I own a 11 street glide and absolutely love it. Never rode a road glide but from what I hear they are a little more stable passing rigs on the Hwy. Either way you can't go wrong. ride safe Brothers and sisters
They do handle the same way. The only advantage, for me, is that it's easier to use the touch screen of the boom audio on the Street Glide because it's closer to you .
I've ridden both models a couple different times. The RG is heavier by 25-50 pounds depending on year. I think RG's are more popular now but I chose an SG. I like the fairing closer, lower bars, slightly lighter weight, and prefer batwing over shark nose. Both are great bikes.
I’ve owned both, currently ride a 2020 Road Glide Limited. RG Handle bars are higher and more comfortable for me, more space between me and the front fairing, better wind protection, I personally feel like it cuts thru the wind a little better, more space to store your phone or other things in the front fairing storage compartments, these are a few things I like about the RG over the SG.
I have had both. It is not just visual. Take a long distance ride, like coast to coast on both and then provide your opinion. I have and at the end of the day I was less fatigued. I enjoyed my batwing fairing bikes, however the Road Glide is so much better. No it is not in my head. I agree that each person should decide on what they like.
Thanks for sharing! I can see on a trip like that there could be a difference. But with something like that even handle par position and seat make a WORLD of difference. These guys riding around down 30-60 mile trips were the ones making me laugh about the way the RG handles wind. haha
Agreed 💯. Took a 500 mile trip two weeks ago on my 12 SG, wore me out. Traded it in on a 21 RG standard and already have 700 miles on the clock. No fatigue and this thing can handle!
I almost got the SG because I love the classic batwing look but I went for the RG because I live on the windy coast. He's right, the SG doesn't get "pushed around" but the RG cuts thru the wind like a knife. It took a long time for the RG look to grow on me.
I’ve owned both. Went from a SG to RG. To me the big difference is in the turning. I notice a big difference turning the RG in my garage, much easier. I still might be new to the RG handling on the highway, but it feel to light or loose leaning on high speed turns. That is very noticeable. My impression is my SG with the fairing attached to the forks was giving me added weight on the forks and with the added wind, giving the front more downforce making the front feel planted better. Otherwise to me they both handle everything else the same once on the highway and living in a town of 400 people, going anywhere means getting on the highway.
I've had 3 street glides in the past, up until 2012. My buddy told me to ride his roadglide and see how I liked it, I agree that they are the same bike but the fixed fairing makes a big damn difference in a strong headwind. What it comes down to is this, I wasn't a big fan of the sharknose fairing, anybody that is dead set on owning a street glide simply doesn't like the look. And hey, that's OK cause I was in that same mindset. I totally agree with you going to the dealership, and test riding both. I encourage people to really rent the 2 different bikes so you can have all the driving conditions on both bikes. A rental fee isn't that bad considering the huge investment your going to be laying down for either one of them. I love both bikes, but long long trips that I take on my routes, the bad headwinds I get, there's no fighting the handlebars, I'm just all about the handling in certain conditions, would I own a street glide again? Sure
I’ve owned both and I love both of them. I have a RG now and it’s my favorite of the two. I like the looks of the RG better and to me the air comes off the shark nose fairing a lot smoother than the bat wing fairing. I definitely had more head buffeting on the SG. As far as handling, I think the RG is a little better. Both are great bikes and I’d recommend either one of them based on your personal preference.
I agree, owned both, there is absolutely a difference, the road glide dominates the wind on the highway, less negative pressure behind the fairing from three big vents
Exactly. They are the same. The people that think one handles better than another is simply in their head. It's only because they like it better or feel more comfortable on it.
I’ve had both and for me being 6’4” I like the gauges being farther away on the Road Glide, they are easier for me to see. I love the ride of both bikes, I feel the Road Glide handles a little better than the Street Glide, but it may just be my own preference. I ride a Road Glide Ultra and absolutely love it.
For me after test riding both, I went with the Street Glide. As a short dude, the seat height and riding position "feel" for me made all the difference in the world. I believe it all comes down to preference and it is subjective. I too, like some mentioned here felt the RG fairing "looked" different while riding. Something about it being "bigger". The handling characteristics were similar but not the same. I felt it had to do with the "feel" riding position for me. But I am a 5'4". Someone who is 6'4" may have felt different. I didn't notice a lot of difference in the way the bikes felt with regards to the wind, both on and off the highway. So when it came time to make up my mind, it was easy for me. I chose the SG. It is a 2019 FLHXS Barracuda Silver. I ride with three other guys all various shapes and sizes and all three of them ride Road Glides. When we are parked and folks walk by guess whose bike everyone comments on? That's right "the Silver Fox!" What can I say, it looks cooler...just sayin :-) Good video. I hope my two cents on this awesome debate helps a few of you out there on the fence. I think both bikes are awesome. Test ride both and ride the glide that meets your stride.
But it’s the same seat height, Same bike , different fairing, You don’t make any sense??? Like the sg, great but cause your a short guy??? Its better??? Wait what??? Same bike.
The fxbb I have rides smoother and can go farther than the streetglide I had for 1 simple fact. Ride height I needed a reach seat which was uncomfortable after 40min. Fxbb fits me better and I got the hammock seat. Crazy the difference. Not perfect I don't like how far it puts you forward maybe 1 or 2 in back would be perfect but compared to the streetglide seat I had it's night and day. Was even an expensive seat with a huge couch sized back seat for the picky woman. Hated the look... when she left I put the stock seat back on. More comfort than aftermarket reach seat but still not as comfortable as the hammock. Also couldnt back the bike up hardly on stones or a hill. Have a bit of buffeting on both slightly worse on the fxbb with a 18in shield vs the klockwerks shield I put on the glide. The biggest comfort plus on the glide was the music and cruise control to give the hand a break
I own a 2001 Road King, a 2002 Heritage Softail Springer, and a 2015 CVO Street Glide. All great bikes, but the softail is still my favorite! Gotta love the softails!
👍💯 very good! Some riders likes to tease the riders of the "other bike" and when I say some riders, I'm incuded in that group. 😁 It's done all in fun for me. We are all in the Harley-Davidson family, it's cybiling rivalry. My brother and my cousins ride Road Glides and we tease each other about our bikes. I know a Road Glide is a good bike, and we all agree the Street Glide is a better one.😉 Seriously I would own the one that visually appeals the most to you. Go test ride both and decide for yourself. You can't go wrong with either one. Great video, thanks for the upload. Keep gliding and have a blessed day! Tall
🎯 Truth! I love your videos too by the way. Mostly because I have a Street Glide also so a lot of what you do I can do to my bike as well. Thanks, keep up the good work.
I'm blessed and own one of each, a 202 Road Glide Limited and 2021 Street Glide special. I do not feel a difference in the ride so I agree with with Throttle Blip, the only difference is appearance. Oh, and the dash is closer to you on the street glide.
Great video. I did exactly that. I rode both and bought a SGS. Love it. It looks and rides awesome. No issues with stability in the windy world of the North East of England.
I have both , 2019 road glide and 2020 street glide, in my opinion both are almost the same but I’m 5’6” means (I’m short😪) lol On the road glide I can ride long trips without having any issues with buffering (wind hitting my head) but to reach the infotainment is uncomfortable because is far and I my height doesn’t help. On the street glide everything is close and I feel comfortable but if I ride over 70 mph my head gets everywhere,obviously a long ride on this bike become a headache to me,but I love the looks and how everything fell so close to me , I end up buying 3 different sizes of windscreen depending on the type of ride I will do and helps a little bit , something that I didn’t have to do on the road glide. In conclusion: street glide looks nice and handle great on the street Road glide great for long trips ,,,,, this is my opinion only Glad I have the fortune to have this 2 beautiful and great bikes
I own a Road Glide Special 2019. I’ve ridden more Street Glides. There is a difference in the ride to me. No head buffering on the Road Glide. The Street Glide always shake my head a lot after 70 mph. I’m 6’ tall. Both are great bikes, I prefer the Road Glide. Great video 😎
Had both,,,love the looks of the street glide, prefer the handling of the Road Glide. Rode both machines on trips from Florida to Sturgis, to me the Road Glide cut through that mid west wind better.
I test rode both today. I loved them both. I think I'm leaning toward the RG since I'm coming from a sport bike. I'm used to the frame mounted fairing. Both awesome bikes though
I tested both because I like both, before I went with the street glide style fairing. One other difference is that the speakers are farther away from you on the road glide. That, and I got the impression of greater wind noise with the road glide. I like the gauges, display, and speakers closer. I do like the road glide appearance, but the proximity of the devices in the fairings drove my decision.
For me, I like that the gauges are higher than the radio on the SG. I glanced at those a hell of a lot more than the infotainment screen. I like not having to take my eyes off the road as far to see the gauges on the SG. But with the RG I can get the Mean Mug............haha.
I’m 43, Been riding a bike of some sort since I was 11 I’ve had several Kawasaki‘s Honda Suzuki‘s and I’m just starting to research getting my first Harley. I found your channel and I really want to thank you for your straightforward candid videos
Rode my 2017 street glide special from NC to Texas. Never bothered by wind even when going through GA where the speed limit is 70 but everyone goes 95.
I've had both and love both. Being a guy with a bad back the road glide doesn't hurt me when riding where the batwing did. That little bit of feedback from the fairing in the wind through the bars that most people never notice. I can ride the road glide all day doesn't hurt my back. So the fixed fairing is great if you have back pain
I’m not saying you’re wrong but did you check the shocks? Because That could’ve also been the difference in rear shocks. The air over oil shocks are terrible. While the newer adjustable shocks on the specials are much more suitable for bad backs.
I have owned both! The difference is the Road Fairing is extended further away from you giving you an open feeling! My current Bat Wing fairing is much closer & easier for me to see the gauges at my age😂
I have a 2007 street glide for 14 years ended up buying a 2018 BMW K1600 GTL. Love the bike for the way it rides and handles. It’s a great bike for long tours. But, it’s the prestige of owning a Harley!!! I’m going back to my local dealer and buying myself a 2021 Snake Venom Road Glide this weekend.
I've had both and currently have a Street Glide. One of the things I found better on the Street Glide is cold weather protection for the hands. The Road Glide faring is a bit narrower and half your hand on each side is out in the wind. I found my Road Glide had less buffeting around my head out on the highway.
I noticed the cold weather thing myself. I ran 12'' bars on my SG. One reason was because I didn't like the way they looked above the fairing. The other was because even at the top of the fairing the wind still went up and over your hands. Even with stock bars i feel wind from the RG.
As former motorman, I totally agree with you. I have ridden both within minutes of each other and was not able to find any major difference in the ride. I say go with what appeals to you.
I rented a Harley this past weekend. Reserved a road glide, but there was a mistake and it wasn’t available so they gave me a street glide instead and I fell in love. Slightly leaning into strong wind gusts and the fairing cuts right through it. The street glide really inspires confidence and it’s buttery smooth cruising at 105mph. I could still hear my music too.
I'm about to purchase my first bagger and I have been trying to figure this out without opinions and just facts. Great video! Answered my questions and confirmed my speculations. Thanks! I'm still indecisive but now it come down to prices and accessories lil
I've owned both, only thing I would say, I enjoyed the road glide in extreme weather conditions and on extremely windy days better, especially in pouring down rain! Why, I don't know, I am 6'1" and I just feel more at eaze and more protected. I've only owned one road glide limited but many batwing models in my time. I am in the process right now of deciding which will be my new bike for 2022. One thing that just caught my attention is the GPS readout is overtop the speedo and tach on the road glide which will be a little safer in high traffic lane swapping and street finding especially when everyone is 10 mph over the speed limit and running bumper to bumper! I noticed going back and forth from road to screen in this type of riding has become more of an issue now that I am over 60.
Okay now these are valid points! Well done, Sir. I've ridden the batwing in the rain but can't recall riding a RG in the rain. Never thought about that one.
I'm a 2014 street glide owner. I JUST test rode both the 21 street glide and 21 road glide back 2 back. The road glide felt better seat of the pants. I'll prob still get the street glide special though.
I own a 2020 street glide special. I freakin love the bike. I have ridden sport bikes most of my life I have also had some cruisers. The glide kills them all. Now fixed fairing is nothing new. Sport bikes have done it forever. I have ridden both and for me it was the street glide. Looks especially. 0 issues with stability passing anything or anyone. What ever you ride stay safe out there. Been crazy around my area lately.
Thank you I think that’s fair I rode a roadglide and got plenty of wind between me and the front end no matter what I did even had a custom windshield made but leaning towards the streetglide
There absolutely is a difference! And the comment about "not being a very good rider" is laughable. I have been riding for 35 years, and it doesn't matter if I ride for another 35, there will always be "wind buffeting" with the SG. I love the looks of the SG, and always will, and have owned three of them (14 SG, 16 SGS, and 20 SGCVO), and last month I rode a 16 RGCVO and instantly traded my 2020 SGCVO for it. It is lighter in the front end, feels more nimble, absolutely less buffeting going down the highway, and more stable up over 100mph. It is a little louder from wind noise compared to the SG, making it harder to hear the radio. But I will definitely accept that as a byproduct of a much more relaxed ride.
im 63 and have been riding many years i am 5-4'and own 2020 street glide and road glide both bikes are really good but definitely different the street glide you become more of the bike as the handle bars pull you into the bike,the road glide is more laid back and so is more comfortable ,easier sitting postion the handle bars come back further, that being said the beauty of harleys is customizing to fit .i tend to ride the roadglide more!
You know how yours has the vents that open and close in the fairing? I guess they got rid of that open and close feature for the 21 model year. And I really liked having it,
I compared both before buying my first bagger. One thing I have found out from riding highway speeds and in rain is, the shape and height of the windshield, not the fairing, is critical. The top of the windshield has to be just below my eye level, and the shape of the windshield is important as well. Otherwise my sunglasses vibrate too much to see comfortably. The rain hits me right in the eyes and I can't keep anything on top of my head. Now if you wear a helmet with a face shield it's not a problem. A shorter windshield is fine on a StreetGlide, while a taller windshield on the RoadGlide is required, for the same results.
I only noticed one difference between them when I test rode them. I felt more wind buffetting at my helmet on the street glide. The air flow on the road glide was smoother. However, a new windscreen could change that.
I appreciate your comments and I respectfully disagree. I’ve had 2 SG and intended to buy another new one in Jan 21. Before I did I promised my RG pals that I would test ride the RGS before I purchased. I didn’t want to like it as I was a SG fan. After a 20 mile test ride I had to eat crow and admit that the RGS was a better handling machine. The front forks weight difference is a difference at low speed. I purchased a new RGS and I really don’t care what other people buy or ride. That is my experience for what it’s worth. Your mileage may vary.
I love this dude's content. Thoughtful, clear, and detailed. I spent 10 years on a Street Glide. And now have had a Road Glide for 2 years. No notable difference.
Agreed. It just comes down to looks. I like the way the street glides look better. I also agree, the fixed fairing might make the steering feel lighter, but it's minimal. I can appreciate the road glide, but the street glide just looks much better in my opinion.
Both are great. I was told since I'm 6'4" that a Road Glide would fit me better. But I just bought a 2021 Street Glide Special FLHXS 2 weeks ago. Just picked it up a few days ago and I love it. Fits great.
I’m 5’11” and was told that a Sportster would be to small for me. I’ve rode SG and RG several time’s, and would love to have a RG. With that said neither have the leg room I have on my 2006 1200C with the way I have it set up. Just goes to show in most cases peoples opinions are highly biased by their preference.
The reach on the street glide is a little shorter i measured it if You are tall well…if Your a little short street glide is the better choice (i think) other than that i agree 100% to Your statement.
I’ve owned both and currently own a road glide. I didn’t notice much difference in handling either. It doesn’t matter what bike you have in Colorado, your going to get blown around by the wind.
I’ve owned both. 60000km on street glide and close to same on road glide. For distance touring with 60lbs of wind pressure on the fairing(s) at highway speed the Road Glide is best. Less fatigue at the end of the day. For appearance I love them both. Currently riding the Road Glide Special but still love the Batwing look as well. Maybe I should have another in the garage….
Mate, you spoke absolute common sense. I bought the Street Glide Special because I prefer the look. They ride the same and it is great to see either of these fabulous bikes on the road. Ride safe everyone!
I really wanted a Road Glide, I really like the look more than a Street Glide. And as a now Street Glide owner, if you have problems with wind moving the fairing just go to the gym a few times a week. I have never felt wind move my fairing.
I've had them both, twice, and have been riding and racing for 50 years ...and you sir, are absolutely, 100% SPOT ON!!! Aesthetics and faring ergonomics are the only noticeable differences between these two designs while riding down the road!
I agree with this 100%. If you asked me last year I would have said Road Glide hands down all day long, but that is only because I went from a 2001 Street Glide to a 2019 Road Glide. I road a buddies 2020 Street Glide and was like oh wow it's great! So much better than my 2001 was. One advantage to the Road Glide still is it has more vents and you can still close the top vent whereas the Street Glide's is stuck open. The bottom vents that don't close on the new Road Glide brings in air that goes right around my head and over my shoulders. Nice for this season of riding here in Minnesota. I want one of each lol.
I've owned both. With tens of thousands of miles on both. The road glide does handle just a little bit better than the street glide but it's so slight it shouldn't be a selling point. But the one that you like you can't go wrong either way.
I had a street glide and now have a road glide, there is one big difference I found. I don’t like looking through a windshield so I have the short stock windshield, I could stay mostly dry when riding in the rain on the street glide but I get soaked on the road glide because the faring is much further away.
Good video- Only thing I dislike and I hear it a lot in discussions about all sorts of things. When you were talking about the SG you did the- if you think this is happening you must not be a good rider [paraphrasing]. It is a tactic people use unconsciously to push their point. Oh you think XYZ- so you must not be any good, must not be as intelligent, not as motivated etc. I am a good rider - very good. I notice more buffeting on the SG and I have many 10s of thousands of miles on the SGs I have owned over the years. The RG is a bike I just happened to buy because I got a good deal on a high horsepower one and from then on I only got RGs even though I like the looks of the SG much more. I still have my SG but I ride the RG much more. I live up in Santa Cruz mountains with lots of twisties and 100% the RG handles better. Especially in bad weather. We can have all the opinions we want, but physics involving weight and transference doesn't care.
Thanks brother for making that clear I have a 2010th street glide, I fell in love with it the 1st time I saw it. the road glide never attracted me, but those rumors were out there. That the road glide was always better handling bike, well I'll stick to my street glide. I believe in what you say it becomes how well you ride. And at 65 I continue getting better.
My first bike was a 2015 kawasaki vulcan s, then a 2018 Indian scout bobber, traded that in on a 2018 street glide special, after a year and a half. I bought a 21 road glide special. 100% the road glide rides better, easier to maneuver at low speeds. The new road glide fairing with the tunnel vents causes me to feel more wind than I did on my street glide but wind buffeting is less on the road glide. I used klockwerks windshields on both. Both similar size based on their offerings. Both bikes I have put many miles on. The only difference is my 21 has the 114ci. I chose the street glide the first time around because the bigger road glide fairing was intimidating. Now I wish I would have just gotten a road glide from the get-go. Only thing I agree with in this video is definitely ride both and see which one you like better, putting aesthetics aside. Also, should note, it is easier and cheaper to change bars on the road glide than it is on a Street glide. Road Glide fairing also has 2 larger pockets than the street glides single one. The street glide pocket door is also prone to breaking due to the mechanism. The road glide pocket doors have soft close "lids". Personally the road glide fairing is better and more well engineered than the street glide fairing.
Fact filled video for sure. Its all about visual preference with these two bikes. I am drawn to the appearance of the Road Glide over the Street Glide.
The street glide fairing vibrates at over 108mph, that's why Harley uses the road glide in the bagger races. I like the street glide more than the road glide overall though.
I bought a new street glide. And The biggest difference for me is the pockets in the fairing. The RG has two deep pockets on either side so if you want you could literally empty your pockets, while the SG has just one little one for a phone. If I knew this before I bought mine I may have made a different choice. But I love my SGS. Also been on the Interstate on both bikes. Neither is more stable. The light thing is the reason why RG’s have 2 headlights. Also make sure you’re okay with only having the one little pocket in the fairing on the SG before you buy one. And if you’re not sure if you like it try the RG.
Yeah the storage is super nice. I've seen saddle bag organizers that help give you a pace to dump your pockets because if your bags look like line and you just throw your stuff in there you may never see it again! haha
@@throttleblip9854 yeah I throw my stuff in my bags. But like it’s nice to have somewhere to put cash for tolls, and put your phone, and a pair of sunglasses and some smokes or whatever. Plus the pockets on the road glide fairing are deep where things can sit inside them and don’t depend on a little latch like the SG phone pouch does(which doesnt always stay closed, I literally had my new iPhone skip down a road at 30 miles an hour one day, which wasn’t even the worst part, the worst part for me was that the phone bounced off my tank before it fell all the way to the ground, luckily my phone was fine( not sure how) but my tank is dented now. Lol) I will definitely have to get some of those. They have some that are called “top shelves” or something that will go into your bag and sit inside like a little tray for the top.
The street glide sells much better because it just LOOKS cooler. This is a Harley Davidson people, the styling and the sound are 99% of the reason to buy one of these bikes.
I will say this....I went to buy a street glide. Test rode both and left with a road glide. It was night and day difference. I felt the weight of the SG fairing and the RG felt more stable to me. Again TO ME!
Was 100% set on a Street Glide because I liked the look better. I road both and went Road Glide and won't go back. Street Glide fairing is too close (I'm 6'1) and I did notice a huge difference in riding them back to back. RG just feels more nimble with less weight on the bars IMHO...
I have a 19 road glide. My wife has a 15 street glide.. Having rode them both. The only difference is the road glide 'feels' bigger since the gauges, radio and windshield are further away from you
I’m roughly a new rider. My first time riding was roughly 10 years ago. I JUST got my “L’ s”, and test drove a Indian Challenger which I’m in LOVE with.
I agree, it really comes down to aesthetics and perception. I just bought a 2021 Street Glide Special (Snake Venom!) and absolutely love it. I test road the Road Glide and while the ride was basically the same the touchscreen was way out front, I like things right up front for me. That was really it, both are beautiful bikes, I just bought the one I liked the best. Happy miles!
I prefer the bat wing baggers over shark nose myself I feel more closer to the dash where the shark nose feels like I'm miles away. Both nice bikes but that's my 2 cents. I ride a stroker bagger on Nitrous n airshifter, chaindrive HOTROD
At 796 pounds, the Street Glide is about 25 pounds lighter than the Road Glide. A lighter bike increases your power-to-weight ratio, which can boost acceleration. It also has a seat height of 26.1 inches compared to 29.5 inches for the Road Glide, making it a better choice for shorter riders.
I felt like I could see better with my street glide than the road glide. I liked the pockets in the fairing of the road glide though, they were really handy even when riding.
While I agree with almost everything you said there is one more consideration that should be included here and that's the riders height. Riders 6'2" and above may find the Roadglide more comfortable because the fairing inner portion sits further away whereas the Streetglide is much closer. This makes riding the Roadglide much more comfortable for me but as you point out they basically are the same bike as well as the Roadking. I've ridden all 3 and love them all lol, so I'd say go ride them all and buy the one that speaks to you, or buy all 3 and debate yourself for eternity.
I have rode both and the only difference is head buffetting for taller riders. I'm 6'4" and I can honestly say that you can get away with a shorter windshield on the street glide and have no head buffetting. On the road glide you need a higher windshield to avoid head buffetting. The high windshield on the roadglide takes away the sleek look and ruins the whole style of the bike. Street glide for the win. Also, I own a 2019 Road Glide Special.
Both bikes look an d ride great , I think for shorter riders the street guides work well , road guides seem better for taller riders with more room in between fairing and seat .
I will agree with this. I sat on a Road Glide for the first time earlier today. I am 6'6" and I was blown away as to how much more comfortable I was. Hell, even the stock handlebars were in a perfect position and that's absolutely insane to think about. LOL. The weather is going to break enough in my area to give it a quick test scoot Sunday. I'll be eager to see how it feels under movement. It felt extremely balanced to me sitting still, moreso than my 2019 Street Glide. Definitely has been having me scratch my head since sitting on it and the looks of the Road Glide have really been growing on me in the past year or so.
Nope, at low speed you CAN feel the handlebars want to dip on the SG. Its physics. Sensitivity doesn't make you a bad rider, not to say that you cant be over sensitive. What i did appreciate is that you stated for all essential purposes they're the same bike(frame). Ive heard several try to claim the RG has a longer wheel base. Im like nope!
Yeah exactly. Obviously there is differences in a lot of areas but guys like to pretend is like comparing apples and oranges. The same guys that put less than 2k miles a year on their bike. lol
There is one other difference...And it's not a big one. Because of the different fairing on the street glide, you don't have to look down to see your speedometer and tach. I have a Road Glide and love it and I like the way it looks better. (I believe there IS a difference in wicked crosswind, but maybe its just confirmation bias like he says.) Definitely think the Street Glide Gauges are in a better place. I'm also inclined to think your hands get a bit more protection on the Street Glide Fairing.
I like both and have rode both. I have a ultra classic and the one thing I really like about the road glide is that it is easier to change your handlebars.
I own 2018 hard candy hotrod red flake street glide special rode both bikes extensively before buying no difference in handling the batwing fairing so much more aesthetically pleasing .the roadglide reminds me of bender from futurama no thankyou.
Not that I would be doing the same high speed cornering on a Harley as I did on my old gsxr 1000 but because more weight on the front I would definitely go with the street glide. A light front end sucks big time
I felt that the RG had a more spacious feeling cockpit for the rider, so I felt more comfortable on the RG...therefore I bought one...LOL. I was able to test ride them one right after the other, so that helped with the decision. I actually went in looking for the SG due to the "looks", but the comfort level was the deciding factor. Defeats the purpose to have a nice "looking" bike if it's uncomfortable to drive. I bought my bike to RIDE it, not look at it.
I have had both. I like both. I, personally feel that I can hear the stereo better on the Street Glide, but I like the shape of the fairing on the Road Glide better. But, I would not say that either one is a better bike than the other.
I have never owned either but have rented both. I think the Street Glide looks a lot better asthetically, so theres that. I also did a lot of switchbacks in the Smokey Mountains on both, I didn't like the Road Glide as much for those rides.
There is just something about the street glides faring I’ve always liked .. I think for my 50th birthday & 10 year sobriety I’m gonna treat myself 🤙
@@db7838 Thays awesome!! Congratulations it ain’t easy ! Keep pushing and be safe
Hell yeah dude I treated myself for my third year of sobriety to a deluxe🤟
Congratulations
Hell yeah. Good for you. Treat yourself!
@@ogt92fromthe1step9 congratulations on both your sobriety and the bike
This should be a Public Service Announcement. Spot on.
Bingo
This subject is completely subjective.
😂
I own a 11 street glide and absolutely love it. Never rode a road glide but from what I hear they are a little more stable passing rigs on the Hwy. Either way you can't go wrong. ride safe Brothers and sisters
They do handle the same way. The only advantage, for me, is that it's easier to use the touch screen of the boom audio on the Street Glide because it's closer to you .
true--but on my road glide I have become really good at using the button joy sticks. Its all in what ya like
Then there you go if that is what your priorities are.
For me the RG is good for a 10mph higher cruising speed, that's my priority
I've ridden both models a couple different times. The RG is heavier by 25-50 pounds depending on year. I think RG's are more popular now but I chose an SG. I like the fairing closer, lower bars, slightly lighter weight, and prefer batwing over shark nose.
Both are great bikes.
I'd just b happy to have either one of those beauties!
No doubt!
I have both of them. I'm not lucky, I just work really, really hard (60-70 hrs a week)
@@redpilledninja4634 yikes gotta single with that dribe
#44
I’ve owned both, currently ride a 2020 Road Glide Limited. RG Handle bars are higher and more comfortable for me, more space between me and the front fairing, better wind protection, I personally feel like it cuts thru the wind a little better, more space to store your phone or other things in the front fairing storage compartments, these are a few things I like about the RG over the SG.
I absolutely agree, you hit all the good points.
Try riding in the rain, then we talk again...
@@kadimsilahtar done it on both,,,,,you get just as wet!
Put 15K Miles on my Road Glide this year and got caught in the rain just a few times, I put on my rain gear and stay dry.
I have had both. It is not just visual. Take a long distance ride, like coast to coast on both and then provide your opinion. I have and at the end of the day I was less fatigued. I enjoyed my batwing fairing bikes, however the Road Glide is so much better. No it is not in my head. I agree that each person should decide on what they like.
Thanks for sharing! I can see on a trip like that there could be a difference. But with something like that even handle par position and seat make a WORLD of difference. These guys riding around down 30-60 mile trips were the ones making me laugh about the way the RG handles wind. haha
Agree
Agreed 💯. Took a 500 mile trip two weeks ago on my 12 SG, wore me out. Traded it in on a 21 RG standard and already have 700 miles on the clock. No fatigue and this thing can handle!
Well you know opinions are like ass holes, everbody has one!
@@feltonseigler7578 and some are more relevant than others
It’s purely aesthetics for me. That Road Glide faring just looks so goofy to me. Either way, great bikes.
Fair enough!
not as goofy as that little girlie batwing. smilin and a wink
I almost got the SG because I love the classic batwing look but I went for the RG because I live on the windy coast. He's right, the SG doesn't get "pushed around" but the RG cuts thru the wind like a knife. It took a long time for the RG look to grow on me.
RG looks for me..as a tall n big guy, it fits me better..
That's funny because I think the street glide looks awkward. Its interesting how different riders view these bikes.
I’ve owned both. Went from a SG to RG. To me the big difference is in the turning. I notice a big difference turning the RG in my garage, much easier. I still might be new to the RG handling on the highway, but it feel to light or loose leaning on high speed turns. That is very noticeable. My impression is my SG with the fairing attached to the forks was giving me added weight on the forks and with the added wind, giving the front more downforce making the front feel planted better. Otherwise to me they both handle everything else the same once on the highway and living in a town of 400 people, going anywhere means getting on the highway.
I've had 3 street glides in the past, up until 2012.
My buddy told me to ride his roadglide and see how I liked it, I agree that they are the same bike but the fixed fairing makes a big damn difference in a strong headwind.
What it comes down to is this, I wasn't a big fan of the sharknose fairing, anybody that is dead set on owning a street glide simply doesn't like the look. And hey, that's OK cause I was in that same mindset.
I totally agree with you going to the dealership, and test riding both.
I encourage people to really rent the 2 different bikes so you can have all the driving conditions on both bikes.
A rental fee isn't that bad considering the huge investment your going to be laying down for either one of them.
I love both bikes, but long long trips that I take on my routes, the bad headwinds I get, there's no fighting the handlebars, I'm just all about the handling in certain conditions, would I own a street glide again? Sure
I’ve owned both and I love both of them. I have a RG now and it’s my favorite of the two. I like the looks of the RG better and to me the air comes off the shark nose fairing a lot smoother than the bat wing fairing. I definitely had more head buffeting on the SG. As far as handling, I think the RG is a little better. Both are great bikes and I’d recommend either one of them based on your personal preference.
I agree, owned both, there is absolutely a difference, the road glide dominates the wind on the highway, less negative pressure behind the fairing from three big vents
Exactly. They are the same. The people that think one handles better than another is simply in their head. It's only because they like it better or feel more comfortable on it.
If it's the same bike, then why do they feel different or better? It's the same bike, right?! 🤦🏻♂️
I’ve had both and for me being 6’4” I like the gauges being farther away on the Road Glide, they are easier for me to see. I love the ride of both bikes, I feel the Road Glide handles a little better than the Street Glide, but it may just be my own preference. I ride a Road Glide Ultra and absolutely love it.
Yes, I felt cramped on the street glide
For me after test riding both, I went with the Street Glide. As a short dude, the seat height and riding position "feel" for me made all the difference in the world. I believe it all comes down to preference and it is subjective. I too, like some mentioned here felt the RG fairing "looked" different while riding. Something about it being "bigger". The handling characteristics were similar but not the same. I felt it had to do with the "feel" riding position for me. But I am a 5'4". Someone who is 6'4" may have felt different. I didn't notice a lot of difference in the way the bikes felt with regards to the wind, both on and off the highway. So when it came time to make up my mind, it was easy for me. I chose the SG. It is a 2019 FLHXS Barracuda Silver. I ride with three other guys all various shapes and sizes and all three of them ride Road Glides. When we are parked and folks walk by guess whose bike everyone comments on? That's right "the Silver Fox!" What can I say, it looks cooler...just sayin :-) Good video. I hope my two cents on this awesome debate helps a few of you out there on the fence. I think both bikes are awesome. Test ride both and ride the glide that meets your stride.
But it’s the same seat height,
Same bike , different fairing,
You don’t make any sense???
Like the sg, great but cause your a short guy??? Its better???
Wait what???
Same bike.
I love the look of the road glide. It just looks so much meaner. I have an 07 and I love it more than any bike I've ever owned.
I also have an 07 RG- just like the fixed fairing better!
People bickering back, and fourth, and im just happy being a damn softail owner. LOL
Hahaha!
Frfr
I heard that! I love my deluxe!!
The fxbb I have rides smoother and can go farther than the streetglide I had for 1 simple fact. Ride height I needed a reach seat which was uncomfortable after 40min. Fxbb fits me better and I got the hammock seat. Crazy the difference. Not perfect I don't like how far it puts you forward maybe 1 or 2 in back would be perfect but compared to the streetglide seat I had it's night and day. Was even an expensive seat with a huge couch sized back seat for the picky woman. Hated the look... when she left I put the stock seat back on. More comfort than aftermarket reach seat but still not as comfortable as the hammock. Also couldnt back the bike up hardly on stones or a hill. Have a bit of buffeting on both slightly worse on the fxbb with a 18in shield vs the klockwerks shield I put on the glide. The biggest comfort plus on the glide was the music and cruise control to give the hand a break
I own a 2001 Road King, a 2002 Heritage Softail Springer, and a 2015 CVO Street Glide. All great bikes, but the softail is still my favorite! Gotta love the softails!
👍💯 very good! Some riders likes to tease the riders of the "other bike" and when I say some riders, I'm incuded in that group. 😁 It's done all in fun for me. We are all in the Harley-Davidson family, it's cybiling rivalry. My brother and my cousins ride Road Glides and we tease each other about our bikes. I know a Road Glide is a good bike, and we all agree the Street Glide is a better one.😉 Seriously I would own the one that visually appeals the most to you. Go test ride both and decide for yourself. You can't go wrong with either one. Great video, thanks for the upload.
Keep gliding and have a blessed day!
Tall
Hahaha thats it! Big fan of your content and watched a lot of your videos. Really liked the behind the scenes tour of the Zipper facility!
Yes sir the street glide is the better looking one lol love your content by the way glad you got your bike back
🎯 Truth! I love your videos too by the way. Mostly because I have a Street Glide also so a lot of what you do I can do to my bike as well. Thanks, keep up the good work.
What up tall! Love your channel as well.
I'm blessed and own one of each, a 202 Road Glide Limited and 2021 Street Glide special. I do not feel a difference in the ride so I agree with with Throttle Blip, the only difference is appearance. Oh, and the dash is closer to you on the street glide.
I've owned both, and kept the road glide. Found it handled better riding at higher speeds- cornering and straighaways.
Great video. I did exactly that. I rode both and bought a SGS. Love it. It looks and rides awesome. No issues with stability in the windy world of the North East of England.
I have both , 2019 road glide and 2020 street glide, in my opinion both are almost the same but I’m 5’6” means (I’m short😪) lol
On the road glide I can ride long trips without having any issues with buffering (wind hitting my head) but to reach the infotainment is uncomfortable because is far and I my height doesn’t help.
On the street glide everything is close and I feel comfortable but if I ride over 70 mph my head gets everywhere,obviously a long ride on this bike become a headache to me,but I love the looks and how everything fell so close to me , I end up buying 3 different sizes of windscreen depending on the type of ride I will do and helps a little bit , something that I didn’t have to do on the road glide.
In conclusion: street glide looks nice and handle great on the street
Road glide great for long trips ,,,,, this is my opinion only
Glad I have the fortune to have this 2 beautiful and great bikes
Truth, have ridden both. The only reason I have a Street Glide is because i like the look better.
I like the dash much better.
I own a Road Glide Special 2019. I’ve ridden more Street Glides. There is a difference in the ride to me. No head buffering on the Road Glide. The Street Glide always shake my head a lot after 70 mph. I’m 6’ tall. Both are great bikes, I prefer the Road Glide. Great video 😎
I'm an inch shorter but mine was the opposite. I did find that on the SG even the helmet I wore would effect that though! Thanks for the feedback.
Had both,,,love the looks of the street glide, prefer the handling of the Road Glide. Rode both machines on trips from Florida to Sturgis, to me the Road Glide cut through that mid west wind better.
I test rode both today. I loved them both. I think I'm leaning toward the RG since I'm coming from a sport bike. I'm used to the frame mounted fairing. Both awesome bikes though
I tested both because I like both, before I went with the street glide style fairing. One other difference is that the speakers are farther away from you on the road glide. That, and I got the impression of greater wind noise with the road glide. I like the gauges, display, and speakers closer. I do like the road glide appearance, but the proximity of the devices in the fairings drove my decision.
Thanks for sharing. All valid points!
The other difference, the SG instrument panel is nice and close, some people prefer that, some don’t. Both great bikes!
Thats a great point and I'm definitely in that camp.
For me, I like that the gauges are higher than the radio on the SG. I glanced at those a hell of a lot more than the infotainment screen. I like not having to take my eyes off the road as far to see the gauges on the SG. But with the RG I can get the Mean Mug............haha.
@@spcverger 9
I’m 43,
Been riding a bike of some sort since I was 11
I’ve had several Kawasaki‘s Honda Suzuki‘s and I’m just starting to research getting my first Harley. I found your channel and I really want to thank you for your straightforward candid videos
Rode my 2017 street glide special from NC to Texas. Never bothered by wind even when going through GA where the speed limit is 70 but everyone goes 95.
I own a 2019 StreetGlide. Love the look. The Roadglide looks great too. I would like to own both 😊
The biggest deciding factor I've seen is that shorter people tend to like the street glide and taller people usually like the road glide.
Why?
@@estebanferrizpenaloza4149take a seat on each one, you'll see why.
I've had both and love both. Being a guy with a bad back the road glide doesn't hurt me when riding where the batwing did. That little bit of feedback from the fairing in the wind through the bars that most people never notice. I can ride the road glide all day doesn't hurt my back. So the fixed fairing is great if you have back pain
I’m not saying you’re wrong but did you check the shocks? Because That could’ve also been the difference in rear shocks. The air over oil shocks are terrible. While the newer adjustable shocks on the specials are much more suitable for bad backs.
@@TateRedLeaf my ultra classic had the adjustable shocks. Same as the road glide. I have air ride now and it's even better
I have owned both! The difference is the Road Fairing is extended further away from you giving you an open feeling! My current Bat Wing fairing is much closer & easier for me to see the gauges at my age😂
I have a 2007 street glide for 14 years ended up buying a 2018 BMW K1600 GTL. Love the bike for the way it rides and handles. It’s a great bike for long tours. But, it’s the prestige of owning a Harley!!! I’m going back to my local dealer and buying myself a 2021 Snake Venom Road Glide this weekend.
I've had both and currently have a Street Glide. One of the things I found better on the Street Glide is cold weather protection for the hands. The Road Glide faring is a bit narrower and half your hand on each side is out in the wind. I found my Road Glide had less buffeting around my head out on the highway.
I noticed the cold weather thing myself. I ran 12'' bars on my SG. One reason was because I didn't like the way they looked above the fairing. The other was because even at the top of the fairing the wind still went up and over your hands. Even with stock bars i feel wind from the RG.
As former motorman, I totally agree with you. I have ridden both within minutes of each other and was not able to find any major difference in the ride. I say go with what appeals to you.
As long as your Gliding, you are good to go!!
Both are solid bikes!
I agree
I rented a Harley this past weekend. Reserved a road glide, but there was a mistake and it wasn’t available so they gave me a street glide instead and I fell in love. Slightly leaning into strong wind gusts and the fairing cuts right through it. The street glide really inspires confidence and it’s buttery smooth cruising at 105mph. I could still hear my music too.
Yeah I bought a new one in 15 and it was a great bike!
I'm about to purchase my first bagger and I have been trying to figure this out without opinions and just facts. Great video! Answered my questions and confirmed my speculations. Thanks! I'm still indecisive but now it come down to prices and accessories lil
I've owned both, only thing I would say, I enjoyed the road glide in extreme weather conditions and on extremely windy days better, especially in pouring down rain! Why, I don't know, I am 6'1" and I just feel more at eaze and more protected. I've only owned one road glide limited but many batwing models in my time. I am in the process right now of deciding which will be my new bike for 2022. One thing that just caught my attention is the GPS readout is overtop the speedo and tach on the road glide which will be a little safer in high traffic lane swapping and street finding especially when everyone is 10 mph over the speed limit and running bumper to bumper! I noticed going back and forth from road to screen in this type of riding has become more of an issue now that I am over 60.
Okay now these are valid points! Well done, Sir. I've ridden the batwing in the rain but can't recall riding a RG in the rain. Never thought about that one.
I'm a 2014 street glide owner. I JUST test rode both the 21 street glide and 21 road glide back 2 back. The road glide felt better seat of the pants. I'll prob still get the street glide special though.
I own a 2020 street glide special. I freakin love the bike. I have ridden sport bikes most of my life I have also had some cruisers. The glide kills them all. Now fixed fairing is nothing new. Sport bikes have done it forever. I have ridden both and for me it was the street glide. Looks especially. 0 issues with stability passing anything or anyone. What ever you ride stay safe out there. Been crazy around my area lately.
Thank you I think that’s fair I rode a roadglide and got plenty of wind between me and the front end no matter what I did even had a custom windshield made but leaning towards the streetglide
There absolutely is a difference! And the comment about "not being a very good rider" is laughable. I have been riding for 35 years, and it doesn't matter if I ride for another 35, there will always be "wind buffeting" with the SG. I love the looks of the SG, and always will, and have owned three of them (14 SG, 16 SGS, and 20 SGCVO), and last month I rode a 16 RGCVO and instantly traded my 2020 SGCVO for it. It is lighter in the front end, feels more nimble, absolutely less buffeting going down the highway, and more stable up over 100mph. It is a little louder from wind noise compared to the SG, making it harder to hear the radio. But I will definitely accept that as a byproduct of a much more relaxed ride.
All subjective my man. That's the glory of having both.
This is the best and most truthful comparison I’ve seen yet. First video of yours I’ve seen and now I’m a subscriber. Thanks you brother. Awesome
im 63 and have been riding many years i am 5-4'and own 2020 street glide and road glide both bikes are really good but definitely different the street glide you become more of the bike as the handle bars pull you into the bike,the road glide is more laid back and so is more comfortable ,easier sitting postion the handle bars come back further, that being said the beauty of harleys is customizing to fit .i tend to ride the roadglide more!
The 2021 Road Glide Special Billiard Red/Vivid Black is my favorite
I test ride both bikes in 2018 and the street glide made me feel claustrophobic. I ended up going home with an 18 RGS and I love that bike.
You know how yours has the vents that open and close in the fairing?
I guess they got rid of that open and close feature for the 21 model year. And I really liked having it,
@@TateRedLeaf I Just Brought A 2022 RG And It Has The Open And Close Vent.
@@gregoryhousch725 they must’ve put them back. Because I think the 20’s and 21’s don’t have them,
@@TateRedLeaf Yeah, You Know Harley Davidson Loves To Experiment 😆
@@gregoryhousch725 they just like to fuck with us for sure. It’s Kinda their version of daylight savings.
I have had both. I agree 100%. It’s just a personal choice. Whatever you like best. Both handle great for a big bike.
I compared both before buying my first bagger. One thing I have found out from riding highway speeds and in rain is, the shape and height of the windshield, not the fairing, is critical. The top of the windshield has to be just below my eye level, and the shape of the windshield is important as well. Otherwise my sunglasses vibrate too much to see comfortably. The rain hits me right in the eyes and I can't keep anything on top of my head. Now if you wear a helmet with a face shield it's not a problem.
A shorter windshield is fine on a StreetGlide, while a taller windshield on the RoadGlide is required, for the same results.
I only noticed one difference between them when I test rode them. I felt more wind buffetting at my helmet on the street glide. The air flow on the road glide was smoother. However, a new windscreen could change that.
I appreciate your comments and I respectfully disagree. I’ve had 2 SG and intended to buy another new one in Jan 21. Before I did I promised my RG pals that I would test ride the RGS before I purchased. I didn’t want to like it as I was a SG fan. After a 20 mile test ride I had to eat crow and admit that the RGS was a better handling machine. The front forks weight difference is a difference at low speed. I purchased a new RGS and I really don’t care what other people buy or ride. That is my experience for what it’s worth. Your mileage may vary.
I love this dude's content. Thoughtful, clear, and detailed. I spent 10 years on a Street Glide. And now have had a Road Glide for 2 years. No notable difference.
Agreed. It just comes down to looks. I like the way the street glides look better. I also agree, the fixed fairing might make the steering feel lighter, but it's minimal. I can appreciate the road glide, but the street glide just looks much better in my opinion.
I like the instrument layout on the Street Glide.
Same!!
Both are great. I was told since I'm 6'4" that a Road Glide would fit me better. But I just bought a 2021 Street Glide Special FLHXS 2 weeks ago. Just picked it up a few days ago and I love it. Fits great.
Awesome! Glad you are loving it.
I’m 5’11” and was told that a Sportster would be to small for me. I’ve rode SG and RG several time’s, and would love to have a RG. With that said neither have the leg room I have on my 2006 1200C with the way I have it set up. Just goes to show in most cases peoples opinions are highly biased by their preference.
@@JCole78 Exactly!
The reach on the street glide is a little shorter i measured it if You are tall well…if Your a little short street glide is the better choice (i think) other than that i agree 100% to Your statement.
I’ve owned both and currently own a road glide. I didn’t notice much difference in handling either. It doesn’t matter what bike you have in Colorado, your going to get blown around by the wind.
100%
Both super cool. Im a road glide kinda guy.
I’ve owned both. 60000km on street glide and close to same on road glide. For distance touring with 60lbs of wind pressure on the fairing(s) at highway speed the Road Glide is best. Less fatigue at the end of the day. For appearance I love them both. Currently riding the Road Glide Special but still love the Batwing look as well. Maybe I should have another in the garage….
Glad someone chose to finally speak truth on this debate.
hahah thanks, Quentin!
It’s all subjective. No right or wrong answer
Yes, yes, yes, yes
@@throttleblip9854 im taking the MSF course in may. Do you think the street glide or the iron 883 would be a good beginner bike
@@mikeanderson2152 1200 minimum.. learn to ride before get a heavy bike.
Mate, you spoke absolute common sense. I bought the Street Glide Special because I prefer the look. They ride the same and it is great to see either of these fabulous bikes on the road. Ride safe everyone!
I really wanted a Road Glide, I really like the look more than a Street Glide. And as a now Street Glide owner, if you have problems with wind moving the fairing just go to the gym a few times a week. I have never felt wind move my fairing.
I've had them both, twice, and have been riding and racing for 50 years ...and you sir, are absolutely, 100% SPOT ON!!! Aesthetics and faring ergonomics are the only noticeable differences between these two designs while riding down the road!
I agree with this 100%. If you asked me last year I would have said Road Glide hands down all day long, but that is only because I went from a 2001 Street Glide to a 2019 Road Glide. I road a buddies 2020 Street Glide and was like oh wow it's great! So much better than my 2001 was. One advantage to the Road Glide still is it has more vents and you can still close the top vent whereas the Street Glide's is stuck open. The bottom vents that don't close on the new Road Glide brings in air that goes right around my head and over my shoulders. Nice for this season of riding here in Minnesota. I want one of each lol.
I've owned both. With tens of thousands of miles on both. The road glide does handle just a little bit better than the street glide but it's so slight it shouldn't be a selling point. But the one that you like you can't go wrong either way.
I had a street glide and now have a road glide, there is one big difference I found. I don’t like looking through a windshield so I have the short stock windshield, I could stay mostly dry when riding in the rain on the street glide but I get soaked on the road glide because the faring is much further away.
Good Point. Thanks for sharing!
Good video- Only thing I dislike and I hear it a lot in discussions about all sorts of things. When you were talking about the SG you did the- if you think this is happening you must not be a good rider [paraphrasing]. It is a tactic people use unconsciously to push their point. Oh you think XYZ- so you must not be any good, must not be as intelligent, not as motivated etc. I am a good rider - very good. I notice more buffeting on the SG and I have many 10s of thousands of miles on the SGs I have owned over the years. The RG is a bike I just happened to buy because I got a good deal on a high horsepower one and from then on I only got RGs even though I like the looks of the SG much more. I still have my SG but I ride the RG much more. I live up in Santa Cruz mountains with lots of twisties and 100% the RG handles better. Especially in bad weather. We can have all the opinions we want, but physics involving weight and transference doesn't care.
Thanks brother for making that clear I have a 2010th street glide, I fell in love with it the 1st time I saw it. the road glide never attracted me, but those rumors were out there. That the road glide was always better handling bike, well I'll stick to my street glide. I believe in what you say it becomes how well you ride. And at 65 I continue getting better.
My first bike was a 2015 kawasaki vulcan s, then a 2018 Indian scout bobber, traded that in on a 2018 street glide special, after a year and a half. I bought a 21 road glide special.
100% the road glide rides better, easier to maneuver at low speeds.
The new road glide fairing with the tunnel vents causes me to feel more wind than I did on my street glide but wind buffeting is less on the road glide. I used klockwerks windshields on both. Both similar size based on their offerings.
Both bikes I have put many miles on. The only difference is my 21 has the 114ci.
I chose the street glide the first time around because the bigger road glide fairing was intimidating. Now I wish I would have just gotten a road glide from the get-go.
Only thing I agree with in this video is definitely ride both and see which one you like better, putting aesthetics aside.
Also, should note, it is easier and cheaper to change bars on the road glide than it is on a Street glide. Road Glide fairing also has 2 larger pockets than the street glides single one. The street glide pocket door is also prone to breaking due to the mechanism. The road glide pocket doors have soft close "lids".
Personally the road glide fairing is better and more well engineered than the street glide fairing.
Fact filled video for sure. Its all about visual preference with these two bikes. I am drawn to the appearance of the Road Glide over the Street Glide.
I don't know why guys need justify their decision. It's ok to like what ya like. I like the SG but don't dislike the RG by any means.
The street glide fairing vibrates at over 108mph, that's why Harley uses the road glide in the bagger races. I like the street glide more than the road glide overall though.
I bought a new street glide. And The biggest difference for me is the pockets in the fairing. The RG has two deep pockets on either side so if you want you could literally empty your pockets, while the SG has just one little one for a phone. If I knew this before I bought mine I may have made a different choice. But I love my SGS.
Also been on the Interstate on both bikes. Neither is more stable.
The light thing is the reason why RG’s have 2 headlights.
Also make sure you’re okay with only having the one little pocket in the fairing on the SG before you buy one. And if you’re not sure if you like it try the RG.
Yeah the storage is super nice. I've seen saddle bag organizers that help give you a pace to dump your pockets because if your bags look like line and you just throw your stuff in there you may never see it again! haha
@@throttleblip9854 yeah I throw my stuff in my bags. But like it’s nice to have somewhere to put cash for tolls, and put your phone, and a pair of sunglasses and some smokes or whatever.
Plus the pockets on the road glide fairing are deep where things can sit inside them and don’t depend on a little latch like the SG phone pouch does(which doesnt always stay closed, I literally had my new iPhone skip down a road at 30 miles an hour one day, which wasn’t even the worst part, the worst part for me was that the phone bounced off my tank before it fell all the way to the ground, luckily my phone was fine( not sure how) but my tank is dented now. Lol)
I will definitely have to get some of those. They have some that are called “top shelves” or something that will go into your bag and sit inside like a little tray for the top.
And the truth has been said 👍🏾. I personally like the Road Glide and it’s a look thang
The street glide sells much better because it just LOOKS cooler. This is a Harley Davidson people, the styling and the sound are 99% of the reason to buy one of these bikes.
I will say this....I went to buy a street glide. Test rode both and left with a road glide. It was night and day difference. I felt the weight of the SG fairing and the RG felt more stable to me. Again TO ME!
Was 100% set on a Street Glide because I liked the look better. I road both and went Road Glide and won't go back. Street Glide fairing is too close (I'm 6'1) and I did notice a huge difference in riding them back to back. RG just feels more nimble with less weight on the bars IMHO...
I have a 19 road glide. My wife has a 15 street glide.. Having rode them both. The only difference is the road glide 'feels' bigger since the gauges, radio and windshield are further away from you
I’m roughly a new rider. My first time riding was roughly 10 years ago. I JUST got my “L’ s”, and test drove a Indian Challenger which I’m in LOVE with.
I agree, it really comes down to aesthetics and perception. I just bought a 2021 Street Glide Special (Snake Venom!) and absolutely love it. I test road the Road Glide and while the ride was basically the same the touchscreen was way out front, I like things right up front for me. That was really it, both are beautiful bikes, I just bought the one I liked the best. Happy miles!
I prefer the bat wing baggers over shark nose myself I feel more closer to the dash where the shark nose feels like I'm miles away. Both nice bikes but that's my 2 cents. I ride a stroker bagger on Nitrous n airshifter, chaindrive HOTROD
At 796 pounds, the Street Glide is about 25 pounds lighter than the Road Glide. A lighter bike increases your power-to-weight ratio, which can boost acceleration. It also has a seat height of 26.1 inches compared to 29.5 inches for the Road Glide, making it a better choice for shorter riders.
Weight difference is about 3%. Big I'm Moto gp over 25 laps,, negligible ,not even noticeable in around 800lb motorcycles
I felt like I could see better with my street glide than the road glide. I liked the pockets in the fairing of the road glide though, they were really handy even when riding.
While I agree with almost everything you said there is one more consideration that should be included here and that's the riders height. Riders 6'2" and above may find the Roadglide more comfortable because the fairing inner portion sits further away whereas the Streetglide is much closer. This makes riding the Roadglide much more comfortable for me but as you point out they basically are the same bike as well as the Roadking. I've ridden all 3 and love them all lol, so I'd say go ride them all and buy the one that speaks to you, or buy all 3 and debate yourself for eternity.
I have rode both and the only difference is head buffetting for taller riders. I'm 6'4" and I can honestly say that you can get away with a shorter windshield on the street glide and have no head buffetting. On the road glide you need a higher windshield to avoid head buffetting. The high windshield on the roadglide takes away the sleek look and ruins the whole style of the bike. Street glide for the win. Also, I own a 2019 Road Glide Special.
Great point no one has touched on
Both bikes look an d ride great , I think for shorter riders the street guides work well , road guides seem better for taller riders with more room in between fairing and seat .
I will agree with this. I sat on a Road Glide for the first time earlier today. I am 6'6" and I was blown away as to how much more comfortable I was. Hell, even the stock handlebars were in a perfect position and that's absolutely insane to think about. LOL. The weather is going to break enough in my area to give it a quick test scoot Sunday. I'll be eager to see how it feels under movement. It felt extremely balanced to me sitting still, moreso than my 2019 Street Glide. Definitely has been having me scratch my head since sitting on it and the looks of the Road Glide have really been growing on me in the past year or so.
I have a 1984 fxrt with a fixed faring. It goes through the wind nicely and handles superb. That is why I would be interested in the road glide.
Thank you I needed to hear this in the worst way. I've been racking my head trying to figure out the difference in these two.
I have a 19 street glide and I just like how the bat wing looks over the shark nose. My bike rides amazing.
I like that look as well!
Nope, at low speed you CAN feel the handlebars want to dip on the SG. Its physics. Sensitivity doesn't make you a bad rider, not to say that you cant be over sensitive.
What i did appreciate is that you stated for all essential purposes they're the same bike(frame). Ive heard several try to claim the RG has a longer wheel base. Im like nope!
Yeah exactly. Obviously there is differences in a lot of areas but guys like to pretend is like comparing apples and oranges. The same guys that put less than 2k miles a year on their bike. lol
I have a dyna..but when time to upscale..that road glide looks pretty badass 😎
Nothing Finer than a Dyna! Love my 2017 Street Bob, what is your bike?
Best thing about harley davidson is you can rent/test ride their bikes!
100%
There is one other difference...And it's not a big one. Because of the different fairing on the street glide, you don't have to look down to see your speedometer and tach. I have a Road Glide and love it and I like the way it looks better. (I believe there IS a difference in wicked crosswind, but maybe its just confirmation bias like he says.) Definitely think the Street Glide Gauges are in a better place. I'm also inclined to think your hands get a bit more protection on the Street Glide Fairing.
I like both and have rode both. I have a ultra classic and the one thing I really like about the road glide is that it is easier to change your handlebars.
Yeah that’s a good point. Well unless you wanna run T bars and have to relocate the speedo.
I own 2018 hard candy hotrod red flake street glide special rode both bikes extensively before buying no difference in handling the batwing fairing so much more aesthetically pleasing .the roadglide reminds me of bender from futurama no thankyou.
Not that I would be doing the same high speed cornering on a Harley as I did on my old gsxr 1000 but because more weight on the front I would definitely go with the street glide. A light front end sucks big time
I felt that the RG had a more spacious feeling cockpit for the rider, so I felt more comfortable on the RG...therefore I bought one...LOL. I was able to test ride them one right after the other, so that helped with the decision. I actually went in looking for the SG due to the "looks", but the comfort level was the deciding factor. Defeats the purpose to have a nice "looking" bike if it's uncomfortable to drive. I bought my bike to RIDE it, not look at it.
Same. I am 6’3” and the Road Glide feels more comfortable
I have had both. I like both. I, personally feel that I can hear the stereo better on the Street Glide, but I like the shape of the fairing on the Road Glide better. But, I would not say that either one is a better bike than the other.
Thanks for the stereo feedback between the two, no one ever seems to provide that.
I have never owned either but have rented both. I think the Street Glide looks a lot better asthetically, so theres that. I also did a lot of switchbacks in the Smokey Mountains on both, I didn't like the Road Glide as much for those rides.
Great honest video. I prefer the Street Glide. Love that batwing fairing. Keep the videos coming and ride safe my friend.