2017 Harley-Davidson Road Glide® Special

Control

• CONTROL: There’s no bigger factor in the quality of your ride than the confidence you have in your machine. Giving you more of it is our never-ending quest. For proof just look at the improvements made over the past few years. The quick throttle response and passing power of the all-new Milwaukee Eight™ engine, the responsive handling of the all-new dual bending valve front suspension and easily-adjustable emulsion rear shocks, the massive stopping power of Reflex® dual disc linked Brembo® brakes with ABS, Daymaker™ LED headlamps, brighter turn signals and brake lights, the beefy steering head and front forks. It all makes for a machine that lets you pass faster, stop quicker, take curves tighter, and see and be seen better. Long story short, it all adds up to make you a better rider.
• STEERING HEAD AND FRONT FORKS: Whether it's a big sweeping curve or a set of tight turns, the motorcycle feels rock-solid in the corners. There's a stiff front end, beefy 49mm front forks and damping that's been tuned for a smoother ride. The responsiveness is dialed in.
• DUNLOP® MULTI-TREAD™ BLACKWALL TIRES: The 180mm back tire is engineered to do more than fill out the rear fender and put a bigger patch of rubber on the road. Dunlop® Multi-Tread™ technology uses harder compounds at the center and softer on the sides for a tire that still knows how to knuckle down on corners. Perfect for making this bike agile on every curvy stretch of road. And the way it feels going through an abrupt off-camber turn will put a grin on your face that'll last to the next state line.
• ALL-NEW MILWAUKEE-EIGHT™ 107 ENGINE: At the heart of the Harley-Davidson® touring line this year, you find the most powerful, coolest-running engines we’ve ever built. The Milwaukee-Eight™ 107 V-Twin is smoother, stronger and durable. With crisper throttle response and truer, cleaner sound. Four valves per cylinder, single chain-driven cam, dual spark plugs, counter-balanced and rubber mounted. Developed and proven over countless miles and millions of hours. Not a single mechanical part remains from the Twin Cam engine that preceded them. Today, it’s a whole new ride.
• MILWAUKEE-EIGHT™ 107 ENGINE OVERVIEW: Here are eight ways the new Milwaukee-Eight™ 107 engine gives you a better ride*: More Power- Bigger cylinders, four-valve cylinder heads and dual spark plugs deliver 10% more torque and more power throughout the rev range with no net weight gain. Better Fuel Economy**- The power comes with improved fuel economy to give you more out of every tank of gas. Heat Management- Precision oil or water cooling for cooler running and consistent performance, from stop-and-go traffic to highway speeds. More Passenger Comfort- Positions for the rear exhaust pipe and catalytic converters provide a more comfortable ride. More Charging Power- A charging system with 50% more power at idle to make easy work of the demands modern touring features put on an electrical system. Smoother Running- The counter-balancing system, rubber mounts, lower idle speed and dual knock sensors for more precise timing control and smoother running from idle to top gear. Less Maintenance-The valve train requires no adjustment no matter how many years or miles you ride. Narrow Primary- The narrower primary drive gives your left foot a straighter, easier reach to the ground, for an easier lift off and more control at stoplights.
• REFLEX™ LINKED BREMBO® BRAKES WITH ABS: No doubt about it, there are times when you need to haul things down in a hurry. And you don’t get to pick those times. Or decide whether or not they occur when you’re on a flat, smooth, dry, perfect stretch of pavement. That’s why our touring models feature the Reflex™ Linked Brembo® Brakes with ABS. ABS turns a locked-up front wheel or a rear wheel skid into a relic from riding’s history. And the front and rear brakes are electronically linked to provide exactly the right amount of brake to each tire no matter what the road condition is. No matter how good you are, this will make you a better rider.
• DUAL DAYMAKER™ REFLECTOR LED HEADLAMPS: Here are the stats: Up to 67% in spread (light across the road) and 25% in punch (light down the road). These are the numbers. What they translate to on the road is not feeling like it's time to park the bike when the sun goes down.
• 6-SPEED CRUISE DRIVE® TRANSMISSION: You want a ride that rumbles—not begs for mercy—when you lean on it a little. The 6-Speed Cruise Drive® Transmission provides smooth, quiet shifting and reduces engine speed on the highway, so you get a better match between engine turnover and road speed. And the Isolated Drive System makes acceleration flow in a smooth, steady stream from your wrist right down to the pavement. It's a rare ride when a bike responds like this, and a low growl goes a long way when you're opening up the road ahead.
• ALL-NEW FRONT AND REAR SUSPENSION: We matched the all-new Milwaukee-Eight™ engines in our touring line this year with a totally re-engineered dual bending valve front and rear suspension with easily-adjustable emulsion shocks. It's lowered one inch to give you more comfort, more control and more confidence in your handling. New rear shocks give you 15 to 30% more pre-load. They adjust with the turn of a single knob, no tools required. New, bigger pistons have more area than before for improved damping performance over the range of the suspension travel. This new fork technology improves the ride, especially over the harshest bumps, and reacts faster to keep the wheel planted for confident braking and handling.* *Compared to the 2016 Touring Model engines

Engine Heritage

• ENGINE HERITAGE: Their iconic look, distinctive sound and massive torque make them instantly recognizable, but the Milwaukee-Eight® 107 and Milwaukee-Eight® 114 engines take the Harley-Davidson® V-Twin to a place it’s never been. They’re the most powerful, coolest-running motors we’ve ever built. Smoother, stronger and more durable. With crisper throttle response and truer, cleaner sound. Four valves per cylinder, single chain-driven cam, dual spark plugs, counter-balanced and rubber mounted. Developed and proven over countless miles and millions of hours. Every single part is new, engineered to give you more performance and more of the feeling you want from an engine. Today, it’s a whole new ride.
• 2017 THE ALL-NEW MILWAUKEE-EIGHT™ ENGINE: The sound of the Harley-Davidson® 45-degree V-Twin rings through the history of motorcycling in an unbroken line stretching back to 1909. Each one improving on the one before it. Iconic. Durable. Unmistakable in their sound. Unparalleled in their muscular look. Unmatched in the feeling they deliver to the rider. And now we’re proud to introduce the most powerful Harley-Davidson engines ever built: The all-new Milwaukee-Eight™ 107 and Milwaukee-Eight™ 114 engines. The next generation Harley-Davidson® V-Twin comes to our touring line. The next era of power, performance and innovation has been forged.
• 1999 – TODAY TWIN CAM: The second two-cam Big Twin in our history, after the 1928 JDH, with bigger displacement, more power, and a more rigid engine/transmission connection for improved powertrain stiffness.
• 1984 – 1999 EVOLUTION®: The first H-D engine developed using Computer Aided Design. The “Evo” was an evolution, an all-new engine that ran better, used less fuel and delivered more horsepower and torque.
• 1966 – 1984 SHOVELHEAD: We rolled into the modern touring era with a new engine on the original Electra Glide® model. “Power Pac” aluminum heads, 12-volt electrical system, carburetor and easily adjustable timing system. Its nickname comes from the “shoveled-out” look of the middle section of the rocker covers.
• 1948 – 1965 PANHEAD: New aluminum cylinder heads, new hydraulic valve lifters, better oil circulation and roller bearings on the crankpin reduced weight, and added durability. The nickname describes the rocker covers looking like upside down pans.
• 1936 – 1947 KNUCKLEHEAD: The Knucklehead was nicknamed for its rocker covers and push rod tubes, resembling a clenched fist. It was the first H-D twin with overhead valves and recirculating oil. Considered the father of all H-D® V-Twin air-cooled engines, its architecture has carried forward to today.
• 1929 – 1973 FLATHEAD: The Flathead engine got its nickname from the flat shape of the heads. It didn’t have valves in the cylinder head; they were set off to the side. It featured easily removable heads for serviceability.
• 1911 – 1929 F-HEAD: Designed to bring more power to street, police and commercial applications, it featured a waterproof ignition system and 61, and later, 74 cubic inches of displacement.
• 1909 ATMOSPHERIC V-TWIN: It began with 27 motorcycles. 49.5 cubic inches. 7 horsepower. The 45-degree Harley-Davidson® V-Twin engine is born.

Feel

• FEEL: Starting decades ago, when early riders bolted plastic windshields to their machines and began crisscrossing the country, the Harley-Davidson® touring motorcycle has already gone places no one could have imagined at the beginning. But we never stop working, or riding, to discover what comes next. We get in the saddle for countless miles, experiencing every condition Mother Nature can throw at us. We talk to riders all over the world. Then we put all the learnings to use. When you feel the ride on a new Harley® touring motorcycle, you’ll understand why there is no substitute for the way we design and build motorcycles. From the response of the Milwaukee-Eight™ engine to the smooth airflow, passenger space, seat textures, ergonomic hand controls and everything else a rider or passenger can feel out there, it’s all dialed in. Hit the road and do a little country crisscrossing of your own. You’ll come back with a smile. Check It Out
• STREAMLINER FOOTBOARDS AND STREAMLINER PASSENGER FOOTPEGS: The Road Glide® Special motorcycle is outfitted with full-length Streamliner footboards, Streamliner passenger footpegs and a heel/toe shifter. The look is custom and the function is pure comfort. The footboards are rubber-isolation mounted to separate your feet from vibration. And the heel/toe shift means easier, more comfortable shifting. It also saves wear and tear on the top of your left boot. Because now you can use your heel to shift to a higher gear.
• TWO-UP STREET GLIDE® SEAT: There's a one-piece, two-up Street Glide® seat on the Road Glide® Special motorcycle. It combines a custom look with a design that's built for comfort. No one puts more miles in the saddle to design a saddle than the Harley-Davidson Motor Company. Throw a leg over this one. You'll be good to go for all-day ride.
• SADDLEBAG DESIGN: Don’t let the sleek look of these saddlebags deceive you. The look is tight on the outside, but things are roomy on the inside. You want storage and these deliver bigger than ever. The hinges are simple and clean and the lids open with one touch of one hand. The lock is tight and integrated into the latch where you can put the key in without the danger of scratching your premium paint. Welcome to the next level of the bagger.
• STANDARD BATTERY CHARGING HARNESS: No question a battery charging harness is a must-have on a motorcycle. Now it’s standard. So you don’t have to waste even the ten minutes it takes to install one on some sunny Saturday when you could be riding.
• HIGH OUTPUT ACCESSORY CONNECTOR: Touring means maximum comfort in all conditions and the capacity to add whatever enhances and personalizes your ride. The high output charging system provides an electrical capacity robust enough for your add-ons: heated vests, heated seats, heated handgrips, lights to showcase the engine, you name it. So if you're hell-bent on two-wheeling it, we make sure you've got the juice to do it your way.
• HANDLEBAR: There's a handlebar on the Road Glide® Special motorcycle that makes the riding position more comfortable for a wider range of riders. The hand grips are now 5 1/2" closer to the rider. It means no long stretch to reach the bars, allowing you to lie back and rack up the miles.
• FAIRING DESIGN REDUCES HEAD BUFFETING: Over the years, riders of the Road Glide® motorcycle have put in more miles behind its fairing than you could count with a supercomputer. Its fatigue-reducing fixed frame design has made the Road Glide® motorcycle the choice of those who live to ride the big miles. It was good, but now it gets amazing. We went into the wind tunnel and out on the road to build the next Road Glide® motorcycle fairing. When you experience what we came back with, you're simply not going to believe the ride. No fairing in the history of motorcycling has ever cut through the wind like this one does. It's got triple splitstream vents that open and close to equalize pressure in front and behind the windscreen. In head-buffeting tests, it beats every other motorcycle on the road. Hands down. You've never experienced a ride like this.
• ALL-NEW FRONT AND REAR SUSPENSION: We matched the all-new Milwaukee-Eight™ engines in our touring line this year with a totally re-engineered dual bending valve front and rear suspension with easily-adjustable emulsion shocks. It's lowered one inch to give you more comfort, more control and more confidence in your handling. New rear shocks give you 15 to 30% more pre-load. They adjust with the turn of a single knob, no tools required. New, bigger pistons have more area than before for improved damping performance over the range of the suspension travel. This new fork technology improves the ride, especially over the harshest bumps, and reacts faster to keep the wheel planted for confident braking and handling.* *Compared to the 2016 Touring Model engines
• ONE-TOUCH DESIGN PHILOSOPHY: Here’s the rule we laid down for every compartment cover and saddlebag lid on our touring line: if it doesn’t open with the single touch of a button or one hand, while wearing gloves, it doesn’t go on the motorcycle. Because in all our conversations with riders, we've never encountered a single individual who wanted to have to put something on the ground before he could store it in a saddlebag.

Infotainment

• INFOTAINMENT: When we go to work on the infotainment system for a Harley-Davidson Touring motorcycle we follow one simple principle. If you’re going to live in the saddle of a top-end touring bike, you deserve better sound than most people have in their living rooms. More sound. Purer sound. Big, full-color touch screens. Switches that are located where you intuitively want them to be and can reach without removing your hands from the grips. Voice activation for your music, phone and GPS. Think of it this way. Back in the day there was nothing wrong with the sound of Johnny crackling out of a dashboard Philco. But what the latest infotainment systems do for your ears, and eyes, is infinitely better.
• JUKEBOX WITH USB PORT FOR IPOD/IPHONE: The Jukebox design on the Road Glide® model includes a USB connection which accepts your iPhone, iTouch, non-iPod imitators, an SD card and other USB compatible devices. Open the door up, plug in and your device becomes a part of your motorcycle. Ready to be operated by voice command or hand controls.
• BOOM!™ BOX 6.5GT RADIO: Let’s start with this. The Boom!™ Box 6.5GT Radio puts out 25 watts per channel at 1% distortion and features a factory-tuned, optimized equalizer that pumps out more power and can be played louder while maintaining the clarity of your sound. And the speed tuning system delivers more than just volume changes at different speeds. It changes the level of bass and treble to dial in the best sound, whether you’re running at a stately pace down the strip or going hell for leather down an open stretch of road. How do you like the sound of a Harley® motorcycle?
• 6.5-INCH FULL COLOR TOUCH SCREEN DISPLAY: This 6.5-inch full-color touch screen puts all your information in front of you bigger than ever. Modern graphics, colors you can dial in, and auto and manual dim. Designed to sit stylishly inside your fairing, it takes screen technology to an eye-popping level of Harley-Davidson functionality. This is more than you expect, but when you’re going all the way, it’s everything you deserve.
• 5.25-INCH FRONT SPEAKERS: The sound delivered to your rides comes from 5.25-inch speakers mounted securely in sealed and tuned enclosed speaker housings.
• HANDS-FREE INFOTAINMENT: The Boom!™ Box 6.5GT gives you voice recognition for hands-free operation of your mobile phone, navigation system and music. Whatever you want, just say the word. Whether it’s directions to the next gas station or a song that fits the stretch of road you’re on, it’ll be served up without missing a beat. It’s also Bluetooth capable. So you can connect your phone to the head unit for a call back to the office you’re not at today.

Pricing

• California Emissions Fee - $200

Style

• STYLE: When we set out to design a Harley-Davidson® touring machine, you know we’re aiming high. These are not just motorcycles, they’re part of the American landscape. There’s a standard to uphold. Through all the miles of testing, and the countless hours we endure to improve the way a Harley-Davidson® motorcycle works and feels, we never take our eyes off the other thing that separates a Harley-Davidson® motorcycle from any other motorcycle on the road: The Look. For example, check out the new Milwaukee Eight™ engine mounted in the touring frame. We put as much work into making it look like a piece of mechanical art as we put into making it deliver more power, sound better and run cooler. Let your eyes take a slow ride over the rest of the machine. You see classic Harley-Davidson style and a sleek modern look come through at the same time. As up-to-date as the weather report. As timeless as the road is endless.
• STREAMLINED FAIRING, SADDLEBAGS AND FRONT FENDER: The Road Glide® Special motorcycle is loved by die-hard road warriors all over the world for its distinctive, menacing, mile-hungry look. And with good reason. Check out the modern, aggressive style and streamlined, narrow profile of the outer fairing. There’s clean trim on the windshield. A cut back front fender that shows off more of the wheel. And saddlebags that give you a sleek, modern look without sacrificing luggage space. The end result is time-honored, badass, road-eating motorcycle design. The Road Glide Special wouldn’t have it any other way.
• PURE HARLEY-DAVIDSON STYLING: You can identify the all-new Milwaukee-Eight™ 107 engine from 25 feet away. The racing scoop style of the air cleaner is all it takes to see that this is the new Harley-Davidson power plant. But when you look a little closer, you’ll notice that the things that are good about the authentic, air-cooled look of the Harley-Davidson® V-Twin are alive and well. It’s a jewel machined out of metal, head-heavy and narrow at the waist. Finned cylinders, of course. Pure. Dripping with power. The engine is the visual center piece of the bike. This one makes an ironclad statement about holding on to what’s right and staying true to what satisfies.
• BLACK POWDER COATED ENGINE WITH CHROME COVERS: The jewel at the center of the Road Glide® Special motorcycle is a black powder coated Milwaukee-Eight 107™ engine with chrome covers. Yeah, it's a lot of show. But that's okay. Because it's backed up by a lot of go.
• HIGH FLOW AIRBOX: Our design philosophy can be summed up pretty simply: form follows function, but both report to emotion. This airbox is a prime example of that. It’s the most functional airbox we’ve ever put on a Harley-Davidson® touring bike. It lets the engine breathe better for more power, but it’s also designed to give you more legroom and provide better airflow around the rider. Emotion? That’s the part you feel when you look at it sitting right at the center of your V-Twin engine.
• CLASSIC FUEL TANK: Part of the unmistakable style of the Harley-Davidson® Road Glide® Special motorcycle is plenty of room for showing off your paint. This classically styled, bold six-gallon fuel tank doesn't just give you a bigger canvas for premium or custom paint; it holds six gallons of go so you can eat up a lot more road between pit stops. We know fuel economy is important—but so is style. Sharp, eye-catching colors and precision-crafted Harley-Davidson® tank medallions complete the unique look of this tough bagger.
• TANK AND FENDER BADGES: This isn’t just a motorcycle. It’s a work of art, born out of passion, creativity and long days, late nights and refusing to be satisfied until every detail was perfect. When we added the signature, we did it with metal. Nothing else would be right on this masterpiece.
• ENFORCER CAST ALUMINUM WHEELS: The Road Glide® Special motorcycle is designed from the ground up to cut a wide swath wherever it goes. Check out the Enforcer Cast Aluminum wheels front and back. Notice how the brake rotors have been designed to show off more of the premium custom look of the wheels. You won't see any half-measures on this machine. What goes on the Road Glide® motorcycle goes all the way.
• COMBINATION REAR STOP/TURN/TAIL LIGHTS: The last thing people see when you go by on the Road Glide® Special motorcycle is the clean, custom look of combination rear stop/turn/tail lights. You never get a second chance to make a last impression.
• SINGLE AM/FM/WB ANTENNA: Do you like the look of one antenna for AM/FM/WB? The riders we asked when we were putting the Road Glide® Special motorcycle through the process said "Hell yes" to that question. So now it's on the bike.