I suppose it had to happen: a motorcycle with Bluetooth. This popular feature, which basically puts all a vehicle’s audio and communication devices into one hands-free package, has been standard equipment on more than a few upscale cars for a couple of years now. But on a bike? Won’t that make riding a little more complicated and distracting than it has to be?
Harley-Davidson doesn’t think so, and their 2006 Road Glide has Bluetooth capability as standard equipment. I guess it makes some sort of sense; the Road Glide, or FLTRI, is a long-distance touring bike, after all, and it never hurts to be connected at all times....although, having said that, I’ve always looked at riding as a way to disconnect and get away from it all.
Whatever, the new Road Glide is one of the more stylish models in Harley’s lineup. In fact, to my eyes, it’s the best looking of all the FLT models, thanks mainly to its frame-mounted, “Shark Nose” fairing, which actually first appeared in the 1980s on a shovelhead version of the FLT. As ever, Harley looks to the past for inspiration and in this case, it works nicely. As well as doing a reasonable job of catching the wind and housing a stereo system, the dual headlight fairing contains a full array of instruments: air temperature, volt meter, fuel gauge, and oil pressure. There’s also a tachometer and speedometer, so you’re pretty much covered in the information department.
Power for the Road Glide is provided by Harley’s ubiquitous Twin Cam V-Twin, which displaces 1450 cc and develops about 61 horsepower and 117 foot-pounds of torque at 3500 rpm. Not the most potent engine out there, it makes up for in mid-range grunt what it may lack in revving power. Put it this way: it’s enough to push the 332-kilogram Road Glide along at a reasonable clip and will suit most riders in this market who probably aren’t looking for a powerhouse ride anyway. Some reserve and passing power is available, but at 5500 rpm, you’re done, and there are plenty of faster bikes in this market. Transmission is five-speed and final drive is belt.
Harley is describing the Road Glide as a “minimalist” touring machine. I disagree. Any bike with a 40-watt stereo/CD player, electronic cruise control, and fuel injection is hardly bare-bones. The Harley Sportster and FXD are minimalist, but this is a luxo-tourer, with most of the modcons. It would be more accurate to describe the ‘Glide as a jumping-off point for those riders who simply must have more chrome and glitz. The options and accessories list for the Road Glide is exhaustive and while it may not be a full-zoot parade float, it’s semi-zoot at the very least.
Once aboard, the Road Glide has a fairly flat saddle; not much in the way of lumbar support here, and I found the handlebars to be a titch too far forward. Were I to purchase this bike, I’d invest in some pull-back risers or handlebars that reach further back toward the rider. I also found the heel-toe shift lever to be positioned too high off the foot-boards. I like to be able to shift gears without having to lift my leg up each and every time. And I also found the rear passenger footboards interfered with my legs on takeoff and when stopping. Again, if I were in the market for this bike, I’d change the rear footboards to foot-pegs and give myself a little more leg-room. All of these are minor adjustments as opposed to design flaws and each rider has his/her own way of being comfortable.
One of the things that always strikes me when I ride an FLT - regardless of what model - is how much mileage Harley-Davidson has gotten out of this platform. The FLT/ElectraGlide goes ‘way back and has been around in its current form since the mid-1960s at least. Of course, there have been numerous upgrades and refinements since then, but it’s still a big stable touring bike with a nice sense of balance and a presence all its own. It may look cumbersome and top-heavy, but the FLT-slash-Road Glide-slash-Road King and so on, is a fine handling motorcycle, actually superior to some newer models, such as the BMW K1200LT....at least at lower speeds. They may be faster, but I find the Beemer and the Honda Goldwing, for that matter, to be a bit of a handful around town, where the FLT platform is stable at all speeds and quite maneuverable. On the highway, it stays planted and in town is definitely tossable. That’s probably why it’s favoured by law enforcement personnel and long-distance haulers alike. And, really, the Road Glide is just a police bike with a different uniform.
Price for the new Road Glide starts at $22,500 and you can choose from eight different colours.
Including blue.
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