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What's the difference between the Street/Road/Electa Glides?

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Old Sep 20, 2012 | 12:20 PM
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Default What's the difference between the Street/Road/Electa Glides?

I'm on the hunt for a new bike and just left the local dealorship. Other than the faring...I was somewhat confused as to what the difference is between the street glide, road glide and electra glide. I'm a large person at 6'6"'s and 240lbs so I need something that can deal with my height and length. Any guidance would be appreciated on the differences. Also - each has an ultra...does the ultra simply give you additional bells and whistles? Thanks for any feedback.
 
Old Sep 20, 2012 | 03:31 PM
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Hi Dave. Welcome aboard. Street Glide has a fairing, but no tourpak on back. Road Glide is the one with the stationary fairing (handlebars turn when cornering, but the fairing stays straight ahead). Electra Glide Classic is like the Street Glide, but has a tourpak on the back. (fairing on Classic & Ultra Classic turns with the handlebars.) Ultra is like the Classic, but has the lower fairings in front of your feet, and a few bells & whistles like a CB radio hookup on the gas tank. Road Glide comes in an Ultra also ---- tourpak on back, and lowers in front of your feet. Street Glide can also have a tourpak put on it. Don't be bashful about going to a dealer and asking somebody while the bikes are right in front of you. Google will give you pics of the different bikes also.

When I bought my 1st Harley (an 09 Electra Glide Classic), I also tried a Road King. The stock handlebars were just too far away from me to be comfortable. Felt like I was just reaching too far for them. Felt like the Road King was built for somebody bigger than me (I'm 5' 10", 190). Road King is in the touring family also, but doesn't have a fairing --- just the windshield.

Look at the Harley website, and start googling, and you'll see the differences.
 
Old Sep 20, 2012 | 05:38 PM
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Old Sep 20, 2012 | 05:42 PM
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Thanks for the info....much appreciated.
 
Old Sep 20, 2012 | 05:44 PM
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Welcome CapeDave1 and if you post this question in the "Touring" section of the forum you'll probably get some good dialogue going. Enjoy!
 
Old Sep 20, 2012 | 06:50 PM
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What they hang on the frame. In some case wheel sizes may very a bit some 17 some 18 inch front.
Also when comparing remember they changed the frame in 2009. And that was a major change.
One major difference is the RoadGlide and Road Glide Ultra from the others.
RoadGlides have a Frame mount faring. Big difference in other touring baikes.
 
Old Sep 20, 2012 | 07:36 PM
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Hello from Texas
 
Old Sep 20, 2012 | 07:46 PM
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Hello from Nashville. I'm only 6'2" and found the '09 and later Electra Glides very tight fit for legs and felt like I was sitting on the tank. Street Glide is similar geometry. Bought one anyway because I liked the features. The Road Glides and Road Kings seem to be a bit more spread out. Do more than sit on it in the showroom, take it for a test ride. If you go the Electra Glide route plan on changing out the seat and possibly floorboards and bars to move you back and get more leg room.
 

Last edited by TNCarters; Sep 20, 2012 at 07:49 PM.
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