Harley-Davidson 1870 Electra Glide Highway King 2023 — Specifications

To rekindle the flame of certain moments in its history, Harley launched the Icon collection in 2021. These are motorcycles with a lot of character, produced in limited series. After the Electra Glide Revival in 2021 and the Low Rider El Diablo last year, the lineup is enriched with the Electra Glide Highway King.

While the Revival model drew inspiration from the 1969 FLH, the Highway King goes (a little) further back in time, drawing its design from the 1968 model. The orange or red-burgundy color schemes are identical to those of the year in question. Quite a year, indeed, with a turbulent May, the disappearance of Martin Luther King, and the famous raised fist of Black Power at the Olympics.

Returning to this motorcycle, Harley has made quite a few modifications to better imitate its 1960s ancestor. It bears the name “Electra Glide” but is technically closer to a "Road King" to which two additional headlights and a large removable windshield have been grafted. The latter reprises the general color scheme in its lower section. Guaranteed Elton John effect!

The nostalgia extends a bit everywhere, with this spectacular single-seat saddle mounted on a spring and shock absorber, whitewall tires, chrome spoked wheels, a small skirt at the bottom of the front fender, and chrome rails. These bars, anchored to the fender and saddlebags, were already present on the FLH... and have crossed the decades. They accompanied the Electras until 2012, adorning the Glide Classic of the time.

But goodness! Why aren’t the saddlebags matched to the bodywork? Because the ‘68 Electra was sold bare. It was necessary to add the “King of the Highway” accessory kit to complete the tourer that can be seen in the photo. And the supplied saddlebags were only available in white – Harley has therefore followed its mimicry idea to the bitter end. The pack also contained a windshield, crash bars, and a luggage rack.

Let’s do a quick engine comparison between the two motorcycles? Quickly then. In 1968, the Shovelhead engine had a displacement of 1222 cm3, produced 60 horsepower and 9.7 mkg. 55 years later, the twin has changed a lot, except for its 45° angle. In the Electra Highway King, the large Milwaukee Eight reaches here 1870 cm3. As rich as a potato spread, its torque reaches 16.1 mkg at only 3250 rpm. We will only retain its 93 horsepower as a figure in the technical section; a Harley does not conceive force with watts but with the rendering of its engine.

Exuberant, certainly, and paradoxically very discreet about its electronics. It does not flaunt them on its physique and yet, its body is traversed by modules to secure the ride. Interconnected brakes with active ABS supervision in curves, a cruise control, a traction control sensitive to the angle, a vehicle stability control, and another to digest the residual torque. No Boom Box or TFT screen on this Electra Glide. The removal of the headstock removed all the space necessary to accommodate the infotainment system. However, a pair of Scream’in Eagle mufflers will be supplied; separately but included in the price.

Concerned to be precious, this Electra hits hard in the price and in its availability: 1000 units manufactured with the Hi-Fi Orange décor and 750 in the Hi-Fi Magenta livery. The serial number is laser engraved on the center console. 2023 is indeed a very rich year in limited series. Between this "Icon", the "CVO", the "120th Anniversary" models and the "Enthusiast Fast Johnnie" collection, there must be a quarter of Milwaukee’s annual production distributed in its special editions. To fully indulge yourself, a few accessories are strongly recommended to plunge into the trip: a paper road map, a wad of dollars, some boots gnawed by jackals and a 33/45 rpm record player in the garage.

M.B - Constructeur photos