I'm straying over here from the sporty forum to get some insight/advice on which bagger to get when the time comes. I'm not getting rid of my N, it's just too perfect for SF city traffic, and it's the reason my wife first went out with me. But I want something bigger and more comfortable for longer rides and road trips. White knuckling the grips and early arthritis are no good for long rides on a sportster.

I've been obsessing about 3 bikes, the Road King, the Street Glide, and to a lesser extent the road glide. My questions, is there a difference in what the fairing or windshield setups provide? I've heard the fork mounted SG makes that bike feel a bit heavier than the RG, but I like the look much more. I'm also a small guy, 5'7" 160 with short legs. I'm hoping to pick up something between an '02-'04, I'll go older if the miles are low, but want EFI. I see what people are asking price wise on CL, I'm in the SF Bay Area and the used market is good, but what are people actually getting for their bikes? I know sportsters go for a lot less than asking price in many cases. I'm hoping to grab something for close to $10k.

Thanks for any insight and for not flaming the new guy.

 

The First year for the street glide was 2006. I came from a lowrider. I have a low solo Seat and the street glide is a keeper. Good Luck on your choice

 

The Street Glide does feel a little heavier than the Road Glide or the Road King, due to the fork mounted batwing. However, you adapt quickly, and the fairing gives the bike a solid, planted feeling at highway speeds. The guys with the Road Glides tend to be passionate about them, but they're a love/hate type of bike. You will do yourself a huge disservice if you don't spend a few miles on all three of them before you decide.

 

If you get a bagger you will use it even on short trips, it happened to me. The sporty is gonna collect dust the day you get it. I had the same dilemma as you but ultimately went street glide and couldn't be happier. I am 5 6 and 140 BTW and have no problem managing the sg(all air removed from the shocks of course!)

 

If I had to keep only one of my 4 bikes, I would keep the roadking. It is the most adaptable of the baggers in my opinion

You can add a windshield or if you want buy a fairing and you then you have a "streetglide" look with a stereo.

it can be a cruiser or a weekend bagger....
There are numerous seats and suspension options to lower the bike.

 

Your not going to find many nice Harleys let alone a Street Glide for 10 grand..

 

All three are great bikes.
I had a Road Glide but moved to a EGC. The Road Glide was a good bike but I think the Bat Wing gives me better protection from the rain and cold weather.
Of course I'm only 5' 10". A lot of tall guys feel cramped on at Bat and like the RG fairing much better.
My wife and I are spoiled now and like having a radio so no Road King.
You really can't go wrong with any of the touring bikes.
Good Luck.

 

Yeah, this sums it up for me too. And with the new HD sound for the roadking, you do not even need a fairing for music while riding. There is nothing like riding on a hot summer day with the wind in your face with nothing blocking it.

 

i have a great streetglide and i really enjoy it. if i were to decide today to trade off my bike for a new one though, it'd likely be a roadking. the reason being is that they're so easy to strip down for 'round town riding, and putting the windshield on and hitting the highway for one coast of the other. they're quite versatile in that respect. i'll likely not ever get rid of my streetglide, well until i need to trade it in on a hoverround anyway. good luck on whatever you decide on.

 

10 k seems a little optimistic... The RKC is about as good as it gets and if you get the Bat Wing tourer, you need the tour pak. That is the best part of the bigger models and the Street Glide don't have it.