Mar 17, 2015, 05:51 PM
Last edit by: IB Advertising
Issue: What bike is better, a Street Glide or a Road Glide?
Trying to decide between a street glide and a road glide can be tough. Below you can find some opinions on what are the advantages and disadvantages between each model.
Things to consider:
-Distance you will be riding
-Your height
-Storage room
-ETC
Of course you will want to ride each bike before you make your decision, but the thread below will give you things to consider before making your choice.
Trying to decide between a street glide and a road glide can be tough. Below you can find some opinions on what are the advantages and disadvantages between each model.
Things to consider:
-Distance you will be riding
-Your height
-Storage room
-ETC
Of course you will want to ride each bike before you make your decision, but the thread below will give you things to consider before making your choice.
Street Glide vs. Road Glide
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,951
Likes: 33
From: Upstate NY
You said that you would be riding them. You really do have to do that to decide which one will fit your body and your riding style. I rented several models before I decided on my Road Glide Ultra. I also road them on a fairly windy day to see how they handled the twisties and side gusts. I am happy with my choice and only put a little over 11,000 miles on it before I had to store it for winter. Let us know what you decide.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 4,999
Likes: 55
From: Bay Area
I have a RG and my son has a SG, my buddies have EG's, SG's. I work on all of them so I get to ride all the bikes, hands down the Rg is a ton more comfortable just look at the seat and rear suspension difference. On heavy winds those with the batwings are beat up at the end of the day, the RG you dont notice it at all. One thing I will say is the stereo sounds better on the SG, the speakers are in your face wheras the Rg with a windvest w/s puts the sound more into the air.
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,505
Likes: 56
From: Vancouver Island, British Columbia
I've never riden a batwing bike. I've had two Goldwings, (fixed fairing like the RG), and my present 2007 GL1800 tracks and rides through any elements perfectly. My new 2011 Road King isn't bad for a cruiser, not really a touring platform like advertised but I'd be interested to plop a Woody's fairing on her and see what changes and if it would ride more like a SG. It rides along the windy ionterstates pretty good now with the shield and lowers. I'm 6'1" and would love to test ride a RG. This is actually a good thread, thanks for starting the comparison question.
Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 179
Likes: 0
Road glide
Have had both and prefer RG.. I'm only 5'11" and felt cramped on the SG especially with the boss on the back.. Got ape arms.... I honestly felt as if my SG was no bigger than the dyna I had before.. Still miss that bike!Laid the SG Down in traffic and ended up with RG.. So much better.. Don't miss the dirty air behind the fairing on the SG.. RG feels like a real touring bike.. Still not as big as a gold wing but good nonetheless..btw I can reach the radio when riding on the RG.......
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 948
Likes: 2
From: s.w. mi./daytona
iam 6'5" and like the extra room of the road glide... also handles better....remeber when you test ride them that you will probably need to make some changes to get the bike to work better for YOU... kills me to hear someone test rode a stock bike and got to much wind so now they dont like it
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 4,528
Likes: 606
From: Raleigh NC
Good Morning, All.
I am visiting from the Dyna section. I love my Street Bob, but think that I am going to make the jump to a touring bike. I had my mind set on a Street Glide and for the last 5 years or so have thought that the Road Glide is a hideous looking bike.
L0W
I am visiting from the Dyna section. I love my Street Bob, but think that I am going to make the jump to a touring bike. I had my mind set on a Street Glide and for the last 5 years or so have thought that the Road Glide is a hideous looking bike.
L0W
proud owner of a SG and both are good options, however if you do a BUNCH of highway miles, that is where the RG wins
now if your primary driving is short distances on the highway like 200 miles or so and the around town thing, then the SG wins
but if you are looking at driving cross-country or 800 miles per day on highway, then go with the RG
there is a reason the SG/EG is the best selling tourer though, looks do come into it at some point and the SG/EG wins hands down every time
now if your primary driving is short distances on the highway like 200 miles or so and the around town thing, then the SG wins
but if you are looking at driving cross-country or 800 miles per day on highway, then go with the RG
there is a reason the SG/EG is the best selling tourer though, looks do come into it at some point and the SG/EG wins hands down every time
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.... As the OP is willing to test ride each.... I think he will make the right choice... for HIM...
I bought MY bike, because this bike offered me the best VALUE.... looks were secondary....(still are). I use my bike equally for around town.. short (130-250 miles) rides, and 500-5000 mile tours. This bike suits me. Is it for everyone? I don't know... nor care.
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 90
Likes: 0
I have 14,000 on my 011 SG...love it. Smooth on the highway..with my Werks windshield, I get no buffeting and I don't understand the Glide owners comment re crosswinds..no problemo here.
I just prefer the Street Glide.
My 08 Roadglide was a good highway bike (96") but..
...I got more buffeting in the cockpit
...It was difficult to see the chock, if you ever are coming up a ramp on a trailer. The angle of the ramp makes you blind and the forward nose makes it worse. I only trailered once, but it was a problem for me.
...I have a 32" sleeve so I had to raise my butt off the seat to turn on the radio.
But ride them both...it's an individual choice and fit has something to do with it.
Did I say that I love my SG?
I just prefer the Street Glide.
My 08 Roadglide was a good highway bike (96") but..
...I got more buffeting in the cockpit
...It was difficult to see the chock, if you ever are coming up a ramp on a trailer. The angle of the ramp makes you blind and the forward nose makes it worse. I only trailered once, but it was a problem for me.
...I have a 32" sleeve so I had to raise my butt off the seat to turn on the radio.
But ride them both...it's an individual choice and fit has something to do with it.
Did I say that I love my SG?
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Advanced
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 90
Likes: 0
If you are taller, you won't have some of my issues...
...I actually use the buttons on the radio (saved stations) and put in a CD now and then rather than rely on MP3...it is awkward for me on the Roadglide.
As the poster above me has posted, the frame is the same...the handling dynamics should bew the same. In theory, a frame mounted fairing should have less input on bike steering under windy conditions. In actual use, I can't tell the difference.
...I actually use the buttons on the radio (saved stations) and put in a CD now and then rather than rely on MP3...it is awkward for me on the Roadglide.
As the poster above me has posted, the frame is the same...the handling dynamics should bew the same. In theory, a frame mounted fairing should have less input on bike steering under windy conditions. In actual use, I can't tell the difference.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,706
Likes: 14
From: Near Frankenmuth, MI
Some more comparisons ...
I can tell you they are both nice bikes and I'd be happy with either one.
I have an early version Road Glide ('86 Tour Glide) and love everything about. I have rented a late model Street Glide for a trip. I can tell you that the heavy winds I rode the Street Glide in, caused a lot more steering strain with the batwing bolted to the bars.
I can also tell you that the new Sharknose fairing on the Road Glide has been repositioned further away from the driver, and raised higher. Not to my liking. Also the compartments are the oddest design that they open from the top in a difficult way to access while riding and they no longer are lock secured. That's 2 strikes (comfort wise) for me from what I have now.
Yes, the fairing on the Road Glide originated from Vetter, and was redesigned from the Honda Vetter fairing. But that's where the "likeness" ends. The new Gold Wing I saw Sunday had a back end that looked like a sports car the way the taillights, bags and trunk fit together seamlessly. And with all the panels blocking out the heart of the bike it is a sleek machine. The motor sounds like a small sport car too, very quiet.
Keep in mind radio controls are remote on the handlebars for the adjustments you can do while going down the road so reaching the radio while driving isn't an issue.
AND keep in mind all your instrumentation is stationary on the Road Glide, not added weight effecting the steering.
Just like automobiles. And keep in mind when you curve around corners the head lights are always pointing the way you are headed.
Now if you want to be able to turn your handle bars and scan the area with your headlights while stopped, then they would need to be mounted to the handle bars & steering head. Can't do that on the Road Glide.
I'm curious why so little talk about the top of the line Electra Glide Ultra?
I have an early version Road Glide ('86 Tour Glide) and love everything about. I have rented a late model Street Glide for a trip. I can tell you that the heavy winds I rode the Street Glide in, caused a lot more steering strain with the batwing bolted to the bars.
I can also tell you that the new Sharknose fairing on the Road Glide has been repositioned further away from the driver, and raised higher. Not to my liking. Also the compartments are the oddest design that they open from the top in a difficult way to access while riding and they no longer are lock secured. That's 2 strikes (comfort wise) for me from what I have now.
Yes, the fairing on the Road Glide originated from Vetter, and was redesigned from the Honda Vetter fairing. But that's where the "likeness" ends. The new Gold Wing I saw Sunday had a back end that looked like a sports car the way the taillights, bags and trunk fit together seamlessly. And with all the panels blocking out the heart of the bike it is a sleek machine. The motor sounds like a small sport car too, very quiet.
Keep in mind radio controls are remote on the handlebars for the adjustments you can do while going down the road so reaching the radio while driving isn't an issue.
AND keep in mind all your instrumentation is stationary on the Road Glide, not added weight effecting the steering.
Now if you want to be able to turn your handle bars and scan the area with your headlights while stopped, then they would need to be mounted to the handle bars & steering head. Can't do that on the Road Glide.
I'm curious why so little talk about the top of the line Electra Glide Ultra?