If you’re in the market for a new Harley-Davidson motorcycle, you might find yourself torn between two popular models – the Street Glide and the Road Glide. Both bikes offer a thrilling riding experience, but they also come with their own distinctive features and characteristics. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the Harley Street Glide and Road Glide, highlighting the key differences and similarities between these two impressive machines. Whether you’re a seasoned rider or new to the world of motorcycles, this comparison will help you make an informed decision and find the perfect ride for your needs.
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Design
Exterior design
The Harley Street Glide and Road Glide are both known for their impressive exterior designs that exude a sense of power and style. The Street Glide features a sleek and streamlined silhouette, with a low-slung front end and a distinctive batwing fairing. On the other hand, the Road Glide boasts a more aggressive and daring look, characterized by its shark-nose fairing. Both bikes are sure to turn heads as you cruise down the road, but the choice between the two ultimately comes down to personal preference.
Features
When it comes to features, the Harley Street Glide and Road Glide are packed with cutting-edge technology and convenience. Both bikes come equipped with advanced LED lighting systems, ensuring maximum visibility and safety on the road. The Street Glide offers convenient features such as an upgraded Boom! Box infotainment system, which allows you to easily navigate through music, communications, and navigation while on the go. The Road Glide, on the other hand, boasts the intuitive and user-friendly Reflex Defensive Rider Systems (RDRS), providing enhanced control and stability during your rides.
Ergonomics
Comfort is crucial when embarking on long rides, and both the Harley Street Glide and Road Glide deliver in this aspect. The Street Glide offers a comfortable seating position with a low-profile solo seat and ergonomically designed handlebars that provide a relaxed and natural riding posture. On the other hand, the Road Glide features a more upright seating position, providing excellent visibility and control over the bike. Both bikes also offer ample legroom and adjustable foot controls, allowing you to find the perfect fit for your riding style.
Engine and Performance
Engine specifications
The heart of any motorcycle lies in its engine, and the Harley Street Glide and Road Glide boast powerful performance thanks to their impressive engine specifications. The Street Glide is equipped with a Milwaukee-Eight 107 engine, delivering exceptional torque and acceleration. On the other hand, the Road Glide packs an even more robust Milwaukee-Eight 114 engine, offering an exhilarating combination of power and performance. Whether you’re cruising on the open road or overtaking on the highway, both bikes provide a thrilling riding experience.
Power and torque
With their impressive engines, the Harley Street Glide and Road Glide offer plenty of power and torque to fuel your adventures. The Street Glide produces a formidable 111 lb-ft of torque, providing quick and responsive acceleration in any riding situation. Meanwhile, the Road Glide goes even further with its 122 lb-ft of torque, delivering an adrenaline-pumping ride that is sure to get your heart racing. No matter which bike you choose, you can be confident in their ability to handle any road or terrain with ease.
Acceleration and top speed
When it comes to acceleration and top speed, both the Harley Street Glide and Road Glide are solid performers. The Street Glide can go from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.5 seconds, offering swift and effortless acceleration. On the other hand, the Road Glide takes it a step further, achieving the same feat in an impressive 3.8 seconds. As for top speed, both bikes can easily reach speeds beyond 120 mph, giving you the freedom to conquer long stretches of open road with ease and confidence.
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Ride and Handling
Suspension
A smooth and comfortable ride is essential when embarking on long journeys, and the Harley Street Glide and Road Glide excel in this department. Both bikes feature high-performance suspension systems that effortlessly absorb bumps and imperfections on the road, ensuring a plush and controlled ride. The Street Glide is equipped with front and rear suspension that can be easily adjusted to suit your preferred riding style, while the Road Glide boasts the responsive and refined Showa Dual Bending Valve suspension, offering optimal handling and stability on any terrain.
Braking system
Safety is paramount when riding a motorcycle, and the braking systems of the Harley Street Glide and Road Glide are designed to provide excellent stopping power. The Street Glide features reliable and responsive Reflex Linked Brembo brakes, offering precise control and confident braking performance. On the other hand, the Road Glide is equipped with the same advanced braking system, augmented with its Reflex Linked Brembo braking system with ABS, ensuring maximum stability and control when coming to a stop, even in emergency situations.
Cornering ability
When it comes to tackling corners, the Harley Street Glide and Road Glide offer exceptional handling and maneuverability. The Street Glide’s low center of gravity and well-balanced design allow for smooth and confident cornering, while the Road Glide’s bold and aggressive front end provides excellent stability and control, giving you the confidence to take on tight turns with ease. Whether you’re exploring winding mountain roads or navigating through city traffic, both bikes excel in providing a thrilling and exhilarating ride.
Comfort and Convenience
Seating position
Comfort is key during long rides, and both the Harley Street Glide and Road Glide prioritize rider comfort with their thoughtfully designed seating positions. The Street Glide features a low-profile solo seat that provides a relaxed and comfortable riding posture, allowing you to conquer miles without experiencing any discomfort. On the other hand, the Road Glide offers an upright seating position, providing excellent visibility and control over the bike, making it ideal for those who prefer a more commanding riding experience. Whichever seating position suits your preference, both bikes ensure a comfortable and enjoyable ride.
Wind protection
When cruising down the highway, wind protection is essential for a comfortable and enjoyable ride. The Harley Street Glide and Road Glide excel in this aspect, thanks to their well-designed fairings. The Street Glide’s batwing fairing provides excellent wind protection, reducing buffeting and allowing for a smooth and steady ride, even at high speeds. Meanwhile, the Road Glide’s iconic shark-nose fairing stands out not only for its bold aesthetic but also for its superior wind-cutting capabilities, ensuring minimal wind resistance and increased comfort during long rides.
Infotainment system
Staying connected while on the road has never been easier, thanks to the advanced infotainment systems of the Harley Street Glide and Road Glide. The Street Glide features the upgraded Boom! Box GTS infotainment system, packed with features such as a high-resolution touchscreen display, Bluetooth connectivity, and voice recognition technology. This allows you to effortlessly control your music, make calls, and access navigation, all while keeping your hands safely on the handlebars. Similarly, the Road Glide offers the highly intuitive Boom! Box GTS system, allowing you to stay entertained and connected throughout your rides.
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Technology and Features
Audio system
Both the Harley Street Glide and Road Glide come equipped with premium audio systems, ensuring an immersive and enjoyable riding experience. The Street Glide features a high-performance Boom! Box 6.5GT audio system, delivering crystal-clear sound quality and impressive volume levels. The system includes speakers positioned strategically throughout the bike, providing an immersive audio experience that is sure to enhance your rides. The Road Glide, on the other hand, is equipped with a similar Boom! Box 6.5GT audio system, allowing you to enjoy your favorite music with unparalleled clarity and richness.
Navigation system
Getting to your destination has never been easier than with the advanced navigation systems of the Harley Street Glide and Road Glide. The Street Glide is equipped with the upgraded Boom! Box GTS infotainment system, which includes a built-in GPS navigation system. This allows you to easily navigate through unfamiliar routes, making your long rides stress-free and enjoyable. Similarly, the Road Glide offers the same intuitive and user-friendly GPS navigation system, ensuring that you never get lost and always find your way, no matter where your adventures take you.
Connectivity options
In today’s digital age, staying connected is essential, even when on the road. The Harley Street Glide and Road Glide offer a range of connectivity options that allow you to stay in touch while enjoying your rides. Both bikes come equipped with Bluetooth connectivity, enabling you to easily pair your smartphone and enjoy hands-free calling, music streaming, and access to your favorite apps. This connectivity also extends to other devices, allowing you to connect your headset or helmet intercom system for seamless communication with your riding companions.
Storage and Luggage Capacity
Saddlebags
When it comes to storing your essentials, the Harley Street Glide and Road Glide offer ample space with their convenient saddlebags. The Street Glide features spacious saddlebags that offer enough storage for a weekend getaway, allowing you to pack all your essentials without compromising on comfort or aesthetics. Additionally, the saddlebag lids of the Street Glide can be easily opened with one hand, making it quick and convenient to access your belongings while on the go. The Road Glide also comes with spacious saddlebags, providing enough room to store your gear and ensuring that everything you need is within reach during your journeys.
Tour pack
For those who require even more storage space, the Harley Street Glide and Road Glide offer the option of a tour pack. The tour pack is a detachable trunk that attaches to the rear of the bike, providing additional storage capacity for longer trips. This allows you to pack extra gear, clothing, and other essentials without sacrificing comfort or convenience. The tour pack also comes with a lockable lid, ensuring the security of your belongings while on the road. Whether you’re embarking on a cross-country adventure or simply need extra storage for your daily commute, the tour pack is a valuable addition to both the Street Glide and Road Glide.
Overall space
When it comes to overall storage and luggage capacity, both the Harley Street Glide and Road Glide offer generous amounts of space to accommodate your needs. With their saddlebags and optional tour packs, you can easily pack everything you need for a long journey or weekend getaway, ensuring that you’re prepared for any situation. The well-designed storage options of both bikes allow you to organize your belongings efficiently, making it easy to access your gear whenever you need it. Whether you’re a solo rider or traveling with a passenger, the ample storage space of the Street Glide and Road Glide ensures that you can carry everything you need for a comfortable and convenient ride.
In conclusion, when comparing the Harley Street Glide and Road Glide, it’s clear that both bikes offer exceptional design, performance, comfort, and convenience. The decision ultimately comes down to personal preference, as each bike excels in different areas. Whether you choose the Street Glide with its sleek and streamlined design or the Road Glide with its bold and aggressive look, you can be confident that you’re riding a bike that delivers top-notch quality and an unforgettable riding experience.
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