Harley-Davidson 1746 STREET GLIDE SPECIAL FLHXS 2017 — Specifications

What could possibly justify laying down close to 27,000 euros on a dealer's counter for a motorcycle that tops out at 160 km/h? The answer can be summed up in two words: Milwaukee Eight. With the 2017 model year, Harley-Davidson grafted a new heart into its Street Glide Special FLHXS, and this 1746 cc V-twin is a game changer. Four valves per cylinder, dual spark ignition, intake and exhaust completely overhauled. The results speak for themselves on the spec sheet: 90 horsepower at 5,450 rpm and, more importantly, 149 Nm of torque from just 3,250 rpm. Compared to the Twin Cam 103 it replaces, the torque gain is clear. Highway roll-on acceleration, the historic Achilles' heel of American Touring bikes, gains real substance. And the pleasant surprise is the reduction in vibrations at idle, announced at 75% thanks to a redesigned counter-balancer. The twin keeps its throaty voice and its pulses, but it no longer shakes your mirrors at every red light.

The Street Glide Special occupies a clever niche in the lineup. It sits one step above the standard Street Glide without encroaching on the Electra Glide's territory. The "Special" suffix translates into extra attention to detail: fairing lowers painted to match the bodywork, small touches that make a difference when you park next to an Indian Chieftain. Because that's exactly where the most serious rival stands. The Indian offers a more powerful engine on paper and comparable equipment. The Harley counters with its aura, its community, and a virtually limitless customization network. A matter of philosophy.

On the multimedia front, the FLHXS comes equipped with the Boom! Box 6.5 GT system featuring a 6.5-inch touchscreen. Bluetooth, integrated GPS, voice recognition for phone calls, iPhone and USB compatibility, 75 watts per channel. For a bagger, that's a compelling selling point. Plug in your playlist, fire up the navigation, and devour the miles. Everything is controlled from more ergonomic handlebar-mounted controls inherited from the Rushmore program. The Japanese competition, led by the Gold Wing, offers more modern interfaces, but the Harley system has the merit of being readable and responsive.

The steel double-cradle frame houses a 49 mm fork equipped with SDBV technology, more effective at absorbing road imperfections. At the rear, the air suspension is gone: in its place, two Showa emulsion shocks, easier to adjust for preload and more consistent in their behavior. Travel remains limited to 54.6 mm, which means you need to choose your roads carefully. On decent pavement, the machine proves stable and reassuring despite its 376 kg wet weight. Braking relies on 300 mm discs with four-piston calipers front and rear, paired with the Reflex linked braking system. Not enough to attack a mountain pass, but more than sufficient to bring this ocean liner to a halt with confidence. The 22.7-liter tank allows for reasonable legs between fuel stops.

The 2017 Street Glide Special is aimed at the unapologetic touring rider who wants comfort, sound, and that distinctive road presence only an American bagger can deliver. It doesn't try to compete with a Gold Wing on the two-up grand touring front, nor with a BMW R 1200 RT on versatility. It carves its own path — that of long-distance American-style cruising, with an engine that finally lives up to the image. The price tag of 26,910 euros remains steep, but nobody buys a Harley based on rational calculation. It's a heart-driven choice, and this Milwaukee Eight finally gives real mechanical reasons to give in to it.