Harley-Davidson 1690 TRI GLIDE ULTRA FLHTCUTG 2016 — Specifications

Three wheels on the asphalt, 560 kilos of American iron, and a history stretching back to 1932. Harley-Davidson never does things by halves when it comes to resurrecting its old demons, and the Tri Glide Ultra embodies that approach with disarming confidence. Where other manufacturers outsource trike conversions to specialist coachbuilders, Milwaukee delivers its machine fully factory-assembled, with all the mechanical and aesthetic coherence that entails. It is the only large-series trike conceived and produced directly by its manufacturer, and that changes everything in how you perceive it.

The 1690cc 45-degree V-twin, cooled by a combined air and water system, produces 86 horsepower at 5010 rpm, but it is above all its torque of 137.3 Nm available from 3750 rpm that makes the real-world difference. With a mass like this, you are not here to seek the thrills of a sportbike. This engine pulls, digging deep into the low and mid rev range like a well-bred diesel, and propels the whole assembly to 170 km/h with a serenity that belongs more to a car than a motorcycle. The six-speed belt-drive gearbox does the rest — smooth, silent, with that clean mechanical character unique to secondary belt transmissions that Harley has popularized for decades.

Past the initial visual shock, you discover equipment that is genuinely comprehensive for its category. The BOOM! 6.5 GT multimedia system, Daymaker LED headlights, the Batwing fairing with its central air intake, interconnected ABS brakes with four-piston calipers biting on 300mm discs — all of this forms a coherent package born from Project Rushmore, which thoroughly modernized Milwaukee's touring lineup. One Touch philosophy simplifies access to the various onboard compartments, and the rear King Tour Pak trunk swallows 124 liters of luggage without complaint. Compared to a trike built through artisanal conversion, this is another planet entirely in terms of finish and integration.

But let us be honest about what riding the Tri Glide entails. Leaning into corners is over. The machine is ridden flat, like a car, with a wide rear axle that noticeably exceeds even that of a Honda Gold Wing 1800. This width demands a vigilance in urban environments and narrow mountain passes that regular motorcyclists will take time to internalize. The electric reverse gear and parking brake address genuine practical constraints — particularly when maneuvering 560 kilos — but they also serve as a reminder that this is a hybrid machine, somewhere between motorcycle and automobile, unlike anything else on the market.

At 36,750 euros, the Tri Glide Ultra targets a specific audience: seasoned tourers who prioritize long-distance comfort and stability, riders who do not or no longer hold a motorcycle license but wish to ride on a car license, and collectors drawn to the heritage dimension of a machine that extends a tradition nearly a century old at Harley. It is not a machine for newcomers, despite the administrative accessibility offered by a Category B license. The 720mm seat height remains reasonable, but mastering this size takes time and humility. For those who accept its terms, the Tri Glide offers something no motorcycle can.