Harley-Davidson Electra Glide Highway King (2023)

When it comes to motorcycles that embody power, performance, and an unmistakable sense of freedom, Harley-Davidson has always been at the forefront. For the uninitiated, the brand’s Electra Glide Highway King stands tall among its illustrious lineup. With the upcoming release of its 2023 model, Harley-Davidson takes this iconic touring bike to new heights, captivating riders with its commanding presence and impressive features. In this article, we will delve into the design, performance, comfort, features, and overall ride experience of the Harley-Davidson Electra Glide Highway King (2023), leaving no stone unturned. Strap on your helmet, rev up your engine, and join us as we embark on an exhilarating journey through the world of this legendary motorcycle. Whether you’re a seasoned rider or an aspiring enthusiast, the allure of the Electra Glide Highway King (2023) is sure to captivate your imagination. So, let’s hit the road together and discover what sets this majestic machine apart.

Harley-Davidson Electra Glide Highway King (2023) – A homage to the old-school All-American Electra Glide

After hitting the ball out of the park with the last two installments of the Icons Motorcycle Collection, Harley-Davidson has followed the trend this year. The Harley-Davidson Electra Glide Highway King (2023) is a masterpiece from the latest range of models released by Harley-Davidson and it channels the old-school All-American 1968 FLH Electra Glide with beautiful aesthetic results.

The Harley-Davidson Electra Glide Highway King (2023) is the perfect example of a modern take on the old classic. It is evident by the bike’s use of laced wheels, whitewall tires, a solo suspension seat, a two-tone windshield, and a pair of groovy two-tone color schemes (Hi-Fi Magenta/Birch White and Hi-Fi Orange/Birch White).

2023 is a special year that marks the 120^th anniversary of Harley-Davidson’s rich and iconic legacy and the company celebrated it in a big way. As a part of the collection to mark the 120^th anniversary of Harley-Davidson, 1,750 numbered units of Harley-Davidson Electra Glide Highway King (2023) were produced globally.

2023 Harley-Davison Electra Glide Highway Review

Harley-Davidson is a brand known for its top-of-the-line CVOs, each unique to their model year and the brand had something special saved for 2023. As the third release of the Icons Motorcycle Collection, Harley-Davidson released the Electra Glide Highway King as a homage to the old-school, all-American 1968 FLH Electra Glide. By celebrating the classic vibe of the 60s with modern-day advances in comfort, technology, and performance, this bike will definitely show up on the highway to re-live the road trips that you’ve always dreamt about. With this machine, you’ll be able to cross around the city after disconnecting from the world. It will just be you, your Electra Glide Highway King, and the open road.

If you’re in the market to purchase this special motorcycle, you will first want to know all about this bike. Here is a review that will give you in-depth information about the new Harley-Davidson Electra Glide Highway King (2023) and everything that it offers.

Design and look

If you weren’t familiar with the story behind the original 1968 FLH Electra Glide, this motorcycle was the king of the crop in the Harley-Davidson lineup. Everyone wanted to get their hands on this motorcycle and upon the release of the 2023 model, not a lot has changed. This was the sort of bike you would ride on your way to see Pink Floyd or Led Zeppelin.

“In its day, this was a really deluxe motorcycle” are the words of Brad Richards, Harley-Davidson Vice President of Design and Creative Director. He also adds “The colors we’ve selected for the Highway King model are reminiscent of the original color options offered in 1968. We carefully matched each color in the lower section of the windshield. In 1968, the accessory fiberglass saddlebags were only offered in white, so we’ve done the same in 2023. The result is a thoroughly modern motorcycle that looks unapologetically old school.”

The model comes in two exciting color options – Hi-Fi Orange and Hi-Fi Magenta featuring White subtones on the hard saddlebags and a Black Denim account on the fuel tank. The wide white-wall tires and heavy use of chrome have increased the bike’s inspiration from the swinging ‘60s, and so has the tank badge, which references the one used by the original. While this bike doesn’t sport some of today’s modern-day conveniences like turn-by-turn navigation, touchscreen infotainment systems, and a top-notch sound system.

Engine

The original 1968 Harley-Davidson FLH Electra Glide came powered by a Shovelhead V-twin four-stroke 74 cubic-inch engine. These days, it is ample power to match any of Harley’s Sportster models. Further, engine technology has made massive strides in the last 55 years as the Harley-Davidson Electra Glide Highway King (2023) comes powered by the mighty Milwaukee-Eight 114 cubic-inch engine with 95 HP and 165 Nm of torque. This is a hearty amount of power for this bike to reclaim its rule over the highway, country roads, and urban streets. As an added bonus, the bike is also eligible for all four of Harley’s Screamin’ Eagle stage upgrade kits.

Cruise control allows the user to lock in a steady speed, which gives them ease and comfort for long rides and its use of the large Halogen headlamp and auxiliary lamps light up the road via modern tech and old-school look.

Another upgrade that this motorcycle is happy to receive is improved handling. By installing the latest riding technology like Cornering-ABS, Electronically Linked Brakes, Cornering-Traction Control, Vehicle Hold Control (VHC), and Drag Torque Slip Control, this one is able to handle even the tightest of turns with ease, making way for a smoother and safer ride.

Performance and comfort

As a touring masterpiece, the Harley-Davidson Electra Glide Highway King (2023) isn’t just designed for looks but for comfort as well. Back in the day, the original FL models would be out on the road, being driven for hours, days, or even weeks. With that sort of riding in mind, staying comfortable for long stretches without rider fatigue would be a top priority.

The detachable two-tone windshield with matching color fade is the first feature that keeps your well-being in mind. It provides the perfect amount of protection from the wind on the highway alongside other undesirable hazards like dust, dirt, debris, and bugs. The solo saddle seat comes with a black and white cover and a chrome rail while the bike is mounted at the top with an adjustable coil spring and shock absorber. The Electra Glide Highway King, similar to the rest of its highway-bound brethren comes equipped with Harley’s signature touring frame, engine guard, floorboards, and saddlebag guard rails.

What makes Harley-Davidson Electra Glide Highway King (2023) so special?

The mix of stylish nostalgia and contemporary competence makes this one an inarguably outstanding motorcycle. There is impeccable styling, beautiful paint, and a powerful engine. With that said, here are some of the things that make the Harley-Davidson Electra Glide Highway King (2023) so special.

#1. Multiple stand-out appearance options

Available in Birch White with Hi-Fi Orange or Hi-Fi Magenta, the Harley-Davidson Electra Glide Highway King (2023) is a stunner. You can choose from the two options and it’ll be a remarkable attention-getter wherever you go. On multiple occasions, folks will turn their heads and have their eyes glued on your bike as you drive away. Some bikers might be able to recognize it as a new model whereas others might be left wondering if this is a vintage bike. While some bikers might have had a few issues with the Birch White side cases, the praise still far outweighs the complaints. The seats are exceptional too. Similar to the two Icons Collection models that were released previously, this one also looks incredible.

#2. A Milwaukee-Eight 11 4 engine for long rides

The bike cranks out 165 Nm of torque at 2750 RPM, so you’re always in the right gear. A solo rider and filled side cases will be no match for this type of power. Downshifts are not needed for passing or scaling the steepest highway grades. The 95 HP available at over 5000 RPM will mean that you’re able to cruise in the  80s or higher. You can set the intuitive cruise control for 85 MPH and in an hour or so of riding in light traffic, the motorcycle won’t falter or strain. This bike always welcomes high-speed routes.

#3. A minimalist yet comfortable seat

The perch of the bike has the catcher’s mitt shape through though thinner than some may expect. The tuck-and-roll center has a smooth frame. It is ribbed for your pleasure as the rider is encouraged to move around a bit on the seat, helping you consume mass quantities of miles and comfortably and without any suffering.

#4. A solo saddle with a spring-only shock absorber

The action is very apparent when hitting bumps and you should remember that there is only 2.15 inches of rear wheel travel, although it is a well-managed 2+ inches and something that you can feel the float. However, when you are rebounding for hits, the seat tops out thanks to the absence of damping. Oddly, it is a cool feeling instead of being annoying. In short, the 2023 Harley-Davison Electra Glide Highway King’s perch isn’t just a fashion statement, it works quite well too.

#5. Enjoy a stable ride despite the speedy wind

Harley’s Grand American Touring platform has certainly evolved into excellence over the years. Still, the experience is very different with a handlebar-mount fairing, frame-mount fairing, and the bar-mounted windshield. The Harley-Davidson Electra Glide Highway King (2023) is impervious to side winds and you can battle through gusts at high speeds. On back roads having semis closing in at speeds of around 150 MPH, the bike will be unperturbed and go along the business with unruffled dignity.

#6. Plenty of legroom

Your legs will not dangle as much as they did on the 2021 Electra Glide Revival as you will have plenty of legroom on this one. You can expect less leg bend than you are used to when planting your feet on the bike’s floorboards. The floorboards are quite roomy, giving you a lot of space to reposition your feet to eliminate fatigue on long rides.

Harley-Davidson has done well to fix the burning right calf issue on the newest iteration of Electra Glide by lowering the seat height and moving your foot position away from the hot rear-cylinder valve cover. Moreover, the company has also added a discreet plastic shield. Further, the Milwaukee-Eight 114’s stylish air filter assembly isn’t in the way.

#7. Seat lifts you higher relative to the windshield

Your body will be fully protected from the last even when you’re driving at the triple-digit speeds that the Milwaukee-Eight 114 is capable of achieving. Even though it largely depends on the torso length, your head will be in the wind if you are tall enough for the seat. Harley’s engineers have done their homework on the windshield as the wind that comes over and around it will be turbulence-free.

#8. Rider aids are extensive and transparent

The brakes are cornering-aware for the linked function and ABS yet you will rarely notice either as Harley’s ABS have certainly come a long way from the clunky roots. Other cornering-aware features include traction control and engine compression braking but neither of them is intrusive. If you find yourself on a dirt road, you can simply turn the fraction control off and simply drift the bike sideways, just as they do in commercials.

The clutch will be of the slip-and-assist persuasion, although it requires substantial pull at the lever. The braking is rather progressive as it is soft with a light touch of foot or hand and strong when you’re piling on the pressure.