2024 Harley-Davidson Road Glide vs. Street Glide: Which is Right for You?

Choosing between the 2024 Harley-Davidson Road Glide and Street Glide can be a thrilling yet challenging decision for motorcycle enthusiasts. Both models have received significant updates this year, making them more advanced and rider-friendly. Here’s a detailed comparison to help you decide which bike suits you best, along with a look at what’s new for 2024.

Key Differences

Fairing Design:

Road Glide:
The Road Glide features a frame-mounted “sharknose” fairing, which offers several advantages. By mounting the fairing on the frame rather than the forks, it takes the weight off the front end, resulting in a lighter steering feel and superior wind protection, especially at high speeds. This design creates a wider, more comfortable ride, making it particularly appealing to taller riders. The 2024 Road Glide also includes deeper dual side compartments for additional storage, complete with a USB-C port for charging your devices on the go.

Street Glide:
In contrast, the Street Glide boasts the classic batwing fairing, which is mounted directly on the forks. This close fit to the handlebars offers a more traditional look and feel. The 2024 update brings a modernized aesthetic with an omega-shaped running light around the LED headlight and integrated LED turn signal strips. The Street Glide’s storage solution is a single, central pop-out drawer with a USB port, designed to hold essentials like your phone, wallet, and keys, with a weight capacity of 3.5 lbs.

Ride Height:
The Road Glide’s seat sits slightly higher than the Street Glide’s due to the different front end design. However, the difference is less than half an inch, making it negligible for most riders. Both bikes offer comfortable riding positions, but the Road Glide may provide a slight edge for taller individuals.

Ideal Riders:

Road Glide:
The Road Glide is perfect for performance-oriented riders who are transitioning from sport bikes or those who prioritize wind protection and a comfortable ride, particularly for taller riders. Its design and features cater to those who plan to tackle long distances at high speeds.

Street Glide:
The Street Glide appeals to riders who love the traditional Harley-Davidson look and prefer a classic riding experience. The improvements in wind protection narrow the gap with the Road Glide at high speeds, making it a solid choice for those who value aesthetics and a slightly lighter weight for better control at lower speeds.

What’s New in 2024?

Common Features:

Touring Frame: Both models are built on the Harley-Davidson Touring frame with a welded single-spar backbone, designed to handle the demands of long-haul touring and the powerful engine.

Milwaukee-Eight® 117 V-Twin Engine: The new engine features liquid-cooled cylinder heads, optimizing thermal comfort for the rider, especially in low-speed and hot weather conditions.

Selectable Ride Modes: Riders can choose from Road Mode for daily use, Sport Mode for maximum performance, Rain Mode for better traction in wet conditions, and a Custom Mode that can be programmed by the rider.

Rider Safety Enhancements: Both bikes come with advanced safety features, including Cornering-Enhanced Electronic Linked Braking (C-ELB), Cornering-Enhanced Anti-Lock Brake System (C-ABS), Cornering-Enhanced Traction Control System (C-TCS), Cornering Drag-Torque Slip Control System (C-DSCS), Vehicle Hold Control (VHC), and Tire Pressure Monitoring (TPMS).

Infotainment Technology: The new Skyline™ OS powers a 12.3-inch TFT color touchscreen display, the most tech-forward display ever offered by Harley-Davidson. It supports wireless Apple CarPlay, live traffic, weather updates, and has a Bluetooth® receiver for wireless headsets.

Audio System: A new 4-channel, 200-watt amplifier delivers outstanding performance through two 5.25-inch fairing-mounted speakers. Upgrades are available through Harley-Davidson Genuine Motor Parts & Accessories.

Aerodynamics: New fairings and adjustable air vanes reduce helmet buffeting by 60% compared to 2023 models. The rider can fine-tune airflow for ideal comfort.

LED Lighting: All-LED lighting improves visibility and style.

Comfort: Redesigned one-piece seats offer improved long-range comfort by positioning the rider’s hips in a neutral position relative to the spine.

Suspension: New rear suspension components provide better handling and comfort, with a 50% increase in travel compared to previous models. Hydraulic pre-load adjustments accommodate additional cargo or passengers.

Heated Gear Connections: Two pre-wired connection points for heated gear are located below the seat.

The Road Glide and Street Glide offer distinct experiences tailored to different rider preferences. The Road Glide is ideal for those who value performance, wind protection, and long-distance comfort, especially for taller riders. The Street Glide appeals to those who appreciate a classic Harley-Davidson look and prefer a traditional riding experience with improved wind protection and lighter weight.

To truly determine which model is best for you, we recommend taking both bikes for a test ride. Experiencing the distinct feel and handling of each bike firsthand is the best way to make an informed decision.