2015 Harley-Davidson Road Glide
2015 HARLEY-DAVIDSON ROAD GLIDE
Classic hard bagger gets the Rushmore treatment
Don Canet
Following a one-year hiatus from the Harley lineup, the Road Glide returns with a host of Project Rushmore and styling updates. Most noticeable is its frame-mount “sharknose” fairing, which is 1.4 inches narrower than the previous design and has a “triple Splitstream vent” designed to improve airflow while reducing buffeting.
It works; I had no complaints while cruising at speed in the fast lane. Side vents flank the new Dual Reflector Daymaker LED headlights, and a centrally located vent in the top of the dash can be closed in inclement weather.
The dramatic reduction in head buffeting improves rider comfort and the listening quality of the sound system, which features a 4.3-inch dash-mounted display with a USB port that’s handy for iPod navigation.
A 6.5-inch touchscreen with GPS, standard on the Road Glide Special, is optional on the base model, and a new handlebar reduces reach by 5.5 inches, greatly improving long-
distance comfort.
Other Project Rushmore makeover bits include new injectionmolded saddlebags, which are the same convenient easy-open units found on Harley’s other touring models. My backpack with laptop slips right in.
Our testbike had the optional Reflex Linked Brakes with ABS, a wise choice that felt a bit abrupt in their action. With the air-adjustable twin shocks set at 45 psi, near the top of the range, sharp bumps rattled my jaw. Dropping to 25 psi dramatically improved the compliance without sacrificing chassis composure. And on the twisty Ortega Highway at night, I was able to maintain a swift pace thanks to the new Daymaker LEDs, which have much better spread and punch than standard headlights. Indeed, the future for this latest Harley looks bright.
SPECS
2015 H-DROAD GLIDE PRICE: $20,899 ENGINE: air-cooled ohv V-twin DISPLACEMENT: 103 ci SEAT HEIGHT: 2 7. 2 in. FUEL CAPACITY: 6.0 gal. CLAIMED DRY WEIGHT: 812 lb.
