Welcome to the world of Harley-Davidson Grand American Touring motorcycles, where comfort, luxury, and the open road converge. Whether you’re a seasoned rider or dreaming of embarking on your first long-distance adventure, this hub page is designed to be your go-to guide for the specific 2022 and 2023 Grand American Touring models. From the iconic Electra Glide Highway King to the sleek and powerful Road Glide, we’ll delve into each model’s defining features, explore the touring lifestyle, and provide you with in-depth articles for further reading. So, sit back, rev the engine of your imagination, and get ready for a thrilling ride through the world of Harley-Davidson’s Grand American Touring motorcycles.
Harley-Davidson Grand American Touring Motorcycles – The true spirit of touring
Harley-Davidson is a brand that manufactures bikes that cater to motorcycle enthusiasts of all ages, shapes, and sizes. The company has been doing so for the last 120 years. If there is one class of bikes that perfectly sums up the love and passion of riders, then it is the touring class.
Designed with power and comfort in mind, these motorcycles allow riders to spend hours on the highway for the highly coveted cross-country road trips without getting tired or fatigued. As an avid rider, I must admit that despite years of touring on a Harley-Davidson Grant American Touring Motorcycle, I simply cannot get enough of it.
Considering that Grand Touring Bikes are Harley’s most popular and best-selling class of motorcycles, it also happens to offer an impressive range of diverse models to choose from.
History of Harley-Davidson Grand American Touring Motorcycles
The beginnings of the touring family began with the first FL model in 1941. These bikes were perfect for long-distance riding. These models were the first ones to debut the 74 cubic-inch Big Twin engine. These motorcycles featured added horsepower and increased torque. Therefore, they performed much better than previous models.
Harley-Davidson Road King
In 1994, the Harley-Davidson FLHR Road King was introduced to replace the Electra Glide Sport. The Road King took on the Electra Glide’s classic look and major crowd appeal. Like the Electra Glide, the Road King was unique for other models due to its ability to transform from a cruiser to a tourer. The Road King featured detachable saddlebags, a detachable windshield, and a detachable passenger seat. This made the Harley-Davidson Road King ideal for rides around the city and long rides across the countryside.
Harley-Davidson Road Glide
Harley-Davidson introduced the Harley-Davidson FLTR Road Glide to the world in 1998. This motorcycle was perfect for the long-distance rider. Its short windshield offered protection while allowing the rider to have a fully unobstructed view of the road ahead.
The bike also had noticeably less storage than the Electra Glide. The Electra Glide came with a Tour Pak trunk but Harley decided to forfeit the storage space for a sleeker look.
Harley-Davidson Electra Glide and Electra Glide Ultra Classic
The Harley-Davidson FLH Electra Glide was a fan favorite for many years and in 1983, the Harley-Davidson Electra was reborn. As per Harley-Davidson Buyer’s Guide 1984 – 2011 by Peter Gantriis and Dain Gingerelli, it got redubbed the FLHT Electra Glide. The Harley-Davidson Electra Glide continued receiving upgrades and improvements since its initial release in 1965. In 1984, Harley released its FLHTCU Electra Glide Ultra Classic.
Harley-Davidson Street Glide
In 2006, the Harley-Davidson FLHX Street Glide came out. Harley described this bike as a lower profile touring bike. It combines the agility of a Sport Bike with the comfort and storage of a tourer. According to Harley-Davidson, the Street Glide is where the highway meets the street.
What makes Harley-Davidson Grand American Touring Motorcycles so special?
The Harley-Davidson Grand American Touring Motorcycles represent the epitome of comfort, luxury, and capability in the touring motorcycle segment. These motorcycles are meticulously designed to provide riders with an unparalleled touring experience, offering the perfect blend of superior performance, cutting-edge technology, and amenities for extended journeys. Here is what makes Harley’s Grand American Touring Motorcycles so special –
#1. Comfortable touring design
Grand American Touring Motorcycles tend to prioritize rider and passenger comfort. These motorcycles feature a relaxed riding position, spacious seating, and ergonomically designed handlebars for long-distance comfort.
Equipped with large windshields and fairings, these motorcycles deflect wind and minimize rider fatigue during extended rides, ensuring a comfortable touring experience even at higher speeds.
#2. Advanced technology and connectivity
Harley-Davidson’s Grand American Touring bikes come equipped with advanced infotainment systems. These systems include touchscreen displays, Bluetooth connectivity, navigation, audio systems, and smartphone integration for a more connected riding experience.
These motorcycles often feature modern rider aids such as ABS, cruise control, customizable riding modes, traction control, and advanced suspension systems for enhancing comfort and control.
#3. High-performance engines and touring capability
Grand American Touring bikes come powered by high-performance engines. Harley-Davidson’s Milwaukee-Eight engines, available in various displacements, offer ample torque and smooth power delivery, ideal for long-distance touring.
Designed for extended rides, these bikes come equipped with luggage compartments, saddlebags, and storage solutions to accommodate belongings for extended trips, catering to riders’ touring needs.
#4. Luxurious amenities and customization options
To enhance the touring experience, these motorcycles often include luxurious amenities like heated grips, adjustable suspension, heated seats, and customizable seating options for both rider and passenger comfort.
Harley offers a wide array of customization options for Grand American Touring Bikes, allowing bikers to personalize their bikes with accessories, touring packages, and added features to suit their preferences.
#5. Distinctive styling and design
Grand American Touring Bikes typically feature a classic touring motorcycle design. They exhibit a commanding presence with large fairings, chrome accents, and elegant styling cues that exude luxury and sophistication.
These motorcycles often boast premium finishes and paint options, reflecting the attention to detail and craftsmanship synonymous with Harley-Davidson motorcycles.
Standout Harley-Davidson Grand American Touring Motorcycles for special touring
Harley-Davidson offers an impressive range of Harley-Davidson Grand American Touring Motorcycles. Here are some of the standout Grand American Touring Motorcycles and what makes them so special –
Harley-Davidson Electra Glide Ultra Classic
The Harley-Davidson Electra Glide Ultra Classic represents the epitome of comfort and sophistication in touring bikes. Known for its classic touring aesthetics, the Electra Glide Ultra Classic comes with a large windshield spacious saddlebags, and a comfortable two-up touring seat, offering a luxurious and accommodating riding experience.
Powered by a Milwaukee-Eight engine, the Harley-Davidson Electra Glide Ultra Classic delivers ample torque and power, ensuring smooth acceleration and effortless highway cruising during long journeys. Equipped with a highly advanced infotainment system, including a touchscreen display, Bluetooth connectivity, navigation, and a premium audio system, the Ultra Classic delivers a modern and connected riding experience.
With features like rider and passenger footboards, spacious storage compartments, heated grips, and adjustable rear suspension, the Ultra Classic truly prioritizes rider comfort and convenience during extended trips.
Harley-Davidson Road Glide
The Harley-Davidson Road Glide is recognized for its distinctive Shark Noise fairing and performance-oriented touring capabilities. The bike stands out with its Shark Nose fairing, which is designed to reduce wind buffeting and enhance aerodynamics, offering stability and rider comfort at higher speeds.
Featuring a frame-mounted fairing, the Harley-Davidson Road Glide delivers responsive handling, allowing bikers to maneuver comfortably through twists and turns, making it a favorite among touring enthusiasts.
With a Milwaukee-Eight 107 V-Twin engine that delivers robust power and torque, the Road Glide ensures smooth and confident acceleration, making it suitable for long-distance cruising and touring. The Road Glide includes practical touring amenities like spacious saddlebags, a comfortable two-up seat, and options for infotainment systems, delivering an enjoyable riding experience.
Harley-Davidson Road Glide Limited
The Harley-Davidson Road Glide Limited combines luxury and performance, offering added features and refinements. Building on the Road Glide’s foundation, the Road Glide Limited provides enhanced comfort through added amenities like heated grips, a premium touring suspension system, and customizable rider-passenger seating.
The Road Glide Limited comes with Harley’s top-tier infotainment system, featuring a larger touchscreen display, GPS navigation, Bluetooth connectivity, and audio entertainment options.
Boasting premium paint options, chrome accents, and luxurious finishes, the Road Glide Limited exudes sophistication and elegance, appealing to riders looking for a more upscale touring experience.
Harley-Davidson Road Glide Special
The Harley-Davidson Road Glide Special caters to riders looking for a combination of performance and style. With a blacked-out finish, upgraded suspension, and a more aggressive stance, the Road Glide Special truly exudes a bold and sporty aesthetic, appealing to bikers after a distinctive touring machine.
Equipped with a high-performance suspension system, Brembo brakes, and a powerful Milwaukee-Eight 114 V-Twin engine, the Harley-Davidson Road Glide Special delivers enhanced performance and handling capabilities. The bike offers ample opportunities for customization with various accessory options, allowing bikers to personalize their bike to suit their preferences and style.
Harley-Davidson Road King
The Harley-Davidson Road King embodies classic touring elements, perfectly balancing timeless design with modern amenities. Widely known for its traditional touring design, the Road King delivers a classic windshield, spacious saddlebags, and a comfortable two-up touring seat, offering a nostalgic yet practical riding experience.
Powered by a Milwaukee-Eight 107 V-Twin engine, the Road King delivers ample power and torque, offering smooth acceleration and reliable performance on extended journeys. The bike pays homage to Harley-Davidson’s heritage, blending chrome accents, nostalgic styling cues, and modern technology for creating a timeless touring bike.
Harley-Davidson Road King Special
The Harley-Davidson Road King Special infuses a custom, blacked-out aesthetic with touring capabilities. The Harley-Davidson Road King Special manages to set itself apart with blacked-out finishes, a stretched saddlebag design, and a lowered stance, creating a more assertive and custom-inspired touring bike.
Equipped with upgraded suspension and a more performance-oriented setup, the Road King Special offers improved handling and maneuverability ideal for riders looking for a sportier touring experience.
Despite a custom-inspired appearance, the Road King Special retails modern infotainment features and touring amenities for a balanced blend of style and functionality.
Harley-Davidson Street Glide
The Harley-Davidson Street Glide is another impressive touring bike and it features a streamlined design with performance-oriented features. Recognizable for its sleek Batwing fairing, the Street Glide offers wind protection and aerodynamic efficiency while imparting a modern and aggressive aesthetic.
With a powerful Milwaukee-Eight 107 V-Twin engine, optimized suspension, and responsive handling, the Harley-Davidson Street Glide truly excels in delivering a thrilling riding experience suited for both urban and highway cruising.
The bike is equipped with Harley-Davidson’s infotainment system and it integrates technology seamlessly, providing riders with Bluetooth connectivity, navigation, and entertainment options for enhanced convenience.
Harley-Davidson Street Glide Special
The Harley-Davidson Street Glide Special elevates style and performance. The bike truly emphasizes custom styling with blacked-out finishes, a much more aggressive stance, and distinctive cosmetic enhancements that set it apart from the standard Harley-Davidson Street Glide model.
Building upon the standard Harley-Davidson Street Glide, the Special version includes upgraded components, suspension enhancements, and rider-focused features for improved handling and comfort. Moreover, it also incorporates advanced infotainment and connectivity features, catering to bikers looking for a more modern and tech-savvy touring experience.
Harley-Davidson Ultra Limited
The Harley-Davidson Ultra Limited combines comfort, luxury, and advanced touring amenities. Recognized for its plush touring accommodations, the Ultra Limited delivers a spacious two-up seat, premium finishes, top-quality materials, and ample storage for extended travel.
With a powerful Twin-Cooled Milwaukee-Eight 114 V-twin engine, advanced suspension, and optimized touring capacities, the Harley-Davidson Ultra Limited truly excels in delivering a smooth and refined riding experience suited for long-distance journeys.
Loaded with cutting-edge infotainment, rider aids, premium audio systems, and heated grips, the Ultra Limited offers a high level of comfort, convenience, and technological sophistication for riders and passengers.