Check out the 2025 Harley-Davidson Road Glide Key Highlights
Harley-Davidson’s Road Glide, like its Street Glide cousin, stands as one of the sportiest models in the Grand American Touring motorcycle line-up. With recent updates keeping the model current, it’s easy to see why it has been one of Harley’s most popular models in recent years. Whether you’re new to the Road Glide or just looking for a fresh take, Cycle Trader is here to get you up to speed. Read on to see the Harley-Davison Road Glide’s key highlights.
Browse new and pre-owned Harley-Davison touring motorcycles for sale for sale online.
Classic Design with Contemporary Style
While it’s not a direct descendent of the Tour Glide or as popular as the ‘Bat Wing’ faired bikes, the Road Glide has become iconic thanks to its Shark Nose fairing and distinctive look. The Road Glide’s mounted frame offers more stability at highway speeds compared to models with their fairing mounted to the handle bars.
For 2024, the Road Glide received a head-to-toe styling overhaul, with the most obvious element being the broad headlight design replacing the twin circular look of the previous model. The updated lighting is entirely LED, with a slick-looking accent light bar and integrated turn signal lights surrounding the headlight unit. The twin vertical taillights are nestled between the fender and saddlebags.
The 2025 Road Glide is offered in nearly a dozen color options, including blue and purple, with a choice of chrome or black trim. Plus, Harley-Davidson offers a pair of ghost flame jobs in orange or black. Buyers stepping up to the CVO trim have even more styling options.
Tons of Torque
V-Twin engines are one of the most common motorcycle engine types available, and sometimes regarded the heart of any Harley. Road Glide features the popular Milwaukee-Eight 117s. The 117 has had some initial teething problems, but it has become a solid, reliable mill since its introduction around 9 years ago. The 117-cubic inches (1,923 cc’s) offer Harley-Davidson’s classic sound and feel, plus a decent 105 hp. However, it’s the 130 ft-lbs. of torque that riders really feel as the Road Glide rolls up to speed effortlessly and makes passing a breeze.
Earlier 117s featured oil-cooling, but the newer bikes offer water-cooling through cylinder heads designed to lower operating temperatures by up to 40-degrees, helping long-term durability and keeping some heat off the rider. Power is sent via a six-speed gearbox to the rear wheel with Harley’s traditional belt-drive system.
Old-School Vibes – New-School Motorcycle Tech
Despite the Road Glide’s classic design and feel, it’s a properly modern offering with electronically-selected ride modes for Rain, Road, Sport and rider-configurable settings. The advanced Traction Control and standard ABS systems, as well as sophisticated cornering-enhanced braking and drag-torque slip control are impressive. These safety features and technologies help prevent the rear wheel from spinning out if the rider overdoes it on downshifts.
The Road Glide also comes standard with a tire pressure monitoring system and vehicle hold control which prevents roll-back when setting off on an incline.
Marketplace Inventory
Comfort and Convenience for Every Rider
The technology isn’t limited to the drivetrain and safety features, either. Most notably, the rider receives a massive 12.3-inch TFT display with bright, crisp graphics and a wide-range of information and configurability. Rider can choose the look and prioritize what information they want displayed. Additionally, it offers navigation, audio controls, intercom, and connectivity via Apple CarPlay. You can also blast your favorite tunes out of a pair of 5.25-inch, fairing-mounted speakers.
The extra travel in the rear suspension helps protect your motorcycle from potholes and other road imperfections. The Road Glide’s seat is not only plusher than before, but re-shaped to rotate the rider’s hips, allowing for longer rides before fatigue sets in. Seat height remains an easy-reach at just over 28 inches from the ground, helping to hoist the Road Glide’s considerable 838-lb mass up off the side stand.
While the Road Glide doesn’t offer the massive top box of the Street Glide Ultra, its restyled hard saddle bags still swallow nearly 2.5 cubic feet of stuff for overnight trips (or longer for those who pack light).
Start browsing all new and pre-owned Harley-Davison motorcycles for sale online.
Better Value
The 2025 Road Glide’s MSRP starts at $27,999 before accessories. The flashy design may contribute to pricing, but the new improvements add additional value as well. From the advanced tech to the beloved V-twin character, it’s no wonder this model has sparked the interest of riders searching the market for their next motorcycle purchase.
Jeff Wilson
You might also like
