2024 Harley-Davidson Road Glide Evaluate [18 Fast Facts; 44 Pics]

Because the Harley-Davidson Road Glide turns 40, it has younger vitality than ever. The unique Road Glide featured a then-new 82ci Evolution motor that put out 69 ft-lbs of torque and 50 horsepower, a 5-speed transmission, and a full touring pack. The brand new 2024 Harley-Davidson Road Glide has greater than double the horsepower and almost twice as a lot torque, a Milwaukee-Eight 117 powerplant, 6-speed Cruise Drive, and modern sidebags. After all, that solely scratches the floor of distinction. Suffice it to say, that is the boldest redesign of the Road Glide since 2007, when it began its rise to prominence within the pantheon of Harley-Davidson fashions as an alpha bagger.

Unquestionably, Harley-Davidson is difficult the trustworthy with the 2024 Road Glide. As was hinted with the 2023 CVO Road Glide, the individuals’s Road Glide will get a brand new Milwaukee-Eight 117 motor and, most conspicuously, a dramatic reimagining of the long-lasting batwing fairing that factors to the longer term quite than dwelling on the previous.

Senior Editor Nic de Sena was slated to overview the brand new Road Glide, and he’s featured within the motion photographs. Nevertheless, rain interrupted his take a look at schedule, and as he left for Spain to check the newest from KTM and Moto Guzzi, Editor Don Williams picked up the baton. An extended-time Road Glide fan, Don examined the three personalities of the Road Glide—city brawler, long-distance Grand American Touring bike, and, now, one thing of a sporting tourer impressed by the MotoAmerica’s King of the Baggers race collection. Let’s simply say many miles and hours have been logged behind that sleekly trendy fairing. Right here’s what Don found, and it’s fairly a bit.

1. The looks of the brand new Road Glide fairing isn’t the one factor trendy about it. Positive, you may’t miss the brand new countenance, with its built-in LED flip alerts. Nevertheless, behind that fairing is a TFT display that measures over a foot from nook to nook. Sure, the analog-style gauges of outdated are banished in favor of a customizable display that provides way more data than ever earlier than, and it appears dazzling—and that is coming from somebody who liked the outdated sprint. The Skyline OS is impressively highly effective and simply manipulated, although there will probably be a studying curve, particularly for devoted Luddites. I’m simply teasing right here, as we’ll get again to it in additional element.

2. The Milwaukee-Eight 117 powerplant is a stunner. These of us who’ve been piloting Road Glides for some time keep in mind once we needed to downshift on the slightest freeway grade if we needed to maintain up with the move of visitors. With 130 ft-lbs of grunt accessible on the twist of a throttle to get to 3250 rpm, the 2024 Harley-Davidson Road Glide rockets up the steepest hills at triple-digit speeds in sixth gear and by no means looks like it’s straining. Vibes are good and pronounced at idle, melting right into a well mannered rumble as soon as up to the mark. Regardless of the ability and displacement, this isn’t a fatiguing motor, until you need it to be.

3. There are three preset energy modes, plus a user-configurable mode. Harley-Davidson software program and motor engineers conspired to offer you Sport, Street, and Rain modes. When you’re like me, you like a tailored energy supply, and that’s the place the Customized A mode is available in. You get to combine the proper cocktail of engine mapping (three ranges), throttle response (5 ranges), engine braking (5 ranges), traction management (three ranges), and ABS (two ranges, at all times on). Setting this up is intuitive, utilizing the left thumb joystick.

4. The Sport mode positively has a kick. The throttle response for the full-power setting is enhanced to the purpose the place you want a deft hand to remain easy in shut quarters, be they tight twisties or city settings. When you have room to let the 2024 Harley-Davidson Road Glide stretch its legs, the Sport mode shines. It really works within the vast open areas of the Mojave Desert, and on roads that function open sweepers. When you prefer to nod to the man subsequent to you at a pink gentle on the town, you’ll want to choose Sport mode earlier than the sunshine turns inexperienced and the hammer is dropped. A pleasant encounter in Compton on Lengthy Seashore Boulevard rider on a stunt-cage-encased sport bike cage left him impressed. To keep up his dignity, he pulled a block-long wheelie in response. To be truthful, it was one.

5. Within the canyons, cruising metropolis streets, and informal driving, requires the Street mode. This mode is the do-it-all and do-it-in-a-friendly-manner possibility. Though the sting is reduce off the throttle response, the Milwaukee-Eight 117 is not any slouch in Street mode. It hauls, and it’s simple to journey. Except you’re a top-notch rider, you may go sooner within the canyons within the Street mode, because it prevents chassis upset when in and exiting corners, one thing to contemplate on a motorcycle that weighs 811 kilos with a full tank, and that’s earlier than you get on. That is the mode most riders will faucet, until they need to dive into Customized A mode and know what they need.

6. The Rain mode tamps issues down, and isn’t a foul alternative in heavy visitors. When you’re caught in visitors in regressive states that don’t enable lane splitting, dropping into the Rain mode isn’t a foul thought. It offers you loads of room for error, and it takes away energy you received’t be utilizing anyway. The ability supply is comparatively lazy, particularly in case you’re switching from Sport mode. It has its place, particularly if the pavement is moist or constantly soiled. The traction management will kick in at a second’s discover, as will the ABS.

7. I fell in love with my Customized A mode. I like pushing buttons to get what I would like, and Customized A does simply that. I needed one thing between Sport and Street, with my different tastes indulged. In case you’re questioning, I went with the Sport energy mode, +1 throttle response (second most aggressive of 5 settings), +1 engine braking (ditto), Street traction management (I like that security internet), and Street ABS (Rain is the opposite possibility). With that, the 2024 Harley-Davidson Road Glide responded exactly as I would love it to, and it labored for me all over the place—metropolis, suburbia, rural, mountains, and open highway. You seemingly will make totally different selections than I made. While you take note of how all of them work collectively, you may craft a Milwaukee-Eight 117 of your desires.

8. Switching between modes is fast and straightforward. There’s a semi-dedicated change on the fitting handlebar for choosing the mode. It’s built-in into the brand new flip sign buttons, which have a brand new ergonomic design. As an alternative of the unappealingly bulbous outdated flip sign buttons, the brand new buttons are flat and angular. Suggestions is vastly improved. Initially, I believed there can be a battle between actuating the fitting flip sign and the mode change. I used to be unsuitable, and it’s unbelievable. Typically, the little issues supply an enormous profit, and the brand new flip sign buttons match into that class.

9. The tachometer does come into play on the 2024 Harley-Davidson Road Glide. As a result of the Milwaukee-Eight 117 is so easy when wound up, it’s simple to hit the rev limiter when accelerating onto the freeway with authority. While you attain the rev restrict with the throttle severely twisted, the rev limiter hits fairly laborious. Creeping up on the limiter reveals a softer aspect to the ignition slicing out. Peak torque comes at 3250 rpm, and the motor isn’t about horsepower, so keep in mind to shift nicely earlier than hitting the limiter at 6000 rpm.

10. Round city, the burden of the 2024 Road Glide melts away. Possibly it’s the extra energy on faucet, or it could possibly be the 18-pound weight reduction, however the brand new Road Glide feels way more agile than its predecessor. Whereas it’s inarguably not a light-weight when dodging automobiles and splitting lanes, the Road Glide has an endearing willingness to alter lanes. The load is most seen when braking, as you realize that a couple of half-ton is making an attempt to decelerate—the 300mm rear disc is your buddy. After all, maneuvering parking heaps highlights the heft, although the graceful clutch engagement is a giant assist.

11. Hit the twisties, and the newfound agility lets itself be recognized. Older Road Glides have been reluctant to alter strains as soon as chosen upon nook entries. The 2024 Road Glide and Harley-Davidson-branded Dunlop tires enable low-effort line corrections as wanted, whereas retaining its stability in turns. Once I suppose again to the pre-Rushmore Road Glides, it’s wonderful how far the Touring platform has progressed. I already talked about how unbelievable the motor is, and it’ll serve you nicely on curvy roads in case you set it as much as get alongside along with your driving type. When you’re lower than that, simply put it in Street mode and smile. Braking is spectacular, although don’t ignore the rear brake when diving right into a flip. The 19-inch 130mm entrance tire can get overwhelmed in laborious braking, so it’s the 180mm rear to the rescue. Cranking up engine compression braking helps.

12. The brand new fairing adjustments the character of the Road Glide on the open highway. A number of facets of the brand new batwing make it nice. It’s much less susceptible to crosswinds and oncoming vehicles with a 150+ mph closing pace on two-lane roads. The Splitstream vent is adjustable, making an enormous distinction in head buffeting if it’s arrange proper or unsuitable. The fairing gives glorious safety, and the mirrors are unobtrusively excellent. Whether or not you approve of the modernization of the styling, the sensible outcomes are simple. I don’t miss the outdated batwing in any respect.

13. With the ability of the Milwaukee-Eight 117 on faucet and the brand new fairing, cruising on open roads at 90+ mph all day is nicely inside cause. Whereas I might by no means counsel that you simply exceed any pace restrict—perish the thought—if there’s nobody round and also you need to make a while, the 2024 Harley-Davidson Road Glide is completely happy to satisfy your wishes. Over 100 mph or so, the steadiness begins to crack, however not many riders will need that ticket.

14. Though the suspension is upgraded this yr, there’s room for enchancment. Whereas the Showa Twin Bending Valve fork is unchanged, the rear wheel will get an additional inch of journey, although it’s a still-modest three inches. The emulsion shocks do what they will, taking the sting off rougher roads. The additional journey offers further cornering clearance, although tough corners will persuade you to decelerate. There aren’t any damping changes, so that you get what you get. I’d prefer to see electronically adjustable damping, not less than, and semi-active suspension as an possibility—it is a motorbike with a $25,999 MSRP. That may enhance what’s already an excellent motorbike.

15. The brand new TFT show is a murals. There are three show selections—Sport, Tour, and Cruise. Sport places the analog-style tachometer entrance and heart, with a digital readout of the pace within the heart. On the display’s sides, you might have user-selectable information. The Tour mode strikes the tach/speedo combo to the left, with GPS dominating the display. When you like, the GPS might be smaller, and further information displayed on the fitting. Traditionalists must make do with the Cruise show, which does its finest to copy the outdated sprint with an analog-style speedometer and tachometer. I’m good with Sport if I do know the place I’m going and Tour after I don’t. Oddly, I used to be a giant fan of the outdated sprint, however I discover Cruise fussy.

16. The Skyline OS is each intuitive and complicated. Very similar to Microsoft Phrase or Adobe Photoshop, there are way more options than any single individual will use. So, you must sift by way of what’s there and concentrate on what issues to you. I want the sprint had Apple CarPlay so Waze is built-in, however this must do. I’m not going to delve into the leisure a part of the system—that retains your proper thumb busy—as I don’t take heed to music after I journey, and protecting every thing in Skyline OS would double the size of this overview. I’ll say that one semi-obscure function it has considerations the radio—you get a listing of accessible stations for listening. Possibly this isn’t one thing new, however it’s new to me—spectacular, although I might by no means use it.

17. The switchgear is trendy and straightforward to function. 4-way switches with a central joystick are one thing we are able to all perceive; although the stand-alone “return” button is normally required, I believe a left stab of the joystick ought to suffice. Cruise management is intuitive and regular. The beginning/kill change is on prime of the fitting dice, because the change array faces the rider. I by chance hit the kill change a number of occasions when returning my hand to the throttle after making some type of adjustment; it startled me the primary time, as you may think about. Oh, and the under-display tray in your cellular system is a pleasant contact.

18. Except you’re keen to write down a verify, don’t test-ride the 2024 Harley-Davidson Road Glide in case you personal an older version. The distinction is gigantic and also you’ll plonk down your cash, until you merely can’t half with the old-style sprint and dislike the looks of the brand new batwing. In each means, the brand new Road Glide is an enchancment over its predecessor. The 2024 will go down in Harley-Davidson lore as a revolutionary leap ahead for the Road Glide, and there’s no going again. 

Location images by Brian J. Nelson and Kevin Wing 

2024 Harley-Davidson Road Glide Specs 

ENGINE 

• Sort: Milwaukee-Eight 117 V-twin
• Displacement: 117 cubic inches (1923cc)
• Bore x stroke: 4.075” x 4.5”
• Most energy: 105 horsepower @ 4600 rpm
• Most torque: 130 ft-lbs @ 3250 rpm
• Compression ratio: 10.3:1
• Valvetrain: Single cam w/ pushrods; 4 vpc
• Cooling: Air and oil
• Lubrication: Dry sump
• Transmission: 6-speed Cruise Drive
• Clutch: Moist multiplate w/ help and slipper capabilities
• Major drive: Chain
• Closing drive: Belt

CHASSIS 

• Body: Delicate tubular metal w/ two-piece stamped and welded spine
• Entrance suspension; journey: Non-adjustable Showa 49mm Twin Bending Valve; 4.6 inches
• Rear suspension; journey: Spring-preload adjustable emulsion shocks; 3 inches
• Wheels: Solid Aluminum
• Entrance wheel: 19 x 3.5
• Rear wheel: 18 x 5
• Entrance tire: 130/60 x 19; Dunlop Harley-Davidson D408F
• Rear tire: 180/55 x 18; Dunlop Harley-Davidson D407T
• Entrance brakes: 320mm discs w/ 4-piston calipers
• Rear brake: 300mm disc w/ 4-piston caliper
• ABS: Commonplace; adjustable

DIMENSIONS and CAPACITIES 

• Wheelbase: 64 inches
• Rake: 26 levels
• Fork angle: 29.25 levels
• Path: 6.7 inches
• Seat top: 28.1 inches
• Gas capability: 6 gallons
• Estimated gasoline consumption: 44 mpg
• Curb weight: 811 kilos

TRIM OPTIONS 

COLORS

• Billiard Grey
• Vivid Black (+$600)
• White Onyx Pearl (+$850)
• Whiskey Hearth (+$850)
• Blue Burst (+$850)
• Alpine Inexperienced (+$850; Chrome Trim solely)
• Atlas Silver Metallic (+$850; Black Trim solely)
• Sharkskin Blue (+$850; Black Trim solely)

2024 Harley-Davidson Road Glide Value: $25,999 MSRP

2024 Harley-Davidson Road Glide Evaluate Photograph Gallery