Harley-Davidson 1870 Tri Glide Ultra 'Tobacco Fade Enthusiast' FLHTCUTG 2024 — Specifications

Who remembers the warm grain of a sunburst Les Paul resting under the spotlights of a smoky club? That's exactly the image Harley-Davidson sought to capture with the Tobacco Fade livery on its 2024 Tri Glide Ultra, Enthusiast edition. The name evokes tobacco, but the inspiration lies elsewhere: in the wood-toned, gradient finishes that dressed electric guitars in the 1960s. A golden caramel that melts into a deep brown, like a luthier's varnish applied to a soundboard. On the front fender, a pick-shaped motif signs the tribute, while the tank logo takes the form of a vinyl record. The kind of details that speak to rock aficionados as much as to lovers of fine machinery.

Beneath this rockstar outfit, the mechanicals remain strictly identical to the catalog Tri Glide Ultra. The Milwaukee Eight 1,868 cc V-twin delivers 87 horsepower at 5,020 rpm and, more importantly, 159 Nm of torque from just 3,000 rpm. On a machine like this, raw power matters little. It's the torque that does the work—the kind that effortlessly hauls 561 kg at full wet weight up a mountain pass or onto a highway on-ramp. The six-speed gearbox and belt drive do their job with the discretion expected of a land cruiser. Top speed caps out at 170 km/h, which is more than sufficient for a three-wheeler whose calling was never to chase lap times.

The Tri Glide Ultra plays in a league of its own. There is no direct competition from Japanese or European manufacturers in this very specific segment of premium grand touring trikes. Can-Am offers its Spyder and Ryker, but the positioning and philosophy have nothing in common. Here, we're talking about a rolling living room: full Electra Glide-style fairing, Boom Box GTS infotainment system, a seat crafted to swallow miles without fatigue, a 124-liter King Tour-Pak trunk complemented by a 68-liter top case. Enough to set off for two weeks without giving luggage a second thought. The seat height, set at 735 mm, makes access easy for all body types, and the 22.7-liter tank provides a reasonable range between fuel stops.

On the safety front, Harley didn't cut corners. Piloting over half a ton demands solid safety nets: traction control, cornering ABS, linked braking across all three wheels, and drag-torque slip control on deceleration. Two 300 mm front discs clamped by four-piston calipers, one 270 mm rear disc. The 49 mm telescopic fork offers 117 mm of travel—modest, but consistent with the machine's road-going purpose. Notable point: this trike is accessible with a car license plus supplementary training, which opens the door to riders who have never held a motorcycle license.

Produced as a limited run of 2,000 units worldwide, this Tobacco Fade Enthusiast edition is priced at 50,689 euros. A figure that clearly defines the clientele: brand devotees, often seasoned tourers or motorcyclists who wish to keep riding without the balancing demands of a two-wheeler. The Tri Glide Ultra is not a motorcycle in the strict sense. It's a lifestyle choice, a rolling collector's piece that smells of aged leather and vintage guitar varnish. For 2,000 lucky owners, this Harley will play its part in a finish worthy of a concert at the Fillmore.