Road King or Street Glide
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,015
Likes: 3
From: Moline, IL
i love my SG, i tested a RK but it wasnt for me. i was wanting the tunes and all love having the batwing faring too. the king gives too much of the old man look of bikes more than the glide does. i like old and classic but not that style. only thing i dont like bout my SG is the bars and im researching to buy a new set right now anyways. but all this is coming from a 23 yr that has diff opinion than older generations.to each his own, i think you will be happy on either good luck
Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 129
Likes: 0
From: New Orleans, LA
If I had to do it over again, I would go with the Streetglide with a detachable tour pack like my Road king has. I wouldn't mind having a bat wing fairing with all the gauges and a radio/cd player. I am tired of using my ipod plugged into handlebar mounted speakers. Plus, since I went with the classic, I do not have painted bags. I like the look of the RKC, but also want the fairing with painted bags. May have to try and have both one day.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 5,072
Likes: 104
From: Prescott, AZ
Since you mentioned the SG and taking a trip two up you may want to consider the Electra Glide line. If you want a nice trip bike its hard to beat the EG line.
The nice thing is you can always remove the lowers and tour pak from the EG for around town cruising and youll have a bike that is a essentially a SG anyway
My 2 cents.
The nice thing is you can always remove the lowers and tour pak from the EG for around town cruising and youll have a bike that is a essentially a SG anyway
My 2 cents.
Standard
Classic
Classic Ultra (this looks to be the family member you are talking about)
I often get a laugh out of new buyers that LOVE the SG and dislike the EG Classic..
They buy the SG - add, a tour pack, then often hate the ride and get different shocks and then sometimes get a different windshield.. LOL > do the math on this project... Better off getting a EG Classic
buy, Hey, life is short - get what excites YOU (or the wife and be really happy, lol)
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 494
Likes: 1
From: Music City, USA
SG is sexier by far but the King is classic. 
I had a windshield bike prior to this one and I never took it off. If you think you'll want to take the shield off get the king. The king will ride better. Longer shocks in the rear and a different damping system in the front forks. Other than that their the same except for the stuff in the fairing. If you really want a faring later you can add a detachable to the king.
All that said I would not have an RK instead of my SG. My next bike will be a roadglide. You may want to test drive one of them.
I had a windshield bike prior to this one and I never took it off. If you think you'll want to take the shield off get the king. The king will ride better. Longer shocks in the rear and a different damping system in the front forks. Other than that their the same except for the stuff in the fairing. If you really want a faring later you can add a detachable to the king.
All that said I would not have an RK instead of my SG. My next bike will be a roadglide. You may want to test drive one of them.
That said, I went down to buy the RK, and left with a Road Glide.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,015
Likes: 3
From: Moline, IL
actually I believe the SG is part of the EG family (just lowered,nice rear fender and lower shield) the EG family has the
Standard
Classic
Classic Ultra (this looks to be the family member you are talking about)
I often get a laugh out of new buyers that LOVE the SG and dislike the EG Classic..
They buy the SG - add, a tour pack, then often hate the ride and get different shocks and then sometimes get a different windshield.. LOL > do the math on this project... Better off getting a EG Classic
Standard
Classic
Classic Ultra (this looks to be the family member you are talking about)
I often get a laugh out of new buyers that LOVE the SG and dislike the EG Classic..
They buy the SG - add, a tour pack, then often hate the ride and get different shocks and then sometimes get a different windshield.. LOL > do the math on this project... Better off getting a EG Classic
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 659
Likes: 2
From: Central Ohio
I picked up a set of OE painted hard bags for mine off of e-bay.. Got them at the painter now, they came off a blue RK and am getting them painted to match the bike. And I've seen some nice after market detachable fairing options on here. Instead of having 2 bikes, have one that changes according to your mood.
Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 165
Likes: 1
From: NW Washington State
I've been on a Road King Classic for a little over nine years. At the time I bought this one, the SG wasn't part of the line up. As soon as I saw one, I figured that would be my next bike. For the stereo if for nothing else. But then I got to thinking......I REALLY like the versitility of having the removable windshield on the RKC. The weather is generally pretty crappy here in Western Washington State so having some sort of shield is really important if you want to ride comfortably throughout the year. However, when we do have those nice days, I REALLY like to pull the windshield off...totally different feel and look to the bike. For me, the RKC is the best of both worlds....wind and rain protection when needed with the option of free air flow on those hot days. Besides, exhuast is music to my ears anyway.
Last edited by Navyrep1; Aug 2, 2011 at 03:29 PM.
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Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 659
Likes: 2
From: Central Ohio
I've been on a Road King Classic for a little over nine years. At the time I bought this one, the SG wasn't part of the line up. As soon as I saw one, I figured that would be my next bike. For the stereo if for nothing else. But then I got to thinking......I REALLY like the versitility of having the removable windshield on the RKC. The weather is generally pretty crappy here in Western Washington State so having some sort of shield is really important if you want to ride comfortably throughout the year. However, when we do have those nice days, I REALLY like to pull the windshield off...totally different feel and look to the bike. For me, the RKC is the best of both worlds....wind and rain protection when needed with the option of free air flow on those hot days. Besides, exhuast is music to my ears anyway.