Which of Harley-Davidson’s Top Bikes Is Right for You?
When the time comes to buy the Harley-Davidson motorcycle of your dreams, plenty of models could fit the bill. At Republic Harley-Davidson, we’ve helped many riders turn that dream into reality with the best motorcycles around. Harley-Davidson riders in Stafford, TX, will tell you nothing compares to piloting the right motorcycle through the city streets or getting out on Interstate 69.
The hard part, though, is choosing between Harley-Davidson’s top bikes. Should you pounce if you see the latest Harley-Davidson Ultra Limited for sale? Would the Street Glide ST or Road Glide be more your speed? While every motorcycle in the line-up screams quality, it’s important to pick the proper bike for how, where, and why you ride. That’s the difference between a thrilling adventure and feeling unfulfilled.
Our team believes when you’re spending your hard-earned money on a premium motorcycle, you deserve to enjoy every second you spend riding it. Let’s look at six motorcycles to see which high-performance Harley-Davidson bike is right for you, complete with the reasons why each bike might be the right choice.
Harley-Davidson Ultra Limited
The Ultra Limited has long been the crown jewel of Grand American Touring baggers. Originally a variation on the Electra Glide, it was spun off into its own model for the 2014 model year. If you want the best, most comfortable touring experience for yourself (and maybe a friend or partner), the Harley-Davidson Ultra Limited is your motorcycle. It has everything for people whose idea of a good day is riding from Houston to Dallas and taking every scenic detour along the way.
From the split-stream vented batwing fairing to the ergonomic floorboards and passenger backrest, this bike is the modern version of a luxury easy rider. Its built-in saddlebags and premium Tour-Pak trunk carrier provide nearly five cu.ft. of storage for extended adventures. You get all the tech and safety features you need for an adventure, including heated handgrips and electronic cruise control. If you occasionally like to let it rip, the Milwaukee-Eight 114 V-Twin engine and hand-adjustable rear shock let you do just that.
Harley-Davidson Road Glide Limited
The Road Glide is another proud member of the Grand American Touring series. It even sports the same engine, wheels, and rear suspension as the Ultra Limited. What separates the two? In short, while the Ultra Limited is a more classic touring bike, the Road Glide Limited is for riders who like a little more sophistication. The front suspension is more responsive, and the seat height is slightly lower, giving you more comfort and stability when winding along Route 36 or an open backroad.
Stylistically, this premium touring motorcycle uses a shark-nose main fairing mounted to the frame rather than the fork, plus a glossy inner fairing for a more aggressive look. To this end, it also features a multitude of paint finishes, specially designed fenders, and more powerful LED headlights. Think of it as a high-end tourer with a slightly sporty twist.
Harley-Davidson Road Glide ST
What if you want a motorcycle that can slice around the Circuit of the Americas and then cruise home afterward? The Harley-Davidson Road Glide ST will be your cup of Joe, taking the hint of swagger in the Road Glide Limited and turning it up to 11. This includes the more powerful Milwaukee-Eight 117 V-Twin engine, vintage Bronze Prodigy aluminum wheels, blackout styling, and a lower-profile fuel tank. The seat is even lower for turning stability, yet the ground clearance is higher, so you can really lean hard into the turns. This bike is also 7.5 inches shorter and 90 pounds lighter than the Road Glide Limited for nimble maneuvering.
By the same token, although the bike hasn’t lost its touring soul, you will give up a little on that end. Most notable is the lack of a passenger seat and rear luggage rack, meaning that your distance rides will be a solo afar. Overall, it’s a “bagger meets sportbike” design for people who want the comfort of a bagger with the ultimate performance.
Harley-Davidson Street Glide ST
The Road Glide isn’t the only option for a top-end touring bike with a sport-oriented package. The Harley-Davidson Street Glide ST has all of the same performance add-ons as its Road Glide ST cousin. In other words, you’ll get the same great power, adjustable suspension, aluminum wheels, and stable riding experience. Either will be a fine option for sporty long-distance riding.
However, there are two distinct differences. The Street Glide ST is almost 30 pounds lighter, so it’s a little bit easier to manage when you get stuck in rush-hour traffic. It also has the same batwing fairing as the Ultra Limited. This is fitting, considering that the Street Glide is also based on the iconic Electra Glide, but it will change how the air flows over the rider. If you like the style and riding characteristics of the Ultra Limited but want something more performance-oriented, the Street Glide ST is the way to go.
Harley-Davidson Road Glide Special and Street Glide Special
We know there are riders out there who want the best of both worlds. They want some swashbuckling power and style but don’t want it to overwhelm their senses. They want a comfortable touring motorcycle, but not so comfortable that they can’t let their brawny side out at a moment’s notice.
For these Harley-Davidson riders, the Road Glide Special and Street Glide Special are the answer to their prayers. Each motorcycle has the same engine as the Road Glide Limited and Ultra Limited, but these versions are significantly lighter, giving you better acceleration and top speed. They are also the lowest-sitting bikes in Harley-Davidson’s top lineup, with a seat height of only 26.1 inches for amazing balance on whatever path you travel.
Long-distance riders will be happy to know that the Special series remains primed for touring. It retains the passenger seat, though without the backrest, and luggage capacity is a little bigger than the ST lineups. Weekend rallies will be a breeze, though week-long events might be more challenging. As for the wheels, you can choose between gloss black or bronze rather than only having one option.
Both of these motorcycles are for people who want to strike the perfect balance between track-worthy performance and highway luxury. Like the Road Glide ST and Street Glide ST, the primary deciding factors are the fairing shape and the slightly lower weight of the Street Glide Special. The Road Glide Special also has slightly more storage space and ground clearance.
Find the Best Bike for You
The roads of Strafford, TX and beyond lend themselves to a lot of Harley-Davidson riders. Some people want to set the cruise control at 75 mph and ride the day away. Others want a track bagger that will turn roads into road courses. There’s also the group that wants to do both but doesn’t have the time, space, or budget for two bikes.
Whatever your goals are, there is a top Harley-Davidson motorcycle that helps you meet them. Stop by Republic Harley-Davidson today and see what’s available. We’re the leading Harley-Davidson dealer near Houston, TX, with more than 20 years of experience selling new and pre-owned motorcycles to make all your dreams come true.