If you want a radio & the wind & rain protection the bat wing gives you...Street Glide. It also has 1" lower rear shocks. Otherwise, The King is the way to go. Wish I could have both. Wife won't let me.

 

Just got back from a 1700 mile trip on my Road King - the bike is amazing. For me, it's a Road King all the way.

 

I went through the same dilemma and ended up with the RoadKing. To me it is more versatile than the SG.
And the ride is much better

 

I'm not a plastic guy either, so don't like the looks of the fairing bikes. But that's just a personal preference. (My wife was admiring a parked street glide yesterday, so my opinion is by no means universal, or even a majority one.) I also have no use for a radio and other doodads on a motorcycle. I'm more of a purist.

But one issue to consider that is not subjective is the suspension. To get the cool look on the street glide, the MoCo reduced the shock travel on the rear suspension. If you search the forum, you'll find many complaining that the street glide isn't comfortable on long tours and swap out the shocks.

 

Road King. You can always add a faring later.

Unless you gotta have tunes now, then SG. But is find the w/s just fine.

2-up riding is better on RK because of extra shock travel.

 

I think you have your answer, the Road King guy's are all on the computer, and the Street Glides are all out riding.

 

I like the RK

 

To me, RK's look like a bigger version of a softail.
No offense to anyone with one.

Think about it.

 

I once had a RK. Put on a detachable fairing for long trips. Eventually never took it off. The RK is the best look production bike but since I travel a lot, the fairing makes more sense to me.

 

They are both the exact same bike with just a couple of minor differences. Of course the fairing with the wind protection, tunes and better looking with a shield on for the Street Glide and the convertibility of the removable shield on the RK, better looking with the shield off. The added weight of the fairing isn't noticeable while moving.

The other difference is the ride height. At your height this may be the deciding factor. An inch lower for the SG, but the RK can also be lowered if you wish. An aftermarket fairing can also be added to the RK but not quite as nice ( matter of preference).

You will save some cash on the RK vs the SG...but if you're going to convert one to the other just go with what you want to end up with. You cannot go wrong with either bike.