Harley-Davidson FXDWG Dyna Wide Glide 2010 — Specifications

When Harley-Davidson decides to push a concept to its paroxysm, you get this kind of machine. The 2010 Dyna Wide Glide is not a motorcycle; it’s a statement, a rolling sculpture that places chopper style well above any practical consideration. With its 18-liter tank, it displays correct range for this type of machine, but you don’t choose it to rack up miles. You choose it for its attitude, raw and uncompromising.

Its Twin Cam 96 engine, a 1573 cm3 V2, delivers 71 horsepower and, above all, a monstrous torque of 125 Nm from 3000 rpm. Figures that appear modest on paper compared to certain Japanese competitors, but which, in reality, are sufficient to launch this 300-kilo behemoth with brutal authority and that inimitable deep sound. The six-speed gearbox is precise, typical Harley, and the belt drive remains exceptionally smooth. Forget the stopwatch for speed: the speedometer will stop around 170 km/h, a limit more than sufficient for a motorcycle whose kingdom is the boulevard.

The true identity of the Wide Glide is read in its geometry. The 49 mm inverted fork, with its pronounced angle, and the 21-inch front wheel give it that characteristic elongated look. The seat at only 65 cm from the ground makes the beast accessible to almost everyone, even if the drag bar handlebar may require an adaptation period. This position, arms outstretched and feet forward, is a pure concentration of cruiser sensation. The suspension, for its part, is firm and the 107 mm of ground clearance reminds you to avoid overly ambitious speed bumps. This is the price to pay for this so low silhouette.

Detail is king here. Everything has been thought out for the visual impact: the polished aluminum tés that spread the fork tubes, the black spoked wheels, the Tommy Gun 2-1-2 exhaust, and this truncated rear fender that generously exposes the 180 tire. The black monobloc sissy bar and solo seat reinforce this hard and pure character. It’s a motorcycle for those who assume, for the urban rider or the weekender who wants to be noticed, not for the globetrotter seeking comfort over long distances.

At 15,000 euros, it positioned itself as a key piece in the Dyna range. It does not seek to seduce lovers of pure performance or versatility. Its rival at the time, a Yamaha V-Star 1300 for example, offered more comfort and practicality for less money. But the Wide Glide, it sells a dream, an icon. It’s a motorcycle that demands its rider adopt its lifestyle, no discussion. Either you love it, or you hate it. There is no in-between with such a personality.