Harley Davidson Electra Glide Vs. Harley Davidson Street Glide

“Only a biker knows why a dog sticks his head out of a car window.” 

Motorcycles have made traveling easier, affordable, and pleasurable. They have become common modes of transportation used for daily commutes, city travel, and pleasure rides. Nowadays, motorcycles are widely used for long-distance rides and touring. Factory-made touring bikes are capable of carrying luggage and allow you to travel for miles without becoming fatigued or bored. Touring bikes can ensure long-distance rides are more comfortable if they are fitted with a stock windshield, saddlebags, floorboards, and crash bars. Riders may also find longer rides more enjoyable with a stock infotainment system that includes a digital display screen, music, speakers, Bluetooth connection, mobile connectivity, and navigation.

Harley Davidson is a popular American motorcycle brand that has produced several factory-made, bagger-style touring bikes in the Harley Grand American Touring lineup. The Harley Davidson Electra Glide Standard and the Harley Davidson Street Glide are simple yet classy touring bikes. Both baggers share a close resemblance due to being fitted with batwing fairings. Both the Harley Electra Glide Standard and the Harley Street Glide are powered by the 107 cu in Milwaukee-Eight 107 engine. This article is a detailed comparison between the Harley Electra Glide Standard and the Harley Street Glide.

The Harley Davidson Electra Glide Standard is the simplest Harley Davidson touring bike, being designed with a solo rider seat but no infotainment system. Inspired by the Harley Street Glide, this motorbike is lighter and more affordable. The Harley Electra Glide comes with a batwing fairing fitted with a midsize windscreen, four analog gauges, and a storage box in place of where a display screen would be.

It is also fitted with hard saddlebags, an engine guard, and floorboards. The chrome side mirrors are attached to the slightly swept-back handlebars. The Harley Electra Glide Standard is available in only a vivid black color scheme with a chrome finish. It comes with a chopped front fender and a large rear fender with a classic tail light, license plate, and rear turn signals. The Harley Electra Glide Standard is also fitted with a single, round headlamp enclosed within the batwing fairing.

The Harley Davidson Street Glide shares a close resemblance with the Harley Electra Glide Standard. However, it instead has a step-up seat capable of two-up riding and provides lumbar support for the rider. The Harley Street Glide also comes with stock hard saddlebags, a batwing fairing with a small windshield, four analog gauges, speakers, and an infotainment system.

The side mirrors are also attached to the batwing fairing and can be adjusted to ensure a better rear view. The Harley Street Glide is available in three single-tone color schemes with a chrome finish. It also comes with a simple, chopped front fender, providing a full view of the Enforcer II cast aluminum wheels wrapped around the Dunlop tires. Mounted to its large rear fender are a small LED tail/stop light, rear turn signals, and license plate.

The Harley Davidson Electra Glide is powered by a 1,753 cc air- and oil-cooled, Milwaukee-Eight® 107 V-Twin engine capable of a horsepower of 90 hp at 5,450 rpm and a torque of 150.5 Nm at 3,250 rpm. The front fork-mounted batwing fairing provides a stylish front look and better wind protection while cruising on open roads. However, it results in a heavier front end. The Harley Electra Glide is slightly harder to maneuver when traveling at low speeds, making U-turns, and going in reverse due to the motorcycle’s bulky build and heavier front end. However, it does not feel as heavy while cruising on linear roads and has a good throttle response. The Harley Electra Glide Standard comes with standard ride-assist and safety features, including ABS, cruise control, and electronically linked braking.

The Harley Davidson Street Glide is also fitted with a 1,753 cc Milwaukee-Eight® 107 air-cooled V-Twin engine capable of horsepower of 93 hp at 5,020 rpm and a torque of 150.5 Nm at 3,250 rpm. The 1,753 cc Milwaukee-Eight engine provides smooth power and torque delivery. However, due to being a heavyweight motorbike, its horsepower of 93 hp is inadequate for long-distance two-up riding. If you are an experienced rider who has previously ridden a heavyweight bike with a 114 cu in Milwaukee-Eight 114 engine, you should be able to handle the Harley Davidson Street Glide Special powered by a 1,868 cc engine. The Harley Street Glide’s six-speed cruise drive transmission and slipper & assist clutch ensures smooth gear shifts and clutch operation.

Despite being more expensive than the Harley Electra Glide Standard, the Harley Street Glide can be fitted with an optional ABS for $819. However, to ensure a safer cruising experience, it comes with a standard cruise control feature and Reflex Linked Brembo Brakes.

The Harley Davidson Electra Glide Standard is a simple and comfortable touring bike with forward-mounted floorboards, providing adequate legroom for average and taller riders. An average rider has to sit slightly forward to reach the slightly swept-back handlebars. However, the Harley Electra Glide Standard provides an upright back position for taller riders. Though it does not have an infotainment system, the Harley Electra Glide ensures a comfortable riding experience on long-distance rides and highway cruising. The Harley Electra Glide Standard has a heavier front end due to being fitted with a front fork-mounted batwing fairing, making handling difficult while turning corners.

The Harley Electra Glide Standard can be transformed into an ideal touring bike by installing mid-mounted, sweptback handlebars to ensure a relaxed riding position and luggage racks to increase storage capacity.

The Harley Davidson Street Glide is also a comfortable touring bike with relaxed riding ergonomics for both average and taller riders. The handlebars’ position, a low seat height of 26.1 inches, and forward-mounted floorboards ensure an upright back and adequate legroom. However, it is not suited for novice riders due to being a heavyweight motorbike with a heavier front end. The Harley Street Glide can also be transformed into an ideal touring bike by replacing the small windscreen with a large windshield and installing backrests, sissy bars, luggage racks, and mid-mounted, pulled-back handlebars.

The Harley Davidson Electra Glide Standard and the Harley Davidson Street Glide have similar ergonomics. However, the Harley Street Glide comes with a comfortable step-up seat capable of two-up riding and a little lower back support for the rider. It also ensures an upright back position and adequate legroom and is suited to both average and taller riders. The Harley Electra Glide Standard and the Harley Davidson Street Glide are easily customizable and can be stripped of parts to become ideal cruisers.

The Harley Davidson Electra Glide Standard and the Harley Davidson Street Glide are nearly identical motorbikes with similar frame design, engine size, hard saddlebags, and front fork-mounted batwing fairing. However, the Harley Electra Glide Standard is a simple touring bike with a passenger seat but no infotainment system. Meanwhile, the Harley Street Glide has a step-up seat capable of two-up riding and a stock infotainment system powered by Boom!™ Box 4.3 for a fun riding experience. The Harley Electra Glide Standard is $2,001 cheaper than the Harley Street Glide and comes with a standard ABS.