Harley-Davidson FLHX Street Glide 2014 — Specifications

In the world of Harley-Davidson, excess and the open road go hand in hand. Almost a monument to long-distance travel, the Electra Glide is iconic for the manufacturer, but its most serious rival evolves here and alongside it: the Street Glide. More of a bagger than a cruiser-GT, the Street imposes less than the exuberant Electra, and that suits it well. It is the best-selling model at HD.

In terms of appearance, a desire for simplicity, and a particular charm that goes beyond mechanical expression. Riding a Harley has almost become a philosophy, particularly linked to authenticity. This doesn't prevent the machine from evolving over time while retaining an aesthetic that is almost identical from one generation to the next. The style remains, the technology evolves. Following improvements over a good decade (reinforced frame, optimized braking, larger tank, ABS, new 6-speed transmission, twin displacement constantly increasing), the Street gains a new and thorough series of improvements with the "Rushmore" project. A host of small additions resulting from listening to customers, professionals, fans... in short, the Harley world. The manufacturer listened and reacted.

The Twin Cam is one of the lucky winners of this policy. We don't find here the partially liquid-cooled version (reserved for the Ultra Limited) but something still more spicy than the 103 of the previous version. Called High Output, the 1690 cm3 twin adopts a new camshaft that allows it to develop 5% additional torque. The clutch spring rates have been reinforced without the left hand suffering; the hydraulic control has been revised accordingly.

The entire Touring range, and therefore the Street Glide presented here, gains a 49 mm fork in place of the 43.1 mm and a readjusted shock absorber. New Reflex brakes balancing the front/rear braking come to complement the ABS. The 10-spoke cast aluminum wheels are lighter and stiffer. To this must be added the priority of Project Rushmore: comfort. To that end, the quasi-sacred Batwing fairing has been retouched: a slot at the base of the mini windshield appears, reducing turbulence around the rider. One can thus better enjoy the entire BOOM BOX 4.3 audio system. A name justified by the size of its screen. This multimedia environment is a benchmark, only dethroned by the 6.5-inch touchscreen installed on the Ultra Limited and the Tri-Glide. The BOOM has 25 watts per channel, Bluetooth and USB connectivity, supports CB radio and voice-controlled intercom function. Bonus, a double set of controls: all functions are controlled from the front buttons or via the joysticks mounted on the handlebar controls. One of the characteristic features of the Street Glide is its wide-front face and single eye. The headlight is a dual halogen model, much more efficient in case of fog. The must is currently reserved for more ostentatious models, such as the Ultra Limited or the Classic, adorned with the new dual-lens Daymaker and LED system.

Traveling light also rhymes with a certain practical spirit aboard the Street. The saddlebags gain 8% in cargo capacity and the new One-Touch buttons (on the fuel cap, saddlebags and other hatches) allow for easier opening/closing with a simple press. While riding, the pleasure is exchanged between the vibrations of the large twin pulling as it can this heavy bagger, the superb dashboard worthy of a vintage Cadillac, and the timeless charm of a Harley. It remains that the Street Glide 103 High Output still generously prices its services.

M.B - photos manufacturer