It depends on the look that you're after, if you're going to be happy with the overstuffed EG seat after you take the tour pak off OK. I won't deny the EG is more practical, but if you tried putting everything from a SG onto the EG it would cost you more. Clean fenders frt & rr, along with the fascia & light, the streamliner floorboards & pass pegs, etc. Both bikes can look great, it just depends on the look you're going for. You're spending $20K+ so does it make that much difference to spend another $500-1,000 for a bike that you're going to look at & like the way it looks. Most people don't get a base model car or pickup with steel wheels & no chrome because they want it to look a certain way, bottom line get what you want.

 

Decisions, decisions...

 

I have a SG with driving lights and a QD tour-pak. Best of both worlds!

 

Yes, maybe 20 minutes- 30 if i have to wait for the coffee machine.

It's raise the bike 3 or 4 inches on the lift.

take off saddlebags ( I have rubber stick on feets on the bottom so I can set them down anywhere level, I don't have to look for a soft place)

relieve air pressure slowly so as not to get oil up in the lines.

go get coffee

put wedge like doorstop under rear tire ( just kick it in).

remove air lines from shocks

remove lower bolts from shocks

check that bike is steady on lift and rear wheel is resting on doorstop/wedge.

pull top bolts one at a time.

store shocks up right.

take other shocks- do the 2 top bolts

get the bottom eye in position- raise or lower swingarm by pushing doorstop/wedge in or out

once eyes line up- then bolt it up ( all 4 bolts 35~40 ft lbs.)

apply air lines.

pressurize shocks.

saddlebags on.

bike off lift.

finish coffee

( if you don't have doorstop wedge, you can use your foot if you are tough- I use a 1' scrap piece of 4 X 4 cut at a 30º )

here with SG seat and stock height shocks:



Here is where it matters:





Mike

 

I too was debating between these two models. As you can see I opted for the EG and have made it my own. I decided that over the long haul the EG was a better purchase for what I wanted. The SG may look a little sportier compared to the EG on the showroom floor but it does not need to stay that way.

 

I went with the SG and added tour pack, lowers, EG rear shocks (3in vs 2in, taller wind shied and the custom running lights (no center bar). I liked the looks of less and also liked the wheels. I can tell you that i now wish i had the CB more $$$ it for sure would have been cheaper to go with the Ultra limited! just would not look the same IMO What ever you do, think and make the right decision for you!!!

 

You can buy a Street Glide and spend your money adding "stuff". Or you can buy an Electra Glide Classic and spend your money making "stuff" detachable. Your choice. Personally, I bought the EGC and didn't spend a dime on detachables. That tour-pak is so functional that it's gonna stay on the motorcycle.

Regarding handling, I'd say at slow speeds, my SG handled better. That tour-pak sittin' up high on the EGC doesn't help low speed handling. Once you get rolling, they both handle real well. I tell people this: I traded in my hot rod Mustang (Street Glide) and bought a Buick (Electra glide Classic).

Oh, by the way, if you buy an EGC and make things detachable, it still doesn't look like a Street Glide, it looks like an Electra Glide Standard (IMHO).

 

After lots of riding miles on both (rentals) the street glide always left my lower back a little stiff, the EGC never did. I love the look of the SG, but nothing beats the ride of the EG! So now I have an EGC in the garage with the tour pak off, street glide mirrors, and a lower then stock winshield.

 

I'm biased but I prefer the clean look of the SG fenders and saddlebags. Sure it'll cost around $800 to add a tourpack but that's worth it for me to avoid the dressed up front fender and saddlebags. Go with your gut and let your wallet take care of the rest!

 

Decision is just too tough. Get them both.