The Road Glide and Street Glide are popular touring motorcycles from Harley-Davidson. They differ mainly in their fairing design and handling.
Harley-Davidson’s Road Glide and Street Glide cater to touring enthusiasts with distinct features. The Road Glide sports a fixed shark-nose fairing, which helps in stable handling at high speeds. Its dual Daymaker Reflector LED headlamps enhance visibility. On the other hand, the Street Glide features a fork-mounted batwing fairing, offering a classic look and agile maneuverability.
Both models come equipped with a powerful Milwaukee-Eight engine, providing robust performance. Riders appreciate the comfort and advanced infotainment systems. Choosing between them depends on personal preference for fairing style and handling experience.
Introduction To The Harley Rivalry
The battle between the Harley-Davidson Road Glide and the Street Glide is legendary. These two motorcycles have captured the hearts of riders worldwide. They offer unique features, making them icons in the motorcycle world.
Iconic Appeal Of Road Glide And Street Glide
The Road Glide is known for its bold design and fixed fairing. Riders love its stability at high speeds. The dual headlights give it a fierce look. It’s perfect for long-distance journeys.
The Street Glide has a sleek, batwing fairing. This design is a favorite among city riders. Its classic look and powerful engine make it a head-turner. The bike offers a smooth ride and easy handling.
Key Factors In The Epic Harley Showdown
| Feature | Road Glide | Street Glide |
|---|---|---|
| Fairing | Fixed | Batwing |
| Headlights | Dual | Single |
| Stability | High | Medium |
| Design | Bold | Sleek |
| Best For | Long Rides | City Rides |
- Engine Power: Both bikes have powerful V-Twin engines.
- Comfort: Road Glide offers more comfort for long trips.
- Handling: Street Glide is easier to handle in urban areas.
- Customization Options: Both models offer a variety of customization.
- Technology: Modern tech features are available in both.
- Price Range: Prices vary based on features and models.
Both the Road Glide and Street Glide have their loyal fans. Each bike offers a unique riding experience. Choose the one that fits your style and needs.
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Design Philosophy
The design philosophy of the Road Glide and the Street Glide showcases their unique appeal. Both models are crafted to offer distinct looks and experiences to riders. Understanding their design differences can help you choose the right bike.
Aesthetic Differences
The Road Glide features a distinctive shark-nose fairing. This fairing is fixed to the frame, giving the bike a sleek and bold look. The dual Daymaker Reflector LED headlamps enhance its aggressive stance.
On the other hand, the Street Glide comes with a classic batwing fairing. This fairing is mounted to the handlebars, offering a timeless and iconic appearance. The single headlamp adds to its traditional charm.
Ergonomics And Comfort
Ergonomics and comfort are crucial for long rides. The Road Glide offers a more relaxed riding position. Its wider handlebars and seat design provide extra comfort.
The Street Glide focuses on a more upright riding posture. Its seat is designed to support the rider’s lower back.
Both bikes come with a range of comfort features, but their design philosophies cater to different riding styles.
| Feature | Road Glide | Street Glide |
|---|---|---|
| Fairing | Shark-nose | Batwing |
| Headlamp | Dual LED | Single LED |
| Handlebars | Wider | Standard |
- Road Glide: Sleek, bold, and aggressive.
- Street Glide: Classic, iconic, and traditional.
Performance Metrics
When evaluating the performance metrics of the Road Glide and Street Glide, several key aspects come into play. These metrics include engine specifications, handling, and maneuverability. This section will delve into these critical performance areas to help you make an informed decision.
Engine Specifications
The engine is the heart of any motorcycle. Both the Road Glide and Street Glide feature the Milwaukee-Eight 107 engine. This engine delivers 92.5 horsepower and 114 lb-ft of torque.
| Model | Engine Type | Horsepower | Torque |
|---|---|---|---|
| Road Glide | Milwaukee-Eight 107 | 92.5 hp | 114 lb-ft |
| Street Glide | Milwaukee-Eight 107 | 92.5 hp | 114 lb-ft |
Handling And Maneuverability
Handling and maneuverability are vital for a smooth ride. The Road Glide boasts a fixed fairing, providing better stability at high speeds. This feature reduces wind resistance and improves overall ride comfort.
On the other hand, the Street Glide features a batwing fairing. This fairing is mounted to the forks, making it feel more responsive at lower speeds. The Street Glide is ideal for urban environments.
- Road Glide: Better high-speed stability
- Street Glide: More responsive at low speeds
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Touring Capabilities
When choosing between the Road Glide and Street Glide, understanding their touring capabilities is crucial. Both motorcycles offer exceptional performance for long rides. Let’s delve into what each has to offer in terms of comfort and storage.
Long-distance Comfort
Road Glide features a frame-mounted fairing, reducing wind impact on the rider. This design minimizes fatigue on long rides. The Road Glide also boasts a plush seat, providing excellent comfort.
Street Glide comes with a fork-mounted fairing. This helps in better handling at lower speeds. The seat is equally comfortable, ensuring a smooth ride over long distances.
| Feature | Road Glide | Street Glide |
|---|---|---|
| Fairing | Frame-mounted | Fork-mounted |
| Seat Comfort | Plush | Comfortable |
Storage Solutions
Road Glide offers ample storage with its hard saddlebags. These bags are spacious and lockable, ensuring your belongings are safe.
Street Glide also provides hard saddlebags. These are slightly smaller but still offer enough space for essentials.
- Road Glide: Larger saddlebags, more storage space
- Street Glide: Smaller saddlebags, adequate for essentials
Both models come with additional storage options. Riders can add tour packs or luggage racks for extra capacity. Choose based on how much gear you plan to carry.
Customization And Accessories
Both the Road Glide and Street Glide offer extensive customization options. Riders can personalize their bikes to reflect their style. This section will explore the various personalization options and aftermarket support available for these two models.
Personalization Options
The Road Glide and Street Glide have a wide range of personalization options. Riders can choose from various paint schemes, seat styles, and handlebars. Custom paint jobs can make your bike unique. Seats come in different materials and designs for comfort and style. Handlebars can be adjusted for better ergonomics.
Each model also offers different fairing styles. The Road Glide has a fixed fairing, while the Street Glide has a batwing fairing. These can be customized with different windshields and trims. Lights and mirrors are another area for personalization. Riders can choose from LED lights, custom mirrors, and more.
Aftermarket Support
The aftermarket support for both models is extensive. Many companies offer parts and accessories for Road Glide and Street Glide. Riders can find anything from performance parts to aesthetic upgrades. Popular aftermarket parts include exhaust systems, air filters, and suspension upgrades.
Here is a table summarizing some popular aftermarket options:
| Part | Road Glide | Street Glide |
|---|---|---|
| Exhaust Systems | Vance & Hines, Rinehart | Cobra, Bassani |
| Air Filters | K&N, Arlen Ness | S&S, Screamin’ Eagle |
| Suspension Upgrades | Progressive, Öhlins | Legend, Burly Brand |
These options ensure that riders can find the best parts for their needs. The strong aftermarket support also means that riders can keep their bikes in top condition.
Overall, the Road Glide and Street Glide provide excellent opportunities for customization. Riders can make each bike their own with the wide range of options available.
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Rider Experience
Choosing between the Road Glide and Street Glide involves understanding the rider experience. Both bikes offer unique features and riding styles. This section delves into what riders say about their experiences.
User Feedback
Road Glide users praise its stability at high speeds. The fixed fairing reduces wind resistance, offering a smoother ride. Users report less fatigue on long trips.
Street Glide enthusiasts love its agile handling. The fork-mounted fairing provides a closer connection to the road. Riders mention it feels more responsive in urban settings.
| Feature | Road Glide | Street Glide |
|---|---|---|
| Stability | High | Medium |
| Handling | Medium | High |
| Wind Resistance | Low | Medium |
Community And Culture
The Road Glide community is known for its long-distance touring culture. Riders often participate in cross-country trips. They value the bike’s comfort and stability.
Street Glide riders often engage in urban and suburban cruising. The community enjoys local meetups and shorter rides. They appreciate the bike’s agile and responsive nature.
- Road Glide Community:
- Long-distance touring
- Cross-country trips
- Comfort-focused
- Street Glide Community:
- Urban cruising
- Local meetups
- Agile handling
Price Point And Value
Deciding between the Road Glide and Street Glide? Price and value matter. Both bikes come with their unique features and benefits. Below, we break down the cost and value of each model.
Cost Analysis
The price of the Road Glide typically starts around $21,699. The Street Glide, on the other hand, starts at approximately $21,999. Both models come in various trims and customizations, affecting the final price.
| Model | Starting Price | High-End Trim Price |
|---|---|---|
| Road Glide | $21,699 | $28,000+ |
| Street Glide | $21,999 | $29,000+ |
Both models offer similar base prices. The high-end trims for both can exceed $28,000. Key features like infotainment systems, seating, and engine upgrades significantly impact costs.
Resale Value Considerations
Resale value is crucial for long-term investment. Historically, Harley-Davidson motorcycles hold their value well.
- Road Glide: Known for its stability and comfort.
- Street Glide: Popular for its sleek design and touring capabilities.
According to market trends, the Street Glide often has a slightly higher resale value. This is due to its widespread popularity and iconic design.
Maintaining either bike well can ensure a strong resale value. Regular servicing, proper storage, and keeping receipts for aftermarket parts boost resale prices.
In summary, both models offer excellent value for their prices. The choice depends on personal preferences and specific needs.
The Verdict
Choosing between the Road Glide and the Street Glide can be tough. Both bikes offer unique features and experiences. Let’s dive into which one might be perfect for you.
Which Bike Suits You?
If you enjoy long rides, the Road Glide is a great choice. Its frame-mounted fairing reduces wind impact. You will feel less fatigue on long trips.
For city riding, the Street Glide stands out. Its batwing fairing is fork-mounted, making it more agile. You can easily navigate through traffic with this bike.
Here’s a simple comparison table:
| Feature | Road Glide | Street Glide |
|---|---|---|
| Fairing | Frame-mounted | Fork-mounted |
| Riding Style | Long trips | City rides |
| Wind Protection | Better | Good |
Final Thoughts On The Harley Battle
Both bikes offer excellent performance. Your choice depends on your riding style. If you love open roads, go for the Road Glide. If you prefer city streets, the Street Glide is perfect.
Remember, both bikes are from Harley-Davidson. They come with the brand’s legendary build quality and style. You can’t go wrong with either.
Conclusion
Choosing between the Road Glide and Street Glide depends on your riding style. Both offer unique benefits. The Road Glide excels in long-distance comfort, while the Street Glide is perfect for urban adventures. Evaluate your needs and preferences to make the best choice.
Enjoy the ride, whichever you pick!