Harley-Davidson Glide into 2025
- Paul
- Mar 25
- 4 min read
Updated: Mar 26
Moving up in the world
H-D. Here for the long ride
Harley-Davidson is one of the oldest motorcycle brands in the world. Since its foundation in the early 1900s the company has remained an American owned and operated company. While they started out in a one room shed back then they’ve become a huge global brand. In 2023, the latest year for which figures are available, the company sold 162,771 motorcycles across the planet and brought in a staggering $5.83 billion. It’s safe to say that they’ve come a long way from that shed in Milwaukee!
The styling stays true to the first of the Road Glides
These days the company relies on a global network of suppliers. Electronic components, or some of them, are made in both Mexico and China. The Italians make brake and clutch components, check out the Brembo calipers on most of the range. The suspension is almost exclusively manufactured in Japan while some of the engine components are made in Austria. However, while there may well be a well established supply chain of components the bikes are all still made and designed in the US.
Over the last decade the company has seen significant changes in how they build as well as how they build. For the diehard, old school, riders the introduction of liquid cooling was sacrilege! But like other manufacturers who relied on air cooling, such as BMW, the demands to manage CO2 outputs had made themselves known. Legislation in all the companies significant markets across the globe made it a necessity as much as a choice.
A new design for the new 'Shark Nose' fairing
Once the dust had settled, so to speak, the companies designers and engineers were given a lot more latitude. The Livewire project shattered another of the stereotypes of the company with, what some believe to be the best two wheeled EV on the market. In 2021 they moved into the adventure market with the Pan America. While this was very much a well stablished market, it was a first for Harley. The bike even featured an Öhlins steering damper.
While most of the range has evolved in terms of design at a relatively gentle base so as not to loose the machines identity, tradition is paramount in the company, the workings of the range very much reflect the changing needs of a younger market and their expectations. Now Harley-Davidson Glide into 2025 with a new Road Glide.
While the bike is crammed with all the technology that we’d expect from a new machine. Electronically linked braking breaking where the activation of either the front or rear lever activates a percentage of the other brake is standard as is traction control, ABS and drag control, this one manages the bikes rear wheel ‘slip’ under acceleration. All of these systems are cornering ‘enhanced’ which means that the bike will work with the rider for a safer and more comfortable riding experience.
Easy on the eye
The suite of electrics that manage all of this also make an appearance in the rest of the bike. While the ‘Shark Nose’ design of the fairing is a clear evolution from the original 1998 machine this features an LED headlight and it’s designed to be a more comfortable ride thanks to being designed with the latest fluid design systems. This works so well that a taller screen actually takes away from the riders comfort. An adjustable set of handlebars make for a tailored ergonomic set up and matched with a deep double seat allow for all day riding.
While the latest version of the Milwaukee 8 engine produces an impressive 175Nm of torque as well as a real world 107bhp from it’s 1,923cc vtwin, it’s the rider interface pieces that most impressed me when I rode the bike late last year.
Gone are the traditional clocks which have been replaced with a new TFT affair. This flat touchscreen is full colour and 312mm in width and displays all the relative information. As well as bike functions, speed, rpm, three fuelling choices, temperature and such, it also can be mirrored to the riders phone and a whole new set of toys are available to the both the rider and their pillion.
Stay connected
Using a Bluetooth connection to a comms fitted helmet phone calls can be taken and if, like me you use an iPhone then Siri can be called upon to make calls. All of these as well as the radio of playlist that you’re listening to can be displayed on that same screen. It’s the same for using phone based navigation maps such as google maps or following another riders dropped pin on whatsapp.
All of this is managed through the companies “Skyline” operating system. The really enjoyable feature of all this is that the twin 50 watt speakers which are mounted in the bikes fairing warrant forgetting about the previously mentioned comms kit! Everything can be controlled via the touchscreen.
Light on the wallet
Harleys Grand Tourers have always been heavy and the new Road Glide is no exception coming in at 380 kilos wet. What the company are to be commended for is ‘hiding’ so much of it thanks to subtly tweaked suspension and chassis. One of the things that I really liked about riding the machine is that the ‘clunk’ of the gear change is gone. It’s incredibly smooth and I could even change up without using the clutch.
If you’d like to experience riding the bike for yourself then feel free to drop by Waterford Harley Davidson on their open day this coming 12th of April where the new ’25 range will be available to test ride. This includes the new, more road biased Pan America ST, the Road Glide, the Street Glide Ultra, the Street Bob, the Low Rider ST and my favourite, the Fat Boy.
In the meantime the new Road Glide starts at €35,495 and is now available via Harley-Davidson finance in association with Bank Of Ireland for €655 a month with a 10% deposit. Mo has one in stock today with the premium Pearl White paint and black trim for €37,945. give him a call to find out more.
