Harley-Davidson unboxes Electra Glide Highway King

Harley-Davidson has unveiled a new addition to its Icons Motorcycle Collection, dubbed the Electra Glide Highway King.

According to the American motorcycle brand, the Harley-Davidson Electra Glide Highway King was inspired by the 1968 FLH Electra Glide model, a motorcycle that ruled the road in “an era of paper maps and 15-cent burgers.”

The original Harley-Davidson FLH Electra Glide offered riders of the Swingin’ 60s extra touring comfort and convenience through the then-available King of the Highway accessories group, which added fiberglass saddlebags, a windshield, a luggage rack over the rear fender, and engine guards.

Looking to evoke the same flair, but with the added comfort and technology of a modern Harley-Davidson Grand American Touring motorcycle, is the Electra Glide Highway King.

Notable appointments include the tank badge that is very similar to the one used in 1968 as well as the Icons Motorcycle Collection graphic and serialization badge that is laser-etched into the console insert.

Additionally, it wears exterior features that serve as a nod to the style of Harley-Davidson FL models from the 1960s. These include hard shell saddlebags finished in Birch White, a detachable windshield with a tinted lower section color-matched to the paint color, a solo saddle with a black-and-white cover and a chrome rail, as well as chrome steel laced wheels and wide whitewall tires.

Holding everything together is the single-spar Harley-Davidson Touring frame with a rigid backbone design. Further support comes in the form of 49-millimeter front forks with dual bending valve suspension technology and rear shock absorbers with pre-load emulsion technology.

“In its day this was a really deluxe motorcycle. The colors we’ve selected for the Highway King model are reminiscent of the original color options offered in 1968. We carefully matched each color in the lower section of the windshield. In 1968, the accessory fiberglass saddlebags were only offered in white, so we’ve done the same in 2023. The result is a thoroughly modern motorcycle that looks unapologetically old school,” commented Harley-Davidson Vice President of Design and Creative Director Brad Richards.

Powering the Harley-Davidson Electra Glide Highway King is a Milwaukee-Eight 114 V-Twin engine that according to the motorcycle company, accepts all applicable Harley-Davidson Screamin’ Eagle Stage Upgrade kits.

Safety-wise, it gets features such as Cornering Enhanced Anti-Lock Brake System, Cornering Enhanced Electronic Linked Braking, Cornering Enhanced Traction Control System, Cornering Drag-torque Slip Control System, and Vehicle Hold Control.

Only 1,750 samples of the Harley-Davidson Electra Glide Highway King will be produced. It will be offered in Hi-Fi Orange (limited to 1,000 units) and Hi-Fi Magenta (limited to 750 units).

Photos from Harley-Davidson

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