Harley-Davidson 1745 ROAD GLIDE FLTRX 2018 — Specifications

Fifteen years of absence leaves a mark on a motorcycle. The Road Glide had exited the stage after its run with the Twin Cam 1450, leaving its cousins to cycle through displacements while the naked model waited in the wings. Meanwhile, the Street Glide was raking in the chips, the CVO models were fattening up on extra cubic inches, and the Road Glide watched the trains go by. Its return in 2018 therefore comes with a certain pressure: it has to justify the wait.

Milwaukee answered with the M8 107, the Milwaukee-Eight 1745 cc powering this return to business. The numbers speak plainly: 89 horsepower at 5,450 rpm, 150 Nm available from just 3,250 rpm. On paper, that resembles what Japanese competitors have been producing for years with far less displacement. But Harley's 45-degree V-twin doesn't read like a Honda spec sheet. This engine, with its four valves and two spark plugs per cylinder, delivers thick, meaty torque, available before the tachometer even twitches. What truly changes compared to the old TC 88 is the refinement at idle: the vibrations, long a calling card and a deal-breaker depending on one's sensibilities, have been seriously dampened. The mechanics breathe better, age better, convince better.

The rest of the package revolves around one central idea: the Road Glide sets itself apart from the Street Glide with its frame-mounted dual-headlight fairing, nicknamed the "Shark Nose." This front shield doesn't move with the handlebars, which profoundly alters high-speed riding dynamics: increased stability, less fatigue on long stages. The Daymaker LED headlights complete the picture, with a light output that genuinely changes the night. To haul down this American machine's 388 kg fully loaded, the Reflex linked braking system handles two 300 mm discs clamped by four-piston calipers up front, backed by ABS. It's serious hardware, sized for the mass.

The onboard equipment has also taken a leap forward. The Boom Box 6.5 replaces an aging radio unit with a color screen, Bluetooth, GPS, intercom, USB, and 25 watts per channel. For a tourer at €27,290, that's not a luxury — it's a legitimate expectation. The 695 mm seat height remains accessible, which is welcome news given the machine's dimensions. The 22.7-liter tank provides reasonable range, even if the fuel consumption of a large, torque-laden V-twin offers no favors at the pump.

The 2018 Road Glide targets a specific profile: the long-haul rider who wants presence, unapologetic American character, and ergonomics built for the miles. Against a BMW K 1600 GTL or a Gold Wing, it doesn't play in the same league in terms of technological refinement or outright performance. It plays the identity card, and on that ground, few manufacturers can compete. That said, €27,000 for 89 horsepower across 388 kilograms demands firm conviction in the lifestyle as much as in the mechanics.