The 10 Best Harley Davidson Road Glide Models of All Time
Harley Davidson produced the Road Glide model in the 1990s. The model has been around for more than 20 years. For over two decades Harley has continually updated the bike to improve its comfort, performance, and stability. The Road Glide is a powerful touring motorcycle that is made for both short and long hauls with the necessary features to enhance rider enjoyment of longer road trips. Here are the ten best Road Glide models of all time for your consideration.
10. 1998 Harley Davidson Road Glide
The Harley Davidson Road Glide came out in 1998 with a new fairing that was borrowed from a 1980 FLT to give it a hint of nostalgia. It was designed for touring, to meld the past with the present in an updated and more comfortable motorcycle. The simple design featured a reduction in the size of the old fairing but the lines were similar. It had clean lines with Harley’s offer for customization. The 1998 Road Glide was a bagger that was available in a range of paint choices, and numerous options for bags to keep your essentials when on the road. it was powered by an 80 cubic inch Evolution Big Twin engine with a choice of carbureted or fuel injection for a higher price. with 70 horsepower and 80 ft-lbs of torque claimed, which was a figure that was subject to some debate, according to Cycle World.
9. 2005 Harley Davidson Road Glide Classic
The 2005 Harley Davidson Road Glide Classic was a popular touring bike, powered by a 1450 cc Twin Cam 88 V-Twin engine with a 5-speed manual transmission. It was a comfortable bike for long tours with a comfort-titch saddle with big floorboards for extra rider and passenger space. The passenger backrest was integrated with the rear trunk, combined with hard saddlebags for comfort and additional space for traveling essential storage. It was packed with creature comforts for the day including an advanced audio system, standard CD, and a full instrumentation panel to keep the driver informed, according to Auto Evolution.
8. 2007 Harley Davidson Road Glide
The 2007 model year of the HD Road Glide saw updates that were improvements over the previous model year. The engine was updated to a Twin Cam 96 over the previous 88. It also received a paring with a 6 speed Cruise Drive transmission. Overall, it enhanced the power. It retained the hard-shell saddlebags but received a new Harman/Kardon audio system. Other amenities include a choice of nine color combinations, new graphics, and cruise control.
7. 2004 Harley Davidson Road Glide Standard
The Road Glide Standard was produced from 2004 through 2005. It was powered with a 1450 cc Twin Cam 88 engine matched with a 5-speed manual transmission. Riders taking it out for a road trip enjoyed the comfort of air-adjustable rear suspension and the lockable hard saddlebags for additional security when leaving the bike in a parking lot. This bike was a show stopper with tons of chrome adornments.
6. 2009 Harley Davidson Road Glide Custom
In 2010, the Road Glide Custom offered riders more power in the form of an air-cooled 1584 cc Twin Cam 96 engine paired with a 60speed manual transmission. The torque was increased to 125 Nm. It also received a new 20into 1 exhaust with a new 18″ front wheel and the tire choice was lower in profile. It also received Cruise Drive, as a new tech product. The redesign brought new elements to the frame to correct previous issues, and a recalibrated front and rear end for improved handling.
5. 2011 Harley Davidson Road Glide Ultra
The 2011 HD Road Glide Ultra was a new addition to the family 2011. It represented the ultimate in luxury. It was made for traveling alone or with a companion with air-adjustable lumbar support and for positioning adjustments. It also came with adjustable heights for the backrests and leather inserts. Electric heating was another notable feature for cool weather riding. The new saddle was also an appreciated comfort feature for long hauls. The lockable saddlebags and engine could be accessed remotely from the key fob. It was powered with an air-cooled 1,690 Twin Cam 103 V-twin matched with a manual 6-speed transmission with Cruise Drive. Comfort and performance were to the fore.
4. 2015 Road Glide Special
In 2015, Harley introduced the Road Glide Special with an updated package that saw several upgrades in comfort and performance. The engine remained the same, but the bike came with a new 6.5 GT audio system along with navigation and a color touch screen. It also featured a new smart security system with key fob convenience for the engine and saddlebag locks for remote management. The special was also offered in premium paint choices including Amber Whiskey and Vivid Black Paint. It received numerous aesthetic enhancements for improved curb appeal.
3. 2016 Road Glide Ultra
The 2016 edition of the Road Glide Ultra received positive reviews the year of its release. It came with an upgraded from and beefed up triple clamps. The handling was much improved with less wandering. Riders in it for the luxury of it all enjoyed the updates while Harley maintained its locking hard saddlebag amenities and adjustable passenger backrests.
2. 2019 Road Glide Special
The 2019 edition of the Road Glide Special received notable updates that made it one of the most popular choices in the Road Glide family. Harley-Davidson improved the suspension, compliments of Showa for a more cushioned ride. It also equipped the bike with a standard Milwaukee Eight 114 engine.
1. 2021 Harley Davidson Road Glide Limited
The Harley Davidson Road Glide Limited was released in 2021. It comes with most of the standard fare you’ve become accustomed to with a few tweaks that improve its performance and comfort. Power and efficiency are optimized with dual spark plugs, along with improved airflow, and a single camshaft for noise reduction without sacrificing the signature Harley rumble. It’s equipped with all the bells and whistles including a higher compression ratio for more torque output, dual knock sensors, and enhanced fuel economy.
