2021 Harley-Davidson Touring Lineup Confirmed
Harley-Davidson announced its returning touring lineup for 2021, with updated paint options and small updates to the three Special models. As we expected, all of the 2020 model are returning in the face of Harley-Davidson’s plans to streamline its product portfolio. That means the 2021 lineup consists of the Electra Glide Standard, Road Glide Limited, Road Glide Special, Road King, Road King Special, Street Glide, Street Glide Special, and Ultra Limited.
Which Harley-Davidson Models Are Getting Axed?
All 2021 Harley-Davidson touring models are powered by the Milwaukee-Eight 45° V-Twin engine. The Special and Limited models are powered by the 114ci (1868cc) version of the engine, with the Limited models getting the added benefit of liquid-cooled cylinder heads. The rest of the touring line makes use with the smaller 107ci (1746cc) air-cooled engine.
The touring chassis is unchanged for 2021, with dual bending valve forks, emulsion technology rear shocks and linked ABS as standard equipment. The RDRS electronics suite has been renamed as “RDRS Safety Enhancements” and will be offered as an option for all touring models. The RDRS package varies slightly from model to model, but for the the most part, it includes cornering ABS, cornering traction control, drag-torque slip control, vehicle hold control and a tire pressure monitoring system.
2021 Harley-Davidson Street Glide Special
The 2021 Street Glide Special receives Harley’s Daymaker LED headlamp, replacing the previous dual-halogen lights. It also gets a new six-gallon fuel tank with a side fuel fill, giving it a lower profile. The new tank also includes a lower-profile center console and a new Bar and Shield medallion.
Like the other Special models, the Street Glide Special receives smaller engine guards with 1.25 inch diameter bars that are 11-inches lower and a slightly forward sweep compared to the standard guards.
Returning features include a batwing fairing with splitstream vent, stretched locking bags, and Boom Box GTS infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
For 2021, the Street Glide Special will be offered in chrome styling with machined wheel highlights or a dark styling. The chromed versions will be available in Vivid Black, Black Jack Metallic, Billiard Red, or the custom Snake Venom paint option. The dark styling paint options are Vivid Black, Gauntlet Gray Metallic, Billiard Red, Deadwood Green Denim, or the Snake Venom custom option.
2021 Harley-Davidson Road Glide Special
The shark nosed Road Glide Special receives the same lower-profile engine guards, six-gallon fuel tank with lower center console and tank medallion as the Street Glide Special. Other features include dual Daymaker LED headlights, stretched locking saddlebags, and a Boom! Box GTS infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple Carplay.
For 2021, the Road Glide Special will be offered in chrome styling with machined wheel highlights or a dark styling. The chromed versions will be available in Vivid Black, Midnight Crimson, Billiard Teal, or the custom Snake Venom paint option. The dark styling paint options are Vivid Black, River Rock Gray Denim, Billiard Teal, Midnight Crimson, or the Snake Venom custom option.
2021 Harley-Davidson Road King Special
Like the Road Glide Special, the Road King Special receives the low-profile engine guards, Daymaker LED lights and Bar & Shield tank medallion.
Returning features include a mini-ape handlebar and streteched locking saddlebags.
The 2021 Road King Special will be offered in Vivid Black, Black Jack Metallic, Deadwood Green or the custom Snake Venom color, all with dark styling components.
Become a Motorcycle.com insider. Get the latest motorcycle news first by subscribing to our newsletter here.
Dennis has been a part of the Motorcycle.com team since 2008, and through his tenure, has developed a firm grasp of industry trends, and a solid sense of what's to come. A bloodhound when it comes to tracking information on new motorcycles, if there's a new model on the horizon, you'll probably hear about it from him first.
More by Dennis Chung
Comments
Join the conversation
Other than for those of smaller stature what is the appeal of very low seat height? These 2021 pictures seem to show seats lower than before and uncomfortable ergonomics.
I wasn't impressed with the live event. Maybe they can hire outside help next time. As far as the models go, IDK. I'd be more into the more basic touring chassis, like a RK or EGS. But the EGS comes only in black and has the slammed shocks. What amazed me is for a little more, one can get the ultra limited and have a little bit better suspension and you can always remove the tourpak instead of the street and roadglide specials. RDRS should be standard on every motorcycle they build. Just not there yet.