Motorcycle Review of the Harley Davidson Road Glide Special
“Thanks to that three-year long customer survey Harley says their slick bagger, the Road Glide Special, has received over one hundred refinements… including small things like one touch latches and more intuitive hand control switches, to big impressive items like a multi-function, twenty-five watt, colour touch screen boom box info-tainment system and day-maker LED headlamp. Of course, powering the Road Glide Special is Harley’s air-cooled, high output, twin cam one oh three cubic inch V-twin with it’s six speed overdrive transmission. But added to the secret sauce this year is linked ABS Brembo braking system, a revised handle bar, faring, hard-bag, fenders, wheels, everything you look at has been tweaked, trimmed or breathed on – right down to the super low saddle. “
Dave Hatch | Host
2015 Harley Davidson Road Glide Special Motorcycle Review
“Like the rock that diverts the mainstream, our frame-mounted Road Glide® Special motorcycle fairing splits the wind and conventional opinion alike. This is an exercise in how far you can take a motorcycle in terms of miles, attitude and function. You’ve got all the Project RUSHMORE features from high output engine and one-touch saddlebags all the way up through the premium 6.5 inch touchscreen infotainment system and BOOM!” Harley-Davidson
If you’ve toured around a Harley-Davidson dealership recently then you know all about their Project Rushmore initiative; a three-year long customer survey that examined the needs of brand devotees. Harley says their slick bagger, the Road Glide Special, has received over one hundred refinements, including small things like one touch latches and more intuitive hand control switches, and big impressive items like a multi-function, twenty-five watt, colour touch screen, boom box infotainment system, and day-maker LED headlamp. Powering the Road Glide Special is Harley’s air-cooled, high output, twin cam 103 cubic inch v-twin with six-speed overdrive transmission. Added to this year’s model is a linked ABS Brembo braking system, a revised handle bar, faring, hard-bag, fenders, wheels… everything you look at has been tweaked, trimmed or breathed on – right down to the super low saddle. The perch now sits an impressive 695mm or 27.4in.
Loyal viewer Daryl Thunsby was called upon to test the Road Glide Special. Daryl is a Harley-Davidson convert from way back, and at first glimpse the striking finish and Harley-Davidson silhouette thrilled him. The 103 cubic inch classic Harley v-twin offers effortless power and its sixth gear gives it great fuel economy for cruising along the highway. Thanks to Project Rushmore, Daryl found the clutch much more forgiving than his experience on the Night Rod and the linked braking system had no problem slowing down the ample Road Glide with the added confidence that comes from ABS. The luggage refinements, along with the fuel economy make the Road Glide well suited for long weekend rides solo or with a co-rider.
PROUD SUPPORTER OF
The mission of the TELUS Ride For Dad is to raise funds to save men’s lives by supporting prostate cancer research and raising public awareness of the disease. Our goal is for men to continue to be there for their families and friends for years to come. The parade of vehicles grabs the attention of the masses and the media on ride day, the research helps find hope for the future and the awareness has the potential of saving men’s lives today.
