Harley-Davidson: Road Glide vs. Street Glide

Biking is an activity that tons of people worldwide enjoy engaging in. With a little more than 8 million motorcyclists throughout the country, biking is especially popular is the United States. 

Out of all those bikers, you’ll find that the majority own a Harley-Davidson. If you’re thinking of getting a new motorcycle of your own, you might want to look into getting one yourself!

The two most popular models, the Road Glide and the Street Glide, are great choices to consider. Let’s check out what to know about the Road Glide vs. Street Glide so you can buy the best bike!

What to Know About the Harley-Davidson Road Glide

Let’s start by checking out some of the Road Glide benefits. This bike has a starting MSRP of about $21,700, which is slightly lower than the Street Glide. 

The bike features a Milwaukee-Eight® 107 engine and uses an Electronic Sequential Port Fuel Injection, more commonly called ESPFI, fuel system. The engine has a 1745-cc capacity, making it a favorite among Harley-Davidson fans.

On the bike, you’ll also enjoy a torque of 111 pound-feet, while the bike itself weighs just 820 pounds. The seat height is relatively low to the ground sitting at 29.5 inches.

One of the other benefits of this bike is that it has a self-start mechanism and an air-cooling system. You’ll also notice a wet mutilate clutch and double bending valve suspension used on both the front and rear suspension. 

Another great perk of the Road Glide is that it has frame-mounted fairing. What you’ll find out about that is that you’ll get a great wind protection angle that’s noticeably different from other bikes on the market.

What to Know About the Harley-Davidson Street Glide

Next, let’s take a look at some of the Street Glide benefits to be aware of. Like the Road Glide, this bike has an engine capacity of 1745 cc and features a Milwaukee-Eight® 107 engine.

The starting MSRP for this bike is slightly higher, sitting at $22,000. However, the motorcycle’s high quality puts the price up a little bit and makes it worth the extra cash. Most dealerships offer financing options, so don’t let the cost increase deter you.

Just like the Road Glide, this bike features a self-starting device as well as an ESPFI fuel system. However, this fuel system boasts a 22.7-liter capacity. 

The Street Glide has a fork-mounted fairing, meaning its wind protection is slightly different from that of the road glide. The bike weighs 796 pounds, making it lighter than the Road Glide, but it still offers 111 pounds of torque. 

Finally, the bike has enforcer cast aluminum and a double cradle chassis on the rear and front suspension. The bike’s seat is also a little lower than the Road Glide, sitting at 26.1 inches.

Road Glide vs. Street Glide Key Features

With a better understanding of these bikes’ differences, let’s look at some of the key features they share. Harley-Davidson goes out of its way to create a safe riding experience, which they accomplish by implementing advanced technology. 

The Road Glide and the Street Glide both feature several fantastic pieces of technology that make for an excellent ride. Let’s take a look at some of the most-loved features of these bikes. 

Cruise Control

If you’re spending hours on the road, you can give yourself a bit of a break by switching on cruise control, which helps you maintain your speed so you can focus on steering and navigation.

Reflex™ Linked Brembo® Brakes with ABS

A sound braking system is crucial for helping you manage your bike. With the brakes outfitted with an automatic braking system (ABS), you’ll enjoy extra safety features that make it easy for you to manage your bike.

Security System

With the security systems built into both bikes, you won’t have to worry about anyone damaging your bike. You can keep your property safe with a built-in security system.

Boom!™ Box 4.3 Infotainment System

Both the Road Glide and the Street Glide feature two 5.25-inch speakers so that you can listen to whatever music you enjoy when you’re on the road. Plus, you can install SiriusXM Presets if you want to enjoy radio services on your bike.

Mobile Phone Connections

You can take advantage of the bikes’ hands-free mobile phone Bluetooth pairing capability to help you drive safely and still use your phone. You can also use voice recognition and text-to-speech so you can safely talk to friends and family while on the road.

Road Glide vs. Street Glide: Which Is Best?

With all these features, you’re probably wondering which Harley-Davidson motorcycle is best. And, the truth is, when it comes to the Road Glide vs. Street Glide, you really can’t go wrong regardless of which you choose. 

If you’re okay with a lower MSRP for a bike that’s closer to the ground, the Road Glide might be a good choice. Or, if you just want a bike that’s easier for you to mount and dismount, the Road Glide is also a great pick. 

If you’re not looking for these features, you might be better off choosing a Street Glide.

The truth is, even though the bikes are each unique, they both offer fantastic safety, performance, and infotainment features. You’ll be investing in a great bike regardless of which one you go with.

Choose Your Perfect Motorcycle at Harley-Davidson of The Woodlands

With this guide to the differences and similarities between the Road Glide vs. Street Glide, you’ll have no problem making an informed purchase.

So, are you ready to join the 8 million bikers across the country and buy a motorcycle that you love? Get in touch with our team at Harley-Davidson of The Woodlands, and we’ll help you browse our inventory of new and pre-owned bikes and secure financing to find the perfect motorcycle for your needs!