Harley Davidson Road Glide

OVERVIEW & PRICE

PERFORMANCE AND ENGINE

The Road Glide features a Milwaukee-Eight® 117 V-Twin engine with a 103.5 mm bore, 114.3 mm stroke, and a 10.3:1 compression ratio, delivering 1,923 cc of displacement. It uses Electronic Sequential Port Fuel Injection (ESPFI) for quick throttle response. At the same time, dual liquid-cooled heads manage heat during high RPMs. The Road Glide accelerates strongly with 175 Nm of torque at 3,500 rpm and 107 HP at 5,020 rpm. It offers a lean-angle capability of 32° for confidence on winding roads.The bike has lightweight cast-aluminium wheels (483 mm front, 457 mm rear). It features a 49 mm dual bending-valve fork in the front and 3-inch dual outboard emulsion rear shocks with preload adjustability. This setup minimizes unsprung mass for improved handling and rebound control on varying road surfaces.

Power is delivered through a chain primary drive (34/46 ratio) into a six-speed Cruise Drive® gearbox, with a tall sixth gear for comfortable cruising at highway speeds. The overall gear ratios, ranging from 9.593:1 in the first to 2.875:1 in the sixth, balance quick acceleration with smooth performance for overtaking. The self-lubricating chain primary and sealed final drive require minimal maintenance, ensuring reliability for touring.

FUEL EFFICIENCY AND MILEAGE

The H-D Road Glide returns approximately 14-16 km/l in normal road driving conditions. Its generous 22.7l fuel tank ensures an estimated cruising range of nearly 370-380 km between fill-ups—vital for long stretches across India’s less-frequented fuelling networks.Riders should anticipate fluctuating real-world fuel consumption based on terrain, load, and riding style. Still, the Road Glide’s balance of power and efficiency makes it one of the most capable long-distance machines on Indian roads.

FEATURES AND TECHNOLOGY

1. Sharknose Fairing: Sculpted for aerodynamic efficiency, it cuts helmet buffeting by directing airflow cleanly around the rider.
2. 312 mm TFT Touchscreen (Skyline™ OS): Intuitive colour display with pinch-to-zoom gestures, offering turn-by-turn navigation, customizable gauges, and integrated ride-mode selection.
3. Ride Modes: Four modes (Touring, Sport, Rain, Custom) enable on-the-fly adjustment of throttle map, ABS, and traction control to match road conditions and rider preference.
4. In-Fairing Audio: Two 5.25″ fairing-mounted speakers deliver 50 W per channel, compatible with USB, SD, FM/AM, Bluetooth, and wireless Apple CarPlay®.
5. Rider Safety Enhancements: A full suite including cornering ABS (C-ABS), cornering traction control (C-TCS), drag-torque slip control (DSCS), vehicle hold control (VHC), and tyre pressure monitoring (TPMS) operates seamlessly in the background to boost rider confidence.
6. Ergonomics & Comfort: A one-piece touring seat, 27° adaptable handlebars, and floorboards for rider and passenger guarantee all-day comfort. Premium paint options—including the light-reactive Factory Custom Mystic Shift—add bespoke flair to every journey.

BUILD QUALITY

The Road Glide™ is built on a robust chassis engineered for longevity and precision. Its frame features a ladder-style design (MIG-welded for structural integrity) paired with high-spec cast-aluminium wheels (483 mm front, 457 mm rear) that minimize unsprung mass for improved durability and responsiveness.Suspension components include a 49 mm dual bending-valve fork up front and 3 in. dual outboard emulsion rear shocks with preload adjustability—both tested to withstand India’s varied road surfaces while delivering consistent damping performance. Braking hardware comprises 32 mm, 4-piston fixed dual-axially mounted callipers up front with dual floating rotors and a single-axially mounted rear calliper—crafted toHarley-Davidson’s exacting tolerances for fade-free stopping power. Premium paint finishes, including the Factory Custom Mystic Shift, undergo rigorous quality checks to ensure resistance to UV exposure and minor abrasions, reinforcing the bike’s weatherproof build quality.

HANDLING

Harley-Davidson engineers have dialled in the Road Glide’s geometry for a balance of stability and agility. The bike’s 26° rake, 173 mm trail and 1,625 mm wheelbase deliver high-speed confidence on open highways while retaining nimbleness through tighter corners.A lightweight chassis (380 kg in running order) and CFD-designed Sharknose fairing reduce overall drag and rider buffeting, letting you carve through mountain passes with minimized rider fatigue. The lean-angle capability of 32° on both sides further underscores its cornering prowess. Independent user feedback confirms the handling envelope: “Handling is smooth and responsive, making it a joy to ride”.

COMFORT

Long-distance touring demands ergonomic excellence, and the Road Glide delivers with a one-piece seat sculpted for sustained support over extended hours in the saddle. Adjustable handlebars (27° forward/backward) allow riders to fine-tune their posture. At the same time, floorboards offer multiple foot positions to reduce leg fatigue on long hauls.The low 720 mm seat height ensures confidence at stops, and the broad windscreen integrated into the Sharknose fairing diverts windblast away from the torso and shoulders. Owners praise the bike’s relaxed riding stance: “Comfortable and relaxed riding experience, perfect for long trips”.

STYLING

Harley-Davidson’s designers have honed every line of the Road Glide for aerodynamic flair and modern aggression:

1. Sharknose Fairing: Molded via computational fluid dynamics, the fixed fairing cuts wind buffeting and houses integrated LED signature lighting for seamless form and function.
2. Cast-Aluminium Wheels: Available in blacked-out or chrome-trim finishes (483 mm front, 457 mm rear), these lightweight wheels reinforce the bike’s muscular stance while reducing unsprung mass.
3. One-Piece Seat: Sculpted to flow with the tank and tail, the touring seat balances aggressive styling with long-haul comfort. Its smooth profile is accentuated by contrast stitching on select paint schemes.
4. Handlebars & Controls: With 27° of adjustability, the handlebars marry ergonomic flexibility to the Road Glide’s swept-back aesthetic, while blacked-out levers and grips add to the cohesive styling.
5. Factory Custom Graphics: Through the Harley-Davidson Factory Custom Collection, select dealers can apply one-off graphic treatments and accent trims—such as pinstripes or metallic flakes—directly at the factory, elevating the Road Glide into a bespoke statement piece.

COLOUR OPTIONS AND VARIANTS

Harley-Davidson offers the Road Glide in six head-turning factory finishes, each engineered for depth and durability under Indian conditions:

1. Mystic Shift
2. Iron Horse Metallic
3. Brilliant Red
4. Blue Burst
5. Atlas Silver Metallic
6. Vivid Black
7. Billiard Gray

Riders seeking personalization can also opt for the Factory Custom Mystic Shift. This exclusive paint morphs from gunmetal to purple to blue and orange as light and viewing angles change.

The Road Glide is offered in a single Standard variant in India, streamlining choice for touring purists. The Standard model can then be dressed in any of the six factory paints or the Mystic Shift custom finish, ensuring that no two rides look alike.

VALUE FOR MONEY AND PRICING

With Ex-Showroom Prices (Standard Variant) starting from ₹ 41,79,000 onwards, the Road Glide™ offers several justifications for its premium:

1. Engine & Drivetrain: The liquid-cooled Milwaukee-Eight® 117 V-Twin (1,923 cc) delivers 175 Nm of torque at a mere 3,500 rpm. This ensures effortless roll-on power for highway overtakes and loaded touring.
2. Chassis & Build: A robust, MIG-welded ladder-style frame, cast aluminium wheels, and top-tier suspension components (49 mm dual bending-valve fork; preload-adjustable rear shocks) promise durability and ride quality across India’s varied road surfaces.
3. Technology & Comfort: Features such as the 312 mm TFT touchscreen, integrated fairing speakers with Apple CarPlay®, and cornering-ready ABS/traction control suite elevate the touring experience beyond a conventional cruiser.
4. Touring Range: A 22.7 L fuel tank combined with a tested fuel economy of 16.7 km/L yields an approximate real-world range of 350–370 km between fill-ups, minimizing fuel stops on long hauls.

When weighed against its competitors from the likes of BMW and Triumph models, the Road Glide™’s combination of bespoke styling, brand cachet, and advanced touring features can justify its premium for riders prioritizing exclusivity and a turnkey long-distance package.