can't decide between Road King and Street Glide
#31
08-31-2017, 10:18 AM
Road Warrior
I used to own a Road King Custom and have owned a Street Glide for the past 6-7 years. I miss the Road King and want to go back. Why?
Same reasons as others have stated really. I do not like listening to a radio when I'm on the bike. It ruins it for me and I didn't know that would be the case until I got some time on the SG.
I'm also not a fan of the batwing. I doubt it really adds much weight at all, but psychologically, the bike feels more awkward than the RK with a windshield.
That's my experience anyway.
EDIT - I should also point out that I dont "tour." My opinion is about local riding.
Same reasons as others have stated really. I do not like listening to a radio when I'm on the bike. It ruins it for me and I didn't know that would be the case until I got some time on the SG.
I'm also not a fan of the batwing. I doubt it really adds much weight at all, but psychologically, the bike feels more awkward than the RK with a windshield.
That's my experience anyway.
EDIT - I should also point out that I dont "tour." My opinion is about local riding.
Last edited by SgtThump; 08-31-2017 at 10:46 AM.
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6stringrider (08-31-2017)
#32
08-31-2017, 10:52 AM
SGs loose one inch suspension travel over FL models to get that seat down low. SG also has smaller section front tire and fender is smaller to match. Being 6'2", the RK Police with the tall clear windshield and a police seat with all the air out (2011 model) has better wind protection than the SG in stock form, including M8 models.
I also like seeing the whole road ahead, and loosing that windshield occasionally is like putting the top down ++.
As far as music goes, my Goldwing had it in spades already, but the Harley talks to you when you ride it, where the GW does not.
Shocker----good running HD 103 FL bike is smoother (less total vibration) on the road at 70 mph than the GW, since the GW has a hard mounted engine and handlebars. You could still feel the GW through the pegs and bars a little (flat 6). The GW at 80 mph was turning 4000 rpm, whereas the 103 runs about 2800 rpm at 80 mph.
I also like seeing the whole road ahead, and loosing that windshield occasionally is like putting the top down ++.
As far as music goes, my Goldwing had it in spades already, but the Harley talks to you when you ride it, where the GW does not.
Shocker----good running HD 103 FL bike is smoother (less total vibration) on the road at 70 mph than the GW, since the GW has a hard mounted engine and handlebars. You could still feel the GW through the pegs and bars a little (flat 6). The GW at 80 mph was turning 4000 rpm, whereas the 103 runs about 2800 rpm at 80 mph.
#33
08-31-2017, 11:04 AM
Supporter
#34
08-31-2017, 12:18 PM
Yes, I test rode both at a Harley demo event hoping it would tell me everything that I needed to know and my initial impressions were that the SG rode a little harsh over bumps and the Road King Special was the one that spoke to me the most and surprisingly the suspension felt supple...I felt like a newborn kid and it was so much fun but I realized it didn't have the batwing fairing and no stereo and the speedometer was on the tank. I have never ridden a road king classic yet. Maybe that's the next step?
Is there a big difference between the 2014-2016 103 engine vs the new Milwaukee 8's 107? I've only ridden the 107 SG and RKS and the 110/111 Dyna Low Rider S (too much vibration that it numbed my hands lol)
Is there a big difference between the 2014-2016 103 engine vs the new Milwaukee 8's 107? I've only ridden the 107 SG and RKS and the 110/111 Dyna Low Rider S (too much vibration that it numbed my hands lol)
#35
08-31-2017, 01:44 PM
#36
08-31-2017, 01:47 PM
I'm leaning towards the Road King from gathering everyone's input! I think I'm gonna see what the dealers will do on the 2017 Road King Special considering 2018 models are being released. I'll also consider the Hiawatha headlamp equipped Road King Classic as well. I think I would equip the Road King Special with a batwing fairing aftermarket so I can get the look of the street glide but with full foot boards 
and I can detach the fairing when I want that clean naked look with wind in my face. And I will look at 2014-16 Road King classics if I can get a good deal for that trademark Harley sound....man decisions decisions! Wish I was rich enough to own several bikes lol
and I can detach the fairing when I want that clean naked look with wind in my face. And I will look at 2014-16 Road King classics if I can get a good deal for that trademark Harley sound....man decisions decisions! Wish I was rich enough to own several bikes lol
#37
08-31-2017, 01:49 PM
I used to own a Road King Custom and have owned a Street Glide for the past 6-7 years. I miss the Road King and want to go back. Why?
Same reasons as others have stated really. I do not like listening to a radio when I'm on the bike. It ruins it for me and I didn't know that would be the case until I got some time on the SG.
I'm also not a fan of the batwing. I doubt it really adds much weight at all, but psychologically, the bike feels more awkward than the RK with a windshield.
That's my experience anyway.
EDIT - I should also point out that I dont "tour." My opinion is about local riding.
Same reasons as others have stated really. I do not like listening to a radio when I'm on the bike. It ruins it for me and I didn't know that would be the case until I got some time on the SG.
I'm also not a fan of the batwing. I doubt it really adds much weight at all, but psychologically, the bike feels more awkward than the RK with a windshield.
That's my experience anyway.
EDIT - I should also point out that I dont "tour." My opinion is about local riding.
This is very useful info. But I do think the batwing fairing looks so badace...
#38
08-31-2017, 07:46 PM
They mount the same, same brackets on side of forks. Same structurally - Hoppe, Reckless, eBay... and the brackets look interestingly to be the same shape. Very strong probability same chinese manufacturer. Their was one made in USA. Its been a few years since I looked into all this, maybe no longer in existence. Anyway, mine has never moved in 7 years as mentioned early in this thread.
I looked closely at Pluba11 pic. It looks like he used the detach hardware from the stock RK shield.
I looked closely at Pluba11 pic. It looks like he used the detach hardware from the stock RK shield.
Last edited by KumaRide; 08-31-2017 at 07:51 PM.
