Harley-Davidson Road Glide Limited 2021 — Specifications

Forget everything you thought you knew about Harley touring bikes. The Road Glide Limited, whether it’s the 2020, 2021, or 2022 model, is not simply an aesthetic update. It’s a true American revolution, where chrome now meets processors. With its signature frame and fixed shark nose, it still displays a well-tempered character, but beneath this traditional finish beats a resolutely modern heart.

The real generational leap lies in the arrival of RDRS, the Reflex Electronic Driving System. This is far from the simple ABS of yesteryear. Here, two-mode traction control, cornering ABS, and lean-sensitive linked braking place the Road Glide Limited in the courtyard of high-tech touring bikes, a stone's throw from a BMW K 1600. For a Harley, this is as sharp a turn as it is unexpected. Coupled with the preload-adjustable suspension, this arsenal transforms the ride of this 407 kg behemoth. The riding experience, especially on your longest journeys, has been radically changed: more serene, more precise, without sacrificing the sensation of raw power.

And let’s talk about that power. The big Milwaukee-Eight 114 V2 of 1868 cm³ doesn’t play in the same league as Japanese or German six-cylinder engines. With its 165 Nm of torque available from 3000 rpm, it doesn’t aim for peak power but for immediate pulling force, that visceral push that swallows asphalt without having to downshift. At a top speed of 170 km/h, it won’t impress a track rider, but on a winding national road or a long straight, it’s its authority and comfort that make the difference. The cockpit, with its 6.5-inch Boom! Box GTS TFT screen and 132 liters of storage space, is a rolling lounge. The H-D Connect subscription for remote monitoring remains an expensive gadget, but it symbolizes this desire to stay current.

So, who rides this machine costing nearly 30,000 euros? Clearly for the pure Harley touring rider who refuses to cross out the aesthetics and feel of the brand, but who also covets the assurances of a connected motorcycle. Faced with a smoother and technologically unbeatable Gold Wing, or a more sporty BMW Grand America, the Road Glide Limited plays its identity card with force. It’s not the most versatile or the most performant, but it offers a unique touring experience, tinged with that toughness and character that make legends. Its only real flaw? It inevitably makes you want to hit the road and never stop.