I rode Harley-Davidson’s 120th Anniversary edition Road Glide Special – it’s an amazing motorcycle… here’s why

ONLY a handful of motor brands have survived for more than 100 years, and Harley-Davidson is a proud member of this exclusive club.

2023 marks their 120th continuous year of building some of the most exciting and capable motorcycles in the world, and they’re in a celebratory mood. 

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We travelled to the USA, home of Harley-Davidson, to ride some exclusive limited production motorcycles, built especially to mark the 120th Anniversary of the Motor Company.

First up is the imposing Road Glide Anniversary edition. 

Only 1,600 of these magnificent machines will roll off the production line in Milwaukee and just 20 are expected to be available in the UK.

Standing proudly in the California sunshine, the special ‘Heirloom Red’ paint gives the bike a regal-like presence. 

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As we set off along Highway 101 the bike does a good job of making the rider feel like a king - the large 'shark-nose' fairing is distinctively Harley-Davidson and I notice quite a few cars pulling over to let us pass, their drivers giving admiring looks as we cruise by.

The ride feels luxurious - the vast seat is plush and the protective fairing creates a comfortable, buffet-free ride at highway speeds. 

I flick on the cruise control and for the first time ever on a motorbike, turn on the stereo and settle into an ultra-relaxed motorway cruise. 

But easily the most impressive part of the highway experience is the enormous V-twin engine beating away beneath me. 

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The Road Glide Anniversary Special is powered by a Milwaukee-Eight 114 cubic-inch engine, which means it’s a whopping 1868cc V-twin that packs 93bhp and 117ft lb of torque. 

Even the smallest twist of the throttle unleashes a huge surge of acceleration, adding to the sense that the road belongs only to me.

It’s only when the pace slows as we enter the town of Santa Barbara that I’m more aware of the size and weight of the bike. 

But now the Road Glide is attracting even more admiring glances from passersby, so it’s a price worth paying.

I’ve ridden motorbikes for 30 years, and only now it strikes me that riding a Harley-Davidson is a unique experience. 

These are big, imposing bikes, with a long history and are instantly recognisable on the road.

It’s easy to see why the brand has amassed such a devoted following over the years. 

Only a lucky few will be able to get their hands on a 120th year Limited Edition Anniversary model, but there are many more bikes in the range, and they all share the same DNA and deliver the same feel-good factor. 

With 120 years of building motorcycles under its corporate belt, Harley-Davidson’s DNA is about as pedigree as it comes.

The Harley-Davidson UK ‘Experience Tour’

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And this year,

Or if you want to push the boat out, you can.

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