Electra Glide Highway King
The Electra Glide Highway King is the third model released by Harley-Davidson for its Icons Motorcycle Collection. Paying homage to the 1968 FLH Electra Glide, it will be available in two color options: Hi-Fi Orange (limited to 1,000 units) and Hi-Fi Magenta (limited to 750). Let’s check them together!
Style
If, by looking at the Electra Glide Highway King’s silhouette, you think it looks familiar, well…that is probably because the very first Harley-Davidson Icons motorcycle was an Electra Glide Revival: to be exact, it was the 1969 model (which sported the first batwing fairing). Of course, this one is the model from the previous year: the 1968 FLH Electra Glide model, which had just a windshield.
It is absolutely no surprise that this motorcycle, as other icon models, is covered in nostalgic bits like wire-spoke steel wheels, thick whitewall tires, a removable windshield, solo seat, and two incredible two-tone color scheme. Among the details that are capable of making the owner travel back in time we find:
- the tinted lower section of the detachable windshield that matches the motorcycle’s paint color
- a solo seat with a black-and-white cover and a chrome rail
- shiny chrome front fender rails, saddlebag rails, a front fender skirt
- Ventilator air cleaner cover
- Electra Glide script on the front fender
Some of these features reflect an accessory package that was available on the 1968 model and that was called King of the Highway pack, which added fiberglass saddlebags (only in white), a windshield, a luggage rack, and engine guards.
Oh man, they now how to make riders dream!
Brad Richards – Harley-Davidson vice president of design and creative director – describes this project like this: “In its day this was a really deluxe motorcycle, the colors we’ve selected for the Highway King model are reminiscent of the original color options offered in 1968. In 1968, the accessory fiberglass saddlebags were only offered in white, so we’ve done the same in 2023. The result is a thoroughly modern motorcycle that looks unapologetically old school.”
Modern package
The Electra Glide Highway King is equipped with a single-spar Harley-Davidson Touring frame with a rigid backbone, and a single knob hydraulically adjusts the preload of emulsion-technology rear shock absorbers, while the front of this motorcycle sports a 49mm fork with dual bending valve suspension technology. In the engine compartment we can find a Milwaukee-Eight 114 V-twin engine capable of delivering anything you could ask for on a classic tourer. Needless to say, if you are looking for better performances, there are the usual Harley-Davidson Screamin’ Eagle Stage Upgrade kits available.
Could this motorcycle not have any of the 21st Century wizardry? Of course not! The motorcycle is equipped with: electronic cruise control, halogen headlamp, auxiliary lamps, Reflex-linked Brembo brakes, and – last but not least – Harley Rider Safety Enhancements package which includes electronic aids like Anti-Lock Brakes, Cornering Enhanced Electronic Linked Braking, Cornering Enhanced Traction Control, Cornering Drag-torque Slip Control System, and Vehicle Hold Control.
Our thoughts about the Electra Glide Highway King
What can we say about this Electra Glide Highway King? I believe that it is a beautiful motorcycle. If you are in the business for a retro looking tourer by Harley-Davidson, this is it! It is the perfect package for who loves how motorcycles looked in the good ‘ol days but still want to enjoy all the beautiful electronics that nowadays motorcycles have.
That being said, if I had to go get my self a motorcycle today, I’d probably go with a blacked out Road King Special. What do you think? Let us know in the comments.
