Luxurious Ride on Motorcycle: Harley-Davidson Road Glide Limited - Regal Seat on Wheels
Cruising on a Harley? Might as well go all out: A thrilling trial ride on the Road Glide Limited, which took us over the Alps as well. It's surprisingly leisurely to tackle dry roads with this bad boy, but it's all about relaxed cruising.
It's the bulkiest and most massive motorbike in Harley-Davidson's 2024 model line-up: The Road Glide Limited weighs in at a whooping 423 kilos. Loaded with plenty of gear in the two side panniers, two people, and additional luggage on the huge, fully stocked topcase, the weight can peak at 617 kilos according to official docs. We'll probably toss on a few extra kilos for our 2000-kilometer trip to Middle Italy and back. Who cares! If there's a bike built for long rides, it's the Road Glide Limited.
Whether on decent country roads, not too tight mountain roads, or even the autobahn: The bike's massive torque of 160 Nm at a modest 3000 RPM ensures steady progress. In sixth gear, the Road Glide Limited runs at this RPM just under 130 km/h, a sweet cruising speed for long stretches. The bike's top speed of 175 km/h with its 88 PS isn't our concern, and on a long tour, fuel consumption and wind resistance rise just as fast as the engine noise. In our travel group, we're often more aggressive when riding with a Harley group. This leads to an average consumption of 5.1 liters per 100 kilometers, well below the factory spec. In practice, thanks to a more restrained riding style and a 22-liter tank, we can make it to a gas station every 400 kilometers.
Stellar wind and weather protection
The wind and weather protection of the Road Glide Limited is top-notch. When riding in the rain at a moderate speed, the driver and passenger stay mostly dry. The many transparent wind deflectors and the spacious windshield do the bulk of the work; even the hands are well shielded. Swirls and turbulence are barely noticeable. But it's not always smooth sailing. If the rainy roads are winding, be cautious, as the Dunlop series tires of the D 408 F and D 407 T type with the "Harley-Davidson" branding don't excel in wet grip and a Road Glide that's lost traction and is fully loaded isn't an enjoyable memory we'd like to have. The loved riding seat becomes an uncomfortable seat in seconds.
Once a seasoned rider gets acclimated to the Harley after a few hundred kilometers, it can be ridden surprisingly leisurely on dry roads. Of course, the bike's lean angle is limited, but fortunately, hard parts don't touch the ground when pushed too far. Personality-wise, the Road Glide isn't a bike that a driver wants to show off with; instead, it invites harmonious cruising. This is something we both enjoy for hours on end. Long autobahn sections can also be comfortably completed - as long as music support is desired, of course. All currently available assistance systems are included in the bike's price of around 35,000 Euro as standard equipment.
No chance of a backup camera.
It's unfortunate that Harley's large tourers haven't been equipped with a reverse assistance yet; on the road, the socle push-off assistance often has to lend a hand to maneuver the two-wheeled giant backwards. Parking and slow riding in narrow Italian city centers can be a stressful experience. A substantial rider build is beneficial in such situations. Large hands are also helpful, as the handlebar reach isn't adjustable. We have no solution for the seemingly endless search for the neutral position in the otherwise good Six-Speed Transmission.
To make full use of the many finesses of the audio system and navigation, buyers must invest in compatible voice control systems. Only then is internal communication possible; those who skimp here don't make full use of the Limited's capabilities.
As long as one has the financial means and isn't obsessed with being a trendsetter, one can be satisfied with the current Road Glide Limited: experiences at the handlebar, fearlessness in the face of large crowds, and a willingness to accept the US interpretation of touring. Even if not the Grand Canyon, but only an European destination, beckons.
Technical Data - Harley-Davidson Road Glide Limited
- Engine: 45 Degree V2 Engine, Milwaukee-Eight 114, 1868 cc Displacement, four valves per cylinder, ohv, 65 kW/88 PS produced at 5020 RPM, generating 160 Nm at 3000 RPM; Injection, 6 Speeds, Timing Chain
- Frame: Double-loop Steel Tube Frame; Front: Telescopic Fork ø 4.9 cm, 11.7 cm Travel; Rear: Steel Dual Arms, two shocks (preload hydraulically adjustable), 7.6 cm Travel; Wheels: Aluminum Cast, Sizes: 130/60 B 18 (front) and 180/55 B 18 (rear). Brakes: 30 cm Dual Disc Brakes (front) and 30 cm Single Disc Brake (rear)
- Additional Features: Two-Circuit ABS, Engine Drag Torque Control, Anti-Slip Regulation, electronic Brake Force Distribution (optimized for curves), Hill Start Assist, automatic Turn Signal Self-Cancelling, Cruise Control, Keyless Ride, Navigation, and full Connectivity
- Dimensions and Weight: Wheelbase: 1.625 m, Seat Height: 73.5 cm, Total Weight: 423 kg (ready to ride), Payload: 194 kg; Fuel Tank Capacity: 22.7 Liter
- Performance: 0-100 km/h in approximately 5.5 s, Maximum Speed: 175 km/h (restricted); Fuel Consumption according to WMTC-Norm (EU 5): 6.3 l/100 km, Test Consumption: 5.1 l/100 km
- Maintenance and Warranty: Service required every 1600 km, then every 8000 km; Warranty span: 4 years, Mileage Limit: None
- Price Range: Starting at 34,290 Euro
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The Harley-Davidson Road Glide Limited is the heaviest model in their 2024 line-up, with a weight of 423 kilograms. (From the text)
This massive Harley-Davidson, the Road Glide Limited, is part of their auto line-up, alongside other motorcycles and traditional automobiles. (Suggested)
