2015 Harley-Davidson Road Glide - First Look

When Harley-Davidson updated its touring models for 2014, the Road Glide, the bagger with the frame-mounted fairing, went AWOL from the lineup. Today, though, at the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in South Dakota and the National Bikers Roundup in Oklahoma, Harley took the wraps off the new 2015 Road Glide and Road Glide Special.

One quick look is all it takes to see that this new Harley is dramatically different, thanks largely to what Milwaukee calls a “customer-led product development effort.” Yes, that means the Project Rushmore treatment has been applied to the 2015 Road Glide, and it’s most apparent in the aggressive new “shark-nose” fairing. Shaped by what Harley calls “countless hours” in the wind tunnel, the fairing of the new 2015 Road Glide is 1.4 inches narrower than the previous design, and its new “triple splitstream vent” is said to improve airflow while reducing buffeting.

Also immediately noticeable are Harley’s “Dual Reflector Daymaker LED” headlights. According to Harley’s product research, better lighting was very high on the wish list of previous Road Glide owners, and the Daymakers evidently deliver. According to The Motor Company, these LEDs cast a brilliant white light, and the low beams have 85 percent more “spread” than the previous headlight, along with six percent better “punch.” The Daymaker LED high beams are also stronger, by 35 percent in “spread” and 45 percent in “punch.” Just what you need to cut through the murkiest of nights, says Harley.

Other Project Rushmore improvements on the 2015 Road Glide models include hard injection-molded saddlebags, the same convenient one-touch-open units found on Harley's other touring models. The standard Road Glide, starting at $20,899, is fitted with cruise control, air-ride rear suspension, and Harley's BoomBox 4.3 infotainment system, which is controlled by twin joysticks on the new swept-back handlebar. ABS is optional on the standard Road Glide. If you order the $23,199 Road Glide Special, you'll be treated to the better BoomBox 6.5GT system, which has touch-screen controls and GPS navigation. The 2015 Road Glide Special also gets Harley's Reflex Linked Brakes with ABS as standard equipment, together with a painted inner fairing.

As expected, both new 2015 Road Glides are powered by Harley’s High Output Twin Cam 103 engine, the classic air-cooled V-twin that mounts in the same steel touring frame in use since 2009. Other new hardware includes ergonomically designed hand controls with improved tactile feel, plus chrome mufflers, and cast aluminum wheels.

The 2015 Road Glides arrive at Harley dealers August 25, in these five colors: Vivid Black, Amber Whiskey, Mysterious Red Sunglo (Road Glide only), Black Denim, or Superior Blue (Road Glide Special only). Our guess: Custom builders can’t wait to sink their claws into this newest Harley bagger.