2025 Harley-Davidson Street Glide Ultra vs 2025 Harley-Davidson Road Glide near Cincinnati, OH
2025 Harley-Davidson Street Glide Ultra vs 2025 Harley-Davidson Road Glide
For touring riders building their next long-mile plan near Cincinnati, OH, two icons stand ready: the 2025 Harley-Davidson Street Glide Ultra vs the 2025 Harley-Davidson Road Glide. Both deliver the modern Touring platform’s refined aerodynamics, a powerful Milwaukee-Eight 117 engine, and a next-generation cockpit anchored by a crisp 12.3-inch TFT running Skyline™ OS. Where they diverge is how they shape wind and space. The Street Glide Ultra leans into long-haul luxury with a Batwing fairing, fairing lowers, a taller windshield, and a factory King Tour-Pak with integrated passenger backrest and armrests. The Road Glide counters with the hallmark Sharknose fairing that’s frame-mounted for a planted feel at highway pace and agile confidence when crosswinds pick up. At Queen City Harley-Davidson, our team guides riders who commute weekdays, carve weekends, and chase state lines, from Mason and Batavia to every route near Cincinnati, OH. Whether you gravitate toward the Street Glide Ultra’s two-up amenities and wind-calming stance or the Road Glide’s athletic front-end feel and reduced-weight handling, our showroom experts will help you dial in fit, ergonomics, and tech integration so your next odometer milestone happens in smooth, connected comfort.
| Feature | 2025 Street Glide Ultra | 2025 Road Glide |
|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee-Eight 117 V-Twin Engine | Yes | Yes |
| Twin-Cooled cylinder heads | Yes | No |
| 12.3-inch TFT display with Skyline™ OS | Yes | Yes |
| Four selectable Ride Modes | Yes | Yes |
| Batwing fairing | Yes | No |
| Sharknose fairing | No | Yes |
| King Tour-Pak luggage carrier | Yes | No |
| Fairing lowers with adjustable vents | Yes | No |
| SHOWA emulsion rear shocks w/ remote preload | Yes | Yes |
| Standard hard saddlebags | Yes | Yes |
Key Features
The 2025 Harley-Davidson Street Glide Ultra vs 2025 Harley-Davidson Road Glide showcases two clear personalities built on shared innovations. Both feature the brilliant 12.3-inch TFT with Skyline™ OS, intuitive four-mode ride control, Bluetooth device pairing, and a refreshed cockpit layout that reduces distraction and streamlines navigation. The Milwaukee-Eight 117 V-Twin is standard on both, delivering confident, torque-rich response for two-up touring and mountain grades. The Street Glide Ultra elevates touring comfort with a Batwing fairing optimized through CFD and wind-tunnel testing, a windshield that is four inches taller than standard Street Glide models to reduce helmet buffeting, new fairing lowers with adjustable vents, and fork-mounted deflectors. Storage is road-trip ready thanks to standard hard saddlebags and a King Tour-Pak that contributes to a substantial 4.9 cubic feet of total capacity. The Road Glide leans into its Sharknose identity, blending reduced weight, improved aerodynamics, and a frame-mounted fairing that helps keep steering light and precise when winds swirl or traffic passes at speed. Both benefit from SHOWA dual outboard emulsion rear shocks with three inches of travel and remote hydraulic preload so you can quickly fine-tune load changes. For climbs and fully loaded stops, Vehicle Hold Control is part of the suite of Rider Safety Enhancements available, and it works seamlessly in the background when engaged.
Dimensions
Touring geometry sets the stage for stamina. The Street Glide Ultra’s Batwing fairing, taller windshield, and fairing lowers create a cocoon of calm, shifting pressure off the rider’s chest and helmet while smoothing airflow for a passenger. The King Tour-Pak with robust back pad and armrests adds comfort and a commanding silhouette, and helps the model reach a combined 4.9 cubic feet of storage with the saddlebags and fairing cubbies. The new two-up seat ergonomically rotates the rider’s hips forward to relieve spine pressure across long stints. By contrast, the Road Glide’s frame-mounted Sharknose fairing transfers wind inputs into the chassis rather than the handlebars, yielding a light steering feel and composed tracking at speed. Both bikes maintain a confident stance, generous floorboard room, and a touring-ready rider triangle that supports hours in the saddle without hot spots.
Engine
At the heart of both machines is the Milwaukee-Eight 117, the most muscular non-CVO Touring powertrain from Harley-Davidson. The 2025 Street Glide Ultra adds Twin-Cooled, liquid-cooled cylinder heads and a centrally located radiator that directs air into the intake for quicker cooling under load and in hot conditions. The result is steady thermal management when you are climbing, carrying luggage, or cruising at highway speed for extended periods. The 2025 Harley-Davidson Road Glide pairs the same displacement with weight reduction and aero gains that make the engine’s torque feel immediate and eager, especially when rolling on from midrange. Vibration management remains classic but refined, so the character you expect is present without fatigue. Both pair beautifully with the Touring chassis’ long-wheel composure to keep the ride unfussy and strong.
Performance
Road manners define these bikes. The Street Glide Ultra’s aerodynamic suite — taller windshield, Batwing fairing, fairing lowers, and enlarged fork-mounted deflectors — cuts buffeting significantly while preserving stability in crosswinds and truck wash. SHOWA dual outboard emulsion rear shocks with three inches of travel provide consistent damping, and the remote hydraulic preload lets you adapt spring support quickly when you add a passenger or pack the Tour-Pak. The Road Glide takes a different path to a similar destination: reduced overall weight, cast wheels, and improved aerodynamics combine with the frame-mounted Sharknose to deliver crisp turn-in and a planted feel in turbulent air. Both motorcycles employ selectable ride modes to shape throttle response and engine braking, so you can tailor the bike to wet commutes or open-sky interstates with equal confidence.
Drive Train
Both touring legends team the Milwaukee-Eight 117 with a robust six-speed gearbox engineered for relaxed rpm at highway pace and smooth, predictable shifts in stop-and-go traffic. A belt final drive keeps maintenance simple and driveline lash minimal, and clutch action is tuned to stay manageable across urban crawl, tight switchbacks, and fully loaded weekend rides. On rolling terrain near Cincinnati, OH, the available Vehicle Hold Control feature can keep the bike stationary momentarily on inclines and declines as you modulate the clutch and throttle, reducing rollback and adding composure. Power delivery feels direct without being abrupt, and the load-tuned suspension and rigid Touring chassis turn that drive into measured progress mile after mile.
Performance
Road manners define these bikes. The Street Glide Ultra’s aerodynamic suite — taller windshield, Batwing fairing, fairing lowers, and enlarged fork-mounted deflectors — cuts buffeting significantly while preserving stability in crosswinds and truck wash. SHOWA dual outboard emulsion rear shocks with three inches of travel provide consistent damping, and the remote hydraulic preload lets you adapt spring support quickly when you add a passenger or pack the Tour-Pak. The Road Glide takes a different path to a similar destination: reduced overall weight, cast wheels, and improved aerodynamics combine with the frame-mounted Sharknose to deliver crisp turn-in and a planted feel in turbulent air. Both motorcycles employ selectable ride modes to shape throttle response and engine braking, so you can tailor the bike to wet commutes or open-sky interstates with equal confidence.
Chassis
Fairing architecture is the centerpiece of chassis feel. The Street Glide Ultra’s fork-mounted Batwing fairing provides an intuitive connection between bar input and wind management — what you feel at the grips mirrors airflow at your torso. The Road Glide’s frame-mounted Sharknose isolates steering from gusts, helping the bike hold a line with uncanny calm when you pass semis or push across open bridges near Cincinnati, OH. Both bikes leverage stout braking components and a balanced, low center of gravity to keep slow-speed maneuvers drama-free. The Street Glide Ultra’s fairing lowers complement the redesigned front end to enhance stability, while the Road Glide’s reduced weight helps it change direction with ease. Either way, Touring fundamentals — generous floorboards, a supportive seat, and compliant suspension — make long days feel shorter.
Electric
Modern touring demands smart, unobtrusive tech, and both cockpits deliver. The 12.3-inch TFT display with Skyline™ OS presents clear navigation, phone integration, and bike data in a clean, low-distraction layout. On the Street Glide Ultra, the hands-free Voice Recognition System makes navigation and prompts remarkably simple — conversational commands like “Find me a gas station” keep your focus forward. The Road Glide’s interface mirrors that clarity and speed, with quick access to ride modes and core controls. Bluetooth pairing supports calls and music with a compatible headset, and the system’s menus are optimized for gloved hands. Lighting is bright and contemporary, and the charging and connectivity ecosystem is designed to support the real-world rhythm of fueling, coffee stops, and last-minute route changes without fuss.
Rider Safety Enhancements
Both motorcycles are engineered so advanced assistance fades into the background until you need it. Rider Safety Enhancements — including Anti-lock Braking, traction control, and cornering-aware functions where equipped — help riders maintain composure on slick paint, gravelly shoulders, or quick transitions. Vehicle Hold Control is available and easy to engage with a squeeze and release of the front brake when stopped on an incline, adding confidence for fully loaded touring or two-up launches. The Street Glide Ultra’s expanded wind management further stabilizes the platform during emergency maneuvers, while the Road Glide’s frame-mounted fairing and improved aerodynamics help the chassis transmit clear, predictable feedback. Both put authority at your fingertips without diluting the direct, connected feel riders expect from Harley-Davidson Touring.
Request more 2025 Harley-Davidson Street Glide Ultra vs 2025 Harley-Davidson Road Glide near Cincinnati, OH information
Choosing between the 2025 Harley-Davidson Street Glide Ultra vs 2025 Harley-Davidson Road Glide comes down to how you like the wind to meet the motorcycle and how you pack for the day. If your touring style prioritizes serene airflow, two-up comfort, and maximum built-in storage, the Street Glide Ultra’s Batwing fairing, taller windshield, fairing lowers, and King Tour-Pak make it an effortless companion. If you favor a more athletic steering feel with frame-mounted stability and reduced weight, the Road Glide’s Sharknose and sharpened aero deliver. At Queen City Harley-Davidson, our specialists near Cincinnati, OH, can help you compare ergonomics, wind protection, and tech setup side by side. Reach out to Queen City Harley-Davidson for a detailed walk-through, accessory guidance, and fitment tips — the goal is a Touring setup that feels intuitive, confident, and ready for your next long horizon near Cincinnati, OH with Queen City Harley-Davidson.