In this video I'll give my review on the 2022 Harley Davidson Road Glide Special. Is it better than the Street Glide special with the Bat Wing fairing? www.ridelikeapro.com
You are one of the best video demo guys on you tube. My dad used to live over by Little Rd. & Hwy52 …so I really enjoy the familiar roads you travel on & neighborhoods you test ride through. Thanks!
I’ve owned both bikes. Batwing and shark nose. There’s a huge difference but you’ll never find it in a little short test ride, once you go across country 75mph through Texas with some severe wind gusts there’s where the road glide really shines ! the bat wing front end will jerk with the HIGH wind gusts. It’s real ! but it’s rare !
That is what I am hearing as well (cross country). Around town and doing 65 on the freeway, there is no notable difference. But go through Idaho, Wyoming, etc at 85-90 (speed limit 80) for 4-5 hrs with a headwind is where all reviewers of SG vs RG seem to agree (Matt Laidlaw) that the RG shines. I just got back from a trip from Idaho on my 2017 SG special (FYI 8.5 in Klockwerks windshield) and had a 10-15 mph headwind with 20mph gusts on the 80mph speed limit freeway. I decided to drop my speed to 72 so I could relax because the force against the front of my SG was intense and my full gauge was showing it. If I were to do a lot more trips that were 3-5hrs+, I would get the RG. But I like the SG for what I use it for (98% around town and shorter trips)
My first bike was a Street Glide and appreciated being able to easily manipulate the controls on the dash. Later on I bought a Road Glide and was initially disappointed that I couldn't comfortably reach the dash. However, I quickly discovered that I could navigate the dash quite easily by using the controls on the handlebars so there is no reason to stretch to the dashboard. Recently I test drove the 22 Street Glide and felt that the dash was too close.....I suppose I'm used to the extra room the Road Glide offers
I own a 07 SG and had a 13 RG. I have taken several long trips on both. From Texas Gulf Coast to out east, west and north. Currently ride a 2020 RG on trips. 👍👍
Jerry I had a 17 ultra limited and was very happy with it. I now have a 21 roadglide limited and really love it. The 114 motor makes a difference. This thing is so smooth and nimble once you get used to it. The roadglide seems more stable in wind but it's not a huge difference. I've been to the new port richey dealership, my brother in law lives nearby in tampon springs. Nice dealership they used to be in the same network as tallahassee HD. My local
I have a 2021 RG Standard with the 107. Rode a 2020 RG Special about 500 miles with the 114 a couple of months ago. Curious as to Jerry's take on 107 vs 114 on SG and RG touring models. Lastly I agree that the cable clutch is superior "feel" for the friction zone than hydraulic. Glad HD finally changed it in 21. Thanks Jerry for the great work and hope Camera Girl is up and around soon.
That’s a glorious motorcycle. Must be the accountants, lawyers and venture capitalists asking. 😂 That’s the beauty of motorcycling. Riding motorcycles requires the understanding that some things are not all that big of a deal. All bikes get blown around. Agree on the quality of bikes having improved 10 fold. Ride safe and ride often.
I like the looks of the batwing and I like the fact that my hands are right behind the fairing. With my hands behind the fairing and the fact that I have heated grips, I can ride even when the temperatures are in the 20s. Plus, I’m only an inch or two taller than you and I like to be able to touch the glass on the infotainment center with it closer to me on the batwing.
As a Harley RGS owner a tip comes to mind concerning wind protection. I always leave open the windscreen vent, due to head buffeting. In cold and or windy conditions I’ll close the fairing vents for maximum wind protection. Just a thought. 👍🏼
Love the way the road glide looks so I had to have one I bought a 16 road glide special in April 2021 absolutely love it I am a new rider its my first bike I am getting better at slower speed maneuvers just need some more practice I live in Wisconsin so my bike is in storage for the winter
I personally just traded my 2019 Electra Glide standard with 60,000 miles in on a 2022 Road Glide standard and can tell a difference. Now with that said let me give more information. I’m from lower Alabama but now reside in lower California. We have very twisted Canyon Roads and flat beach highways. When I’m riding the coast line no difference but in the mountains a lot of difference. Love the way the Road Glide cuts through the twisted roads. On slow maneuvering it went to the Electra Glide all day. Well there you go that’s my 2 cents worth. Great video learning a lot from them.
Great video. Around town and doing 65 on the freeway, there is no notable difference. But go through Idaho, Wyoming, etc at 85-90 (speed limit 80) for 4-5 hrs with a headwind is where all reviewers of SG vs RG seem to agree (Matt Laidlaw) that the RG shines. I just got back from a trip from Idaho on my 2017 SG special (FYI 8.5 in Klockwerks windshield) and had a 10-15 mph headwind with 20mph gusts on the 80mph speed limit freeway. I decided to drop my speed to 72 so I could relax because the force against the front of my SG was intense and my fuel gauge was showing it. If I were to do a lot more trips that were 3-5hrs+, I would get the RG. But I like the look of the SG and it works for what I use it for (98% around town and shorter trips)
In my experience a road glide does ride smoother than my ultra, but it’s such a minimal difference it’s not enough to get me on one. And both were leaps and bounds better than what I was on previously so I was content then. Besides I like the look of a batwing fairing much more than a shark nose😉
Like the color. I have a 2018 Street Glide Special with over $7000.00 in accessories. I basically kind of turned it into an Ultra. A very good swap out was ditching the stock windshield and getting a Klockwerks windshield. It does so well in deflecting wind and providing what they call,”Clean air” that in the hot summer months it’s actually too efficient at wind deflection. One of the best accessories I put on was the cool fan. It really helped my wife’s right foot as a passenger from slow traffic engine heat. Works best in auto mode. My next accessory this summer will be an oil cooler fan. I like practical add ons. I’m not into stage kits or custom exhausts.
"I like Harley Davidson Motorcycles because they fit my needs". That pretty much ends the brand debate for me. Ride what suits you, and dont worry bout the name on the tank. Jerry your a philosopher : )
The road glide special in red looks awesome 👍 yeah the pull back bars, seat height & cable clutch look way better. The only thing as you said is the dash is further away, but I guess you get used to it after a while. Yeah a 114 motor is heaps enough. Yeah they cost alot, but if motorcyclings you're thing then buy it 🏍️👍
I've been tossing around trading my Low Rider S in for a Road Glide or a Road King. I had an old '07 Road King before and absolutely loved it, but I'm thinking that a full fairing is probably my future. I really can't decide. I'm probably going to just run the Low Rider to death before I do haha. Thanks for your commentary on the ride, your expertise is significantly more valuable to me than someone who's just happy to be on the bike lol. I mean good for them, I just can't take much from it.
Rented a 2022 Road Glide in Florida. I found the bike felt and rode well. My main issue is that it only has a toe shift making finding neutral extremely difficult I would have thought that this day and age that this issue would have well and truly been resolved. My 2001 Heritage shifts better.
When the wind gust hits you in the fists even with hand guards ,it creates movement, for every action there is equal and opposite reaction . Doesn't matter what you ride ,but heavy bikes help in the wind .thanks jerry .
I am definitely biased toward H-D we own a CVO Street Glide and a Tri Glide Ultra , it’s the best fit and finish and does great as dependable as you can buy for Touring
Could you see the speedo and tach without having to look down while wearing a full face helmet? So, no real difference in handling with the shark nose fairing as opposed to the batwing? The Road Glide and Street Glide are my choices if I decide to upgrade from my Road King. The one advantage that sticks out to me with the shark nose fairing is that the instrument cluster stays stationary for a quick look in a turn (I know, don't look down in a turn). The batwing has the advantage of the moving headlights illuminating your turn. I like the cluster arrangement on the SG but I like the handlebar geometry on the RG. So many things to consider.
Hey Jerry did you put on a Freedom shield windshield on your electra glide? You and I are the same height and I remember you telling me about that windshield. I still have the stock windshield on my SG and I feel the wind on the top of my helmet. Also, do you ride with earplugs? I have some moderate ear ringing from working on aircraft carriers and so my ears need more protection perhaps then from others. I'm just curious if the freedom shield wraps around the batwing slightly more so than the stock one to keep more wind out of your face and ears. Btw, I assume you were being sarcastic when you were telling the temperature.
The differences I see in the 2021 Road Glide Special that I own and the bike you're riding is the recessed gas cap and the quick release hardware on the rear. Very pretty bike.
Jose is correct I have the same exact bike same exact color .. when I bought the bike it already had the recessed gas cap the heel shifter and the hardware for the backrest was already on the bike which they add to the price.. the dealer marked up 600 plus dollars for the options
Both Of Them Are Amazingly, Legendary Machines... I've Owned Both, However I'm Taller So I Feel More Comfortable On The Road Glide 🏍💨💨... But Again, You Can't Loose With Neither.
I have both batwing and road glide cool rides ..But please know that theres no wait on your forks leaning into a turn that flutters the front end on a road glide..it a lot cleaner cooler turn that breaks threw the wind ..and in direct wind yEs you'll feel side turbulence from either bike But you most certainly break threw the wind better and cutting sharp into corners with out the flounder of the bat fairing that effects your forks . You look at the king of the baggers races there mainly shark fix frame mounted not fork handle bar mounded I can believe no one cat is see the difference and us the one commented on unless your hitting the long hauls the road glides hit the road with some serious increase conforming into totally
I don’t know I can see the road looking down through the faring. Right next to the cage as you have two big holes. Plus underneath the faring. Try it in the rain.
Problem out here in CA is how these bikes are choked to death for smog requirements. My 2015 Road Glide ran hotter than hell and barely got 200 miles on its 6-gallon tank. In 5th and 6th gears you had no throttle. An intake, pipes and the Screaming Eagle race tuner fixed all that. It can be 100 degrees out here and the oil temp reads in the 240's. 250 / 260 miles on a tank and plenty of throttle in 5th and 6th gears. It's one of the reasons I hold back on purchasing a new bike, will I be able to tune the California out of this 32K machine since the race tuner is a thing of the past. Oh, "and one more thing I got the pink slip daddy"!
Hey Motorman Great review. Thanks for the videos , helps me get through the no riding winter season. I do have a question for you. My wife and I always wear fullface helmets when we ride up here in Massachusetts, we feel better with the fullface protection, But we are going to retire to a southern state where summers will be much hotter. Should we forgo the fullface helmet and wear a half helmet? Since overheating is also a safety issue. Also would be nice to be able to have a drink while riding, which is quite difficult with a fullface hemet. We have ridden in some hot and humid weather up here in fullface helmets, It does get very hot in there. 🥵
@@michaelroy925 I try to not ride for any length of time during the summer because 95 and humid takes all the fun out of riding. I have to wear the FF helmets when I do the riding videos otherwise the wind would drown out my voice.
Trying to decide between 2022 Street glide or RG as my 2nd harley and was wondering if you noticed the difference between the two in that cold air. Thanks
I don't notice any difference in the RG or SG as far as wind protection. But on the Street Glide you will need a higher windshield than the 4'' it comes with.
In my opinion, the sharknose is more stable than the batwing in the wind, and it's about 26 pounds lighter on the bars leading to a lighter feel when Edit: turning...
I just rode both on the same day, on the same roads. No difference in stability, steering lightness, or wind protection that I could detect. None, zero difference. The only difference is styling.
I had a Street Glide for 10 years, rode it through all the states west of the Mississippi, bought a Road Glide in 2019. Have rode it through most of the same states. I definitely notice less issues with the wind on the Road Toad. I also remember when I was younger and thought the RG was ugly and swore I would never own one. Opinions change as we get older 🤣
Hey Motor Man!! I took your advice and bought a Victory Vegas with only 3900 miles on it and man AM I HAPPY!! It's a lot bigger bike than it looked like in the pictures and damn near brand new... Its almost like one of your patrol bikes... SO!! Can you please send me info on where to send money for your ride like a pro, Mean streets and anything else... I think you had a package for like $34 bucks or something... USB, DVD or something... Thanx Again... Hope Donna is doing better!!!
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The only true test is to have a buddy or your wife follow you on SG and you on RG on a windy and try out both of them. Ride one and go back and ride the other one. And either both have an upgraded suspension or no upgraded suspension.
My service manager told me that the 2021 FLHXS clutch-cable could not be adjusted to bring the friction zone closer in. He did say that it would be adjusted at the 1000mi service, which should make it feel "better". Hmmmmmm.
I'm not an expert like you my friend. I will tell you for a tall 6ft man my 2017 Streetglide was killing me with the wind buffeting (10 inch windsplitter). I now own a 2021 Roadglide special and haven't had to change the OEM windscreen.
Hey Jerry, what's your advice on engine braking? I don't think I've heard you speak on that in any of your videos and noticed that you do not utilize it in your videos.
Road Glide riders are definitely their own cult lol . You are either in or you are out. They have grown on me over the years, but I am definitely team Bat This Red with Gloss Black is definitely beautiful.... but i definitely have a problem with those "freight, and surcharge upticks".... especially when they have cut out things like the extra fob, and throw on a generic seat onto a special 30k bike. MoCo is like a slow suicide... and we can't save them from themselves. They work very hard to leave a bitter after sale taste in owners mouths, and keep alienating the new/younger customer base with their shenanigans that would never fly with another vehicle company.
Yeah put 50 to 100 miles on that bike in those winds and do the same on the batwing and tell me how you feel afterward. I have owned both and now ride an RGS.
The Road Glides look way cooler coming at you on the highway with them double eyes shining.. but from a side or front quarter view they just aren’t as pretty as the Batwings.. just my opinion.
My dealer quoted me around $37,000 for this bike in vivid black (the cheapest color). Dealerships are really pulling some BS moves. Price gouging assholes who don’t realize they’re hurting the company.
According to Matt Laidlaw of Laidlaw's H.D. the surcharge is do to freight quadrupling in the past year. Like many things especially anything that goes by truck, prices have sky rocketed. A friend who's business depends on steel says his costs have quadrupled for material and freight to get the steel to him.
If it’s you’re wife she’ll complain about it…if it’s your girlfriend she probably won’t say anything….lol…that sure is the truth. All any guy wants is a wife that acts like his girlfriend…never happens that way….
$30k for a Harley!!! I live in eastern NC where guys drop $25-30k on one (1) outboard motor on their $75k fishing boats. Or pull a $35k rinky dink car behind their $200-300k diesel pusher, cyclists ride all over the highway around here on $5k+ performance leg powered bicycles… ? Heck, my wife and I have been looking at small Travel Trailers (18 footer) and they’re all north of $35k.. for a glued together rig that feels like I could pull it apart with my bare hands! I’m OK with HD. If I want a cheaper M/C, I know where they are - and I’m certainly not knocking them. Anyone seen the 22 prices on similar touring bikes?
Exactly. H.D. touring bikes aren't made for poor people. But if you want a H.D. touring bike for a minimal price, there's the E/Glide standard for 20K. It's just as capable at touring as this bike. Ya want all the toys? Ya gotta pay more.
32 grand haha they're out of their minds. going to milk the last bit of $ out of the few, and act stunned when their market is gone. shareholders and CEO will walk away rich though.
