Is the Harley-Davidson Road Glide really better than a Street Glide? My opinion has changed!
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- čas přidán 17. 09. 2023
- I see things differently now that I've owned the Road Glide for a while, after riding across the country and really putting Harley-Davidson's wonder machine to the test. The 2023 Harley-Davidson Road Glide, which I used to refer to as the "Other Bike" or the One Trick Show Pony, is an impressive motorcycle, but will it ever dethrone the best Harley-Davidson that was ever made, the iconic Harley-Davidson Street Glide? Watch as I share my opinion of the two motorcycles and see if I have a change of heart about which Glide is the best Glide.
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All Comes Down To Preference.... To Me; Nothing Beats The Road Glide.
A 5'2" Female and a 6'6" male... BOTH AGREE that the Street Glide is much easier to handle over the Road Glide. Why? It's not an opinion- it's PHYSICS! Use this as an example for yourself to see why: 1) Take a stack of 5 books and place it in your hands and extend your arms/hands out as far as you can in front of you 2) Lean and swing the stack in font of you left and right 3) Observe the weight and difficulty 3) Using the exact same stack of 5 books and bring the stack close to your chest 2) Lean and swing the same stack in from of you left and right 4) Observe the weight and difficulty compared to the first observation. This revelation will prove to you why the Batwing (Street Glide) fairing is much easier to maneuver over the Shark nose (Road Glide). No brainer of which is not only easier for maneuverability, but more sensible in terms of wind protection and gauge use ability.
Sorry, but it's true... Batwing vs Shark Nose couldn't be more obvious in difference.
To each their own but the street glide is the winner for me hands down. The bike was made for comfort not speed and that's why I ride a street glide not a Hayabusa 😂 I've had my street glide over 120 mph and it was fine... not something I would suggest to most people 🙂 great comparison 👍 love your honesty.
Street glide was built for speed
120 mph 😮. Do you mean what the Hayabusa will do in third gear?😅
I’ve had 2 street glides and switched to a Roadglide. I’ll never go back to a street glide. To me they a little more comfortable, made for longer hauls and handles better. To each their own.
SG gives better wind and weather protection. Road Glide runs 100mph all day with confidence. It rides so much better.. slow and fast speeds
@@geraldgoodiii6993 I like both scoots, but I do find that the SG is a bit stronger for me in inclement weather, and that's important to me down here in Florida. BAD rains can crop up nigh-instantaneously.
It sounds to me like everyone has their own preference. Mine's the street glide. I just like it better.
I agree with you, I’ve had both. The main difference to me it you can stay somewhat dry when riding in the rain with a batwing but get soaked on the road glide.
Riding at night on hills and your light is not going in the direction of turn is hard. Street glide ❤
With our super wide headlight it's all good! RG Rules 😂
RoadKing for me. I just love the removable windshield and the versatility. To each their own keep up the good wk enjoy the channel!!!
The endless debate. We’re always torn between the two. We needed this video from ya! Team Street Glide! That Road Glide sure looks good going down the road though.
I like both bikes as well. I went with the 2023 SGS. For me it handles better . Looks better and is more comfortable. It also is good for long distance touring or just going out and riding local. Thanks for your review
Excellent comparison sir. I rode a SG for years but WOW my Road Glide has changed my mind. Love it!
Having owned both Batwing and Shark Nose fairing bikes. I find it easier to look at the Nav screen on the Road Glide because it seems more in your field of view vs. on the Street Glide I felt like I had to look down thus taking my eyes off of the road a bit. I do like that the Street Glide fairing is closer thus setting the nav screen closer, but after bouncing between the two a few times now, I prefer the Road Glide slightly more.
I’m 6’5” barefoot. I sat on both the street and road glides, but ended up with the road glide ST. I wasn’t a fan of having the dash so close to me on the street glide. Perhaps i’m a bit claustrophobic😂 and I love how the road glide handles it’s speed, I regularly find the speed governor. It’s buttery at 100+😎
Road Glide alllll day.
I’m sure I’ll get some hate for this one but it’s like a gigantic sport bike that u can ride 100s of miles per day in comforts with tons of the goodies we all love out of touring bikes.
Sometimes I’ll tuck into it like a sport bike and get on it hard af
It’s mad fun. Feet on the passenger pegs etc (don’t do that when in any sort of traffic)
But I absolutely ADORE my 2023 FLTRX poverty spec RG.
Cam and bars and basic mods ..
I love it
I found the same thing when touring in the Ozarks. I thought I had given it all up when I went from a Super Glide Sport to a Road Glide Ultra. But I found it was very nimble for a 900+lb tour bike that is still comfortable over the long haul open areas.
I was very disappointed that you, of all people, had gotten a Road Glide. I rode a Street Glide for a long time, I've had a Road Glide for a few months now, and I drove through western USA with a Road Glide 6000 ml. For me the Road Glide is the better bike 100%
Thanks so much for taking time to make this awesome comparison! Actually seeing someone's physical stature on the bike was so helpful 😊
My wife and I rented both and rode the Blue ridge parkway a few years ago and we swapped bikes along the way down and back. On the way back we rode the interstate. I am 6'2 and I could not get past the feeling that I was cramped up on the street glide and the Road glide just felt more relaxing to me. I purchased a used '17 Road glide at the end of 2018. I put a tall windshield on it and don't have lowers on mine. I don't have the wind issues you describe and notice that when I have my legs out on the highway pegs there is no difference from when I don't. I'm loving my Road glide to this day and do not regret my decision. I think bike set up is crucial to comfort. I also love the stock handle bar position and that position gives some wind protection because the fairing diverts much of the wind even though your hands are partially above the fairing. We all like different things and that is good! Glide on brother, Glide on! Oh and my wife has no trouble getting it off the kick stand what so ever and loves riding the Road glide as well.
I fought it for years then finally gave up cbr 1000 for a cruiser. MAN!!! I viewed both street and road. Both super comfortable but that street looks more classic and has modern tech. And he's right about distance to controls. Much better on the street.
I currently have a 2022 Road glide ST and had a 2017 Streetglide Special before that. I prefer the Streetglide over my Road glide . My next bike will definitely have a batwing fairing! I like the nav screen closer to me and feel the Streetglide offered better wind protection. I think it feels lighter to ride also.
Tall, you might be surprised how much a taller windshield helps on the Road Glide. I have a Clearview on mine (2015). I don't get any bugs or wind or rain, etc on my jacket or upper body at all, even at high speed. I'm 6'1" by the way. My son inherited my '08 and immediately put the tiny Klockwerks on it. Very shortly thereafter he realized he needed a taller shield and got one and hasn't complained since. I highly recommend the Clearview by the way. They kind of invented the whole "recurve" windshield deal before it became a thing. I had one on said '08 for 90,000 miles and it still looks almost new.
Hey tall love your videos, I enjoy all the information you provide, thanks for sharing.... keep gliding
Tall you should do a video on how you secure your bike and keep it safe during road trips (like traveling across country) if you haven’t already
I will.
I agree i worry about my bike in the parking lot everytime.
Thanks more taking the time to make this video, you did an awesome job. Gained a subscriber 🤓👍
Thanks Tall, great information. Love the way you customize your bikes😎
When I rode both before buying a street glide, I found that the weight on the bars helped absorb the bumps. When I rode the road glide, I felt the bumps in my arms more. It’s like recoil of a firearm, the heavier guns help absorb the recoil more then a light weight firearm
Just for your info the wait of the gun has no bearing on the recoil and I shot with some operators at the range.
I ride a 2019 streetglide special, I bought it brand new and I have 59,340 miles on mine. I have been cross country more than 5 five times. I have a 5 minutes video without touching my handlebars at 80 miles an Hour. The bike is just great !!!
This is a great video!! This is probably the best comparison I've seen between the two bikes!! You really covered a lot of pros and cons giving good opinions on both. For myself I went back to the Road King after riding Street Glides for about 10 years. I wanted to get back to that open view that the RKS offers. During the winter months I add a small windshield to break the wind from my chest area.
first time watching your vids, great job. thanks
They're both great bikes, and I tell people - you'll be happy with whichever you choose. I do see how preference can strongly influence opinions on them, though. Not that either bike is weak per se, but that their strengths really do stand out. The RG would be my go-to for any and all long-distance riding, hands down. The fairing takes so much of the abuse that otherwise transfer to your hands and arms during long trips. The SG is my baby, though. I find it is better (relative to my riding style) in inclement weather, and that can happen very quickly and without notice here in Florida. A forecast for simple clouds can turn into a 10-15 deluge without a whole lot of foreshadowing. I feel good on the SG in such conditions.
Great video. Keep it up!
Great comparison and great video. I had them both also, but I prefer the Roadglide, and I travel very far
Awesome comparison video ride safe and enjoy. Really enjoyed watching.
I never get bugs hitting me on the road glide limited. I had an ultra limited before. Having had both, road glide for the win
More stable at highway speed , feels like it handles better too.
The Road Glide is more stable at high way speeds.
That was a beautiful analysis and thank you very much. I've been a road glide owner and recently a street glide ST popped up I think I'll go over tonight and buy it thanks for this video. George
You gave the Best analogy of the 2, I have ever heard! I totally agree with you! Thanks again!
Awesome comparison, thank you. This was the most detailed and honest back to back I’ve seen on the internet. I have to agree with your findings regarding fairing protection… I’ve got a very similar setup to you, with 12 inch bars, lowers and short screen. I find the protection is really good, even in the kind of cold and crappy weather we get up here in central alberta, canada. The Road Glides that I have tried don’t protect as well. I have also found the claims that the Road Glide is more stable in crosswinds to be not true as well… my StreetGlide is very stable in all conditions. I feel like a lot of people who went from Street to Road and find the Road Glide an improvement may have come from older StreetGlides, ie, prior to 2014 with the intro of the Rushmore bikes. Since then, I feel like it’s a lot more even as far as stability goes. Keep up the great work! Really enjoy your videos.
That was the absolute best comparison I’ve seen. I own a 21 Road Glide and I absolutely agree with everything you said about the street glide. Excellent as usual Tall 👊🏾💯
Great commentation Tall, before I fell in love with my RG, my first choice was a SG. keep on making these great video's.✌🏾
This is an awesome honest video. I absolutely love my 17 SGS. I test rode both and liked the SGS better in every way that mattered to me. I love that HD makes both so we can choose the one that fits our wants.
Thanks for the tip on leaning into the wind. Lots of riders, especially newer riders don’t get that. I was riding across a king overpass and the wind was so high I actually leaned off the bike like I was making a turn just to make sure the bike didn’t get pushed around also had a handful of throttle until I got across.
The visual was on point keeping those bugs off. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for watching.
Thanks for the breakdown and differences on the bikes.Very informative.🤘🏻👍🏻
Your killn the video game!!! U have done what NO OTHER youtuber has done with Harley Davidson. You should be proud.
Hey Tall thanks for the great review. I too have both…19RGS and a 20 SG. Both have been on serious long distance rides. You nailed the comparisons. As for my personal preference, at 65 years old, I have more draw to the SG…it just feels more iconic Harley and I just seem to grab that fob more often…Ride on Tall! Thanks🇨🇦
Excellent video Tall. You covered lots of things I never even thought about. I prefer the SG but both bikes are beautiful.
Great comparison video! I have a 21' SG Special and love everything about that bike. That being said I do want to go out and test ride the RG.
Nice video keep up the good work traveling tall
Thanks for the comparison. Well Done 👍🏻
Another great video TT. This made me extra happy that I went with the 2022 SGST. I love the HD 12" clear windshield I installed. Really blocks the rain, excessive wind and bugs nicely. Here in FL the Love Bugs fornicating in midair, can be terrible. OK, maybe I'm jealous I can't do that! 😂🤣 Looks.... I like the bat wing look much better.
I own the Road Glide and I now like the looks of the Road Glide better. It wasn't long ago I thought the other way. Haha
Glad I went with the Street glide. I like the the lights turn with the bars and I feel more in control on it. Either way both nice bikes
Great video with awesome detail comparisons! 💪🏽🏍️💨
Great comparison Tall! Something I fought over when buying my first Glide coming from sportbikes all my life. I rode 3 Honda CBR1000RR then bought my 2022 SGS Apex, and talking about a world of difference!!! So speed was not the issue, it was comfort and all the "amenities" that came on the SGS that did it for me. The Road Glide to me seemed overly bulky in the front and the ergonomics were off like you explained on the gauges I didnt like. But at speed its much more stable with the fixed fairing over say 90mph. Thats WHY they use them in the King of the Baggers... Keep Gliding!!!
Welcome home brother 😂 I had just started following you when you said that after i bought my 2023 RG special
I really think it is about set up for the rider. I ride a road glide with 16 inch bars and 12 inch klock werks and have no problems with bugs. I do have a six inch klock werks that looks great but I gett a lot of buffeting on the helmet when i use it. I have a stage 4 screaming eagle and thunder max ECM on a 2009. but I found at speed I prefer my road glide over my sons ultra bat wing fairing. to each there own. JUST KEEP RIDING!
Thank you for the review Mr. Tall, God bless you Sir!
Love your review. I enjoyed parking lot maneuvers better on my ultra than I do on my roadglide. But I enjoy long touring on my roadglide. Thanks
I’m only 5’8 and the Street Glide fits me perfectly although I do like the look of the Road Glide also.
Thank you for this great video and clarification 🙏🏻💯
Great video! Before buying a tour bike I had test ridden Ultras, Street Glides, and Road Glides and found that the shark nose Road Glide fairing protects me from the wind better than the batwing. But since I am a short guy (5' 8") it's going to be different from a really tall rider. I will agree that the RG fairing does leave your hands in the breeze but I have no problem with bugs on me elsewhere. I was wondering about which one had the instruments better placed, but again it's affected by what you are doing. I ride my FLTRU mostly on the midwestern plains so having the navigation screen up top is better for me to have up top close to my line of sight, and having the instruments split up doesn't bother me. Everyone has to find what works for them. Nice looking bikes there, TT!
Always enjoying your videos. Myself, being 6' 4" at 270 lbs.. my 2016 Road Glide Ultra with a Memphis Shades 10" spoiler windshield works great for me. I am a wide shoulder kind of a guy. I prefer my Road Glide over a 2015 a Street Glide Special I had for that reason.
I have a 2021 SG Special. Just bought it this spring. My first ever bagger. I sat on Road Glide. But when all was said and done, the aesthetics of the street glide one me over. I am not a fan of the shark nose. I like the bat wing. One thing that people who have never written one before should keep in mind, is that from the neck back they are the exact same motorcycle. The aesthetics and the aerodynamics of the front fairing and the weight of turning the bars are the only things that make a difference when you have to choose.
Absolutely correct. They are the same bike . Fairing is the only difference. My 14 Streetglide did come with slammed rear shocks. But I've got Scully Air ride on mine now anyway so adjustable air on the fly .
I’ve owned both. The street glide is a 10 in looks. The road glide is a 10 traveling at high speed.
I appreciate this, i was leaning more towards the Street Glide. But you definitely made the decision clear for me
Great video Tall, I currently own a Street Glide and took a Road Glide on a test ride. Beautiful bike but I feel that I can throw the SG around so much easier!
Thanks Tall great video, keep gliding brother!
That thing sound good! Keep gliding Tall!
great video, it was a fair one!!! kudos my brother!!
Thank you for making this video. Very good explanation for a certified Rider and owner.
Nice job on showing the difference between the two, I like both as well , however Ive chosen the batwing for myself.
What an awesome pair of bikes! Honestly, either one of these bikes would be a dream for me to own!
Ok, so this is the video that people have been waiting for. Now that you've had significant ride time on both of them. I agree with mostly everything you said about each bike. And translating that info for Indian. Chieftain vs. Challenger, your opinion remains valid. The one thing that is dealt with by Indian is the buffering, because of Indian's use of the power windshield....
Don't know why Harley hasn't adopted it yet, but it makes more sense than trying to settle on 1 windshield after trying (if you're lucky) several. Just like seats, gather the info & do all your research, it's still an educated guess....
Like you, I prefer my bat wing (Roadmaster Elite) vs. all the test drives & demos on the Pursuit/Challenger. Opposite of your situation Challenger has the power right out of the box & while Chieftain is no slouch, there is some (expensive) work to be done to get it to the power levels that Challenger has.
Great video, I'll keep watching...
I loved watching this video. It was very good opinions and things I didn't realize or think about. 1 thing you forgot to mention that I thought you would Is turning the bars at night batwing fairing turns with you. But having shark nose with 2 headlights is nice for straight line. I'd be curious how much more light do you get more from the sharknose?
Thought we where gonna talk about the puppy..puppy wins hands down
Thanks Joe
I thought you were going to switch sides after all this time. STREET GLIDE! I really thought you were going to change just due to your height. Being vertically challenged, i like the street glide being closer to the dash a better bike for me
Very intelligent to the point video. Thank you for sharing 😎💪🏻
i had a street glide for about 3 years, i never even sat on a roadglide but once i did i traded mine in. im 6'4 and i can say i feel like i have so much more room.
I like them both. And I especially like how you chose to set yours up. Sleek simple but still with lots of style. I ride an Ultra Limited so I'm partial to the batwing but at some point I do intend to experience owning a Road Glide. I also ride a Victory Vision...but that's a totally different animal.
I'm a Street Glide guy, my custom 2017 Street Glide is the prettiest thing on the road to me however I'm more interested in how those Bulldogs are bred😂🤷🏽♂️. Great video
They keep me busy, they are all ways in to something.
Thank you for watching
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GREAT video sir! Having converted my 2011 SG to a RG, I feel I have a more unique take on the comparison because I literally am riding the SAME bike just with different fairing.
One thing that was not mentioned (and is only just another thing to think about) is the fun time of smashing into a pesky whitetail on a nice calm morning. I have to say that this experience is more likely to keep you in an upright position more so with the frame mounted fairing vs the fork mounted due to the fact that when you drive through that animal the impact at the sides of the fairing are more likely to "yank" on your bars with the batwing and possibly cause you some trouble.
SG= far better wind protection and closer reach to console.
RG= easier to lift off stand. smoother travel at both high speeds and cornering. More nimble in low speed maneuvers. And mean looking 😬😬
Tall did a great great job here in the video. Both bikes are awesome and in the end; it comes down to each of us and what we favor more than the other in terms of pros and cons. I'm GLAD I made the conversion!
JMO.....
Back in 2012 I hit a deer going 65 mph hit it broadside as you can hit one. I was riding a 2010 ultra classic limited, to this day I don't know how I kept the bike up on two wheels but I did. As soon as I got the bike stopped I put the kickstand down got off the bike and laid down beside it to collect myself and calm my nerves. Now I ride a 2016 Street Glide Special. If I had ridden a Street Glide first I wouldn't have bought anything besides the Street Glide. I have owned a Honda Goldwing several more Honda's Suzuki's and Kawasaki's also a Roadking. I prefer the Street Glide Special over anything else that I have owned or ridden.
I own a Busa, Love the road glides, l like the fairing stationary similar to busas, Love the Staffordshire bull terriers you have, we have staffys too, Love them, thanks for sharing video
Thanks for watching!
Great review. Thanks so much for sharing. My 2012 Street Glide is a Godsend. And soon, I'm going to have the engine rebuilt just because I want more HP.
I like both bikes. However, I wstarred with the Ultra Classic, and I now have an Ultra Limited. The gauge setup is superior to the Road Glide. To me, it feels like I'm more connected to the bike with the Batwing having everything closer. It also helps way more with wind and rain protection.
Interesting to hear your thoughts. Having owned both I have to say I prefer the Street Glide. I find it easier to chuck it around on the twisties. Not sure why but it is slightly lighter.
Great video mate. Cheers.
Very very helpful thanks
Good comparisons, thank you
Great info. I have a RG which i love. I swapped bikes with a friend of mine who has a bat wing. We only swapped for a couple of hours. I was pretty impressed. Think I should have went with the bat wing. Still enjoy the RG. Stay safe.
One of the best Glide comparisons I've seen. I consider myself a Street Glide rider since I've never owned a Road Glide. Never have even ridden one so I don't know the difference, but you comparison is through. I'm considering upgrading to a newer one, (2013 Street glide 103) but I have a lot invested in mine, it's paid off and still looks good. We'll see. Thanks for the video.. Rafyv2121
Great comparison, excellent points.
I recently purchased my rg, I have own 4 sg's. The sg has better wind protection and sends more bugs around the "cockpit". I also prefer the headlight moving with the bars when doing u turns at night. Thanks Tall😊
I like the way you tell how it is coming to the bikes that you ride
I own a street glide and I’m buying a road glide next year. I think when a road glide is dressed up, it looks better than a street, it looks bigger to me. Wow man good job on the comparisons
Thank you for the honest take on the two bikes. Most everybody else says there’s really not much difference. By the way, what kind of seat are you running on those?
Great comparison,helpful for me
I’m a street glide owner
I always hated the Look of the road glide from the side, but I gotta be honest it has grown on me over the years. My next bike will be a road glide ST fo sure.
I ride my bike hard.
Always 95mph+ on highways.
Never one issue with wind
Tall thanks for the review !! In my opinion I rather ride the street glide more wind protection , comfort with the radio you don’t have to reach like the road glide , I’m a street Glide man LOL 😂❤ stay safe
Great /best comparison yet !! I'm a RGST guy
Tall, you just threw a wrench in my decision making. I was all pretty much set on getting an RG new outta the box or pallet 🤪. It’s been always the look of the cluster or IP for me. As much as I like my VTX S, I could never totally love it, like something was missing. I’ve had an 01 Ultra here in Puerto Rico, but I’m buy one for Florida area, ride with little bro. Then I guess I’m leaning back to the bat wing fairing again, I love on the ultra. Guessing a llate model Ultra with q disconnect T/P. Good content greetings from Caribbean and Sun Coast of Florida. God bless!
Kewl video , especially the way you show the side by side of yourself.
Got the cutest dogs!!! Your scoots are nice. I have a electra that i raked and stretched, lowered with apes.
Then I have a ultra classic with all the bells, but the big comfy seat and stock bars. Got the lower wind deflectors, the extended wind bat wing deflectors and the under tree wind deflectors. I can ride it all day in 40° weather.
Scoots are night and day difference riding even though they are similar. But that's why I like them for the differences. Both fun to ride.
Hey tall this is Rod out of Chicago I enjoy both street glide road glide but the street glide will always be #1.