Harley Road King vs. Street Glide: Know Before Buying?

Since 1994, Harley-Davidson has offered a touring motorcycle line called the Road King. The bike belongs to one of the most popular models offered by this company that has been around for many years. There are a variety of Harley-Davidson motorcycles available to suit any rider’s tastes and preferences.

However, long-distance riding is made more comfortable and manageable with these motorcycles. Would you like to ride a Harley Harley Street Glide or Road King? There are a lot of differences between Harley Street Glide Vs. Harley Road King if you’re considering buying one.

As well as similarities, both bikes have differences. Read on to understand better which motorcycle is right for you and to get a better sense of the differences between each one.

Harley Road King Vs. Street Glide: A Quick Comparison

Harley Road King	Harley Street Glide
Long:- 96.5”	96.5”
Seat height:- 28.2”	27.4”
814lbs	810lbs
Milwaukee-Eight® 107 engine	Milwaukee-Eight® 107 engine
Gear Box:- 6-Speed	6-Speed
Top Speed:- 140 kmph	174 kmph
Kerb Weight:- 379 kg	376 kg
Length:- 2450 mm	2450 mm
Maximum Torque:- 149 Nm	149 Nm
Compression Ratio:- 10.0:1	10.0:1
Exhaust Pipes:- Single Exhaust	Dual Exhaust (2-1-2)

Harley Road King Vs. Street Glide: In-Depth Comparison

Both the Street Glide and Road King are in Harley-Davidson’s “touring” line. Both models have many other features in common, but each has some characteristics that make it unique. Next, let’s look at what sets these two models apart.

Measurements

Road King models have a total length of 2450 millimeters. In comparison to the street glide, which measures 2425 millimeters, it is slightly smaller. Street glide saddles measure 690 millimeters tall, and the road king is 705 millimeters tall.

The street glide has 125 inches of ground clearance while the road king has 10 more inches, making a total of 135 inches. In terms of dry and curb mass, however, both of these models weigh about the same. There are 362 kilograms of dry weight and 379 kilograms of curbed weight.

Options and Features

Street Glide gives you a color infotainment system with a 4.3-inch screen, which is a big difference between the two: a 5.25-inch front speaker, voice recognition, Bluetooth hands-free features, and more. As a result, the Road Glide does not feature similar infotainment, and it does not have the large front fairing of the Street Glide. They both come with cruise control as standard, and both are available with anti-lock brakes, as well as security systems.

Advanced RDRS system

The RDRS technology utilizes specialized chassis control, powertrain technology, and brake control systems to provide you with better acceleration and braking. Due to the “Special” treatment, the suspension is soft, and carrying the bike into corners is no hassle. The gear shifts are now much smoother as well since neutral is now easier to find than its standard sibling. Due to the sloping back seats and the shortened suspension travel, the Special is not designed to seat two people.

Specifications

It is almost impossible to tell the difference between these two bikes. Their wheelbases are 64 inches, and their ground clearance is 5.3 inches. In both cases, there is a luggage capacity of 2.3 cubic feet, a fuel capacity of 6 gallons, and both are about the same weight. Compared to the 28.2-inch height of the Road Glide, the Street Glide has a slightly lower seat height of 27.4 inches. In general, both bikes handle similarly.

Engine

In the 2019 Harley-Davidson road king model, the engine is a Milwaukee-Eight 107. This engine has a displacement of 1746 cubic centimeters. At 3250 rpm, the engine is claimed to have 111 foot-pounds of torque. This model has a stroke of 110 millimeters and a compression ratio of ten to one.

According to the manufacturer, the street glide’s engine has the following specifications. The engine is a Milwaukee-Eight 114 model. It dispenses 1868 cubic centimeters of power. This model has a stroke of 114 and a compression ratio of ten points five to one. At maximum torque, the street glide engine turns 3250 revolutions per minute.

Electricals

Both cars are equipped with LED taillights, high-beam headlights, and turn signals. In regards to the lights, the street glide does not have the fuller lower beam of the road king. Another feature of the street glide that the road king lacks is a fuel economy indicator. Harley Road King and Street Glide both haveChain Drive, Air Cooled, 4-Stroke, DOHC as well.

Tires & Brakes

Both bikes’ brake and wheel systems share a number of similarities. Both vehicles have disc brakes on the front and rear, aluminum wheels, and tubeless tires.

However, the wheel and tire dimensions differ. Tire measurements on the road king are 180/30-B17 for the front and 180/65-B16 for the back. A street glide’s dimensions are front: -130/60-B19, and rear: -180/55-B18.

Chassis

Road King models are equipped with chrome, 2-1-1 twin exhausts, and tapered mufflers, while street glide models feature a double cradle chassis.

The chassis of both devices is the same with identical dimensions. It is equally athletic and responsive to ride the Road Glide or Street Glide. The Harley Road Glide offers riders and pillion passengers unparalleled levels of comfort, despite being tuned primarily for long-distance travel rather than stop and go traffic.

Seat & Weight

The seat height on the Electra Glide is 26.1-inches compared to 29.5-inches on the Road Glide. Street Glide weighs approximately 25 pounds less than Road Glide at 796 pounds. Hence there is a somewhat better power-to-weight ratio, which in turn helps with acceleration. Price can also be an issue, but it is not crucial.

Handlebar

Despite having a fairing on both of them, the Road Glide’s bolted frame reduces the strain on the rider’s arms. A big advantage of the Road Glide is the space between the handlebars and the seats, which is especially helpful if you’re a tall rider. However, the Road Glide’s ability to deflect wind is what makes it stand out the most. At highway speeds, it’s estimated that a force of about 60 pounds is applied on the fairing and on the handlebar, which is bolted to the fork if it’s the Street Glide. A major selling point of Road Glide is its air-resistance channeling to the frame, providing a dramatic reduction in rider fatigue.

Fuel Capacity

A similar fuel capacity is found in both of these motorcycles. Both motorcycles can hold 22.7 liters of fuel.

The price

You’ll notice the price tag on any bike first, whether you like it or not. With starting prices starting at $18,749 MSRP for the 2016 Road King and $20,899 MSRP for the 2016 Street Glide, both models are available in Vivid Black.

Both motorcycles come in a wide range of colors, but the Street Glide does not offer two-tone finishes or custom colors. The Street Glide provides “Hard Candy Custom” color combinations, which aren’t available on the Road King.

Harley Road King Vs. Street Glide: Which One is Preferred Over Others?

In addition to the athletic, sporty exterior styling and responsive riding experience, the Road Glide offers the Street Glide as well. The main factors that influence the choice are the weight and size of each bike, as well as the slight price difference. You might want to consider, however, which one you prefer for a long, relaxing ride.

Ultimately, both are advertised as cruisers, and as a customer, it’s crucial to know what you want. Lighter bikes boost acceleration due to their higher power to weight ratio. Nonetheless, if you don’t care about the size of the motorbike, you can protect around $300 if you choose the Road Glide.

FAQs.

Conclusion

Regarding the Harley Road Glide vs. Street Glide, what is your belief? Now that you know a few of the differences and similarities between the Harley-Davidson Road Glide and Harley-Davidson Street Glide. Which one will you purchase for yourself? No matter which model you pick, you’ll find different styles, fantastic riding, as well as comfortable and cheaper options in both. Both bikes are prized for their power and handling. Road King has a slightly greater lean angle. Happy journey.

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