Harley Davidson has produced many bike models, mostly cruisers or tourers. Harley Road King and Road Glide are among the top touring models from the company.
Still, Road King and Road Glide have features that recall the manufacturer’s classic road bikes. These bikes are not so suitable for daily use or on busy streets. But don’t worry, as these are preferable for unwinding yourself over a long distance. The structure says so. Better power, better torque, and comfy rides – these are what you get when choosing any of them.
You are at the correct place if you are searching for a Road King vs Road Glide discussion. Here, we will give you a complete comparison and exciting thoughts on these two touring bikes. If you are confused about selecting between Road King and Road Glide. Then, continue reading the comparison in detail and ensure which is good for you.
An Overview Of Harley Davidson Road King
The Harley Davidson Road King is a highly renowned motorcycle that has captivated the hearts of riders all over the world. With its iconic design and powerful performance, it stands as a symbol of freedom and adventure on the open road. The Road King boasts a classic and timeless look, characterized by its large front fairing, chrome accents, and spacious saddlebags.
Good Sides:
– Classic and iconic design
– Powerful engine for an exhilarating ride
– Comfortable seating for long journeys
– Excellent handling and stability on the road
– Impressive storage capacity for traveling needs
– Superior quality and durability
– Strong brand reputation and community support
Drawbacks:
- Heavyweight and bulky design
- Limited fuel efficiency
An Overview Of Harley Davidson Street Glide
The Harley Davidson Street Glide is a powerful and iconic motorcycle known for its sleek design and outstanding performance. With its impressive torque and smooth handling, it offers an exhilarating riding experience. Equipped with advanced features and comfortable seating, it allows riders to cruise in style and enjoy the open road.
Good Sides:
- Sleek and stylish design
- Powerful engine for a thrilling ride
- Comfortable seating for long journeys
- Smooth handling and maneuverability
- Impressive sound system for an immersive experience
Drawbacks:
- Higher price
- Higher maintenance costs compared to other motorcycles
Road King Vs Road Glide Comparison
Road King Vs Road Glide are two top-of-the-line motorcycle models from Harley Davidson. Since they both are made for long-distance rides, they share many common features. In fact, at first look, you can hardly tell the major difference between these Harley Road Glide motorbike models.
These two nice bikes use the two variants of the latest Milwaukee Eight engines for better performance. The oil tank capacity of these two motorbikes is also similar at 5.2 quarts.
Comparison Of Dimensions And Physical Appearance
| Road King | Road Glide | |
| Length | 95.7″ | 96.5″ |
| Seat height (when loaded) | 25.9″ | 26.3″ |
| Weight (when shipped) | 818 lbs. | 794 lbs. |
| Weight (when running) | 853 lbs. | 828 lbs. |
| Ground clearance | 5.1″ | 5.3″ |
| Rake | 26 | 26 |
| Trail | 6.8″ | 6.7″ |
| Wheelbase | 64″ | 64″ |
| Front tires | BW 130-60B19-61H | BW 130-70B18-63H |
| Rear tires | BW 180-55B18-80H | BW 180-55B18-80H |
| Capacity of fuel | 6 gal. | 6 gal. |
| Capacity of oil | 5.2 quarts | 5.2 quarts |
| Capacity of Luggage | 2.7 cu ft. | 2.3 cu ft. |
As the table shows, both bikes have similar capacities. Their wheelbase, Fuel Capacity, oil capacity, and front and rear tires are identical. A slight difference is seen in their weight. You will find the road trips Glide models slightly weightier.
So, it may suit those who want a lightweight (compared to Road King) touring motorcycle. It also has a slightly higher luggage capacity, which makes it ideal for long roads with convenience.
Comparison Of Engine
| Engine name | Milwaukee-Eight 114 | Milwaukee-Eight 107 |
| Engine type | 4-stroke, DOHC | 4-stroke |
| Bore | 4.02″ | 3.94″ |
| Stroke | 4.5″ | 4.37″ |
| Displacement | 114 cu inches | 107 cu inches |
| Compression ratio | 10.5:1 | 10.0:1 |
| ESPFI | Available | Available |
| Chrome dual exhaust | 2-1-2 configuration and tapered mufflers | 2-1-2 configuration and tapered mufflers |
| Drive Type | Chain drive | Chain drive |
The engine, there’s hardly any difference between Road Glide and Road King. Road King uses the 107 variant of the Milwaukee engines, while Road Glide uses its 114 variant. No doubt, both Powerful engines are superbly powerful. Also, they are stable enough to offer superior performance on long rides without vibration and heating problems.
Comparison Of Chassis
| Wheel type | Optional style: gloss black Prodigy with a contrast cut highlight | Not available |
| Front wheels | Gloss black prodigy | Slicer II cast aluminum |
| Rear wheels | Gloss black prodigy | Slicer II cast aluminum |
| Brake | 32 mm, 4-piston fixed front and rear | Caliper type- 32 mm, 4-piston fixed front and rear |
Harley Davidson has made these two touring models for fashionable people. Following it, these two touring motorcycles have a sleek and stylish design. Their chassis will captivate your mind with an excellent choice of design language. Apart from that, their physical attributes, including the brakes, are quite similar.
Road Glide uses caliper brakes of 32mm size. It is also identical to the Road King versions. You can depend on their improved braking capacity during emergencies on long rides. You will love their stopping capacity in less than 10 feet of distance and on wet roads.
Features Comparison
Riders should consider key differences when comparing the Road King and Road Glide, two iconic motorcycles from Harley-Davidson. The Road King, known for its classic touring design, offers a comfortable and smooth riding experience.
With its detachable windshield and hard saddlebags, it is perfectly suited for long-distance cruising. Road King and Road Glide are both popular Harley-Davidson motorcycle models. Here is a comparison of their features:
- Design: The Road King features a classic touring design with a detachable windshield, while the Road Glide has a more aggressive look with a fixed fairing.
- Engine: Both models are equipped with a Harley-Davidson Road King powerful Milwaukee-Eight engine, available in different displacements depending on the year and specific model.
- Suspension: The Road King typically comes with a traditional front suspension, while the Road Glide offers a unique dual-bending valve front suspension, providing enhanced stability and handling.
- Fairing: The Road King has a detachable windshield, offering flexibility for riders who prefer an open-air experience. The Road Glide, on the other hand, has a fixed frame-mounted fairing that provides better wind protection and aerodynamics.
- Storage: Both models offer ample storage options. The Road King usually features hard saddlebags, while the Road Glide comes with larger fuel tank capacity saddlebags and often has Additional Features storage compartments in the fairing.
- Riding Experience: The Road King is known for its comfortable seats and relaxed riding position, making it suitable for long-distance touring. The Road Glide offers a more aggressive riding position, with its fixed fairing providing improved stability at higher speeds.
Performance Of Road King Vs Road Glide
Road Glide bike comes with a touring chassis. It helps the bike to start and get ready quickly. In the case of Road Glide Specials, they are good to go among the bendy roads with the least traffic. Plus, these models don’t need any substantial warm-up time.
It will be handy during cold days when many motorbikes need 4 to 5 minutes to warm up their engines. It will be a great advantage for those riding in a cold region. Although they usually appear heavier than Road King while running, they will perform better.
Also, you may love the overtaking capacity on the low end of the bikes. After running the bike for miles, I will still be ready for the next run without stressing.
Comparison Of Comfort And Riding Experience
The Road King and Road Glide offer a comfortable riding experience, but slight differences exist. The Road King features a classic touring style with a large, plush seat and well-positioned handlebars, providing a comfortable riding position. On the other hand, the Road Glide offers a more aggressive riding position with a fixed fairing that provides better wind protection.
It also has a narrower seat and slightly higher handlebars. The riding experience of both bikes has its unique qualities. The Road King is praised for its smooth and stable ride, thanks to its traditional front fork and rear suspension setup. It delivers a more relaxed and laid-back riding experience, perfect for long-distance touring.
Handling And Maneuverability Of The Two Bikes
The Road King and Road Glide are both popular Harley-Davidson motorcycles. Regarding handling and maneuverability, there are some differences between the two. The Road King is known for its excellent handling capabilities.
Its design and suspension setup provide a smooth and stable ride, making it easy to handle in various road conditions. The bike’s low center of gravity contributes to its stability, particularly when navigating corners or tight turns.
On the other hand, the Road Glide offers slightly different handling characteristics. It features a fixed fairing, providing better wind protection and stability at higher speeds than the Road King. The fairing design also improves the bike’s aerodynamics, reducing wind buffeting and better overall stability.
Differences In Storage Capacity And Touring Capabilities
The Road King typically offers more storage capacity compared to the Road Glide. It has hard saddlebags on both sides, providing ample space to store luggage and other essentials for long trips. On the other hand, the Road Glide usually has smaller saddlebags, limiting the amount of storage available.
Both the Road King and Road Glide are designed for touring, but they have some differences in terms of capabilities. The Road King is known for its comfortable ride, thanks to its traditional touring features and suspension system. It offers a smooth and stable ride, ideal for long-distance trips.
Comfort – What You Need For Long Tours
Road Glide is comparatively heavier than Road King. With a 387kg weight, you can find it a bit tough to park in the garage. Regardless, the bike is good for providing a comfy ride. It is accessible to riders of any height, from short to tall.
Road King is famous for the luxury feelings you get while riding it. You can take it for a short trip or spend miles away. Even some riders consider it like you are riding a car, though it sounds funny. But of course, you will love to ride this cruiser.
Attractive Design
Harley Davidson always focuses on producing two-wheelers that give the riders maximum comfort and lovely design. Road King and Road Glide have that design to make you think again. Also, both bikes represent the fame of Harley tourers. Lastly, you may feel more interested in knowing the history of American bikes and the heritage of Harley’s design legacy.
Styling And Feel
There are several differences between the Road King and Road Glide lineup. For instance, Road King appears with a wheelset of Impeller Cast aluminum wheels. Alternatively, the Road Glide has the wheels of Enforcer Cast Aluminum. You can notice chrome 2-in-1 double exhausts with tapered mufflers.
These two bike models have Showa that uses dual-bending valve forks. A double-cradle frame with a double downtube forms a classical skeleton in these bikes. This skeleton has layers of a steering head appropriately placed.
Then again, Harley Davidson Road Glide keeps the brakes (32mm, 4-piston) fixed on these two motorcycles. As a result, when you are riding the bike at high speed, you can get better stable straight-line tracking.
Comparison Of Transmission
High Output Twin Cam 103TM V-Twin engine with 6-speed cruise drive system is the power source of both bikes. Whatever you choose between these two, the bike can gain 42 mpg while producing a torque of 104.7 lb.-ft at 3250 pm. Moreover, these bikes have a more massive fuel economy tank to last longer without compromising comfort.
Price And Options
To clarify the pricing of these two bikes, I have selected bikes that appeared in 2016. The Road King of 2016 has a base price of $ 18,750 and is available in vivid black. The Road Glide has more features and costs more than the Road King. You can expect vivid black Road Glide by paying $21,000 to the seller.
One more thing, you can find these bikes in several Hot color. But there are some complications, too. For example, Road King has a dual-tone finish and custom colors. Instead, the Road Glide has a Hard Candy Custom option.+
Factors To Consider When Choosing Between The Road King And Road Glide
In terms of aesthetics, the Road King exudes a timeless elegance with its traditional look and chrome accents, appealing to those who appreciate a more vintage style. Alternatively, the Road Glide boasts a more modern and aggressive appearance, with its unique front end and sleek lines, attracting riders who prefer a bold and contemporary look. Factors to consider when choosing between the Road King and Road Glide:
- Riding Style: Consider your preferred riding style. The Road King is more suited for long-distance touring and offers a more relaxed riding position, while the Road Glide is designed for a sportier feel and better handling in corners.
- Wind Protection: The Road Glide has a fixed fairing that provides better wind protection than the detachable windshield on the Road King. The Road Glide may be better if you frequently ride at higher speeds or in adverse weather conditions.
- Aesthetics: Both bikes have distinct aesthetics. The Road King has a classic, timeless look with its detachable windshield and traditional styling, while the Road Glide has a more aggressive and modern appearance with its fixed fairing. Choose the one that aligns with your personal choice taste.
- Storage Capacity: Consider the amount of storage you need. The Road King offers storage options in the form of saddlebags, whereas the Road Glide provides additional storage compartments in the fairing. The Road Glide may be more suitable if you require more storage for longer trips.
- Handling: The Road Glide features a frame-mounted fairing, which improves stability and handling at higher speeds. If you prioritize a smoother and more controlled ride, especially during highway cruising, the Road Glide might be the better option.
Conclusion
The Road King vs Road Glide has unique features and qualities, making it difficult to declare one superior. It ultimately comes down to personal preference and riding style. Whether you prefer the classic and nostalgic look of the Road King or the sleek and modern design of the Road Glide, both models are top contenders in the Harley-Davidson lineup.
Whichever you choose, you can’t go wrong with either of these iconic and powerful touring motorcycles. Ultimately, the decision between these two bikes comes down to personal preference and riding style. Whichever one you choose, you can’t go wrong with a Harley-Davidson touring bike.
FAQs
What Is The Difference Road King Or Road Glide?
The main difference between the Road King and Road Glide is the front fairing design. The Road King features a detachable windshield and a more traditional, vintage-inspired look, while the Road Glide has a fixed fairing with a more aggressive, streamlined appearance.
Is A Road King The same As A Street Glide?
No, a Road King and a Street Glide are not the same. While both are motorcycles manufactured by Harley-Davidson, they have some key differences.
What’s The Difference Between A Road Glide And A Street Glide Harley?
No, a Road King and a Street Glide are not the same. While both are motorcycles manufactured by Harley-Davidson, they have some key differences.
What Class Of Bike Is A Road King?
The Road King is a class of touring motorcycles produced by Harley-Davidson. With its iconic design and powerful performance, the Road King symbolizes freedom and adventure on the open road.
Is The Road King Comfortable?
Yes, the Road King is generally considered to be comfortable. Its recognizable features include a comfortable seat, smooth suspension, and ergonomic handlebars that provide a relaxed riding position.