Which Makes a Better Tourer - Road Glide or Street Glide?

Similar But Different

Harley does touring bikes arguably better than anyone, earning its title as the king of cruisers by cranking out one comfy two-wheeler after another. But many prospective buyers find themselves stuck with a difficult decision - should they buy the Road Glide, or get a Street Glide? These two bikes share the same platform, but as it turns out, they have a few key differences that truly set them apart.

Photos: Harley-Davidson

Similarities

Both the Road Glide and Street Glide are powered by Harley's 107-inch Milwaukee-Eight powerplant that generates a generous 111 pound-feet of torque. They also share the exact same chassis, and amenities like cruise control, powerful stereo systems, and loads of storage space for those long trips down the highway.

Photos: Harley-Davidson

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Differences

There are a few key differences that set these two bikes apart, however. The first is the Road Glide's shark-nose fairing, which is frame-mounted. The Street Glide, on the other hand, utilizes a Batwing fairing that is mounted on the fork. The Street Glide also features a lower seat height, at 26.1 inches, versus the Road Glide at 29.5 inches.

Photos: Harley-Davidson

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Less and More

The Street Glide is also around 25 pounds lighter than the Road Glide, which helps acceleration and handling just a tad. You'll pay just a touch less for that savings as well, as the Street Glide has a base MSRP of $21,589, versus the Road Glide's starting price tag of $21,289. But when you're spending this kind of money on a motorcycle, $300 isn't much.

Photos: Harley-Davidson

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Big Advantage

The slightly more expensive Street Glide is more agile, thanks to the fact that it's lower and lighter. The Road Glide, on the other hand, is a better fit for taller riders. But perhaps the biggest benefit of the Road Glide is its fairing, which deflects wind much more effectively than the Street Glide's.

Photos: Harley-Davidson

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Important Consideration

The Road Glide's frame-mounted fairing helps to reduce stress on its rider's arms as well. At highway speeds, roughly 60 pounds of weight is placed on a bike's fairing. The Street Glide's weight is transferred to the handlebar since it's mounted on the fork, while the Road Glide flows to the frame. This reduces rider fatigue, an important consideration for a long-distance tourer.

Photos: Harley-Davidson

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Couple of Factors

Thus, making a decision between these two classic tourers boils down to just a couple of small considerations. Those that intend to ride long distances frequently or who are taller might prefer the Road Glide, while those that favor a bit more style over substance might opt for the Street Glide. Either way, in our humble opinion, you can't really go wrong.

Photos: Harley-Davidson

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