond of the RG's bars either.
I like MY Road Glide... it suits me just fine, but the RK is ok... just not MY thing.
For me... the big difference is the speedo location. The RG has them up in the "line of sight" while the RK has it mounted on the tank, which requires the rider to look down. not a terrible thing, but something I don't like
Last edited by skootchnc; Feb 22, 2010 at 06:46 AM.
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I own a road glide. Right now i am making it a road king. Got bored. The glide is comfortable for long trips nothing like it. I can tell you i almost fell asleep more than once. And the frame mounted fairing takes all the beating. I am planning on making this a reversable process. I like the looks of the traditional look of the front on the road king and i never laughed at one. I seldom listen to the stereo as i rather listen to my machine as i ride, it is actually music to my ears. I have been riding for 41 years and what ever floats your boat as they say. When i am finished i will post before and after. (this week) beats blowing a wad on a new bike.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,570
Likes: 2
From: East Tennessee
I am kinda partial to the Road King but that is in part because that is what I own. Most of the younger guys I ride with ride Glides...Street and Road. For 300 bucks, I added a removable fairing to mine. I also added a stereo for an additional 300 bucks. When I have the fairing on my bike, it is hard to tell mine from my buddies' bikes. IMO, niether is an ugly bike but after riding each, I really dont like the frame mounted fairing. In five minutes, I can pop off my windshield and go windshieldless for crusing around town or I can pop on my fairing and have the stereo and added wind protection. If you want versatile, go with the Road King. If versatality is not your thing, go with a Glide. You can't go wrong with either choice.
I am sure there are some on here who will doubt the cost of my fairing so for those... you can check out http://stores.ebay.com/Recklessmotorcycles which is a local company and I know their fairings are top quality and made in the USA because I have watched them make them.
I am sure there are some on here who will doubt the cost of my fairing so for those... you can check out http://stores.ebay.com/Recklessmotorcycles which is a local company and I know their fairings are top quality and made in the USA because I have watched them make them.