Thumb the starter and the Twin Cam 96 V-Twin rumbles to life, with the sonic waves exiting the new tailpipe as throaty as ever. Crack the throttle and the EFI rewards you with a commendably eager response. Take her up to just beyond parking lot speeds however, and something unexpected occurs-the Road Glide actually proves far more agile than any 800 lb Harley we can remember riding recently. Grip from the Dunlop rubber is tenacious and even with its abbreviated lean angles, the Glide can deliver a spirited ride. The rear suspension is air-adjustable to accommodate various loads, and we didn't find ride quality overly compromised by the shorter rear travel (now 2 inches, same as the Street Glide). When we later took the Street Glide out on the same route however, the rear suspension felt far less forgiving.
On the open road, the protection afforded by the snub-nosed fairing is enough of a compromise between open-air cruising and a hint of shelter to remind you that, hey, you're in the wind (so yes, there's some buffeting to endure). In all, the riding experience is positive, with relatively light clutch action, positive (if still clunky) shifts, and well-dialed fueling. It's nearly impossible to tell that the throttle isn't operated by a cable. To its credit, Harley keeps refining its brakes, too: A trio of 300mm discs provide reliable if unspectacular stopping power (we expected a bit more bite out of the dual Brembo 4-piston calipers up front). And the $845 anti-lock option is worth it: even maximum-braking stops on our ABS-equipped unit were smooth and controllable.
Harley continues to impress with its cosmetics, too: the Glide offers superb finishes and refined details. A generous array of chrome bits showcases the black powder-coated engine cases and the new rear-end is a Spartan masterpiece. And while that HK system provides a welcome soundtrack on the road, highway noise drowns out most audio at speeds over 50.
The Road Glide Custom starts at $19K in Vivid Black, though Scarlet Red or Black Denim will cost you $19,479.
When the Wide Glide last appeared in the Harley line-up it was in special 105th Anniversary trim.
After a brief hiatus, Willie decided it was time to bring the old girl back, so for 2010, the restyled Wide Glide returns. This time around, it offers revised cosmetics like an LED taillight combo, and a lowered suspension that drops the solo seat to 25.5 inches. Best of all, it's being offered at a more reasonable $14,499.
Dynas are recognizable by their exposed rear shocks and underseat battery box (black, here), and much of that old-school styling remains in the 2010 'Glide . A mini sissy bar loops over the rear fender, and a new two-into-one-into-two exhaust with slotted heat shields shimmers on the right side. The front of the 4.7-gallon fuel tank is kicked up 0.75 inch to emphasize the chopper vibe and a feeling of sitting "in" the bike. The Wide One gets its name from a spread-out 49mm fork laid out in a unusually long rake of 34 degrees, with space between the fork and frame created by the polished aluminum triple clamps. The black powdercoated powertrain gets contrasting machined and chrome highlights, and a black-rimmed, 40-spoke 21-inch wheel leads the way.
But an ultra-clean back end is definitely the conversation-starter here: a chopped rear fender hovers above new Michelin Scorcher tires, displaying only dual red LED rear stop/turn/tail lights rather than a central tail lamp. The license plate mount has been completely removed, to the left side of the chassis. What's cool is that this setup doesn't adhere to European regulations, so the Continentals are stuck with a traditional taillamp (seen here)-and for once, we Yanks get the trick option!