Harley Davidson Road King Vs Road Glide: Which On is Better?

The key difference between Road King and Road Glide motorcycles lies in their pricing. Road Glide motorcycles are a bit more expensive than the Road Kings. Apart from pricing, there are other differences that lie in their performance, color options, displacement, and other aspects. 

Both the Road King and Road Glide are two of the best touring models from Harley Davidson.  They are big, comfortable, diversified, and designed with vast customization options. You need to ride both before choosing one. Keep reading to learn more!

An Overview Of Harley-Davidson Road King Motorcycle

The Harley Davidson Road King is the foundation of the company’s touring models. 

It is mostly popular for its classic look and comfortable riding. Additionally, Road King motorcycles have bigger cruising frames. They are also renowned for their long-distance touring capabilities. 

The key features of this Harley family will include a detachable fairing, one-touch opening saddlebags, LED tail lights and headlights, floorboards, and standard ABS control. 

Each year of Road King also comes with a 6-gallon fuel tank and a V-Twin engine for longer rides. Overall, it is more lightweight compared to other touring models from the company and the best option for comfy rides. 

Good Sides 

• Simple and comfortable 
• Better choice for long-distance riding 
• Classic design 
• Soft ride with responsive suspension 

Drawbacks 

• Not a suitable choice for short cruisers or riders

An Overview of Harley-Davidson Road Glide Motorcycle

Put simply, the Road Glide is the ideal touring bike of all Harley Davidson two-wheelers. With a luxurious look, the Road King motorcycles are full of modern features and facilities. 

It features dual speakers, Bluetooth connectivity, a GPS system, a full-color TFT display, and a USB port for charging. 

It also has other Harley Davidson basic features like saddlebags, LED headlights, crash bars, floorboards, standard cruise control, etc. 

Additionally, the shark-nose fairing is a unique feature of the Road Glide. It provides optimal safety against dust and debris. 

Also, this batwing fairing gives ideal wind resistance. With a seat height of 695 mm, it is also suitable for relatively short riders. 

Good Sides 

• Stylish and sleek look
• Great for short riders 
• Shark-nose fairing for dust protection and wind resistance 
• Comfortable riding seat 
• Speakers with Bluetooth connectivity 

Drawbacks 

• Heavy weight

Read Also: Harley Davidson Street Bob Vs Fat Bob: The Ultimate Comparison!

Similarities In Road King And Road Glide Motorcycles

Apart from being two different models, there are a few similarities between the Road King and Road Glide motorcycles that lie in their specifications and dimensions. The following table will show you that:

Criteria	Road King	Road Glide
Category	Touring	Touring
Ignition	Electric	Electric
Transmission	6-speed manual	6-speed manual
Cylinders	2	2
Cooling system	Air Cooled	Air Cooled
Fuel Tank Capacity	6-gallon	6-gallon
Fuel Type	Petrol	Petrol
Tyre Type	Tubeless	Tubeless
Wheelbase	64 inches	64 inches
Rake	26	26

Read Also: Harley Davidson Ultra Classic Vs Ultra Limited: The Ultimate Showdown

Road King Vs Road Glide: Comparison Table 

It is fair to say that the Road King and Road Glide are, for most, considered to be the leaders in touring motorcycles. 

However, while making a choice between these two, it becomes crucial to compare their features with each other to see which matches your preferences. So, here’s a comparison table to help you with that: 

Criteria	Road King	Road Glide
Capacity	1746 cc	1868 cc
Mileage	18	16
Mobile App Connectivity	No	Yes
GPS and Navigation	No	Yes
USB Port	No	Yes
Weight	828 lbs	855 lbs
Seat Height	705 mm	695 mm
Ground Clearance	135 mm	140 mm
Displacement	107 cu inches	114 cu inches

Read Also: Harley Davidson Panhead Vs Shovelhead | Which Iconic Engine Offers More?

What are the Differences Between Harley Davidson’s Road King and Road Glide? 

For being two individual models, there are some significant differences between Harley Davidson’s Road Glide and Road King. 

The terms that make differences between them will include design and look, engine and performance, comfort, technology and features, and lastly, color and cost. 

Design and Style  

Harley-Davidson is always known for making their two wheelers more attractive and stylish. The Road Glide and Road King families are no exception. 

But naturally, there are a few differences in their styles too. For example, the Road King motorcycles have Impeller Cast Aluminum wheels, while the Road Glide family has a wheel set of Enforcer Cast Aluminum. 

You will also notice that The Road Glide gets a shark nose fairing. Alternatively, the Road King features a fork-mounted fairing.  

Engine and Performance

Another important difference between Harley Davidson’s Road King and Road Glide is their engines. 

Road King gets the Milwaukee-Eight® 107 V-twin engine, while Road Glide is equipped with the Milwaukee-Eight®  114 V-twin engine. 

Undoubtedly, both engines are powerful enough to perform at a high level. They are stable enough to run for a very long distance without getting extra heat and vibration. 

But the Road Glide family can be superior in terms of easy starting. Due to having a touring chassis, Road Glide motorcycles are super fast to get started. 

Even in cold weather, they don’t require any extra time to warm-up  like other motorcycles. But the Road King might be easier to drive and control.

Read Also: Harley Mid Controls vs Forward Controls: [Full Comparison]

Comfort

When it comes to comfort, the Road King and Road Glide are both superior. Still, in a few terms, we may define their comfort zones. 

In terms of height, the Road Glide versions have lower seats than the Road Kings. It helps shorter riders ride easily and sit comfortably for a long time. 

But when it comes to weight, the Road Glide is bulkier than the Road King. Because they are more lightweight, the Road King motorcycles are easier to handle than most touring bikes.

Technology and Features 

This is one of the major differences between Road King and Road Glide. Road Glide uses more modern technologies than Road King. But the Road King also has the basic features that are needed for long tours. 

Road King	Criteria	Road Glide
✔	Odometer	✔
✔	Speedometer	✔
✖	Speakers	✔
✖	GPS and Navigation	✔
✖	USB charging port	✔
✖	Mobile App connectivity	✔
✔	Clock	✔
✔	Fuel Gauge	✔

Color and Cost

This might be the main difference between Road King and Road Glide motorcycles. Road Glide in Vivid Black comes with a starting price of $21, 199, while Road King in Vivid Black starts at $18, 750. 

After pricing, when it comes to colors, both of them have three color options. But there are some differences too. Harley Davidson Road Glide comes in Vivid Black, Reef Blue, and White Sand Pearl. 

The Road King, on the other hand, offers Vivid Black, Midnight Crimson, and Gauntlet Gray Metallic colors. You will also get a Hard Candy Custom option only for the Road Glide.

Read Also: Harley Davidson Road King Vs Street Glide: Which One Is Better?

Road Glide Vs Road King: Which Bike to Choose? 

Road King is a great option for those who want to own a Harley Davidson motorcycle at an affordable price. 

Instead, if you have enough budget to enjoy more features and technologies, then go for Road Glide. 

Furthermore, when it comes to choosing a Road King or a Road Glide, it also depends on whether you want to buy a heavy-weight or a lightweight bike. 

FAQs 

Hopefully, now you have a better idea about Road King vs Road Glide. Still, if you have more queries regarding the matter, the following answers to the most frequently asked questions may help you: