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[fred786]

Puzzled, and others educate me please!  Having been a Street Glide guy my dealer is working on a price for me on the 18 2 tone grey SG and 2 tone grey RG. No I am not buying 2 bikes, but keeping my option open on one or the other.  At 5'8" the SG has fit me prefect but in looking at the dimensions I see the RG will actually put me closer to the ground.  Both bikes are to include Reduced reach bars as I am short in the arms and arm fatigue is a big issue for me on my present SG.  Both bikes priced with matching King Tour Pak and rest of normal accessories.   Pretend you are a salesman and tell me why I would want the RG over the SG.  What is the big front wheel going to do for me other than looks? etc etc etc.  I have never road a RG but my buddies that have them love them.  3 Ultras before getting into the SG's.  I always found the SG less top heavy and better balanced for my height compared to the Ultra.  FYI up here in Canada now the SG is listing at $50 and the RG at $53!!!!

[Grizzly]

I've never owned a RG, but have ridden a few over the years.  A few years back I was lucky enough to enjoy a demo on a "Maple" CVO RG for over a week!  Love the paint job, the fancy stitch seat, the ride and handling, but in the end decided to stick with what I was more comfortable with.

My best advise would be to definitely go to an upcoming demo ride at your dealer to test ride one, as you mentioned you've never ridden a RG... It will certainly be a different feel from what you're used to - possibly better, or maybe not, as it is a real personal thing.  I'm certain with you being 5'8", I can almost assure you that your touch screen will be "touchless"!

Good luck with your decision.

[fred786]

LOL on the touch screen.  I hear ya!  I can count on my hand the number of times I have touched my present screen.  Always used the hand controls because hell I might leave a finger/glove print on the screen!

[Mjspiz]

If you ride mainly in town a SG will do othrtwise buy the RG.

[VaEagle]

There are many many threads all over this website discussing the pros and cons of one design over another. If you do the advanced search function and put in "bat vs shark" you get many entries where this topic is discussed. Here is one example:

https://www.cvoharley.com/smf/index.php?topic=111320.0

You will find that many prefer one over the other for their own reasons and of course they want to justify their purchase. 

[skratch]

okay, i'm a short guy.  5'4'', with 28'' inseam.  had a road king with a fairing (essentially a street glide) before I owned road glides, so I think I can talk with some amount of experience here.

with the fixed fairing, you have more space in front of you vs the batwing fairing being 'in your face'.  less claustrophobic and cramped feeling.  this also means you get more rain in the face with the road glide.

the 13 and below (pre rushmore) road glides were even worse than the newer ones,  the rushmores have moved the fairing 2.0'' closer to the rider, and the handlebars have a bunch more pullback, in the neighborhood of 5.5''.

no, the headlights don't turn with the fairing.  but given the physics of countersteering, the roadglide headlights lean into the turn, while the batwing headlights point outward.  yes, it's very minute but just a response to those who bring this up.

my radio is further away than yours would be.  I can reach it fine when I need to.  though most of the time, I use my hand controls.  that's what they're there for.

where the roadglide shines is on the highway.  while wind and turbulence by passing vehicles (esp. trucks) is minimized with the roadglide, while the batwing has those forces put right on the forks.  we've been on rides where once we reach our destination, the batwing folks talk about how 'brutal' the wind was, while I didn't even notice any.

the difference in seat height between the two bikes is negligible and is attributable to the 19'' front wheel on the sg, vs the 21'' front wheel on the rg.  in the past, the 2 bikes were identical with the exception of the fairing.

I would agree with the recommendation that you do an extended test ride on the rg.  that will give you a good comparison/contrast to your sg experience.  but, I would stress that you remember that that little tiny windscreen on the cvo rg will need to be replaced with a proper windscreen asap.  that tiny little thing isn't even as tall as the inner fairing.

this road glide is my 2nd road glide.  I knew what I was getting before I got it, so the reasons that I like it have absolutely zero to do with 'justifying' my purchase, and everything to do with why I bought this bike in the first place.  but, roadglides are not for everyone.  which is why they make more than one bike.  and i'm happy with not everyone having one.  I liked it better when there was fewer of us out on the road.  there is a reason why they called it 'the secret society of the sharknose'.  but that secret has been getting out more.

[coloradotom]

With those awful speed limits you all have in Canada you probably won't notice the difference. But if you head to Sturgis and try both models out on I90 and pass some trucks going 140/150. You'll make up your mind pretty quick.

[fred786]

Thanks guys I appreciate the input and your suggestions will give me something to look for on a good test ride.

[jcd520]

Be advised -----------You cannot put lowers on the cvo roadglide---------they will not fit with the knockout wheels that they come with. I don't know about you but I don't ride with out lower fairings on either an RG or SG---------in the rain it will drown you. Water comes straight up from under the fairing and hits you directly in the face without lowers.

[King Glide]

I'm 5'7" , agree with everything said but all I can say is get a test ride and take it out to the highway and into some twisties, nobody has to "sell" you on a RG, the bike will sell itself. If it's right for you, you will know it in seconds. It's just that good.

[jcd520]

I agree----------I love the new 117 RG , I just will not buy without the ability to install lower fairings. There is nothing like the RG on the highway or anywhere else. They feel lighter , handle better , slip through the wind better ------I love them. However the wind comes right up into your face without lower fairings and the rain will literally drown you . True on any batwing fairing bike too.

[skratch]

my bike came without lowers.  I added them too.  love the ride with them.  when I traded that bike in for the cvo, kept the lowers, and shipped them to joe z at xtreme dimension for his magic.  I've just gotten too used to the ride with them to ride without them.

[jcd520]

The engine guard is not the problem.
The description on the fairing lowers says that they will not work with knockout Wheels.
The description of the knockout Wheels also says that they will not work with fairing lowers.
My guess is that the 21 inch front wheel Fender hits the fairing lowers when you turn the handlebars.
The CVO Street Glide however has lowers but does not have the knockout Wheels.

[acevtwin]

Ive owned both. I bought the Original Screamin' Eagle Roadglide in 2000 when it was not popular. I owned it and the 04' SEEG (the first Streetglide) at the same time. I loved both bikes. I currently ride a Streetglide. It is all personal preference. If it were me, I couldn't sway you one way or the other.

[SDCVO]

Ive owned both. I bought the Original Screamin' Eagle Roadglide in 2000 when it was not popular. I owned it and the 04' SEEG (the first Streetglide) at the same time. I loved both bikes. I currently ride a Streetglide. It is all personal preference. If it were me, I couldn't sway you one way or the other.

I have both right now and agree that I love both bikes and have trouble picking one over the other

[Cvostu]

Take a good test ride. . Only you can talk yourself into what you will like better. . . Stuart

[ultrarider123]

I'll second, third and fourth on the test ride.  I've never had a fixed faring Harley prior to my current ride....always the bat for me.  Made the mistake of test riding the '15 SERGU and the rest is history.  I'm 5'6 and don't have any issues reaching the screen but Fred's comment on not touching the screen because of leaving fingerprints was spot on (get it?) so no touching da screen here.  I've just gotten use to the handlebar controls.  One positive is on long distance rides in high, steady cross wind, the RG doesn't wear you out as much as any of my old bat wings.  The RGU is a bit more than required in around town driving but hey, it's not hard getting used to.  I've had big bikes all my life so no worries....must be compensating for my "short" comings....
I've been very pleased with it.  Vickie has had some issues getting use to the wind as a passenger.  Seems she gets more side and head wind than on the batwing bikes.  I've had to try new windshields and installed the Kuryakyn wind deflectors to alleviate some of that (which it has).  I also installed the HD 12" premium shocks replacing the air shocks which really improved the handling.

Take a test ride and good luck on your decision.

[fred786]

Now if memory serves me correct the suspensions of both bikes have been updated since my 16 correct?  Second, what is that larger front wheel going to do for the RG other than appearance?

[TN]

In 2007 I decided on a new bike. I rented a ultra classic for a week, then a road glide for a week, tried to ride every day I could. The bike of choice was easy, it sold itself.

And the winner is........TR 


TN

[ultrarider123]

Now if memory serves me correct the suspensions of both bikes have been updated since my 16 correct?  Second, what is that larger front wheel going to do for the RG other than appearance?

Yes.  Front suspension specifically on the '17s upgraded from the already upgraded "Rushmore" improvements from 2014.

I don't have an answer on the larger front wheel.  I'm guessing your appearance comment is correct.  Others have noted that the larger front wheel on the '18 SERG doesn't allow for installation of lowers but I have no research on that. 

[FLSTFI Dave]

The engine guard is not the problem.
The description on the fairing lowers says that they will not work with knockout Wheels.
The description of the knockout Wheels also says that they will not work with fairing lowers.
My guess is that the 21 inch front wheel Fender hits the fairing lowers when you turn the handlebars.
The CVO Street Glide however has lowers but does not have the knockout Wheels.

Still not sure I believe the catalog, as harley has been wrong so many times on what will fit and will not.

We were looking at it yesterday.  Some at the shop believe you can change the engine guard to the regular one and ad lowers.  Some say no way. 

I have seen many road glides running 21 front wheels and lowers.  I have seen many street glides running 21 front wheels and lowers.

I doubt Harley changed the neck angle of the frame, or the triple trees on the road glide only.  I would bet they lowered the front forks one inch like most people did when running 21s to get trail and rake back close to stock.  If that what they did, I would bet lowers could be added.


As to the road glide vs street glide.  I have had two CVO road glides, a CVO road glide Ultra, and my current CVO Street glide.  I'm wanting back on a road glide.  I feel they are better out west in wind, and heavy truck traffic, and no weight shift at very slow parking lot speeds

[FLH91]

I've had multiple Batwings and multiple Shark noses.  For me the only disadvantage of the Road Glides is riding in rain.  You cannot buy a tall enough windshield to protect your face from rain.  On a batwing you can duck behind the windshield, not so for the road glides.....
my .02 cents

[rayson56]

Still not sure I believe the catalog, as harley has been wrong so many times on what will fit and will not.

We were looking at it yesterday.  Some at the shop believe you can change the engine guard to the regular one and ad lowers.  Some say no way. 

I have seen many road glides running 21 front wheels and lowers.  I have seen many street glides running 21 front wheels and lowers.

I doubt Harley changed the neck angle of the frame, or the triple trees on the road glide only.  I would bet they lowered the front forks one inch like most people did when running 21s to get trail and rake back close to stock.  If that what they did, I would bet lowers could be added.



Dave I'm seriously contemplating joining the sharknose team especially after reading your response and seeing the color offerings, or lack thereof, on the Street Glide. Please keep us informed about the lowers for the 18 SERG. Now it's off to the dealer for a test ride as I haven't tried the Rushmore RG.

Thanks

[FLSTFI Dave]

Still not sure I believe the catalog, as harley has been wrong so many times on what will fit and will not.

We were looking at it yesterday.  Some at the shop believe you can change the engine guard to the regular one and ad lowers.  Some say no way. 

I have seen many road glides running 21 front wheels and lowers.  I have seen many street glides running 21 front wheels and lowers.

I doubt Harley changed the neck angle of the frame, or the triple trees on the road glide only.  I would bet they lowered the front forks one inch like most people did when running 21s to get trail and rake back close to stock.  If that what they did, I would bet lowers could be added.



Dave I'm seriously contemplating joining the sharknose team especially after reading your response and seeing the color offerings, or lack thereof, on the Street Glide. Please keep us informed about the lowers for the 18 SERG. Now it's off to the dealer for a test ride as I haven't tried the Rushmore RG.

Thanks

I have no doubt that you can change the engine guard and add lowers.  The front is lowered one inch, neck angle is the same as all other touring bikes. 

Nice thing is with the gray, you can get the paint matched lowers from HD, as they are on the street glide also.  The other two colors are not the same as the street glide.

[r0de_runr]

after 6 years behind a batwing Harley fairing I traded for a Road Glide.  I never could get used to how far away the windshield was.  Felt like I was sitting on the back seat.

[Dan_Lockwood]

Puzzled, and others educate me please!  Having been a Street Glide guy my dealer is working on a price for me on the 18 2 tone grey SG and 2 tone grey RG. No I am not buying 2 bikes, but keeping my option open on one or the other.  At 5'8" the SG has fit me prefect but in looking at the dimensions I see the RG will actually put me closer to the ground.  Both bikes are to include Reduced reach bars as I am short in the arms and arm fatigue is a big issue for me on my present SG.  Both bikes priced with matching King Tour Pak and rest of normal accessories.   Pretend you are a salesman and tell me why I would want the RG over the SG.  What is the big front wheel going to do for me other than looks? etc etc etc.  I have never road a RG but my buddies that have them love them.  3 Ultras before getting into the SG's.  I always found the SG less top heavy and better balanced for my height compared to the Ultra.  FYI up here in Canada now the SG is listing at $50 and the RG at $53!!!!

Everything on Harleys is about the looks.  Either you like the looks of the batwing or the sharknose.

I've had two newer Harleys, an '08 SERK with big windshield and my current '09 SERG and I have a large Clear View on it.

When I walked into the Rapid City Convention Center at Sturgis in '08, I saw the back ends of the three new SERG's and fell in love with the look.  To be honest if they had been SESG's instead of the SERG's, I would be riding a SESG now instead.  I was ignorant of any pro/con of either.

I've grown to love the RG setup and can now look back and see how much I fought the side winds around here with the RK.  Although the RK was not a batwing bike, the big windshield acted very much like one.

I really don't believe you can go wrong with either, they're just different in some ways and as you've seen, there's good arguments for both.

So again, what do you like?  Bat or Shark?

[jcd520]

after further research on the "no lowers on CVO RG " this is what I have discovered.
I have physically looked at and measured them in person. The rear fairing support brackets must be replaced as they have a crossbrace that bolts to the top hole in the frame where the larger engine guard will have to go.
At that point fairing lowers will no doubt bolt right on the normal engine guard with no problems. What I don't know is why the moco says that lowers WILL NOT work with the knockout wheel(21") and knockout wheels will not work with fairing lowers.
Its as if they are suggesting their is a clearance or handling problem that is not stated.
I don't believe that, as I have seen MANY RG's with 21" front wheels, and the fender does not hit the lowers. Also , the black earth /vivid black RG would take vivid black lowers anyway so color match would not be a problem--------as for the orange one, I don't know.

[rayson56]

after further research on the "no lowers on CVO RG " this is what I have discovered.
I have physically looked at and measured them in person. The rear fairing support brackets must be replaced as they have a crossbrace that bolts to the top hole in the frame where the larger engine guard will have to go.
At that point fairing lowers will no doubt bolt right on the normal engine guard with no problems. What I don't know is why the moco says that lowers WILL NOT work with the knockout wheel(21") and knockout wheels will not work with fairing lowers.
Its as if they are suggesting their is a clearance or handling problem that is not stated.
I don't believe that, as I have seen MANY RG's with 21" front wheels, and the fender does not hit the lowers. Also , the black earth /vivid black RG would take vivid black lowers anyway so color match would not be a problem--------as for the orange one, I don't know.

That is great information and thanks for sharing. So does anyone think that once the above mentioned process is completed and the lowers are installed and we're rocking another 300 watts in our 6.5s that we're all going to install in our new lowers, lol, that there will be a clearance issue with the fender (which is the same dimensions on all the touring bikes) and the top crossbar of the crash bar being that there is supposedly more travel in the front end with this new suspension especially since it has been lowered an inch (or so) with the addition of the 21" wheel and maybe, just maybe there is a chance that the two could connect on a big bump therefore Harley says that this combo is incompatible?? I've had 21s on touring bikes in the past like others here with no issues and even had the front suspension lowered 2" but it was with progressives springs which were pretty stiff. That's my .02 at least for now. :-)

[noharley]

Hell. I'm gullible enough to anticipate stubby soft lower zip ups.

[FLSTFI Dave]

Everything on Harleys is about the looks.  Either you like the looks of the batwing or the sharknose.

I

When I walked into the Rapid City Convention Center at Sturgis in '08, I saw the back ends of the three new SERG's and fell in love with the look. 

Salesman whom I am s very good friend of kept telling my I wanted a road glide, not a street glide.  I kept telling him call me as soon as there is a CVO Street Glide.  I told him the road glide was Fugly.  Well he texted me pictures of the 09 CVO Road Glides from Stugis.  I really loved the rear ends also.  He talked me into buying one. 

A year later in Vegas my wife and I rented bikes, they did not have a rental road glide.  So I rented a street glide, I felt very confined, like the fairing was on my lap.  Hated it, called my friend the salesman and thanked him for talking me into a Road glide.

I put 47K on the 09 SERG, I put just over 46K on the 12 SERG, and I put 44k on the 15 SERGU.  Now on an 18 SERG.

Looks of the road glide have gown on me a lot, I now think it looks better then the street glide.