So the other day, my heritage softail was in a wreck and although I'm fine, the bike is not. There is a very high probability that the insurance company may total it out. That being the case, I am starting to look for a new bike, and I am sure I want to go with a touring model.

I am struggling with my decision between two though, Street Glide and Road King (non-classic). Besides the obvious (stereo and gauges) what are the pros and cons of each model?

I use my bike as a daily driver, and do several long trips (800+ miles) per year - at least 4 of those trips per year, not to mention weekend getaways, etc.

I did like the styling of my Heritage, hence my attraction to the Road King, but since I ride in cold weather as well, I like the idea of the larger fairing. Are there other aspects of these two bikes that I am missing? I would like to hear opinions from those that have one, the other, or both....

What do you like, what don't you like, etc.
Also, lets get some input on pipes - what do you recommend for this model? Are there other mods I should be aware of with either bike, etc.

TIA

 

You are from my hometown, so I have to vote for the Ultra limited. Especially, you travel quite a bit, so the all the extra accessories, hard bags, and trunk will give you some extra space nicely.
I'm gald that you are OK, and good luck with your shopping.

 

I suggest you rent both and ride them for a day. Money well spent considering a purchase of this magnitude.

 

I have had a road king and currently have an Ultra.
The road king I enjoyed because I could take the screen off and ride it around town or short hops with the wind in me face. On the longer run with the screen you get cover at least from the wind slamming your chest but no cover to hands or legs.
With the Ultra I have no option to remove the fairing but I get good cover on a long run to face chest etc although I have replaced the stock screen with a short Long Ride screen. I have also put on detach gear so I can remove top box and leg lowers so I can ride her a bit stripped back like a Street Glide. I still feel though that I miss the lighter front end of the roadie when I'm on short hops but do appreciate the extra on longer runs. It's best to figure out what type of riding you will do the most of and favor that.
Body size probably has some bearing too. I am a slim 5 foot 10. My bud who is a chunky 6 foot really suits his Street Glide for all occasions.
Any way you go it's still riding, neh?

 

That's part of the problem - I have rented all of them - Heritage Softail, Street Glide, Ultra, and a Road King and had them for a full weekend each. I still don't think its enough time to really get a feel for the pros and cons of the different styles.

The only reason I started with the Heritage is because I found a deal that was too good to pass up. I enjoyed it, but always found that I wanted more storage space in my saddle bags for my photography gear, and I tended to bottom the shocks a little too easily even though they were stiffened all the way up.

I know that the touring bikes are more of a "sit on" instead of "sit in" type of position, but that doesn't bother me, and the engine vibration will take a day to get used to.

My wife LOVED the Ultra when we did a 800 mile trip on it, but she doesn't think it is "cool" enough looking and refers to it as "the geezer glide". As long as she has floor boards and a decent seat, she is a trooper. I think part of the reason she thinks that is because all of the ones we see locally have seem to have some dated paint jobs, the big windshield, and the touring pack. Although the touring pack is functional and she enjoyed it on the long trip with all our gear, it doesn't help it look any sportier.

The Street Glide seems to be a decent compromise, but I don't know how I feel about the looks of the fairing up front. It seems barren without the additional lights, which I guess could be added later. Its functional, but not as sexy as the classic looks of the Road King. The Road King is sweet looking, but not as comfortable as the other two models in the wind or cold.

I guess I'm looking for long term use points of view. Besides the tour-pack on the Ultra, what else is the difference between that and the Street Glide? Is the pack easily removable? Does someone that has a Road King wish they had gone with a Street Glide or Ultra.... if so, why?

and vice versa.

Edit - I replied before reading Pommy's post.... excellent points to consider.

How easily do the lower fairings and trunk remove? Also, how would you weigh the option of adding a removable fairing to the Road King? Can a tour-pack and lower fairings be added to the King? Are there control options or electronic options that are not available to a Road King? Does the ride still feel comparable between the two over time?

 

You know you can put a fairing with a stereo on a road king right? That's what I did. Best of all worlds in my opinion. It comes off almost as easy as the windshield and leaves no trace of "geezer" when it's gone. I've had my king for about 13 years. It is anything I want it to be.

 

I didn't realize that they had these - I will have to check it out. I guess that does make the RK a bet more versatile, doesn't it...

 

Road King would be your most versatile choice. Street Glide if you think you will always want the permanent faring in place.

I own both an Ultra and a Police Road King, both bikes are excellent rides, fun and comfy.

Don't over think it.

 

You could get a Ultra with a detatchable tour pack and shorter wind screen that way you get the sporty look of the street glide but get the better suspension of the ultra for longer road trips.

 

The engine vibration is only present at idle on these bikes. Goes away as soon as you crack the throttle.

Also, as Kannonball said, you can easily make a Road King look like a SG with the $ saved. A buddy saved $4k by buying the RK. Put that into a detachable fairing, hard bags, tourpak, and lowers. First glance, it sure doesn't look like a RK. Of course, I'm just a little partial to the SG...