2013 Streetglide or Roadglide
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
From: Central Illinois, USA
Personally, I like both.
I test rode a RGC and SGC before I traded my softail. It was a windy day and I took them both on the same route...city and interstate, and I really couldn't tell a difference on how either of them handled the wind. Both were perfectly stable. And I had no problems with the controls on either.
Everything else being the same, the only reason I purchased the SGC over the RGC was because they had it in satin black. And I love it.
I test rode a RGC and SGC before I traded my softail. It was a windy day and I took them both on the same route...city and interstate, and I really couldn't tell a difference on how either of them handled the wind. Both were perfectly stable. And I had no problems with the controls on either.
Everything else being the same, the only reason I purchased the SGC over the RGC was because they had it in satin black. And I love it.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 4,082
Likes: 11
From: Long Island, NY
Just a pet peeve, but the one control for the radio which HD left off the hand controls is the ability to scroll through your SAVED chanels. I'd much rather be able to do that than scan through the entire radio band. Only way to go to through the saved chanels is directly through the radio, which is an easier reach for most on the SG than the RG.
You'll love either ride...I do since I own both...but don't worry about the reaching the radio deal. After owning the bike two days I have never had a reason to reach for the radio since all the needed controls are on the bars and once you master them you'll never need to reach. Unless you are changing CDs and you really should't be doing that at speed. 
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 500
Likes: 18
From: SW Burbs
I did about 200-220 miles today on my RG. The last 100 miles or so I was in a bit of a hurry to get home, so we took the interstate. The bike is just so stable and comfortable at 75mph+, I love it. I was thinking to myself on the ride home how it is just so awesome at eating miles on the highway in comfort.
I personally also like the fact that it doesn't look like every 3rd bike that I pass, which seems to be a SG or RG.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,766
Likes: 16
From: Roseville, CA
Prefer the styling and close gauges, and windprotection of the SG. Also when putting the bike on the creeper or wheel chock, looking over and seeing the front fender is nice too.
HD lists the SG as 25lbs lighter, but lacks the storage. I don't mind the "handling" of my bike whatsoever.
HD lists the SG as 25lbs lighter, but lacks the storage. I don't mind the "handling" of my bike whatsoever.
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,237
Likes: 3
From: Wis
Street Gilde......Hands Down!
I just got rid of my Road Glide for numerous reasons.
That FIXED Fairing is absolutely Terrible in more ways than one!
There is absloutely No Advantage to a FIXED Fairing YET there are lots of disadvantages with them!
The Fairing is soooooo Far away from the rider, that unless you have unusally LONGGGGG arms.....you have trouble reaching any of the controls on the Fairng.....such as the Stereo itself.
The Fairing creates an incredible Up Draft in your face and the Buffeting at anything over 60 miles an hour is like having NO Windshield at all.
The FIXED Fairing does not move with the Bike....as you go around Corners at Night.....so.......the Road is not illuminanted evenly to the right and to the left as you are in a corner.......the Lights do not follow the path of the bike, at all.
I just SOLD my Road Glide for these reasons......and just bought a Street Glide with it's Bat Wing Fairing.....which is 100% Better in all ways to the Road Glide.
The Road Glide is definitely NOT....for every one out there!
I absolutely HATED my Road Glide where as I LOVE my Street Glide!
The Fixed Fairing is just a Marketing thing......something different for Harley to Sell.
There is absolutely No Advantage to having the FIXED Fairing on the Road Glide!
Just my own opinion, as I have owned Both Bikes!
I just got rid of my Road Glide for numerous reasons.
That FIXED Fairing is absolutely Terrible in more ways than one!
There is absloutely No Advantage to a FIXED Fairing YET there are lots of disadvantages with them!
The Fairing is soooooo Far away from the rider, that unless you have unusally LONGGGGG arms.....you have trouble reaching any of the controls on the Fairng.....such as the Stereo itself.
The Fairing creates an incredible Up Draft in your face and the Buffeting at anything over 60 miles an hour is like having NO Windshield at all.
The FIXED Fairing does not move with the Bike....as you go around Corners at Night.....so.......the Road is not illuminanted evenly to the right and to the left as you are in a corner.......the Lights do not follow the path of the bike, at all.
I just SOLD my Road Glide for these reasons......and just bought a Street Glide with it's Bat Wing Fairing.....which is 100% Better in all ways to the Road Glide.
The Road Glide is definitely NOT....for every one out there!
I absolutely HATED my Road Glide where as I LOVE my Street Glide!
The Fixed Fairing is just a Marketing thing......something different for Harley to Sell.
There is absolutely No Advantage to having the FIXED Fairing on the Road Glide!
Just my own opinion, as I have owned Both Bikes!
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 5,173
Likes: 177
From: East Coast
The Road Glide used to look terrible to me. Now I prefer it by a wide margin in looks. To each his own.
The taller you are, the more you will like the Road Glide. I am not tall and still prefer it.
In wind there is no comparison. Unless I am mistaken, all other bikes with fairings regardless of manufacturer are fixed...for a reason! The bars do not become a large sail.
I much prefer the ability to "see forward" on the Road Glide.
The Road Glide is less claustrophobic by far.
Road Glide is more nimble and also has better slow speed maneuverabilty.
The faster the Road Glide goes, the smoother it feels.
You can get mirrors that are actually useful on the Road Glide.
The Street Glide has much more natural feeling handlebars. The Road Glide's bars are, uh, weird.
The "cockpit" view is absolutely amazing on Road Glides. The Street Glide cockpits are perhaps a bit dated. As has been said, the radio is easier to reach on the Street Glide. Wow. I have Pandora streaming from my bar mounted phone.
Two extra small storage compartments on the Road Glide without having to use that windshield pouch thing.
Road Glide has better stock lighting than Street Glide.
It is alleged that the Road Glides rack up the most mileage.
Modified RGlides are wild!
Very few Road Glide riders switch to another style. Once they arrive, they tend to not want to return..
I really don't like the straight on side view looks of EITHER bike. I prefer the angled forward, angled rearward, and straight head on looks of the Road Glide. Again to each his own.
Peruse this site for a while. Ride them both. I test rode a brand new Street Glide and immediately thereafter, a Road Glide. After dismounting, we wrote up an order for a 2013...
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j...pr6Iy7YAAB6cuw
...AND THEN THERE'S CANDY ORANGE!!!
The taller you are, the more you will like the Road Glide. I am not tall and still prefer it.
In wind there is no comparison. Unless I am mistaken, all other bikes with fairings regardless of manufacturer are fixed...for a reason! The bars do not become a large sail.
I much prefer the ability to "see forward" on the Road Glide.
The Road Glide is less claustrophobic by far.
Road Glide is more nimble and also has better slow speed maneuverabilty.
The faster the Road Glide goes, the smoother it feels.
You can get mirrors that are actually useful on the Road Glide.
The Street Glide has much more natural feeling handlebars. The Road Glide's bars are, uh, weird.
The "cockpit" view is absolutely amazing on Road Glides. The Street Glide cockpits are perhaps a bit dated. As has been said, the radio is easier to reach on the Street Glide. Wow. I have Pandora streaming from my bar mounted phone.
Two extra small storage compartments on the Road Glide without having to use that windshield pouch thing.
Road Glide has better stock lighting than Street Glide.
It is alleged that the Road Glides rack up the most mileage.
Modified RGlides are wild!
Very few Road Glide riders switch to another style. Once they arrive, they tend to not want to return..
I really don't like the straight on side view looks of EITHER bike. I prefer the angled forward, angled rearward, and straight head on looks of the Road Glide. Again to each his own.
Peruse this site for a while. Ride them both. I test rode a brand new Street Glide and immediately thereafter, a Road Glide. After dismounting, we wrote up an order for a 2013...
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j...pr6Iy7YAAB6cuw
...AND THEN THERE'S CANDY ORANGE!!!
Last edited by TORQUEY; Sep 29, 2012 at 09:30 PM.
Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 241
Likes: 2
From: Bristol TN
They both suck but one is worse than the other that is why i bought this 883 hugger. Oh i am sorry it might not be a 883 hugger but it is what i wanted. Dont know what it is called. I bought it for me not anyone else. Buy what you like and make your self happy not others.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,645
Likes: 32
From: Canton, Ohio
Street Gilde......Hands Down!
I just got rid of my Road Glide for numerous reasons.
That FIXED Fairing is absolutely Terrible in more ways than one!
There is absloutely No Advantage to a FIXED Fairing YET there are lots of disadvantages with them!
The Fairing is soooooo Far away from the rider, that unless you have unusally LONGGGGG arms.....you have trouble reaching any of the controls on the Fairng.....such as the Stereo itself.
The Fairing creates an incredible Up Draft in your face and the Buffeting at anything over 60 miles an hour is like having NO Windshield at all.
The FIXED Fairing does not move with the Bike....as you go around Corners at Night.....so.......the Road is not illuminanted evenly to the right and to the left as you are in a corner.......the Lights do not follow the path of the bike, at all.
I just SOLD my Road Glide for these reasons......and just bought a Street Glide with it's Bat Wing Fairing.....which is 100% Better in all ways to the Road Glide.
The Road Glide is definitely NOT....for every one out there!
I absolutely HATED my Road Glide where as I LOVE my Street Glide!
The Fixed Fairing is just a Marketing thing......something different for Harley to Sell.
There is absolutely No Advantage to having the FIXED Fairing on the Road Glide!
Just my own opinion, as I have owned Both Bikes!
I just got rid of my Road Glide for numerous reasons.
That FIXED Fairing is absolutely Terrible in more ways than one!
There is absloutely No Advantage to a FIXED Fairing YET there are lots of disadvantages with them!
The Fairing is soooooo Far away from the rider, that unless you have unusally LONGGGGG arms.....you have trouble reaching any of the controls on the Fairng.....such as the Stereo itself.
The Fairing creates an incredible Up Draft in your face and the Buffeting at anything over 60 miles an hour is like having NO Windshield at all.
The FIXED Fairing does not move with the Bike....as you go around Corners at Night.....so.......the Road is not illuminanted evenly to the right and to the left as you are in a corner.......the Lights do not follow the path of the bike, at all.
I just SOLD my Road Glide for these reasons......and just bought a Street Glide with it's Bat Wing Fairing.....which is 100% Better in all ways to the Road Glide.
The Road Glide is definitely NOT....for every one out there!
I absolutely HATED my Road Glide where as I LOVE my Street Glide!
The Fixed Fairing is just a Marketing thing......something different for Harley to Sell.
There is absolutely No Advantage to having the FIXED Fairing on the Road Glide!
Just my own opinion, as I have owned Both Bikes!
BS on the light issue. I've had both. Dual headlights up front give plenty of light.
Reaching the radio controls? They're on the handle bars just like a SG.
As someone else posted, look at the road, not your fairing while riding. Once around the block and you'll forget about it not moving.
I have a 90 mile commute in which 86 of it is highway. Won't go back to a batwing unless it was a 2nd bike and then it would indeed be a SG. I had an 02 Ultra and put 20k miles on it in two years so I have a little time in the saddle of a batwing.
Highway advantage of the RG is the fixed fairing. Buffeting from passing trucks is almost not noticable compared to my batwing. Just as stable at 90 as it is at 60.
Parking lot manuevering I find easier on the RG as the extra weight is off the handle bars.
JMO
Rent them both for a weekend. It'll be money well spent in making your decision.
As posted earlier by others, Get the one that makes you happiest. Opinions are like asshats, everyone has one and they all stink.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 5,173
Likes: 177
From: East Coast
They both suck but one is worse than the other that is why i bought this 883 hugger. Oh i am sorry it might not be a 883 hugger but it is what i wanted. Dont know what it is called. I bought it for me not anyone else. Buy what you like and make your self happy not others.
