Road King or Street Glide
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,826
Likes: 1
From: Lynchburg, Va
I am actually one of the very few who have put a shorter shield on my SG. No, I don't get the wind deflection that one of those tall geezer shields provides, but I do often feel like I am actually riding a motor sickle.....
I vote SG. But don't rent it thinking you will enjoy the tunes over ~60 mph, the stock stereo system sucks.
But as said before, hard to go wrong either way. Both are great bikes and a lot of fun.
Shakey
I vote SG. But don't rent it thinking you will enjoy the tunes over ~60 mph, the stock stereo system sucks.
But as said before, hard to go wrong either way. Both are great bikes and a lot of fun.
Shakey
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,593
Likes: 35
From: South Carolina-First to secede and hopefully the next.
I know it's not on your list, but if it's the weight that bothers you why not try a Heritage Softail? That's what I tried and was amazed. I was almost as comfortable on that as I am the RG, but the wife not so much.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 3,832
Likes: 127
From: Coastal Carolina
For riding the twisties through the Rockies, I would not want a Heritage. It looks a little like a Road King Classic but doesn't handle nearly as well. To get that low slung look on the Heritage (and many of the softail line), Harley sacrificed lean angle. The difference is staggering. A 2013 Road King has lean angles of 33 degrees right and 31 degrees left. The Heritage is WAY less at 24.4 degrees right and 25.9 degrees left. (Figures from H-D website.) A 9 degree difference to the right and a 5 degree difference to the left makes a huge difference in cornering ability. You get a Heritage Softail Classic for looks, not for handling.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 2,023
Likes: 6
From: New Jersey
I test rode both before buying my Street Glide a few years back.
We have also been to the Rockies in August. While very comfortable at street level, it can get very cold (and even snow) at elevation!
My vote is for the Street Glide:
The ride west, up through Independence Pass and into Aspen is absolutely spectacular. Also, you won't want to miss a ride through Rocky Mountain National Park, north of Denver. Awesome!
We have also been to the Rockies in August. While very comfortable at street level, it can get very cold (and even snow) at elevation!
My vote is for the Street Glide:
- fairing will protect your body and hands
- radio will keep you informed and entertained
- lowered frame will be more comfortable and more manageable
- gauges will be reassuring
The ride west, up through Independence Pass and into Aspen is absolutely spectacular. Also, you won't want to miss a ride through Rocky Mountain National Park, north of Denver. Awesome!
Club Member
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 468
Likes: 222
From: NorCal
Cornering clearance
One thing that was touched on, but not these two models directly, is cornering clearance. How do you ride? I have a '07 SG and '13 RK in the garage, and I have found a huge difference in cornering clearance. So far, I have not been able to scrape anything on the RK, but drag kickstand, floorboard mounts, etc regularly on the SG. If you like to corner hard, I would suggest the RK. Not sure if the newer SG has more clearance.
Also, I am 6-3 and have no problems with the wind on the SG, even with a short windshield. One point well made is the hand protection given by the SG shield. I took the windshield off the RK, since I really don't care for the look. What a drastic difference between the two!
And yes, the tunes....
Also, I am 6-3 and have no problems with the wind on the SG, even with a short windshield. One point well made is the hand protection given by the SG shield. I took the windshield off the RK, since I really don't care for the look. What a drastic difference between the two!
And yes, the tunes....
Cruiser
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 194
Likes: 0
From: Nevada
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window
Verdad Gallardo
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
Thread Starter
|
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 35
Likes: 2
Thanks. I asked the rental company this very question regarding a taller windshield for the SG but they don't really do custom adjustments.
Looks like I will go with the RK. Thanks everyone for the feedback.
Looks like I will go with the RK. Thanks everyone for the feedback.
For the additional wind protection, I would rent the Street Glide, and have them put on a taller windshield (takes just a minute).
Depends a bit if you like to look over the windshield (street glide) or through it (road king)
If it gets cool in the Rockies you will appreciate the wind protection your hands get with the street glide.
Nice to have a built in stereo so you can slip a little John Denver in the CD player.
Depends a bit if you like to look over the windshield (street glide) or through it (road king)
If it gets cool in the Rockies you will appreciate the wind protection your hands get with the street glide.
Nice to have a built in stereo so you can slip a little John Denver in the CD player.
Thread Starter
|
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 35
Likes: 2
This is a good point. It turns out the rental co does offer the Heritage but I did not consider it because of this very fact. I own a fatboy, love it... but I do have to be aware of cornering. I figured for some Mountain road twisties I wanted the ability to corner a bit more than on a softail.
For riding the twisties through the Rockies, I would not want a Heritage. It looks a little like a Road King Classic but doesn't handle nearly as well. To get that low slung look on the Heritage (and many of the softail line), Harley sacrificed lean angle. The difference is staggering. A 2013 Road King has lean angles of 33 degrees right and 31 degrees left. The Heritage is WAY less at 24.4 degrees right and 25.9 degrees left. (Figures from H-D website.) A 9 degree difference to the right and a 5 degree difference to the left makes a huge difference in cornering ability. You get a Heritage Softail Classic for looks, not for handling.