My Top Pick of Motorcycles Similar to Harley-Davidson Street Glide
- Indian Super Chief
- Kawasaki Vulcan 1700 Vaquero
- Harley Davidson Heritage Classic
Harley-Davidson Street Glide
Baggers are extremely popular at Harley-Davidson. There are three Harleys total on this list and include the Street Glide is only natural. A bagger’s minimalist style is well suited to the design of an American motorcycle.
The 2022 Street Glide, with a starting price of $29,999, is powered by a Milwaukee 8 engine with 117 cubic inches, providing more than adequate performance; brakes sourced from Brembo keep things under control when things go hairy. One round headlamp in a fork-mounted batwing fairing, with a smaller smoked perspex screen, sets it apart from the Road Glide.
There is now a knob to control the pre-load of the rear suspension, and the travel has been extended to three inches. To get some rather high-tech features from Harley, like tire pressure monitoring via a six-axis IMU, hill-hold control, cornering traction control, and cornering ABS-linked brakes, you’ll need to choose the Cornering Rider Safety Enhancements packet.
The cockpit’s built-in speakers complement the full-color TFT display and the traditional round analog gauges. You can hit top speeds of 105 mph on this bike, and it gets an average of 42.34 mpg, according to the ARAI. The 410 km range is possible because the bike’s fuel tank holds 22 gallons.
Motorcycles Similar to Harley-Davidson Street Glide
A Bagger is a type of motorbike that features panniers but is still more compact and lightweight than a comprehensive touring bike. If you’ve been eyeing a Street Glide, we found 12 others with similar seat size, fuel economy, top speed, wheelbase, and more that you might just prefer. Here’s our list of 2022’s most comparable baggers to the Street Glide.
1. Indian Super Chief
The Indian Super Chief, with its base price of $18,499, is a perfect choice if you want a retro-looking, streamlined bagger. It’s nice to have a change of pace with soft panniers and a simple, wide perspex screen so you can see everything from the front to the back. The 115-mph peak speed and 48-mpg fuel economy of this bike are also impressive. It weighs 743 pounds at the curb.
Reduced weight means the bike is easier to handle and more comfortable to get around at slow speeds. Massive footboards offer a variety of riding positions, making long rides more bearable.
India claims that despite the screen’s seemingly antiquated appearance, considerable effort was invested in a wind tunnel to ensure its efficacy. Screens of various sizes can be clipped on for further convenience. The air-cooled Thunderstroke 111 cubic-inch engine provides the customary smooth punchy power of all Indians, and its peak torque of 108 pound-feet is among the highest in the industry.
The Super Chief is unique among cruisers because it combines floorboards and conventional handlebars, as well as its abundance of personality, excellent handling, and straightforward design.
2. Kawasaki Vulcan 1700 Vaquero
The Japanese seem immune to the ridicule of the rest of the world, and thus they have always been eager to get into the U.S. market with their variants of big-displacement V-twin-engined bikes. No matter how cold and heartless they may seem, it cannot be denied that they are excellent at their jobs. With its liquid-cooled 1700cc V-twin engine plus six-speed transmission, it can reach speeds of up to 145 miles per hour.
The Kawasaki Vulcan 1700 Vaquero is the company’s first foray into the bagger market, and it retails for a starting price of $19,799. Whether or not you agree is a matter of taste, but there’s no denying that this bike has a certain cool, retro vibe.
The Vulcan 1700 may have a less protected riding posture and less protection from the wind than the other bikes on this list, but its slimmer profile makes it more visually appealing. The ride and handling are adequate if not remarkable, and the electronics are up to Japanese standards. The pillion seat is very small and slopes backwards, so it’s not ideal for extended rides. For riders above six feet tall, the fairing’s modest wind deflector is largely ineffective.
3. Harley Davidson Heritage Classic
In the battle of the vintage baggers, Harley and Indian go head-to-head, with Harley offering the Heritage Classic for $20,799 and the Indian Scout for $17,999. The Softail rear end distinguishes it from the Indian and conceals the single shock, giving the bike a more streamlined appearance.
The magnificent Milwaukee 8 114 cubic-inch engine provides all the torque plus shoves you might need and produces that distinctive Harley rumble. A bagger’s voice does not have to be exactly like that, although it helps.
Although the design is reminiscent of bygone eras, it lacks the flashiness of earlier models. Gone are the studded panniers and tassels, and much of the chrome has been replaced by matte black.
The 114 cubic inch V-twin produces 100.5 horsepower and 119 pound-feet of torque at 3000 rpm, allowing it a top speed of 110 miles per hour. Wet, it weighs 728 pounds, and the height of the seat is 26. Long trips are enjoyable rather than exhausting thanks to the car’s high level of comfort and solid chassis.
4. Moto Guzzi MGX21
The MGX21, with a base price of $21,990, is a massive and commanding bagger made by a storied Italian company; it’s also known as the Flying Fortress. Powered by a massive 90° V-twin, the MGX21 is, like all Guzzis, an eccentric motorcycle. The fuel tank, front fender, luggage rack, and wheel adornments are all made of carbon fiber. That’s why the finished product is such a unique motorcycle. The engine has four valves per cylinder and produces a brisk 78.86 pound-feet of torque at the back wheels. We need to know the top speed immediately.
Is this an Italian version of the Bagger? In that case, why not, I suppose. The MGX21, based on the California 1400, is a unique and fascinating alternative to the numerous Harleys and Indians on the road. You are highly unlikely to run into another MGX21 on your travels. Consequently, if you value anonymity, you have no other option but to go this route.
It has a smooth ride and an Italian design, but the engine is weak compared to the competition. Comfort is adequate for all-day riding, and the bike’s extensive technological rider aids and good suspension and brakes make it the rider’s pick. In addition, the cost is reasonable at this firm.
5. Indian Springfield Dark Horse
The Indian Springfield, with pricing beginning at $22,499, is a pared-down bagger that stands out from the Super Chief by looking fully contemporary. You won’t have a screen, but the ape hanger bars will be at a comfortable height. Given that the suspension isn’t adjustable, it’s a good thing that this modern bagger has attitude, power, and a terrific ride and handling straight out of the box.
With its powerful and refined Thunderstroke 116 engine, the boat delivers a satisfyingly brisk ride. Throttle response characteristics can be adjusted to suit your riding preference using one of three riding modes (Tours, Sports, or Standards). Blacked-Out Thunderstroke 116 cu. in. air-cooled V-twin; maximum torque of 126 lb.-ft.; six-speed transmission. There are 5.5 gallons of fuel capacity and 47.04 mpg.
The Super Chief’s straightforward design is popular because it harkens back to the classic “bagger” aesthetic. Consistent with the rest of India, the construction and finishing is excellent.
6. BMW K1600B
BMW’s K1600 family of six-cylinder-engined motorcycles starts at $22,545 and continues the brand’s tradition of efficient, rather stodgy, and pricey touring motorcycles. The transversely placed engine is a thing of beauty; it’s powerful yet silky smooth, and the bike as a whole keeps its weight low so it’s nimble at low speeds while still getting 41 miles per gallon.
If it has no floorboards, it may reach speeds of almost 120 miles per hour. The seat height can be adjusted between 29.5″ and 30.7″, and there is a six-cylinder inline engine available. When compared to the GT/L models, the K1600B bagger variant has a lower rear and a more relaxed riding position thanks to its lowered seat and pushed-back handlebars.
Since the lower center of gravity reduces the amount of suspension travel available, the ride quality can be less than ideal on bumpy roads, but perfectly adequate on smoother ones and just OK in the twists.
The K1600B, like the Gold Wing and Moto Guzzi, features a full fairing rather than the batwing fairings found on American motorcycles. Additionally, the K1600B’s cockpit and electronics are completely up to date, as one would expect from BMW, and the K1600B’s impeccable construction is second to none.
7. Indian Challenger
Indian has not been coy about its desire to take on Harley Davidson, and it appears to be succeeding. Perhaps they are direct competitors, but they are not carbon clones. Indians have their own distinct culture and aesthetic, which combines vintage and contemporary influences. It has a top speed of 112 mph and can generate 122 hp. A liquid-cooled 1768-cc PowerPlus motor provides 128 lb-ft of torque. The average fuel economy is 47.74 mpg.
The Challenger, which starts at $24,499, is powered by India’s 108 cubic-inch Power Plus liquid-cooled 60° V-twin engine, which is eerily smooth and quiet-running while providing all the torque you could want. The chassis’s characteristics feel up-to-date, and it handles curves in the road with surprising dexterity.
The Fox shock absorber filled with fuel in the back and the upside-down forks both contribute to this. The Brembo brakes are ready for the task of hauling in all that weight, and the suspension manages to be both subtle on the highway and rigid in the corners.
The Indians call the Challenger a “Performance Cruiser,” which is a bit of a stretch, but it does make a compelling case for being the sportiest-feeling American bagger.
8. Honda Gold Wing
Honda’s Goldwing has been around for 47 years, so what else is there to discuss? Unfaired and featuring a 1000cc, flat-four cylinder engine, it made its debut in 1975. In the years since 1987, the number of cylinders in a standard model has increased to six. Its F6B bagger variant was released in 2013. A 42-mpg fuel economy is predicted for it.
The newest Gold Wing, with prices starting at $25,300, is a technological triumph from Japan. The Gold Wing bagger is now marketed as the Gold Wing, while the Gold Wing Tour is the complete touring model.
Compared to earlier models, the 2022 Gold Wing Bagger is a model of restraint in terms of its extravagant price tag and flashy aesthetic. Indeed, the panniers aren’t the largest available.
The Gold Wing used to be a bloated whale of a bike, but recent updates to the electronics, engine, weight, and frame, have transformed it back into a motorbike. Excellent handling dynamics, a silky-smooth engine, and unmatched levels of comfort are all features this vehicle possesses. The new DCT transmission makes riding even less of a hassle.
9. Harley-Davidson Road King
A tall windscreen replaces the fairings on the base Road King, which starts at $19,929 compared to the Street Glide’s $8,999. Of all the Harley Davidson baggers, the Road King is the one that looks the most like the original cruisers from the 1950s. It can reach 110 mph and gets 43.9 mpg on the highway.
With both a 107 V-twin and a larger 114 V-twin in the Special variant, you may customize the amount of power at your disposal. Unlike the ordinary model, the Special does not include a windshield, but it does offer the rider a little extra storage room.
This bike was designed for the individual who desires to travel long distances in comfort, with or without a pillion. The riding position is vertical and there are floorboards for added support.
With its 1745 cc displacement, the Milwaukee-Eight 107 produces a maximum of 83 hp and 147 Nm of torque.
The height of the seat is 26.3 inches, while the length of the wheelbase is 64 inches. It can hold 2.3 cubic feet of luggage while weighing 828 pounds when wet.
10. Harley-Davidson Electra Glide
Harley-Davidson no longer offers the Electra Glide in the United Kingdom, and in the United States, there is just the Electra Glide Standard to choose from. The Electra Glide (which can be had for as little as $19,429) is among Harley’s Grand Touring lineup that I find most appealing. It is a minimalist, purist interpretation of a touring motorbike, devoid of electronics and amenities that, in my opinion, belong to vehicles.
The 107 V-twin engine lies at the heart of this bike, along with the iconic Batwing fairing and a sleek Vivid Black paintwork. It’s mostly black, with some flashes of chrome on the exhaust and engine, creating that classic gloomy/badass Harley look and feel. As a whole, it gets 39.8 miles per gallon in fuel economy.
Standard equipment includes just one seat, which is another reason I enjoy riding an Electra Glide: I can pack my belongings into the saddlebags and head off into the countryside, leaving everyone else behind. While the fairing is attached to the forks, the rider sits in an upright position on floorboards in place of footpegs.
Technology has progressed to the point that self-riding bicycles are a real possibility shortly. A barebones Harley Davidson V-twin has the comforting quality of forcing the rider to concentrate on the road without the aid of electronic gadgets like a sat nav or music system.
The maximum power output from the 1745cc Milwaukee-Eight 107 is 83 horsepower, and the maximum torque is 147 Nm. The wheelbase is 64 inches and the seat height is 26.1. Luggage capability is 2.3 cubic feet, and the bike’s weight is 820 pounds.
11. Harley Davidson Road Glide
As the bagger with the most models in the Harley Davidson lineup, the Road Glide can be found in both the United States and the United Kingdom. The base model comes with a passenger seat and a frame-mounted fairing, and it is equipped to travel long distances in style and comfort thanks to its upright riding position and floorboards.
Increased power and torque come courtesy of the Milwaukee-Eight 114 V-twin found on the Road Glide Special. You can choose from ten different color schemes, each of which makes the bike either all black or all chrome. First introduced in 2022, two-tone color schemes are a new option for that year.
The Special version comes standard with a more advanced audio system and larger saddlebags. The Road Glide Limited improves upon the standard model by adding a pillion backrest to the Tour-Pak luggage rack on the back of the bike.
If you need to bring the kitchen sink on your next motorbike camping trip, this is the model for you.
The Road Glide ST from Harley Davidson is built for speed. Up to 45 miles per gallon in efficiency is possible.
The maximum power output from the 1745cc Milwaukee-Eight 107 engine is 83 hp, and the maximum torque is 147 Nm. The wheelbase of this vehicle is 64 inches, and the height of the seat is 25.9 inches. The Road Glide has a storage volume of 2.3 cubic feet.
12. Yamaha Star Eluder
The Yamaha Star Eluder, which has a base price of $22,499, is a stripped-down version of the fully-loaded Venture. An air-cooled 1,854cc V-twin engine with dual counterbalancers produces 126 lb-ft of torque, and its personality is somewhere between silky transmission and classic V-twin roar. The maximum speed is 75 miles per hour, and it gets about 34 miles per gallon.
While the ride-by-wire throttle is still in place, the Eluder’s six-speed transmission has been updated with new gear ratios to make the most of the vehicle’s impressive low-end power. The Venture’s infotainment kit, which includes a 7-inch full-color LCD, also comes standard with traction control, anti-lock brakes, and cruise control.
Yamaha removed the top box, shortened the windscreen, and refinished several of the chrome parts to black to create the Eluder, which is available in six different trim levels. The Eluder, with its ominous-looking fairing, has all the makings of a formidable contender in the big-bore bagger category.
