2023 Harley-Davidson Electra Glide Freeway King Evaluation

After hitting the ball out of the park with two earlier installments—the 2021 Harley-Davidson Electra Glide Revival and the Low Rider El Diablo final 12 months—The Motor Firm brings us a 3rd member of the Icons Assortment. The 2023 Harley-Davidson Electra Glide Freeway King channels the 1968 FLH Electra Glide with improbable aesthetic outcomes. After all, we knew we needed to experience it, and right here’s what we came upon 1000 miles later.

1. Whereas some observers have casually claimed the 2023 Harley-Davidson Electra Glide Freeway King is only a tarted-up Street King, it’s not. H-D actually pays homage to the Street King with the identify. Nevertheless, there are sufficient practical variations to attract a transparent border between them:

• • • The Freeway King runs a Milwaukee-Eight 114, whereas final 12 months’s normal Street King—absent from the lineup in 2023—was powered by a 107.

• • • These are wire-spoked 16-inch wheels on the Freeway King, in comparison with 18-inch forged aluminum wheels on the Street King. Additionally, the entrance tire mannequin on the Freeway King is a Dunlop Harley-Davidson D402F, in comparison with a D408F on the Street King.

• • • The Freeway King is a solo tourer—the Street King was prepared for two-up travels.

• • • The seat peak of the solo seat on the Freeway King is 31.1 inches, in comparison with 27.8 inches for the stepped built-for-two Street King saddle—a substantial distinction.

• • • Rear wheel journey is lowered from three inches on the Street King to 2.15 inches on the Freeway King.

• • • The rider triangle on the Freeway King is significantly totally different from the Street King because of the tall seat and the positioning of the handlebar.

• • • A broad vary of digital rider aids are normal on the Freeway King; all had been choices for the Street King.

• • • The decrease half of the Freeway King’s windshield is tinted to match the spectacular two-tone paint. The windshield on final 12 months’s Street King was pure clear.

• • • There may be further chrome railing across the seat, facet instances, and entrance fender of the Freeway King, including to the premium look.

• • • The usual worth of the 2022 Street King was $19,110, in comparison with a listing of $26,999 for the Freeway King.

2. It’s arduous to resolve the place to start out with the 2023 Harley-Davidson Electra Glide Freeway King, as there are such a lot of stand-out options, so we’ll begin with a straightforward one—the looks. Out there in Birch White with both Hello-Fi Orange or Hello-Fi Magenta, the Freeway King is a stunner. We had the Hello-Fi Orange, and it was a outstanding attention-getter wherever the bike went. On a number of events, folks actually ran throughout streets and parking heaps to test it out. Some acknowledged it as a brand new mannequin, whereas others had been satisfied it was a classic motorbike. Whereas we’ve learn complaints concerning the Birch White facet instances from keyboard critics, the reward for them is unanimous in individual. And, oh, that seat—oohs and aahs. Like the 2 Icons Assortment fashions earlier than it, this motorbike appears unbelievable.
3. When going for a protracted experience, you’ll be able to’t beat the Milwaukee-Eight 114. The beast cranks out 122 ft-lbs of torque at simply 2750 rpm, so you’re all the time in the appropriate gear. A solo rider and presumedly crammed facet instances are not any match for that sort of energy. Downshifts are usually not required for passing or scaling the steepest freeway grades. The 95 horses out there at simply over 5000 rpm imply you’ll be able to cruise within the 80s or increased with no automotive—apart from that man who writes tickets. We set the intuitive cruise management for 85 mph when crossing the Mojave Desert, and in an hour of using in gentle visitors, it by no means faltered or strained. This Freeway King welcomes high-speed routes.

   

4. Whereas the seat would possibly look minimalist, it’s snug for 400+ mile jaunts. The perch has the catcher’s mitt form although thinner than you would possibly count on. The tuck-and-roll middle has a clean body round it. Ribbed on your pleasure, you’re inspired to maneuver round fairly a bit on the seat, serving to you devour mass portions of miles with out your derriere struggling.
5. The solo saddle has a spring-only shock absorber. The motion is clearly obvious when hitting bumps—keep in mind, there’s simply 2.15 inches of rear wheel journey, although it’s a well-managed two-plus inches—and generally you’ll be able to really feel the float. Nevertheless, when rebounding for hits, the seat tops out because of the absence of damping. Oddly, it’s a cool feeling, somewhat than being annoying. Briefly, the perch isn’t only a trend assertion—it really works.

   

6. Even when sitting tall, the Freeway King is a steady experience. The Grand American Touring platform has advanced into excellence. Nonetheless, the expertise is totally different with a handlebar-mount fairing, frame-mount fairing, and this beneficiant bar-mounted windshield. The Freeway King is impressively impervious to facet winds, and we skilled some robust desert gusts at excessive speeds. On again roads with semis closing at speeds round 150+ mph, the King was unperturbed, going about his enterprise with unruffled dignity.
7. With the tall seat peak, the 2023 Harley-Davidson Electra Glide Freeway King has loads of legroom. Whereas your legs don’t dangle fairly as a lot as they did on the 2021 Electra Glide Revival, you might have noticeably much less leg bend than you’re used to when planting your toes on the floorboards. These floorboards are roomy, supplying you with loads of house to reposition your really feel to eradicate fatigue on lengthy rides. Harley-Davidson fastened the “burning proper calf” downside on the Electra Glide Revival in two methods—the decrease seat peak strikes your foot place away from the blistering sizzling rear-cylinder valve cowl, and H-D added a discreet plastic protect. Additionally, the 114’s trendy air filter meeting shouldn’t be in the best way.

   

8. The tall seat lifts you increased relative to the attention-grabbing windshield. Your physique is absolutely protected against the blast, even on the triple-digit speeds the Milwaukee-Eight 114 can attain. Though it relies on your torso size, your head will doubtless be within the wind when you’re tall sufficient for the seat. Harley-Davidson engineers did their homework on the windshield; the wind that does come over and round it’s turbulence-free.
9. Though the handlebar has loads of rise, the grip place is low relative to the seat. Along with your legs stretched out such as you’re on a barstool, and the comfortably low handlebar-grip place, you’re feeling accountable for the Freeway King and in full consolation. We took the six-gallon gas tank from full to low-fuel gentle greater than as soon as with out stopping—no downside. Between the flexibility to maneuver round on the seat and the floorboards, and the relaxed place of your arms, the Freeway King encourages you to maintain going when different bikes insistently recommend a break. The Freeway King is pure open-road royalty.

   

10. The Freeway King doesn’t like to carry courtroom in tight confines. Off the Interstates and unbending rural byways, the Freeway King struggles within the twisties. The 130 entrance and 180 rear 16-inch Dunlops that work so properly on the open street are usually not large followers of path adjustments, although edge grip and cornering clearance are plentiful. Exacerbating the tight-turn cornering points is the willingly versatile lengthy, narrow-diameter handlebar. You possibly can simply observe the bar bend just by pushing it down. Additional, you’ll be able to’t miss the motion each time you run via constricted corners. Whereas the flex is welcome in a straight line as a result of it helps suck up straight-line street irregularities, the motion is unnerving when wrestling the bike on unforgiving low-speed mountain roads.
11. The tall seat peak doesn’t like low speeds. Maneuvering round a parking zone is hard. Lay off the entrance brake, because the supple handlebar and fats tire footprint instantly provoke alarming chattering—follow the brake pedal, and also you’ll be high-quality. We got here near dropping the sweetness on one gravel parking space with rain ruts, because it’s a great distance down on your toes to get planted—when you can in any respect. Remember the fact that the seat peak of the 2023 Harley-Davidson Electra Glide Freeway King is identical because the Honda CB500F sportbike, and the Honda weighs lower than half as a lot because the 849-pound King. Except you’re within the six-foot vary, you’ll wish to plan your stops rigorously.

    

12. The suite of digital rider aids is as in depth as it’s clear. The brakes are cornering-aware for his or her linked operate and ABS, but you’ll hardly ever discover both—H-D’s ABS has come a great distance from its clunky roots. Different cornering-aware options are traction management and engine compression braking—once more, neither are intrusive. Ought to you end up on a mud street, you’ll be able to flip traction management off and drift the Freeway King sideways, similar to they do within the H-D advert—not that we might do such a factor. The clutch is of the slip-and-assist persuasion, although it nonetheless requires substantial pull on the lever. The braking could be very progressive—tender with a lightweight contact of your foot or hand, and robust once you pile on the strain.
13. Regardless of the lavish electronics, the using expertise is mostly analog. There’s no TFT sprint—only a tank-mounted speedometer with a semi-old college single-line LCD show. That’s good for letting the vary or the time—you’ll should manually reset it when altering time zones. If you wish to see the temperature or your path, add a thermometer or a compass. The tank additionally has an analog gas gauge on a fake filler cap. All of this makes the expertise simply that rather more 1968 than 55 years later.

    

14. With no prime case, you’ll should pack gentle. The gorgeous facet instances are normal Grand American Touring fare. We threw in a laptop computer, pill, and compact digital camera gear, plus a weekend’s value of garments and toiletries—not dangerous.
15. We didn’t experience at evening, however the triple-headlight setup conjures up confidence. Between the hanging paint job, tinted windshield, and three LED headlamps, you undoubtedly really feel such as you aren’t going to listen to, “However I didn’t see you!” Sure, that may nonetheless occur, so don’t get too complacent.

    

16. The combo of trendy nostalgia and up to date competence makes the 2023 Harley-Davidson Electra Glide Freeway King an inarguably excellent motorbike. Whereas the seat peak shouldn’t be for everybody, when you can handle 31.1 inches between your legs, you’ll respect the consolation it affords. Add impeccable styling and candy paint, and also you’re rewarded with a motorbike touring expertise like no different.

Motion pictures by Kelly Callan
Static pictures by Don Williams

 RIDING STYLE

2023 Harley-Davidson Electra Glide Freeway King Specs

ENGINE

• Sort: Milwaukee-Eight 114 V-twin
• Bore x stroke: 4.016” x 4.5”
• Displacement: 114 cubic inches (1868cc)
• Most energy: 95 horsepower @ 5020 rpm
• Most torque: 122 ft-lbs @ 2750 rpm
• Compression ratio: 10.5:1
• Cooling: Air
• Lubrication: Dry sump
• Transmission: 6-speed Cruise Drive
• Clutch: Hydraulically actuated w/ assist-and-slip features
• Major drive: Chain
• Last drive: Belt

CHASSIS 

• Body: Gentle tubular metal w/ two-piece stamped and welded spine
• Entrance suspension; journey: Non-adjustable Showa 49mm Twin Bending Valve fork; 4.6 inches
• Rear suspension: Spring-preload adjustable shocks; 2.2 inches
• Wheels: Wire-spoke
• Entrance wheel: 16 x 3.00
• Rear wheel: 16 x 5.00
• Entrance tire: 130/90 x 16; Dunlop Harley-Davidson Collection D402F
• Rear tire: 180/65 x 16; Dunlop Harley-Davidson Collection D407T
• Entrance brakes: 300mm floating discs w/ 4-piston calipers
• Rear brake: 300mm fastened disc w/ 4-piston caliper
• ABS: Cornering-aware

DIMENSIONS and CAPACITIES

• Wheelbase: 64 inches
• Seat peak: 31.1 inches
• Rake: 26 levels
• Fork angle: 29.25 levels
• Path: 6.7 inches
• Gasoline capability: 6 gallons
• Estimated gas consumption: 43 mpg
• Curb weight: 849 kilos

COLORS

• Hello-Fi Orange/Birch White
• Hello-Fi Magenta/Birch White

2023 Harley-Davidson Electra Glide Freeway King Value: $26,999

2023 Harley-Davidson Electra Glide Freeway King Evaluation Photograph Gallery