Harley-Davidson Road Glide Specs, Top Speed & Review
TL;DR
- The 2024-2025 Road Glide runs the Milwaukee-Eight 117 (1,923cc) V-Twin producing 130 lb-ft of torque at 3,250 rpm and approximately 105 hp.
- Harley-Davidson does not publish official top speed or 0-60 figures; independently tested estimates put top speed around 100-110 mph and 0-60 in the 4.8-5.2 second range.
- The 2024 redesign added the larger 117 engine, a CFD-tuned Sharknose fairing, Brembo 320mm front brakes, and a 12.3-inch TFT running Harley’s Skyline OS.
- MSRP starts at $25,999 for the standard 2025 model; wet weight is 838 lbs.
- Best suited to experienced riders who put serious highway miles on a bagger — two-up touring, long solo hauls, and anyone who wants modern rider aids on an American V-Twin.
2024-2025 Road Glide Full Spec Table
| Spec | 2025 Road Glide |
|---|---|
| Engine | Milwaukee-Eight 117 V-Twin, liquid-cooled heads |
| Displacement | 117 cu-in (1,923cc) |
| Bore x Stroke | 4.075 in x 4.500 in (103.5 x 114.3 mm) |
| Compression Ratio | 10.3:1 |
| Horsepower | ~105 hp at 4,600 rpm (US) |
| Torque | 130 lb-ft (175 Nm) at 3,250 rpm |
| Fuel System | ESPFI (Electronic Sequential Port Fuel Injection) |
| Transmission | 6-speed, wet multi-plate clutch |
| Final Drive | Carbon-fiber reinforced belt |
| Front Suspension | 49mm forks, 4.6 in travel |
| Rear Suspension | Dual shocks, 3.0 in travel, preload-adjustable |
| Front Brake | Dual Brembo radial-mount disc, 320mm |
| Rear Brake | Brembo hydraulic disc, 300mm |
| Front Tire | Dunlop H-D Series 130/60 R19 |
| Rear Tire | Dunlop H-D Series 180/55 R18 |
| Wheelbase | 64.0 in |
| Overall Length | 94.9 in |
| Rake / Trail | 26° / 6.8 in |
| Laden Seat Height | 26.6 in |
| Ground Clearance | 5.7 in |
| Fuel Capacity | 6.0 gal |
| Fuel Economy | ~44 mpg combined |
| Wet Weight | 838 lbs (380 kg) |
| Luggage Capacity | 2.42 cu-ft |
| Display | 12.3-in TFT, Skyline OS |
| MSRP (2025) | From $25,999 |
Sources: Harley-Davidson USA (2025), Motorcycle.com (2025), Torquepedia (2025)
Road Glide Top Speed and Acceleration
Harley-Davidson does not publish official top speed or 0-60 figures for the Road Glide — standard practice for American touring machines focused on torque delivery and highway comfort rather than drag-strip numbers.
Real-world testing puts the 2024-2025 stock Road Glide at approximately 100-110 mph top speed. Ultimate Motorcycling noted during their 2024 Road Glide road test that triple-digit speeds arrived without effort on an open freeway (Ultimate Motorcycling, 2024). Third-party estimates for 0-60 mph cluster around 4.8-5.2 seconds — respectable given 838 lbs of wet weight.
What matters more in daily riding is the roll-on. The 130 lb-ft of torque arrives at just 3,250 rpm, which means the Road Glide responds to a mid-gear freeway twist with the kind of unhurried surge that makes passing feel easy. You don’t need to rev it, downshift, or plan ahead — the low-rpm pull handles it.
Milwaukee-Eight 117 Engine Analysis
The 117’s long-stroke architecture — 103.5mm bore, 114.3mm stroke — produces torque at very low rpm, and that’s the whole point. The engine pulls hard below 3,500 rpm and never needs to rev to feel fast. For 2024, Harley revised the top end with a new airbox, updated cylinder heads, and liquid cooling on the cylinder heads specifically. The liquid-cooled heads address a real problem for V-Twin touring: heat buildup in slow traffic on a hot summer day (Harley-Davidson, 2024).
One honest limitation: above about 4,500 rpm, the 117 runs short on top-end pull. It’s a torque motor, not a high-revver. Riders who want more up top will find a Screamin’ Eagle Stage II kit or an Akrapovic slip-on with a tune makes a noticeable difference — but the stock engine is right-spec for its intended mission.
Chassis, Suspension, and Handling
The Road Glide’s frame-mounted Sharknose fairing is the handling differentiator. Because the fairing bolts to the frame rather than the forks, steering inputs don’t move it — which eliminates the aerodynamic instability that came with older fork-mounted designs. At highway speeds the Road Glide tracks planted and stable in a way the Street Glide’s fork-mounted fairing can’t replicate.
The 49mm forks offer 4.6 inches of travel; the dual rear shocks provide 3.0 inches of preload-adjustable travel (Motorcycle.com, 2025). Both are touring-biased — they absorb highway miles without drama but won’t impress an ADV rider. Maximum lean angle is 32 degrees before floorboard contact, so aggressive cornering has a ceiling. Know it going in.
At 838 lbs, low-speed maneuvering takes practice. This is not a forgiving bike in a parking lot. At speed, though, the mass mostly disappears. The upgraded Brembo 320mm front discs with radial-mount calipers — new for 2024 — stop the bike with authority, and the cornering-enhanced ABS runs quietly in the background.
Tech and Comfort
The 12.3-inch Skyline OS TFT is one of the better screens on an American touring bike: bright in sunlight, logically organized, and fast. Bluetooth and Apple CarPlay (wired or wireless) run through two fairing speakers. Ride modes — Rain, Road, Sport, Custom — adjust throttle response, traction control, ABS sensitivity, and engine braking together. Sport mode is noticeably sharper; Custom mode lets you mix and match.
The safety electronics package is thorough: cornering ABS, cornering traction control, drag-torque slip control, Electronic Linked Braking, TPMS, and Vehicle Hold Control for hill starts. That last feature earns its keep every time you’re on a steep on-ramp at 838 lbs.
Long-haul comfort is where the Road Glide justifies its price. The CFD-designed fairing cuts wind buffeting, the one-piece seat with passenger pad works well for two people, and the adjustable handlebars (27 degrees of sweep) let riders dial in their position. The 6-gallon tank at roughly 44 mpg gives a real-world range of around 240-250 miles before reserve — enough for a comfortable touring day without constant fuel stops.
Who the Road Glide Is For
The Road Glide is the right bike for experienced riders who log serious highway miles and want a bagger with modern electronics, genuine two-up capability, and the frame-mounted fairing’s stability advantage.
It’s not a beginner bike. The weight and the long-stroke throttle both require experience to manage. Riders upgrading from an older air-cooled Harley bagger will find the 117 engine, Brembo hardware, and Skyline OS a real step forward. At $25,999 to start, it’s expensive — and the natural modification path (exhaust, stage kit, upgraded suspension) adds up fast.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Harley-Davidson Road Glide
What engine does the 2024-2025 Road Glide use?
The 2024 and 2025 Road Glide uses the Milwaukee-Eight 117, a 1,923cc 45-degree V-Twin with liquid-cooled cylinder heads, ESPFI fuel injection, and a six-speed transmission. It produces approximately 105 hp and 130 lb-ft of torque at 3,250 rpm (Harley-Davidson USA, 2025).
How fast is the Harley-Davidson Road Glide?
Harley doesn’t publish an official top speed. Real-world estimates put the stock 2024-2025 Road Glide at approximately 100-110 mph. The low-rpm torque means the bike builds speed quickly without needing to rev hard (Ultimate Motorcycling, 2024).
What is the 0-60 time for the Road Glide?
No official figure exists. Third-party estimates for the 2024-2025 Road Glide cluster around 4.8-5.2 seconds. That’s a reasonable result for a 838-lb touring machine.
How much does the 2025 Road Glide cost?
The 2025 Road Glide starts at $25,999 MSRP in Billiard Gray with black trim (Harley-Davidson USA, 2025). Dealer freight, setup, and color upgrades typically push real out-the-door pricing past $27,500.
How heavy is the Harley-Davidson Road Glide?
The 2024-2025 Road Glide weighs 838 lbs in running order (fully fueled). The laden seat height is 26.6 inches. Low-speed handling at this weight requires experience — new riders should plan accordingly.
Is the Road Glide good for two-up riding?
Yes. The one-piece seat includes an integrated passenger pad, the saddlebags offer 2.42 cubic feet of storage, and the 117’s low-rpm torque pulls two riders without strain. Adjustable rear shock preload lets you compensate for passenger weight.
Key Takeaways
- Milwaukee-Eight 117 produces 130 lb-ft of torque at 3,250 rpm — wide, low, and highway-optimized.
- Top speed is approximately 100-110 mph; 0-60 estimated at 4.8-5.2 seconds — Harley does not certify either figure.
- Frame-mounted Sharknose fairing gives the Road Glide a high-speed stability advantage over fork-mounted bagger designs.
- At 838 lbs wet, the Road Glide is an experienced-rider’s machine.
- 2025 MSRP starts at $25,999; a fully equipped touring setup runs higher.
