The Harley-Davidson® Road Glide® and Street Glide® models are designed for riders who respond to the call of the open road. In 2024, Harley-Davidson reinvented its Grand American Touring motorcycle portfolio with the introduction of new Street Glide and Road Glide models. Each motorcycle offers dramatic new visual design, enhanced comfort and advanced infotainment technology. While these new bikes share many features, there are some key differences between the Road Glide and Street Glide models. Let’s compare these two iconic touring motorcycles.

The new Road Glide and Street Glide models share a number of features designed to enhance the riding experience, whether you are headed across town or across state lines.

• The Harley-Davidson Touring frame with a welded single-spar backbone serves as a foundation designed to sustain the demands of long-haul touring riders and the bike’s powerful engine.

• The new Milwaukee-Eight® 117 V-Twin engine features a new liquid-cooled cylinder heads cooling system which further optimizes thermal comfort for the rider, especially in low-speed riding situations and hot weather.

• Both motorcycles offer selectable Ride Modes that electronically control the performance characteristics of the motorcycle and the level of technology intervention: Road Mode for daily use, Sport Mode for maximum performance, Rain Mode for greater confidence when traction is compromised and Custom Mode that can be programmed by the rider.

• A full suite of Rider Safety Enhancements that includes 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 is powered by the new Skyline™ OS and presented on a 12.3-inch TFT color touch screen display that replaces all analog instrumentation and most switches as found on previous Street Glide and Road Glide models. This is the most tech-forward display ever offered for a Harley-Davidson motorcycle. 

• Wi-Fi connectivity to a rider’s device enables wireless Apple CarPlay and provides live services like traffic, weather and map updates. A Bluetooth® receiver for wireless headsets is also built into the system.

• A new 4-channel, 200-watt amplifier delivers outstanding sonic performance through two 5.25-inch fairing-mounted speakers. Harley-Davidson Audio powered by Rockford Fosgate®  speaker and amplifier upgrades are available through Harley-Davidson Genuine Motor Parts & Accessories and can be easily installed by the customer.

• All-new fairings are an element of an aerodynamic system designed to deliver outstanding aero comfort for the rider. The addition of adjustable air vanes and a new control vane in the fairing center vent offers the rider the opportunity to fine-tune airflow for ideal comfort based on rider stature, riding gear choice and prevailing conditions. In wind tunnel testing, subjective helmet buffeting is reduced by an average of 60 percent compared to equivalent 2023 models.

• All-LED lighting is designed to deliver style, outstanding lighting performance, and to help make the Street Glide and Road Glide models conspicuous to other motorists.

• Redesigned one-piece seat shape and padding materials offer a significant improvement in long-range comfort for most riders. The seat is shaped to rotate the rider’s hips to a neutral position relative to the spine. This helps reduce the effort required to maintain a comfortable riding posture, which can help limit fatigue on a rider’s back and neck.

• New rear suspension components are designed to promote confident handling and provide a dramatic improvement in rider comfort. Rear suspension travel is 3.0 inches (76mm), a 50 percent increase in travel compared to previous models. Hydraulic pre-load adjustment can be made without tools to accommodate up to an additional 100 pounds of cargo or passenger loading.

• Two pre-wired connection points for heated gear are provided, located below the seat.

Ready to take a test ride? Here’s our short list of recommended beginner motorcycles for women from Harley-Davidson:

Nightster®

• Seat Height: 27.1" Weight: 481 lbs.* 

• Designed to inspire both new and experienced riders, the lightweight Nightster® motorcycle offers nimble handling, a confidence-inspiring ride and the smooth power of a liquid-cooled Revolution® Max 975 engine. The fuel tank is below the seat, which lowers the center of gravity and helps make the bike easier to handle at lower speeds.

Street Bob 114

Seat Height: 25.8" Weight: 655 lbs.*

The lightweight Street Bob® 114 motorcycle is well-equipped with a Milwaukee-Eight® 114 engine for a quick-and-nimble ride with power to spare. Tall handlebars and forward foot controls contribute to a stretched riding position, but the tall bars give great leverage for lighter steering. The very low seat puts most rider’s feet flat on the ground.

Low Rider® S

• Seat Height: 27" Weight 679 lbs.* 

• The upright riding position is compact due to the combination of mid-mounted foot pegs and a handlebar set on 4-inch risers. This bike bundles the big attitude of West Coast style elements like the wind-blocking fairing the strong performance of a Milwaukee-Eight® 117 engine.

Heritage Classic

• Seat Height: 26.3" Weight: 728 lbs.* 

• Check out this bike if you love show-stopping vintage details and a classic profile inspired by the 1950s, paired with the Milwaukee-Eight® 114 engine and modern upgrades. Locking saddlebags, a full-size windshield and wide footboards make this bike a willing partner for weekend getaways.

Road Glide®

• Seat Height: 26.6" Weight: 802 lbs.*

• A full-size “bagger” designed for long-distance touring in style and comfort. The very low seat height makes it easier to handle the weight of this model, and it comes loaded with Milwaukee-Eight® 117 performance, molded locking saddlebags for your gear, a 12.3-inch color touch screen infotainment display that can sync with your phone, and a sleek aerodynamic fairing.

The design of the fairing is the key design difference between a Road Glide model and a Street Glide model. In each case the fairing influences both the look and feel of the motorcycle.

The Street Glide and Road Glide models offer similar aero comfort for the rider, but the lighter feel of steering inputs and the fact that the fairing is fixed makes the Road Glide model more appealing to performance-oriented riders and to those transitioning from a sport motorcycle who are used to a fixed fairing. The position of the Road Glide model fairing moves the infotainment display and speakers further away from the rider, creating the feeling of a more-expansive cockpit, which may appeal to some taller riders. The 2024 Road Glide model features a new handlebar with a flatter bend that is more comfortable for taller riders, and that handlebar can be easily adjusted to fine tune the fit for personal preference.

The Street Glide model appeals to the traditionalist. It has the iconic profile that most riders, and the non-riding public, associate with Harley-Davidson. While the 2024 model offers a fresh interpretation of the classic batwing fairing, it retains that obvious Harley-Davidson DNA.

For many owners, the choice between a new Road Glide and a Street Glide model comes down to personal preference in both styling and fit. The best way to judge these touring motorcycle is to visit your local authorized Harley-Davidson dealer to see both in person and schedule a test ride.