Road King vs Street Glide?
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 69
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From: Hurst, TX
Road King vs Street Glide?
Hey y'all, I'm a Sporty owner looking to move up. Aside from the Fairing and seat height, is there any real difference between RK or SG? Do they handle different or ride different?
Thanks.
Thanks.
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 866
Likes: 2
From: Pocahontas, IL
If your talking new, there is a $2000 difference but you probably noticed that 
I can't compare the two but I keep reading that some of the SG owners wish the ride was softer. Then again, some of the RK owners wish the seat was lower. I debated between the two also last year.
I can't compare the two but I keep reading that some of the SG owners wish the ride was softer. Then again, some of the RK owners wish the seat was lower. I debated between the two also last year.
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 591
Likes: 0
From: San Antonio, Tx
SG ride is a bit stiff... but not enough for me to complain about. dont know how the 2010 RK's compair to the 2010 SG's. but coming off of an 05 RK, my 10 SG is is a much better bike in every way. the RK was ok for the type of riding I was doing at the time, but longer rides were a pain... my buddies on their fairing bikes seemed to have it made... now I know why.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 5,190
Likes: 5
From: Eastern Washington
I swore my next bike was going to be a RK, but then I started looking at the SG and never looked back. I will say one thing, the RK is a softer ride, but I would not trade in my SG for it
Cruiser
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 108
Likes: 0
From: South Florida
Coming from a sporty and going to a RK, I tested a SG and could not have that fairing in front of me. Something I'd get used to if I did very long rides perhaps but the clear removable windscreen on the RK does a great job.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 6,899
Likes: 3,412
From: OH
As the others mentioned the ride. That is due in part to the shorter rear shocks on the SG. This is something that can be remedied. Handling wise they are close. The extra copper from all the electronics up high in the faring make them a little different in the garage and parking lot speed. Most of the difference is sitting behind that faring. I would suggest renting a SG for a day and see if you like it or not. I had a hard time just transitioning to a wind shield when I did that. After getting used to that I went to the fairing. It took some getting used to but I like the gages up high in the faring over having to look down on the tank.
One other thing to think about is engine noise. The fairing does reflect more engine noise up to the rider but i guess that is what the radio is for.
All that being said I still wish from time to time I could take a ride w/o the fairing.
One other thing to think about is engine noise. The fairing does reflect more engine noise up to the rider but i guess that is what the radio is for.
All that being said I still wish from time to time I could take a ride w/o the fairing.
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 273
Likes: 0
From: Coolidge AZ
I purchased the Road King, it was a price thing, I couldn't get the SG with the payments that I wanted to make. I'll tell you this though: I've been trying to convert my RK into a SG ever since. I had a sporty with no windshield, and I purchased a RK with no windshield (prev owner didn't trade it in with it). I Purchased a shorty windshield and used it all winter. I took it off a few weeks ago and rode about 200 miles with it off.
Its now back on, and I am starting to collect parts to convert to a full-time fairing... When I started getting into Harleys, I wanted a Fat-boy, and I didn't like windshields or fairings, but as I've got a couple years under my belt, they've grown on me in a big way. I don't think I'm going to turn back.. Its full fairing, and likely lowers for me in the future.
Its now back on, and I am starting to collect parts to convert to a full-time fairing... When I started getting into Harleys, I wanted a Fat-boy, and I didn't like windshields or fairings, but as I've got a couple years under my belt, they've grown on me in a big way. I don't think I'm going to turn back.. Its full fairing, and likely lowers for me in the future.
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Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 109
Likes: 0
From: South Bend Indiana
2009 FLHRC Vivid Black
Basically the same bike, frame and suspension. I chose the RK because I like to remove the windshield for short runs and around town " I know why dogs hang their head out of the window" . I have looked at add on farings for long trips and cold weather but no sale yet.......
Basically the same bike, frame and suspension. I chose the RK because I like to remove the windshield for short runs and around town " I know why dogs hang their head out of the window" . I have looked at add on farings for long trips and cold weather but no sale yet.......
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Road Master
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,097
Likes: 2
From: USA
Lots of small differences Im assuming you noticed like tail liights, fender trim/bumpers, bag fillers etc....
It seems like you get a lot of stuff for $2000 especially if your spreading it out over 5 or 6 years worth of payments. Imagine what retail is for the fairing, guages, radio, speakers etc....
If you like the look of the SG I think its worth the money. It was for me anyway.
It seems like you get a lot of stuff for $2000 especially if your spreading it out over 5 or 6 years worth of payments. Imagine what retail is for the fairing, guages, radio, speakers etc....
If you like the look of the SG I think its worth the money. It was for me anyway.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 8,039
Likes: 1,305
From: Jayhawk Country
The Street Glide is cool looking and the Road King is very nice too. For me after weighing all the differences and prices I opted for the Electra Glide Classic. It's like a SG with the tour pack already installed for the same money. I wasn't sure how I would like the fairing either but it doesn't bother me at all.