Sunday, August 26, 2012

The Battle of the Glides - Guest Post

Road Glide® Custom vs. Street Glide®. Which one is better? What are the differences? It’s about time you found out. These models are identical from the fuel tank back. Same seat height (26.1 in). Same Rake (26 deg). Same fuel capacity (6 gal). Same luggage capacity (2.26 cu ft). Same engine (Twin Cam 103™). Same fuel system (ESPFI). Same stock exhaust (Chrome, 2-1-2) and wheels (Black, Slotted 5-Spoke Cast Aluminum). Same price for a Vivid Black at MSRP ($19,499). The difference is found in the fairing. The Street Glide® has a Bat-Wing Fairing. Originally designed by Chief Styling Officer Willie G. Davidson, the fairing on the Street Glide® is fork-mounted and has symbolized American-made touring motorcycles for over forty years. The Road Glide® Custom, on the other hand, has what is called a Shark-Nose Fairing. This fairing is frame-mounted, a relatively new style for the Harley-Davidson® lineup. Fork-mounted vs. Frame-mounted. Bat-Wing vs. Shark Nose. What’s that mean when you are riding down the road? When you turn the handlebars of a Street Glide® the fairing turns with you. When you turn the handlebars of a Road Glide® Custom, the fairing stays straight. As you are riding down the road on the Street Glide®, the force of the wind is being transferred from the fairing, to the handlebars, up your arms and into your bike. You, as the rider, are feeling (and in some cases fighting) the force of the wind you encouter on the ride. This can lead to hand, arm and back fatigue earlier in the ride. As you are riding down the road on the Road Glide® Custom, the force of the wind is being transferred from the fairing, to the forks, to the frame of your bike. As a rider, you are left sitting on the bike, in complete control, enjoying the ride for as long as the road continues. Because of the difference in fairing designs, the Road Glide® Custom has dual headlights where the Street Glide® only has one. Because they are different models, they each have an array of paint options. Accessories for the two models, are typically interchangeable as long as they don’t conflict or compliment the different fairings. Some say that the Street Glide® is designed more for the jaunts around the city, whereas the Road Glide® Custom is better designed for the endless days of riding across country. We think where you ride and how you ride is not dictated by the bike, but by the rider. What this all comes down to is the feel of the ride. And the only real way to figure out your personal preference is to take these cold-blooded motorcycles out on the road for a spin. Today's post was a guest post from Gateway Harley-Davidson. See more articles on their blog at gatewayharley.blog.com and follow them @GatewayHarley.

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