Harley-Davidson FLHT Electra Glide Standard 2005 — Specifications

So, you want to play with the big boys? Not those superbikes that skim along at nearly 186 mph, no. The other one. The one where the road is an ocean to cross, where comfort is a religion, and where the engine beats like a steel heart. In 2005, the Harley-Davidson FLHT Electra Glide Standard is the entry-level version of the myth. It’s an oxymoron in itself, because at nearly 20,000 euros and 360 kilos with a full tank, the word "standard" takes on a considerable dimension. It represents the ticket of entry for those who want the Touring flagship, without opting for the Ultra Classic and its luxury cruise ship equipment.

You recognize the silhouette, of course. The triple headlight, that impassive eagle gaze, the large windshield, the rigid saddlebags that are an integral part of the frame. But the discerning eye will notice the absences. Farewell the monumental top case and its senator-style passenger seat, finished the large leg deflectors, replaced by more discreet steel bars. This visually lightens the beast, giving it a slightly more taut line, but don't be fooled: we are still talking about a behemoth. The 69 cm seat may seem accessible, but it is the weight, this mass of 345 kilos dry, that dictates its law. In the city, it's a constant negotiation. On the road, once launched, it traces its line with monarchical placidity.

The mechanics are the soul. The Twin Cam 88 of 1450 cm3 is there, in all its archaic and charismatic splendor. 67 horsepower? A joke next to a modern sportbike. But its 106 Nm of torque, available from 3300 rpm, is another story. It's this fat push, this purr that turns into a growl, this vibration that anesthesizes the kilometers. It doesn't race, it glides. The speedometer stops at 100 mph, and that's just fine. The power is just sufficient to move the edifice with dignity, but you have to anticipate overtaking maneuvers. The five-speed gearbox is precise for a Harley, and the belt transmission is silent and clean.

Who is this Standard for? For the hardcore globetrotter who prefers to invest in gasoline and kilometers rather than electronic gadgets. It is the refined version, perhaps more masculine, of the Touring myth. We lose the excessive chrome and a few comforts, but we keep the essentials: suspension comfort, windshield protection, carrying capacity, and above all, that unique feeling of piloting an institution. Faced with a Gold Wing of the time, infinitely more technological, smooth and fast, the Electra Glide Standard makes the opposite choice. It embraces its raw side, its tempered character, its flaws that are part of its charm. It's not a motorcycle, it's a pact. An engagement to a certain art of traveling, slow, noisy and deeply rewarding. Provided you accept its laws.