2014 Road Glide
2014 Road Glide
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- August 1, 2014
First Look: 2015 Harley-Davidson Road Glide and Road Glide Special
If 2014 was the year of the naked superbike, 2015 may be the year of the touring cruiser/bagger. Earlier this week it was time for Indian and Victory to show off their new dreadnoughts, but now the Motor Company got back in the spotlight with its new-for-2015 Road Glide and Road Glide Special.
The big news about these two new models is the RG's distinctive fairing. The new one is wind-tunnel tested and uses a "triple splitstream" vent to improve aerodynamics and reduce buffeting. The styling may prove…controversial, but its inarguably bold and distinctive, from its high, angular profile to the dual Daymaker LED headlamps peering angrily out of the rectangular housing.
The fairing isn't just there to look angry. It contains Harley's Boom! Box 4.3 "infotainment" system to help while away those long Interstate miles. The system is controlled by twin joysticks located on a new swept-back handlebar and uses twin 25-Watt speakers to slather the rider with tunes.
There are some mechanical upgrades as well. The front end rides in stiffer triple clamps and the air-cooled Twin-Cam 103 cubic-inch (1690cc) engine is labeled "High Output," indicating a claimed 5 percent boost in power over the 103 we tested in 2011.
For an extra $2300, Road Gliders can opt for the Road Glide Special. That model gets an even fancier fairing, equipped with the Boom! Box 6.5GT system, which includes a touch screen and GPS and a security system with proximity-based key fob. Mechanical upgrades include linked brakes with ABS and low-profile rear suspension with a hand-adjustable remote preload knob. You also get hand-applied pinstriping and a painted inner fairing.
Pricing on the Road Glide starts at $20,899 in black—add $500 for colors. The Special starts at $23,199. (Note—at press time, we could not confirm pricing from H-D. These prices were reported on a rival website and may not be accurate). Both motorcycles will start arriving at dealers in late August.
Read the full press release here:
MILWAUKEE (August 1, 2014) – Harley-Davidson® (NYSE:HOG) has more rush in the tank. Spy photos, gossip and wild speculation are flooding the Internet as Harley-Davidson fans around the globe anticipate the return of the Road Glide® motorcycle. The wait is over and the Road Glide is back.
Weeks before the announcement of its complete 2015 model line-up, Harley-Davidson is previewing the Road Glide and Road Glide Special, two of its new 2015 motorcycles. Infused with DNA of the customer-led product development effort Project RUSHMORE, the two sleek, shark-nose Touring models are being revealed today during special events at the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in Sturgis, S.D., and at the National Bikers Roundup (NBR) in Tulsa, Okla.
"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."
One look at the new contour of the famous Road Glide fairing is all it takes to see past form and convention were put aside and a new rebellious design emerged. The Road Glide motorcycle earned its status satisfying the hard core and now it is back. From the wicked new Dual Reflector Daymaker™ LED headlights to the combination stop/turn/taillights, the Road Glide motorcycles set out to make the ultimate statement in custom, high-mile aggression and back it up with all the function riders demand.
"The Road Glide has always been a bike for a rider who's cut from a different cloth, a person who wants to make a statement as they chase the freedom of the road," said Michael Goche, Product Planning Manager. "This new model respects that spirit while offering 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."
Road Glide
Shaped by countless hours of wind tunnel testing, the new frame-mounted Road Glide motorcycle fairing features a triple splitstream vent that significantly reduces head buffeting while still providing comfortable airflow around the rider. The brilliant white beams of the Dual Daymaker Reflector LED headlamp blasts through the murkiest of nights. Centered in the inner fairing is the color screen of a Boom! ™ Box 4.3 infotainment system controlled by twin joysticks located on a new swept-back handlebar that puts the rider in a commanding, comfortable position. A High Output Twin Cam 103™ V-Twin engine burbles through two chrome mufflers, its abundant torque always on tap with just a twist of the throttle. Touring features include One-Touch hard saddlebags, cruise control, easy-to-read gauges, adjustable air-ride rear suspension and new ergonomic hand controls with intuitive design and improved tactile feel.
Road Glide Special
Select premium features elevate the performance and style of the Road Glide Special from the base model. These enhancements 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. An exclusive painted inner fairing and hand-applied pinstriping move the styling up a notch.
The public will have an opportunity to 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. They then start arriving at authorized Harley-Davidson dealerships on August 26, 2014. Visit www.h-d.com/roadglide for more information.
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Source: https://www.motorcycledaily.com/2014/08/first-look-2015-harley-davidson-road-glide-and-road-glide-special/
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