The Harley-Davidson Motor Company, based in Milwaukee, is ready to re-introduce its iconic Road Glide motorcycle into the company's 2015 lineup.
The Road Glide was pulled from the company's roster last year so that it could be refreshed.
A special early preview of the two new Road Glide models will take place at this year's 74th Annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in South Dakota. The rally begins Aug. 4 and rumbles through Aug. 10. Attendees will be able to test ride the new models. They are also at the National Bikers Roundup, taking place now in Tulsa, Okla.
The new models are the Road Glide and Road Glide Special.
Both models were redesigned based on input from the company's customer-led product development campaign, Project Rushmore, resulting in modifications to the Road Glide both esthetic and functional.
"Road Glide has always had an incredibly passionate following ... with Project Rushmore technology, intuitive features and great new styling, we're delivering an improved ride for the Road Glide faithful and the many others looking for more cool Project Rushmore options," said Matt Levatich, president and CEO of Harley-Davidson.
A modified version of the Road Glide's traditional "shark nose" fairing sets the tone for the revamp. The fairing now features a triple splitstream vent that the company claims will significantly reduce head buffeting, while still providing airflow around the rider. LED headlamps are now standard, providing penetrating white light for added safety. Fairing is a shell placed over the frame that helps reduce air drag.
A new touchscreen infotainment system with a 4.3-inch color screen is centered in the instrument panel. Other improvements include swept-back handlebars, one-touch hard saddlebags, cruise control, easy-to-read gauges, an adjustable air-ride rear suspension and new ergonomic hand controls with improved tactile feel.
The upmarket Road Glide Special includes a 6.5-inch color touchscreen infotainment and GPS navigation system, upgraded brakes with ABS and a hand-adjustable low-profile rear suspension.
Both models are powered by a new high output, twin cam 103 V-Twin engine, ported through two chrome mufflers. It is the most powerful motor ever used in the Road Glide.
Price-wise, the Road Glide is not the leader of the pack. It is middle of the road in the Harley line. The Road Glide will retail for $20,899 in Vivid Black, other colors $21,399, while the Road Glide Special starts at $23,199 in Vivid Black, other colors $23,699. Both Road Glide models will hit Harley-Davidson dealerships on Aug. 26.
In other Harley-Davidson news, the company's Project LiveWire electric motorcycle concept bike will be a featured guest in the upcoming film, "Avengers: Age of Ultron.
In other motorcycle news, the Indian Motorcycle company is going old-school with the the release of its 2015 Roadmaster. It is an updating of a 70-year-old design, and the three-wheeled bike is aimed at the luxury riding market.
