Harley-Davidson 1870 Ultra Limited 120ème anniversaire FLHTKANV 2023 — Specifications

A hundred and twenty years building twins that shake the asphalt — that deserves a special livery. Harley-Davidson chose its grand tourer, the Ultra Limited FLHTKANV, to carry that heritage into the 2023 vintage. And when we say carry, that's an understatement: at 416 kg fully fueled, this machine doesn't do things by halves. It owns its status as a two-wheeled ocean liner, built to devour miles with a passenger, luggage, and the quiet certainty that nobody will mistake you for another rider at the highway rest stop.

The "Heirloom Red Fade" paint alone justifies an extended stop in the parking lot. A deep blood red, accented by brighter pinstripes and "Midnight Crimson" gradients on every fairing panel. The engine inserts receive the same treatment, the seat sports a two-tone covering with a gold-embroidered logo, and the tank medallion features the Harley eagle in a refined art-deco style. It flirts with CVO-level finish, but at a less stratospheric price. At €39,500, the bill is steep, granted, but it sits below the Road Glide Limited 120th Anniversary, which pushes the envelope even further. For a series limited to 1,300 units worldwide, the positioning holds up.

Beneath this rolling showcase, the 1,868 cc Milwaukee-Eight does the job expected of it. Its 87 horsepower won't impress anyone on a spec sheet, especially against a Gold Wing and its 126 hp. But Harley has never played that card. The 45-degree V-twin bets everything on torque: 159.8 Nm available from just 3,000 rpm. It's that frank, meaty thrust in the low revs that defines the character of the beast. Partial liquid cooling modernizes the engine without sacrificing the traditional fins on the cylinders. The six-speed gearbox and belt drive complete a package designed for serenity, not outright performance. Top speed rated at 170 km/h: no one's talking sportiness here, and no one's complaining.

The onboard equipment turns the cockpit into a rolling lounge. A 6.5-inch TFT screen with the Boom Box system, four speakers, integrated GPS, smartphone connectivity, and rider-to-passenger intercom. On the safety front, cornering ABS, traction control, hill start assist, and linked braking form a reassuring safety net for managing the machine's 416 kg. The 68-liter Tour-Pak and side cases offer a cargo capacity that makes the Japanese competition look almost modest. The low 740 mm seat height provides reassurance when putting your feet down, even though the weight demands respect during every low-speed maneuver.

This Ultra Limited 120th Anniversary targets a specific audience: the long-haul touring rider, loyal to Harley culture, who wants to ride two-up over great distances with no compromise on comfort or style. This is not a bike for beginners, and not a bike for pushing hard. It's a rolling monument, limited to 1,300 units, celebrating twelve decades of American V-twin with a sincerity you can't fault. Against an Indian Roadmaster or a BMW R 18 Transcontinental, it plays the emotion and heritage card more than the technology one. And for those who buy a Harley, that's precisely what matters.