Harley-Davidson FLHT Electra Glide Standard 2007 — Specifications

You’re wondering what the very essence of a Harley-Davidson Touring is, without the frills and the price of a cruise ship? The 2007 FLHT Electra Glide Standard answers that question with an almost brutal frankness. It is the stripped-down version, the workhorse, the one that reminds you that riding a Harley begins with an engine, a frame, and two saddlebags.

Launched in 1965, the Electra Glide wrote the history of American touring. In 2007, this Standard positions itself as the reasonable option in the range, compared to the over-equipped and overpriced Ultra Classic. You recognize the imposing silhouette, the triple headlight scrutinizing the road, the low and comfortable 780 mm seat. But it displays a sportier line, free of the monumental top case, leg deflectors, and some tubular protections. It retains the rigid saddlebags, essential for the touring rider, and a nearly 19-liter fuel tank. The weight, however, remains a tangible reality: more than 350 kg fully fueled. Handling is that of a ship; the 1613 mm wheelbase requires anticipation, and docking in town is not improvised. It is a machine for open roads, not for narrow alleys.

The raison d'être of this beast lies in its Twin Cam 96 of 1573 cc. With 71 horsepower and 125.6 Nm of torque delivered at 3500 rpm, it does not aim for power records. But it is an engine with character, ample, vibrating, which propels the mass with constant authority. The belt drive and six-speed gearbox ensure a surprise-free progression. On the highway, it devours the kilometers with a reasonable consumption of around 5.2 liters per 100 km, but its top speed is limited to around 160 km/h. It is made for cruising, not for racing.

Compared to its European competitors, lighter and more agile, this Electra Glide Standard plays in a different league. It offers fewer features than its big sister, the Ultra Classic, but retains the Harley DNA: the sound, the presence, the sensation of travel. The price, set at 18500 euros at the time, was a serious argument for those who wanted the Touring experience without the superfluous.

This machine is an intelligent compromise. It suits the touring rider seeking Harley authenticity, without the need for integral luxury. It requires mastery due to its size and weight, but rewards with solid stability and comfort. It is a motorcycle of tradition, of travel, which makes the engine the center of gravity of the experience. For the track rider or urban rider, it would be a torment. For the lover of American highways, it remains a credible and charismatic proposition.