Harley-Davidson Introduces New Electra Glide Highway King

[Hugh Janus]

2023 Harley Davidson Electra Glide Highway King riding on desert road (Harley-Davidson/)

If you’ve heard the phrase “everything old is new again” once, you’ve probably heard it a million times, and with the introduction of Harley’s new Electra Glide Highway King, get ready for another echo. The newly released touring bike joins H-D’s Icons Collection, which, as a group, taps into the celebration of two-wheel nostalgia Harley seems to have become so proficient at. The 2023 Electra Glide Highway King stays true to that formula, riffing on an iconic machine from H-D’s glory days—in this case, the 1968 Electra Glide—and infusing it with modern underpinnings which include things like a current-day touring chassis, an up-to-date Milwaukee-Eight 114 powertrain, and a full suite of electronic rider aids.

Related: Harley-Davidson Announces Icons Collection

The new bike channels H-D’s classic 1968 Electra Glide FLH model as outfitted with the Highway King accessory touring package of the time. The Hi-Fi Magenta color option is in the foreground. (Harley-Davidson/)

If you’re thinking the Highway King’s silhouette looks familiar, that’s probably because the first Harley-Davidson Icons bike, the 2021 Electra Glide Revival, was also based on a classic 1960s-era E-Glide. In the Revival’s case, it was the 1969 model being channeled (which sported the first batwing fairing), but Harley’s latest retro homage looks to the 1968 FLH Electra Glide model, and in that earlier year the Shovelhead-engine Glides had just a windshield, which changed the resulting profile significantly.

Given that context it’s absolutely no surprise that the new Electra Glide Highway King is awash in nostalgic bits like wire-spoke steel wheels, thick whitewall tires, a removable windshield, solo seat, and carefully curated two-tone color scheme. Other nods to H-D’s FL models from the ‘60s include a detachable windshield with a tinted lower section matched to the bike’s paint color and a solo saddle with a black-and-white cover and a chrome rail, both mounted over an adjustable coil spring and shock absorber. Tack on some shiny chrome front fender rails, saddlebag rails, a front fender skirt, a Ventilator air cleaner cover and top it off with Electra Glide script on the front fender, and suddenly the days of 15-cent burgers and 34-cents-a-gallon gasoline don’t seem so far away.

Related: Harley’s Paradox: Embrace the Past While Chasing the Future?

Solo saddle on the Highway King is framed by a chrome rail and mounted over an adjustable coil spring and shock absorber. (Harley-Davidson/)

Some of the aforementioned features reflect an accessory package that was available on the 1968 model, when the Electra Glide was the top of the line for Harley-Davidson. Buyers wanting the full touring monty could order the so-called King of the Highway pack, which added fiberglass saddlebags (only in white), a windshield, a luggage rack, and engine guards.

“In its day this was a really deluxe motorcycle,” said Brad Richards, Harley-Davidson vice president of design and creative director. “The colors we’ve selected for the Highway King model are reminiscent of the original color options offered in 1968. 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.”

The fuel tank is dressed with a special tank badge and an Icons Collection graphic, with the bike’s serial number laser-etched into the console. (Harley-Davidson/)

Which leads us to the next point: Is there anything new under the hood here? Not really.

The Electra Glide Highway King still rides on the single-spar Harley-Davidson Touring frame with a rigid backbone, and a single knob hydraulically adjusts the preload of emulsion-technology rear shock absorbers. Up front you get the familiar 49mm fork with dual bending valve suspension technology, while a Milwaukee-Eight 114 V-twin engine delivers all the motivation you could ask for on a classic tourer. (But if you’re looking for even more performance, all the usual Harley-Davidson Screamin’ Eagle Stage Upgrade kits can be added.)

Electronic cruise control, a halogen headlamp, and auxiliary lamps come standard, as do Reflex-linked Brembo brakes, but Harley also adds the Rider Safety Enhancements package as standard equipment on this model, so you get welcome electronic aids like Cornering Enhanced Anti-Lock Brakes, Cornering Enhanced Electronic Linked Braking, Cornering Enhanced Traction Control, Cornering Drag-torque Slip Control System, and Vehicle Hold Control.

The Electra Glide Highway King will be available in limited numbers; 1,000 units of this Hi-Fi Orange colorway will be produced. (Harley-Davidson/)

With its debut, the Electra Glide Highway King becomes the third model in H-D’s Icons Motorcycle Collection and it will be available in two color options: Hi-Fi Orange (limited to 1,000 units) and Hi-Fi Magenta (limited to 750). A black panel on the fuel tank is joined by a special tank badge meant to evoke the one used in 1968, and an Icons Collection graphic and serialization badge is laser-etched into the console.

There’s no word just yet on the price or when the bike will be available.

Standard equipment includes touring chassis, Milwaukee-Eight powertrain, and Rider Safety Enhancements electronic suite. Remember the days of 34-cents-a-gallon gas? Us either. (Harley-Davidson/)

Source

[Buckster]