The Harley-Davidson Road Glide is a legendary touring machine, instantly recognized by its distinctive frame-mounted “sharknose” fairing. For the 2025 model year, Harley-Davidson has taken this icon to new heights, blending its classic style with a powerful new engine, cutting-edge technology, and enhanced rider comfort. It’s built for those long rides across the U.S., offering a commanding presence and an exhilarating experience.
Distinctive Sharknose Design with Modern Enhancements
The Road Glide’s fairing is its most defining feature, and it’s better than ever:
- Iconic Frame-Mounted Fairing: Unlike the fork-mounted fairing on the Street Glide, the Road Glide’s “sharknose” fairing is fixed to the frame. This design helps keep the steering light and nimble, as the fairing doesn’t turn with the handlebars. The latest iteration has been sculpted for improved aerodynamics and features integrated LED lighting.
- Sleek and Aggressive Styling: The Road Glide maintains a low, aggressive stance, with its sleek hard saddlebags flowing seamlessly from the main body. It comes in a range of premium paint options, from classic Vivid Black to striking metallic and custom colors.
- Full LED Lighting: Modern LED headlamps, taillights, and turn signals not only look great but also provide excellent visibility on the road, day or night.
- Practical Saddlebags: Integrated hard saddlebags offer ample storage for gear, luggage, or whatever you need for your journey, making it a true touring companion.
Powerful Milwaukee-Eight 117 Engine
At the heart of the 2025 Road Glide is a robust and responsive engine:
- Milwaukee-Eight 117 V-Twin Engine: This liquid-cooled, 117 cubic inch (1,923cc) V-Twin engine is designed for touring. It delivers a strong 105 horsepower at 4,600 rpm and an impressive 130 lb-ft of torque at just 3,250 rpm. This means plenty of power for accelerating onto highways, passing slower traffic, and cruising effortlessly for miles.
- Electronic Sequential Port Fuel Injection (ESPFI): Ensures precise fuel delivery for smooth throttle response and efficient performance.
- Six-Speed Cruise Drive® Transmission: A smooth six-speed transmission allows for comfortable, low-rev cruising at highway speeds, contributing to overall riding comfort and fuel efficiency.
Advanced Infotainment and Rider Safety Technology
The Road Glide is packed with modern tech to enhance your ride and keep you safe:
- Skyline™ OS Infotainment System: A massive 12.3-inch full-color TFT touchscreen display is the centerpiece of the cockpit. It runs Harley-Davidson’s intuitive Skyline™ OS, offering integrated navigation, wireless Apple CarPlay®, Bluetooth connectivity, and a wealth of vehicle information. The bright screen is easy to read even in direct sunlight.
- High-Fidelity Audio: Equipped with two 5.25-inch fairing-mounted speakers, delivering 50 watts per channel for clear and crisp audio, whether it’s your favorite music or navigation prompts.
- Customizable Ride Modes: The Road Glide offers three pre-programmed ride modes (Sport, Touring, Rain) and a customizable mode. These modes adjust throttle response, traction control, and ABS settings to adapt the bike’s behavior to different riding conditions and your personal preferences.
- Rider Safety Enhancements (RDRS): A comprehensive suite of safety features is standard, providing added confidence and control:
- Cornering Enhanced Anti-lock Brake System (C-ABS): Helps prevent wheel lock-up while braking, even when leaning into a turn.
- Cornering Enhanced Electronic Linked Braking (C-ELB): Distributes braking force between front and rear wheels while cornering for improved stability.
- Cornering Enhanced Traction Control System (C-TCS): Helps prevent excessive rear-wheel spin under acceleration, including when cornering.
- Cornering Drag-Torque Slip Control System (C-DSCS): Reduces rear-wheel slip during abrupt downshifts or throttle reduction.
- Vehicle Hold Control (VHC): Helps hold the bike on inclines for easier starts.
- Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS): Alerts the rider to low or high tire pressure.
Comfort-Focused Handling and Ride Quality
Designed for long journeys, the Road Glide prioritizes comfort and stability:
- Redesigned Suspension: Features a 49mm Dual Bending Valve front fork and hand-adjustable dual outboard emulsion rear shocks with 3 inches of travel. This system provides a smoother, more controlled ride, absorbing bumps and maintaining composure over various road surfaces.
- Ergonomic Seating: The low laden seat height of approximately 26.6 inches makes it accessible for a wide range of riders. The seating position and the 27-degree adjustable handlebars are designed for maximum comfort on extended rides, reducing rider fatigue.
- Weight: The bike weighs around 802 lbs (as shipped) and 838 lbs (in running order), contributing to its stable and planted feel on the highway.
- Aerodynamic Sharknose Fairing: The fixed fairing is specifically designed to reduce wind buffeting and rider fatigue, especially at highway speeds, enhancing comfort on long tours.
Fuel Economy
The Harley-Davidson Road Glide, equipped with the Milwaukee-Eight 117 engine, offers an estimated fuel economy of around 44 MPG (miles per gallon) for combined city/highway riding. With its generous 6-gallon fuel tank, this allows for considerable range between fuel stops, ideal for U.S. road trips.
Price in the U.S.A. (MSRP)
The 2025 Harley-Davidson Road Glide is a premium touring motorcycle with pricing reflecting its advanced features and capabilities.
- The Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) for the 2025 Harley-Davidson Road Glide typically starts around $29,949 for the Vivid Black color with a black finish.
Prices can increase for different color options and finishes (e.g., chrome vs. blacked-out components). Special factory paint options may also carry an additional cost.
Please note: These MSRPs do not include destination charges, dealer preparation fees, taxes, title, or licensing fees. Actual prices can vary by dealer and location, and promotional offers or financing incentives may be available from Harley-Davidson dealerships across the U.S.
The Harley-Davidson Road Glide continues its legacy as a formidable touring machine, offering U.S. riders an iconic style, powerful performance, and advanced technology for an unparalleled open-road experience.