Virtually by probability, I’ve turned out to be the go-to reviewer of the bikes from the Harley-Davidson Icons Assortment. I rode the 2021 Electra Glide Revival and 2023 Electra Glide Freeway King from Los Angeles to point out off to my dad in Williams, Arizona. I tore round California’s Central Valley and varied mountain ranges in Southern California on the 2022 Low Rider El Diablo. All three had been implausible rides, so I eagerly anticipated entering into the saddle of the newest Icons Assortment bike—the 2024 Harley-Davidson Hydra-Glide Revival. First photographs and seeing it in particular person did nothing to decrease my enthusiasm. Nevertheless, seems to be aren’t all the things, and the trip additionally issues, so let’s hit the starter button.
- The 2024 Harley-Davidson Hydra-Glide Revival commemorates the seventy fifth anniversary of the hydraulic telescopic fork debuting on a Harley-Davidson. The Hydra-Glide fork introduced Harley-Davidson into the fashionable period, changing the springer entrance suspension on the 1949 FL. The brand new Revival relies on the Heritage Traditional 114’s Softail platform, which visually mimics the FL’s hardtail. Reflecting that, the first practical distinction between the Heritage Traditional and the Hydra-Glide Revival is rear suspension journey. The Hydra-Glide Revival cuts the rear wheel journey by an inch, giving it a little bit of a slammed look in comparison with the Heritage Traditional and kicking out the path a few tenths of an inch. The Revival additionally has wire-spoke wheels, which come on some trim traces of the Heritage Traditional. Hopping on the dimensions, the 742-pound Revival provides 14 kilos to the heft of the usual Heritage Traditional.
- The Hydra-Glide Revival is pushed alongside by a Milwaukee-Eight 114 powerplant. A part of the package deal features a spherical, chromed Screamin’ Eagle Excessive Circulate air cleaner, although Harley-Davidson makes no efficiency enhancement claims. You proceed to get 119 ft-lbs of torque at 3000 rpm and 94 horsepower on faucet at 4750 rpm. The motor is kind of spectacular round city, and good for over 100 mph on the open highway. Passing energy is current, although coming off the 117s that energy the brand new Avenue Glide and Street Glide, the 114 is beginning to really feel a bit wanting. Nevertheless, don’t overlook that these are Grand American Touring fashions, and this can be a cruiser-based Softail with much less formidable long-distance plans. Evaluate that to the 74ci Panhead on the unique FL, which supplied simply 55 horses. We’ve come a good distance, child.
- Efficiency apart, you need to trip this bike on the town to point out off what you’re paying additional for—styling. With none doubt, the 2024 Harley-Davidson Hydra-Glide Revival is a looker, although it doesn’t command fairly as a lot consideration because the Electra Glide Revival and Freeway King. The 2-tone paint job is gorgeous, pairing Redline Crimson with Birch White to echo the 1956 Hydra-Glide. The fenders are straight Redline Crimson, and the decrease half of the removable windshield is tinted Redline Crimson—individuals love that. Whereas black could also be in lately, chrome unabashedly dominates the proceedings, together with the seat body and crash bars. Fringe spouting from conchos on the red-stitched/white-piped seat’s leather-based valance, tank strap, and saddlebags livens up the look as you trip. Studs and white piping accent the luggage and valance properly. It is a motorbike you need to see in particular person to totally recognize.
- As a matter of reality, the 2024 Harley-Davidson Hydra-Glide Revival does want stinking badges. Topping off the retro styling voyage are the tank’s Harley-Davidson V badges. It’s an undeniably cool look that brings the classic styling residence. To make certain passersby know exactly what you’re driving, Hydra-Glide badges adorn the entrance fender, including extra type factors. The rear fender sports activities a delicate Icons Assortment graphic, alerting the reader that this can be a restricted version—a reality reconfirmed by the numbered plate on the handlebar clamp. We examined #0003 of 1750 examples.
- Using via city areas is pure to the Hydra-Glide Revival. With loads of muscular torque out there in any respect revs, you may humiliate all however probably the most devoted when the sunshine turns inexperienced. The low solo seat cradles your buttocks comfortably, the bar bend is agreeably tall and vast for type and leverage, and the floorboards are an incredible platform to your boots. As we examined the Revival within the winter, we appreciated the performance of the windshield. You’ll be able to pull the windshield off in the summertime—no instruments required. When you’ll lose type factors—bye-bye, clear Redline Crimson—the Hydra-Glide nonetheless has lots in reserve.
- Be at liberty to make use of the 2024 Harley-Davidson Hydra-Glide Revival as a touring motorbike in the event you choose a extra visceral expertise. In comparison with Harley-Davidson’s 117-equipped Grand American Touring fashions, you’ll be down on energy and luxury, although you may not thoughts that. The M8 114 sends noticeably extra vibration to the grips and floorboards, although to not the saddle. The vibration is on the sharp aspect relatively than a naturally soothing rumble on longer, higher-speed rides. Whereas the windshield gives respectable wind safety, there’s extra turbulence than you’ll really feel on the Street and Avenue Glides. For the rider who desires that extra retro feeling, the Hydra-Glide Revival delivers a few of that life-affirming rough-around-the-edge touring expertise.
- Rider aids are stored to a minimal. Once more, this can be a Softail with a contact extra path, not a Grand American Touring bike. The Hydra-Glide has generic ABS and electrical beginning, and that’s about it. Cruise management is non-obligatory, as is a safety system. The Grand American Touring bikes’ normal Rider Security Enhancements—traction management, linked braking, cornering consciousness, and variable engine braking—aren’t even an choice. You get only a single disc within the entrance, although you’ll study to make use of the footbrake more often than not. Don’t let the Glide identify idiot you; this can be a cruiser with the fundamental accoutrements for touring—luggage and a windshield. You didn’t get nannied 75 years in the past, and the Hydra-Glide Revival isn’t reduce out to be an au pair—you’re just about by yourself.
- The lowered rear-wheel journey isn’t an enormous challenge. I examined the Heritage Traditional a few years in the past, and the distinction isn’t readily obvious. You would possibly discover it on back-to-back rides. Cornering clearance stays respectable and ample for many rides and riders—if you wish to do some grinding within the corners, the chunky Harley-Davidson branded Dunlop D401s on chrome 16-inch rims will fortunately oblige. The Showa Twin Bending Valve fork manages its 5 inches of journey fairly impressively—Hydra-Glide, certainly.
- The 2024 Harley-Davidson Hydra-Glide Revival accentuates the model’s strengths. Whereas nostalgia is an integral a part of The Motor Firm’s enchantment, the Icons Assortment bikes are extra about timeless type—they appear nice and exist outdoors the boundaries of time. It’s a bit disappointing that the Hydra-Glide Revival doesn’t provide a driving expertise noticeably totally different from the Heritage Traditional. Nevertheless, the sensation you get when wanting down at a wonderful motorbike as you cruise alongside, realizing that everybody within the neighborhood is admiring your trip, is properly definitely worth the $1500 premium the Hydra-Glide Revival calls for over the two-tone Heritage Traditional 114—in the event you purchase into the Revival’s ethos. Even when the Hydra-Glide Revival isn’t fairly to your style, it’s exhausting to argue that the Icons Assortment isn’t batting four-for-four.
Images by Kelly Callan
RIDING STYLE
2024 Harley-Davidson Hydra-Glide Revival Specs
ENGINE
- Kind: Milwaukee-Eight 114 V-twin
- Displacement: 114ci
- Bore x stroke: 4.016” x 4.5”
- Most energy: 94 horsepower @ 4750 rpm
- Most torque: 119 ft-lbs @ 3000 rpm
- Compression ratio: 10.5:1
- Valvetrain: Single-cam w/ pushrods; 4 vpc
- Exhaust: 2-into-2; catalyst in muffler
- Cooling: Air and oil
- Lubrication: Dry sump
- Transmission: 6-speed
- Clutch: Internet multi-plate w/ help operate
- Major drive: Chain
- Ultimate drive: Belt
CHASSIS
- Body: Tubular delicate metal w/ rectangular part spine
- Entrance suspension; journey: Non-adjustable Showa Twin Bending Valve 49mm fork; 5.1 inches
- Rear suspension; journey: Spring-preload adjustable shock; 3.4 inches
- Wheels: Wire-spoked
- Entrance and rear wheels: 16 x 3.00
- Tires: Dunlop Harley-Davidson Sequence D401
- Entrance tire: 130/90 x 16
- Rear tire: 150/80 x 16
- Entrance brakes: 300mm disc w/ fastened 4-piston caliper
- Rear brake: 292mm disc w/ floating 2-piston caliper
- ABS: Customary
DIMENSIONS and CAPACITIES
- Wheelbase: 64.2 inches
- Rake: 30 levels
- Path: 5.7 inches
- Seat top: 26.1 inches
- Gasoline capability: 5 gallons
- Estimated gasoline consumption: 47 mpg
- Curb weight: 742 kilos
- Colour/trim: Redline Crimson/Chrome
2024 Harley-Davidson Hydra-Glide Revival Value: $24,999
2024 Harley-Davidson Hydra-Glide Revival Assessment Picture Gallery
