Street Glide vs Road Glide
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,426
Likes: 24
From: Melbourne, Florida
All these responses tell me the road glide must be a really nice bike and hidden treasure. I wouldn't have known it as I've always thought its the ugliest bike ever made. But who knew? I've learned something new and now I'm curious.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 56,052
Likes: 88,754
From: Western South Dakota
The difference is well obviously the fairings.
The RG has a fixed vetter style fairing that does not turn w/the handlebars, that to me looks more bucket-y or like a bucket and has not 1 but two lamps for a headlight, why I have no idea, just their style I guess.
The batwing fairing is somewhat more traditional(more contour fairing) as it is what you(or me anyway) associate more w/a HD touring bike w/the glide models(as there are more varietys of them anyway, EG, SG UG) and everything tucks in behind it, no mirrors sticking out, etc.
They are virtually the same bike w/out either fairing, and then you have the Road King. No fairing just a windshield if that.
The RG has a fixed vetter style fairing that does not turn w/the handlebars, that to me looks more bucket-y or like a bucket and has not 1 but two lamps for a headlight, why I have no idea, just their style I guess.
The batwing fairing is somewhat more traditional(more contour fairing) as it is what you(or me anyway) associate more w/a HD touring bike w/the glide models(as there are more varietys of them anyway, EG, SG UG) and everything tucks in behind it, no mirrors sticking out, etc.
They are virtually the same bike w/out either fairing, and then you have the Road King. No fairing just a windshield if that.
Last edited by lionsm13; Jan 8, 2012 at 08:41 AM.
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 874
Likes: 0
I had this same problem when I decided to purchase a new bike.
I thought for years that the street glide would be my bike as it was always the one I found myself looking at when going to the dealers.
However, After HD came out with the RGC my interest really shifted towards it. I test road both quite a bit and the RGC handled better for me each time. The looks also really started to grow on me. I then shifted to consistently checking out the RGC over the street glide.
While at that point I pretty much had my mind made up one last thing that put it over the top For me was that the Road Glide also gave me a sense of individuality. It seems like everyone and there brother has a street glide. If would have bought a vivid black street glide it would have been the 16th one on just my shift to sit in the parking lot at work.
As far as mounting the GPS, while some may not like the "look" I would say it FAR from difficult to mount one. I think the Iron aces mount comes out VERY clean and VERY attractive. Here is a picture of my Nuvi when I was mocking up the mount yesterday.
Ultimately you need to ride both and see what fits you best, which bike to you keep catching yourself looking at online or the dealer?
I thought for years that the street glide would be my bike as it was always the one I found myself looking at when going to the dealers.
However, After HD came out with the RGC my interest really shifted towards it. I test road both quite a bit and the RGC handled better for me each time. The looks also really started to grow on me. I then shifted to consistently checking out the RGC over the street glide.
While at that point I pretty much had my mind made up one last thing that put it over the top For me was that the Road Glide also gave me a sense of individuality. It seems like everyone and there brother has a street glide. If would have bought a vivid black street glide it would have been the 16th one on just my shift to sit in the parking lot at work.
As far as mounting the GPS, while some may not like the "look" I would say it FAR from difficult to mount one. I think the Iron aces mount comes out VERY clean and VERY attractive. Here is a picture of my Nuvi when I was mocking up the mount yesterday.
Ultimately you need to ride both and see what fits you best, which bike to you keep catching yourself looking at online or the dealer?
Last edited by 08FXDC; Jan 8, 2012 at 09:51 AM.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 4,082
Likes: 11
From: Long Island, NY
+1 Totally agree.
I put 24000 miles on my 07 electra glide and loved it. Sold and bought 2010 street glide. Put 15000 miles on it , liked the way it handled more than the electra. Sold the SG in October flew from California to Florida to buy 2011 103 Road Glide. Rode it home 3000 miles 5 days. Can't say enough how much I like the RG. Straight road or twisty hands down best ride ever. Never thought about which looks better. Just care about the ride.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 4,082
Likes: 11
From: Long Island, NY
Hmmm. My experience was totally the opposite. In fact two of the guys in my group (I think there were 14 of us on various bikes) with the batwing fairings developed high speed wobbles. One was a bad tank slapper that he rode out for a couple of miles. The RG was rock solid.
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 874
Likes: 0
Hmmm. My experience was totally the opposite. In fact two of the guys in my group (I think there were 14 of us on various bikes) with the batwing fairings developed high speed wobbles. One was a bad tank slapper that he rode out for a couple of miles. The RG was rock solid.
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,588
Likes: 9
From: Sunny Southern California
thanks for all the comments. last september i rented a street glide and rode from los angeles to santa fe then back. loved the bike - stability, handling, purring along at 80mph on route 40. did experience the buffeting mentioned but wrote it off as part of the experience. getting ready to pull the trigger on a bike and was curious about the shark nose frame-mounted fairing. at first i wasn't into the look, but have warmed up to it since. i'll rent one in the next couple of weeks before i decide.