Key Features of the 2026 Harley-Davidson® Road Glide®

Milwaukee-Eight® 117 V-Twin Powertrain

The Milwaukee-Eight® 117 delivers 130 ft-lbs of torque (at 3,250 rpm) and 105 horsepower (at 4,600 rpm) with liquid-cooling that helps maintain steady performance in a wide range of conditions. Its 117 cu in. displacement, 4.075-inch bore, 4.5-inch stroke, and 10.3:1 compression ratio strike a strong balance between lively acceleration and relaxed highway cadence. Electronic Sequential Port Fuel Injection (ESPFI) aids clean fueling, while the 2-1-2 exhaust with tapered mufflers underscores the engine’s smooth, muscular character. Gear ratios spread the power sensibly for touring—long legs in top gear with satisfying punch in the lower gears for passing or backroad climbs. When you roll on the throttle, the response feels immediate yet manageable, making the bike easy to settle into a rhythm on longer rides.

Sharknose Fairing with Aerodynamic Refinement

The Road Glide® signature Sharknose fairing has been redesigned with a modernized profile that sharpens the stance and cleans up airflow around the rider. That improvement shows up in decreased buffeting, better helmet stability, and a quieter pocket behind the screen at speed. Integrated LED signature lighting enhances conspicuity and road illumination, while the overall fairing geometry complements handling—stable in crosswinds and predictable when changing lanes or carving sweepers. The aesthetic uplift is purposeful too, with paint and graphics that are made to stand out, including dramatic two-tone options such as Teal Thunder/Vivid Black. Contrast-cut wheels and a supportive saddle complete an ergonomic package that looks as good as it feels hour after hour.

Skyline™ OS 12.3-inch Full Color TFT and Connectivity

At the heart of the cockpit is the Skyline™ OS system with a bright, 12.3-inch full-color TFT display. The interface is designed for at-a-glance readability and intuitive control over navigation, media, and bike settings. Apple CarPlay connectivity (wired or wireless) allows seamless phone integration for maps and audio, while Bluetooth support covers phone, headset, and media player connections. The system supports a broad language set and voice recognition for core functions, and it integrates vehicle information—such as air temperature and oil pressure—so important status details are always at hand. Two fairing-mounted 5.25-inch speakers and a 50-watts-per-channel amplifier provide crisp audio, keeping turn-by-turn prompts and playlists clear even behind a full-face helmet. In practice, Skyline™ OS reduces cockpit clutter, centralizes decisions, and enhances situational awareness.

Ride Modes and Ride-Tuned Suspension

Selectable ride modes help match throttle response and systems behavior to your environment. From steady-state touring to changing weather or variable road surfaces, ride modes provide a useful layer of control that complements the chassis. Up front, a 49 mm Dual Bending Valve fork offers a supple initial stroke with firming support as loads increase, promoting confident braking feel and consistent tire contact. In back, dual outboard emulsion shocks deliver 3 inches of travel and straightforward preload adjustability for solo or two-up setups and loaded saddlebags. The result is a bike that feels planted at highway speed, agile enough for backroads, and comfortable across patchwork pavement that often crops up on county routes and urban connectors alike.

Rider Safety Enhancements with Cornering Capabilities

Harley-Davidson’s Rider Safety Enhancements provide a thoughtful net of support when traction or braking margins tighten, and the Cornering Rider Safety Enhancements add further sophistication. Systems include Anti-lock Brake System (ABS), Electronic Linked Braking (ELB), Traction Control System (TCS), Drag-Torque Slip Control System (DSCS), Vehicle Hold Control (VHC), and Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS). Cornering-optimized features—Cornering Enhanced Anti-lock Brake System (C-ABS), Cornering Enhanced Electronic Linked Braking (C-ELB), Cornering Enhanced Traction Control System (C-TCS), and Cornering Drag-Torque Slip Control System (C-DSCS)—adapt interventions to lean angle or lateral dynamics. The effect is subtle but reassuring: improved line-holding under braking in curves, better throttle management on variable surfaces, and steadier chassis behavior if you need to slow quickly mid-corner. It is rider support you do not notice until the exact moment you need it.