Harley Davidson Electra Glide vs. Street Glide Comparison

Electra Glide vs Street Glide is a classic matchup for Harley Davidson enthusiasts who’ve spent years riding and admiring both models. You’ve been using Harley Davidson bikes for years, especially Harley Davidson Electra Glide and Harley Davidson Street Glide. How much do you know about the two in terms of the features that separate them and the ones that unite them?

The Harley Davidson Electra Glide has fantastic throttle response and suspension performances. This model, known for its control and comfortable design, appeals to both long-distance and casual riders. The Harley Davidson Street Glide is a bike that features Batwing fairing, which adds to the iconic and sleek design and is known for its classic design and comfort. The Electra Glide and Street Glide feature a Milwaukee-Eight V-Twin Engine, well-known for its high-performance revolution, transmission quality, and sustained power. Let’s discuss these bikes more throughout this article and explore their performance, value, and features.

But the world in centuries to come, just as we’ve had in the previous century, will not stop talking about Harley Davidson. If for nothing, the competition and variety the brand has brought into the motorcycle market is something that rates high in the eyes of most bike enthusiasts. Its vehicles have become part of Harley Davidson’s history, a legacy that spans decades and continents—from Japan to France to Uruguay.

We’re in the season of making comparisons, knowing the differences and similarities in the various motorcycles Harley Davidson has reeled out from their company.

We’re set to watch Harley Road Glide and Harley Electra Glide, two of Harley’s most preferred bikes, slug it out in what seems to be a fierce and perhaps evenly contested fight.

The stage is set, and Harley Electra Glide enters the court, flaunting its capacity, successes, and skill threats. This FL model isn’t just known for performance—it’s tested, proven, and fitted with high-end accessories that add to its appeal.

Let’s see what Harley Davidson Electra Glide has in store to stage a serious challenge against Harley Electra Glide.

Harley Davidson Electra Glide has been here for a while, so if you consider age, this bike is old enough to have retired. Released in 1965, the Electra Glide quickly became a beloved choice among touring motorcycle enthusiasts. But it was the 1967 Electra Glide, introduced with an electric starter (previously unavailable on earlier models), that changed everything. The electric start became a landmark feature in Harley Davidson’s history, eliminating the hassle of manual kick-starting and making long rides even more convenient.

Its reputation is built on the perfect blend of power, reliability, and comfort, making it an ideal companion for long-distance rides. Whether you’re planning a cross-country tour or a weekend getaway, this bike delivers a smooth and fulfilling experience, thanks to its robust engine, strong frame, and ergonomic design.

Over the years, the Electra Glide has evolved with various upgrades and improvements, including oil filters, improved exhaust systems, and added chrome elements. Yet, it has always stayed true to its core purpose: providing riders with uncompromising comfort and dependable performance on the road.

Great Look & Design

The Electra Glide is a great model if you’re looking for a bike specifically designed for touring. As a two-up long-haul motorcycle, it represents its maker, Harley Davidson. It comes with the classic Harley-Davidson look, style, and design that boast quality, comfort, and mileage. Enthusiasts appreciate the aesthetic chrome accents, which provide enhanced appeal and attention to details.

High-Performance Engine

That’s not all. This bike boasts the popular Milwaukee-Eight 107 V-twin engine known for its power and deep Harley rumble that riders won’t forget to demand each time they make orders for Harley Davidson Electra Glide. The engine block has been tested for optimal endurance and heat management.

Efficiency

One feature the Harley Davidson Street Glide would wish it had is what Harley Electra Glide flaunts in excess. That’s the motorcycle’s superior throttle response and suspension performance. With those two unique qualities, Electra Glide boasts unmatched efficiency and value in the market ranks.

Comfort & Grip

When making your adventures and glide for long days, whether on a rough or smooth motorcycle road with Harley Electra, there’s one thing you’re sure of: quality pressure. This is supplied by the e-linked brakes.

The Electra is also built with a Two-UP Seat that provides comfort and back support for two riders. The comfort is not only for riders; the passenger also shares in the thrill because the passenger seat features armrests. All of this makes it clear why the 1967 Harley Davidson Electra Glide was a turning point in Harley Davidson’s history.

Pricing

As a rider who loves to travel in grand style and on the saddle of a bike that every serious cruiser and rider wants to have, you should be ready to part with some cash. If you want the Electra Glide badly, be ready to part with $31,000. Isn’t that a fair price for the great value that includes custom add-ons, better filters, and improved components?

Harley Davidson Street Glide

On what basis should there be comparisons between a Harley Electra Glide that have existed for 55 years and a Street Glide that came just in 2006? Perhaps no one can predict that exactly unless we allow Street Glide to boast of its features that may warrant such contrast.

Classic Look & Style

Street Glide is a replica of the classic look for which its maker is known. With a streamlined and stripped-down edge look, this bike is the no-nonsense edition of the Harley-Davidson motorcycle we all know. Also, the model features the batwing fairing, which adds to the iconic and sleek design of the Street Glide.

Comfort

Another great feature that Street Glide flaunts is the convenience it offers riders. With the premium BOOM! Box 6.5 Infotainment system, riders don’t have to lift a finger when using their smartphones. The feature includes a hands-free phone navigation system and audio controls, eliminating distractions while enhancing control.

Power & Performance

Like the Electra Glide, the Street Glide comes with a Milwaukee-Eight V-Twin engine, which is known for sustained power, high performance revolution, and a smooth ride. These are features that famously run through all Harley Davidson motorcycles.

The Street Glide also features a stripped-down hot-rod bagger. Anyway, that’s not an unknown feature of the original Harley-Davidson bike.

Pricing

The Street Glide cannot match Electra in this regard. With $21,289, Harley Davidson will sell you a Street Glide. Why the price difference? We’ll read into that shortly and provide information on what contributes to the overall cost.

Electra Glide vs Street Glide: What’s Common?

What unites Street Glide and Electra Glide apart from both being brainchildren of Harley Davidson? The two bikes share a few similarities. These common features manifest in many areas of Harley Davidson, including design, look, function, purpose, and essence.

Engine Specifications

Just as the two bikes have shown their capacity in terms of essential features, they share similar engine capacity and specifications. Both Electra and Street use the Milwaukee-Eight V-Twin Engine. What’s special about this engine? 

The Milwaukee-Eight V-Twin Engine is a powerful, high-performance, smooth-running engine boasting brittle throttle response and an original soul-satisfying rumble. While the windshield on the Electra Glide is a little more than twice as high as the Street Glide, they both share in Harley Davidson 103. The engine of the two Glides boasts a ton of torque, amounting to 111111ft-lb.

Batwing Fairing

Both the Electra Glides and Street Glides have batwing, and fork-mounted fairings that turn as the rider turns the handlebars and front wheel. The batwing fairing is one feature that is uncommon among other Harley Davidson bikes, including the popular Road Glide.

Electra Glide vs Street Glide: What’s the Difference?

Just as they have some common features, the two Glides also share many features that differentiate them.  These show the bikes’ areas of strengths and weaknesses. Given the differences, potential buyers are also able to see what the opportunities and threats are buying either of the two motorcycles.

Tourpak vs. No Tourpak

 While the typical Electra Glides comes with the tourpak, which is the rear trunk that wraps around the backrest, the Street Glide, on the other hand, basically has no tourpak that has been stripped down and given a sleek seat.  A few other slick pieces of chrome for the cool crowd come with the Street Glide. 

Price

While Electra sets you back at $31,000, the Street goes for $21.289. The price difference is largely due to their design. 

Design

Now, let’s return to the question about why the difference in the price of the Street and Electra. A typical Electra Glide is a stripped-down motorcycle that has a simple design.  The design of the Street Glide is more complex and sophisticated, maybe because it is a recent model. 

Also, the Electra Glide is a canvas to be customized and built upon. This is what first-time buyers would want to die for. Once they can see a design, they can turn and twist it to create something unique and powerful to match their preference; then, every buyer is eager to go dig for such a product. Electra Glide has ‘passing lights’ upfront, a feature that the Street doesn’t have.

The Street Glide is built with a lowered stance, sportier passenger and rider’s seat, and rear foot-pegs, unlike the Electra Glide, which has floorboards, fairing-mounted mirrors, and a lower windscreen.

Chrome Engine Material

The Electra Glides are built with an engine painted with a chrome finish than you find with Street Glide. The rear bags of the Electra are filled with a bunch of chrome. There is a ton of trim on the Electra Glide, unlike the Street. 

Here are answer to common questions about these two HD models.

What is the engine displacement of Standard Harley Davidson Electra Glide and Street Glide?

The engine displacement of H-D Electra Glide Standard is 1,745 cc, while that of the Harley Davidson Street Glide is 1690 cc. There is no variation because the bikes are made to standard.

What is the Tire Type of Harley Davidson Electra Glide and Street Glide Standard?

Typically, standard H-D Electra Glide and Street Glide use tubeless tires, but buyers could ask for a custom product.

What is the Torque of the Harley Davidson Street Glide and Harley Davidson Electra Glide?

The torque available on Harley Davidson Street Glide is 138 Nm at 3500 rpm. Meanwhile, H-D Electra Glide boasts 150 Nm at 3250 rpm. 

Conclusion 

It’s easy to compare these two iconic motorcycles. For many, the Street Glide is the practical choice due to its price, stripped-down build, and simplified features. For others, the Electra Glide—especially collectors of models like the 1967 Electra Glide—represents an unmatched blend of quality, heritage, and road presence. It’s not uncommon to see a lot of these bikes pop up at auction, where their condition, year, and rarity attract worldwide interest.

When you want to start your Harley journey, it’s all about your taste and budget. Whether you’re shopping directly or through a Harley Davidson website, both Glides provide serious value.

These bikes aren’t just motorcycles—they’re part of Harley Davidson’s history and a lifestyle many aspire to build and live by.

But in all, neither of the two Harley Davidson Glides is bad for use. They are both worth every penny.

• Harley Davidson Sportster vs Softail (Differences)
• Harley Davidson Road King vs Electra Glide Comparison
• Harley Davidson Road Glide vs Electra Glide Comparison
• Harley Davidson Cruiser vs. Touring (Differences)
• Average Dirt Bike Cost: 20 Different Models Examined