At the ragged edge of America, on the primordial coastline of the Olympic Peninsula, we meet a wayfaring couple, who in awe of their surroundings and in awe of each other, riding side by side on all-new 2024 Harley-Davidson Street Glide.
- Major model update includes a more powerful engine, lighter weight, and a ton more technology.
- IMU-managed rider aids.
- New batwing fairing doesn’t depart too far from the original icon.
- New batwing fairing is still, well, a departure.
- $4,000 more expensive than last year’s model.
- Lighter, yes, but a heavy motorcycle nonetheless.
The 2024 Harley-Davidson Street Glide features advanced rider aids, touring comfort, a sound system that’s probably better than what’s in your car, and an updated engine. This is the Street Glide moving into the future of Grand American Touring.
In 1969, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin walked on the moon and Woodstock defined a generation and a cultural movement. And of considerably less consequence to the wider world, but massively important to the motorcycle world, Harley-Davidson introduced the batwing fairing.
To this day, the Harley-Davidson Street Glide’s batwing fairing presents to oncoming traffic one of the most recognizable visages in motorcycling. While it debuted merely as an accessory for the 1969 FLH Electra Glide, it’s long since become an emblem of American touring—an accessory, if it can be called that, to Harley-Davidson’s legacy of style. If one’s imagination is fired by the picture of a solitary rider beneath a big sky moving at speed through the dusty expanse of the American West, there’s a good chance the motorcycle that’s the protagonist of the scene has a batwing fairing like that of the H-D Street Glide.
For all the romance conjured by a motorcycle like the Street Glide, it’s nothing unless the reality lives up to the dream. For 2024, Harley-Davidson redesigned the Street Glide—batwing fairing and all—to keep the dream headed toward the horizon. In one of the most sweeping model updates in memory, Harley updated the styling, bolted in a more powerful Milwaukee-Eight 117 engine, included a 12.3-inch TFT touchscreen display with a new infotainment setup and sound system, revised the suspension, and gave it a full suite of electronic rider aids.
The original batwing may be 55 years behind us, but Harley’s updates stay true to its legacy while giving it a new lease on life. On the road, the Street Glide is more poised than ever, with performance and technology absolutely unfathomable in 1969. Suddenly, ‘69, a landmark year in so many ways, is really starting to feel like an epoch ago.
The 2024 Harley-Davidson Street Glide has reworked from batwing to taillights. Revamped styling is highlighted by the LED lighting. An omega-shaped running light and integrated LED “eagle wings” replace the bullet turn signals of the outgoing model. The redesign is more than just for looks, as aerodynamic improvements are intended to improve rider and passenger comfort.
The 2024 Harley-Davidson Street Glide uses an updated Milwaukee-Eight 117 engine that’s different from the 117ci unit that powers other models like the Breakout 117 and Low Rider S/ST. Compared to the outgoing model’s 107ci engine, this M-8 117 produces 22 percent more horsepower and 19 percent more peak torque. Couple that with an 18-pound total weight reduction compared to its predecessor, and it’s clear performance gains were a big priority. H-D also updated suspension, utilizing longer-travel rear shocks for improved comfort and handling. More big changes include the new suite of electronic rider aids with ride-by-wire throttle control and selectable ride modes. The audio system has been upgraded with a new four-channel 200-watt amplifier and 5.25-inch Rockford Fosgate speakers.
The 2024 Harley-Davidson Street Glide starts at $25,999.
The CVO Street Glide (starting at $44,499), which debuted in 2023, is distinguished by its Milwaukee-Eight VVT 121 engine, a Rockford Fosgate Stage II four-speaker audio system powered by a 500-watt amplifier, a unique suspension setup, and a raft of styling changes.
The Street Glide’s biggest competition is arguably itself—in the used market. That and the new Road Glide. The 2024 Road Glide receives the same major updates as the Street Glide—engine, tech, etc. The Road Glide’s styling, frame-mounted fairing, and different ergos give it its own identity, but it is functionally very similar.
There’s also some heavy competition from outside the family. The Indian Chieftain (starting from $23,999) is first to mind. The standard model has a 111ci engine which Indian claims produces 119 lb.-ft. of torque, ride modes, a power windscreen, and some useful tech. But to compare more favorably with the updated Glide requires upgrading to higher-spec Limited ($28,999) or Dark Horse ($29,999) models. Those models have larger 116ci engines producing a claimed 126 lb.-ft. of torque, Apple CarPlay integration, IMU-managed lean-angle-sensitive ride modes, and a host of additional convenience features.
For a German take on an American classic, check out BMW’s R 18 B (starting at $19,945). The R 18 B uses a boxer engine displacing 1,802cc and producing a claimed 91 hp and 116 lb.-ft. of torque. The R 18 B has adaptive cruise control, which is unique to the category, but lacks some of the high-spec rider aids of the competition. Still, a Marshall-branded audio system, a 10.25-inch TFT dash, and a big rumbly engine hit some big-time bagger notes. Plus, even when it’s spec’d with the Premium Package, the R 18 costs a couple grand less than the Street Glide (closer to the base price of the Chieftain).
Despite some stiff competition, the2024 Harley-Davidson Street Glide packs some serious bang for the buck. To get a similarly equipped Indian requires going up the food chain, and the BMW isn’t available with some of the same equipment (namely IMU-managed rider aids). Plus, there’s a pretty big segment of the market that wants their bagger to have a bar and shield on the tank.
The Street Glide uses a version of the Milwaukee-Eight 117, displacing 117ci (1,923cc) with 103.5 x 114.3mm bore and stroke dimensions and a 10.3:1 compression ratio. Harley says it produces 105 hp at 4,600 rpm and 130 lb.-ft. of torque at 3,250 rpm. A 50 percent larger airbox (4.0 liters), compared to the 107 and 114 engines, is mated to a redesigned intake tract with a new aluminum intake manifold that offers a smoother and more direct path into the larger 58mm throttle body (up from 55mm). Changes to the cylinder head include reshaped combustion chambers, oval intake ports with low-profile intake-valve seats for increased velocity, while a bump in compression from 10.2 to 10.3:1 enhances low-rpm torque and improves fuel economy.
To improve heat dissipation, this Milwaukee-Eight 117 uses liquid-cooled cylinder heads (sourced from last year’s CVO Street Glide and CVO Road Glide models) in conjunction with a low-mount radiator that targets exhaust-valve cooling, circulating coolant first to the less-exposed rear cylinder head and then to the front cylinder.
In his first ride review, Editor-at-Large Blake Conner says, “The counterbalanced Milwaukee-Eight is a soulful partner, providing enough character to remind you that it’s a giant 45-degree V-twin, while also being smooth at cruise, allowing you to relax over long-distance rides.”
Ample torque at the bottom of the rev range makes it easy to launch off the line and keeps things fun between stoplights. The 117′s midrange torque is broad and robust, pulling the bike’s ample weight out of corners nicely. The six-speed transmission shifts with a solid and firm feel at the foot lever. Performance from the slipper/assist clutch is consistent and predictable.
The 2024 Harley-Davidson Street Glide uses a steel tube frame with a two-piece backbone and bolt-on rear subframe. Harley claims the Street Glide weighs 811 pounds ready to ride—some 18 pounds lighter than last year’s model, according to Harley. While the frame is essentially unchanged, new rear suspension has 50 percent more travel: 3.0 inches, up from 2.1 inches of rear-wheel stroke. Showa emulsion-technology shocks are adjustable for preload, and a conventional 49mm Dual Bending Valve fork up front has been retuned to work in unison with the rear shocks.
While, it’d be nice to see electronically adjustable suspension on a bike at this price point, the suspension provides a comfortable ride that readily eats up road imperfections. When a set of fast sweepers arrives and the rider unleashes nearly 2,000cc of Milwaukee iron, the suspension is firm and controlled. Intuitive handling and turn-in response are impressive considering the weight. Midcorner, the bike remains planted and stable. As ever, cornering clearance is the limiting factor, though H-D’s touring models actually have more cornering clearance than other bikes in the segment.
The 2024 Harley-Davidson Street Glide uses a pair of four-piston brake calipers and large 320mm rotors up front, and a single-piston rear caliper mated to a 300mm disc in the rear. Performance from the brakes is good, with progressive bite from the front units providing confident stopping power. Linked brakes manage front-to-rear application and ABS as needed.
We have not had a long-term unit to test for fuel economy at this time. Harley-Davidson claims the Street Glide delivers 44 mpg.
Harley-Davidson’s updates prioritized rider and passenger comfort; reworked cooling strategies improve thermal comfort, and aerodynamic changes to the windshield and fairing reduce rider fatigue. Air vanes in the fairing allow riders to adjust airflow to suit conditions.
The Street Glide has a 28.1-inch seat-height. Harley reshaped the saddle to rotate the rider’s hips to a more neutral position and take pressure off the spine. Our tester noted that the seat was “amazingly comfortable,” providing great back support and ample cushioning for long stints on the road.
Feet-forward comfort, a cushy perch, and smooth airflow over the helmet mean riders can blast through the contents of the Glide’s 6-gallon tank in one go. To help riders go the distance, they can blare their tunes over a new audio system that features a four-channel 200-watt amplifier and 5.25-inch Rockford Fosgate speakers.
The 2024 Harley-Davidson Street Glide’s saddlebags have 2.42 cubic feet (68.5 liters) of capacity, which is pretty ample if you don’t plan on loading them with, say, T-shirts from every Harley dealership you’ve ever visited.
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The Street Glide has a ride-by-wire throttle and a six-axis IMU that manages traction control and ABS. It also has Cornering Electronically Linked Brakes (C-ELB), a system that modulates brake pressure in the rear when only the front brake is applied, or vice versa. C-ABS, CTCS (traction control), and Cornering Drag Torque Slip Control (engine-braking control) are all tied to the six-axis IMU. On top of that it has Tire Pressure Monitoring and Vehicle Hold Control, which is especially handy for looking like a boss when taking off from steep hills, especially when the bike is fully loaded.
Four preset ride modes—Rain, Road, Sport, and Custom—allow riders to tailor throttle maps and rider aids to their liking: Road mode has a mellower throttle response, decreased midrange power, and a high level of traction control and ABS intervention; Sport mode puts full power on tap with a direct throttle response, minimal TC, and engine-braking dialed up; Rain mode offers the mellowest throttle response with reduced power output, more intrusive TC and ABS settings, and less engine-braking; Custom mode allows riders to set each parameter.
The Street Glide has a new Skyline OS infotainment system and a 12.3-inch full-color TFT display. The screen uses an anti-glare coating, and can be controlled via touchscreen or bar-mounted buttons. For $349.95, Harley offers an optional navigation package. Riders can also opt to use a third-party app. The system supports Apple CarPlay (but not Android Auto), but Apple requires voice control/helmet audio for the system to work, so you’ll need helmet comms. Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are supported and there’s a USB-C connection for music and calls for both Apple and Android devices.
Editor-at-Large Conner says: “Our experience with the system was almost completely positive with just a few quirks. Navigating the menus either via the left and right buttons is logical with well-laid-out menus to find everything from bike settings, tripmeters, modes, and audio control. Better yet is the ability to do most of this with gloved hands on the touchscreen. Most of the bike’s options can be accessed in motion, with just a few requiring the bike being stationary. Out on the open highway with the cruise control set, you can poke around and change your music playlist, or easily make other changes with very little distraction from the road.”
The 2024 Harley-Davidson Street Glide has a two-year, unlimited-mileage warranty.
Harley-Davidson’s fit and finish is top-notch and dealer support is exceptional. The 2024 Harley-Davidson Street Glide can be spec’d in multiple colors and with either chrome or black trim to get the right look. Loaded with tech and features, the new Street Glide has a ton to offer.
