2015 Harley-Davidson Road Glide Preview

If you’re at the Sturgis Rally in South Dakota or the National Bikers Roundup in Tulsa, Oklahoma, you’re in luck! If not, you’re probably reading this and wishing you were at one of these two rallies. Why? Because Harley-Davidson is revealing, and offering test rides on, the new 2015 Road Glide and Road Glide Special at each rally weeks in advance of announcing the company’s complete 2015 model lineup.

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Recognizable by the new frame-mounted fairing, featuring triple splitstream vents (similar to the pressure-equalizing system introduced on the 2014 Street Glide), and dual Daymaker Reflector LED headlights, both Road Glide models benefit from H-D’s Project Rushmore  introduced last year.

The new Road Glide retains the classic shark-nose shape, but its twin headlights are now LED units behind a single Plexiglas front cover, with air intakes on either side.

The 2015 Road Glides are powered by the firm’s High Output Twin Cam 103 engine rather than the precision-cooled motor used in other Rushmore models. The Glides should deliver power numbers nearly identical to the Street Glide Special we tested late last year: 77 horsepower at 5000 rpm and 92 ft-lb of torque at 3800 rpm. Exhaust gases exit through twin chrome mufflers.

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Centered in the inner fairing of the base model Glide is a color screen Boom! Box 4.3 infotainment system, controlled by twin joysticks located on a new swept-back handlebar. Touring features include one-touch hard saddlebags, cruise control, adjustable air-ride rear suspension and new ergonomic hand controls.

Road Glide Special

Select premium features on the Road Glide Special include the premium Boom! Box 6.5GT infotainment system with touch screen and GPS navigation, Reflex linked brakes with ABS, and hand-adjustable low-profile rear suspension. The Special also receives exclusive painted inner fairing and hand-applied pinstriping.

Of the two Glide models only the Special comes equipped with H-D’s Reflex linked brakes with ABS.

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“This new model offers a significant improvement in aerodynamic and ergonomic comfort, LED lighting and the full suite of Project RUSHMORE features that have been such a huge hit with touring riders around the world,” says Michael Goche, Product Planning Manager.

“Road Glide has always had an incredibly passionate following, which is why its return to the model line-up is exciting for our customers and our company,” said Matt Levatich, President and Chief Operating Officer of Harley-Davidson Motor Company. “With Project Rushmore technology, intuitive features and great new styling, we’re delivering an improved ride for the Road Glide faithful and the many others looking for more cool Project Rushmore motorcycle options.”

Pricing for Vivid Black models is $20,899 (Road Glide) and $23,199 (Road Glide Special). Solid colors: Amber Whiskey, Black Denim, Mysterious Red Sunglo (Road Glide only) and Superior Blue (Road Glide Special only) retail for $21,399 (Road Glide) and $23,699 (Road Glide Special).

See and test-ride the new 2015 Road Glide and Road Glide Special models at Harley-Davidson locations in Sturgis Aug. 2-9 and in Tulsa on Aug. 2. If you can’t make those dates, models will begin arriving at authorized Harley-Davidson dealerships on August 26, 2014. Visit www.H-D.com/roadglide for more information.