Harley-Davidson is rolling toward its goal of 100
new bikes by 2027, and the 2018 Harley-Davidson Sport Glide proves the
Milwaukee motorcycle maker isn’t going to be content with mixing parts from
existing bikes to reach that milestone.
The first bike introduced as part of the century
rollout was the 2017 Harley-Davidson Street Rod. The 2018 lineup signaled the
demise of the harder-riding Dyna line and the debut of an all-new Softail
family with improved ride, handling, and performance. At the 2018 model launch
event, eight new Softail bikes rolled onto the road, most carrying forward
model names and iconic style points of previous-generation Softails — and some
Dynas, too.
Riding on the new Softail platform with a
frame-mounted Milwaukee-eight 107 V-Twin powertrain, the 2018 Harley-Davidson
Sport Glide weighs 698 pounds. The Sport Glide has quick-release hard case
saddlebags and a small, fork-mounted batwing style fairing with a 1.5-inch high
windscreen to keep the wind from the rider’s chest, but not their head. If
you’re taking a long, fast ride, an optional 5.5-inch Light Smoke Windshield
should keep the wind from rider faces unless they’re exceptionally tall.
Leave the bags and fairing attached to travel the
highways, and then pop them off to cruise the night scene. According to a
Harley-Davidson press release, the saddlebag’s combined capacity is 1.9 cubic
feet. Motorcycle.com checked out the Sport Glide’s bags and reported they were
designed to hold a half helmet, rain suit, and a laptop computer. Any serious
Sport Glide touring calls for an optional luggage rack and Tour-Pack box or
switched-out saddlebags.
The Sport Glide has a 25.7-inch-high seat with
forward-mounted foot pegs and controls. The Harley-Davidson Smart Security
System is standard, as are keyless ignition and a USB charging port under the
fairing. The bike will light up the road and people will see you coming and
going with the Daymaker LED headlamp with LED signature lighting ring, and LED
rear brake light and turn signals.
The Sport Glide’s rear monoshock is hand-adjustable,
with five preloaded settings, and antilock braking is standard. The 18-inch
front and 16-inch cast aluminum wheels with a new Mantis design are mounted
with Michelin Scorcher 31 performance tires.
The starting price is US$ 18,600 in Vivid Black and US$ 19,000 in Twisted Cherry or Silver Fortune.
