Harley‑Davidson has long been known for leveraging the nostalgia of past models into brand‑new ones, and the Harley-Davidson Electra Glide Highway King tested here is one of the finest examples of the theme.
This retro throwback is part of H‑D’s Icons Collection, a limited‑production line that taps into the celebration of two‑wheel nostalgia. The first Icons bike debuted in 2021: the Electra Glide Revival, a modernized version of the 1969 E‑Glide, which was the first bike to sport the MoCo’s batwing fairing. The Revival was followed in the Icons line by the 2022 FXRST Low Rider El Diablo.
For a fresh dose of nostalgia, the 2023 Highway King channels the iconic 1968 FLH Electra Glide as outfitted with the King of the Highway accessories package, which included fiberglass saddlebags, a windshield, a luggage rack, and engine guards.
Related: 2024 Harley-Davidson Icons and Enthusiast Collections Review | First Look
As nostalgia demands, the Highway King includes chrome front fender trim, saddlebag rails, and period‑inspired Electra Glide scripting on the front fender. You’ll note its white saddlebags, which don’t match the bike’s main colorway.
GEAR UP
- Helmet: Arai Ram-X
- Jacket: 55 Collection Bene
- Gloves: Highway 21 Jab
- Pants: Highway 21 Blockhouse
- Boots: Harley-Davidson Hagerman
“In 1968, the accessory fiberglass saddlebags were only offered in white, so we’ve done the same in 2023,” said Brad Richards, H‑D’s vice president of design. “The result is a thoroughly modern motorcycle that looks unapologetically old‑school.”
You might recall the 2021 Electra Glide Revival also having white saddlebags. This new Highway King is essentially a Revival with the batwing fairing swapped for a traditional windshield with a color‑matched lower section. They also share old‑school sprung seats, which are a fashion statement as well as a functional improvement.
“Everything we do in styling is based on the notion that form follows function, but both report to emotion,” the inimitable Willie G. Davidson famously said. The two‑tone seat serves both purposes, providing extra comfort while also harkening back to what formerly was a bygone era. It looks terrific and is finished off with an old‑timey chrome grab rail at its tail end – although it’s a solo saddle, and there aren’t any passenger accommodations.
King on the Road | Harley-Davidson Electra Glide Highway King
Nostalgia is a powerful pull on its own, but most of the Highway King is fully modern with a plethora of convenience equipment that was unavailable on the 1960s Electra Glide. Power comes from a 114ci version of the MoCo’s Milwaukee‑Eight V‑Twin, which fires up without hassle thanks to electronic fuel injection. Night becomes brighter with a halogen headlamp and standard auxiliary lamps, and clutch pull is modestly light for such a big engine.
Indeed, the new bike feels similar to a modern Road Glide aside from its loftier seat. Functionally, the coil‑sprung seat provides extra cushioning over bumps that overwhelm the scant 2.15 inches of travel offered by the rear suspension. Short‑legged riders might balk at the seat’s altitude of 31.1 inches. A curb weight of 849 lb with its 6‑gallon tank filled, combined with a bulbous 130/90‑16 front tire, makes the bike reluctant to change directions and maneuver in tight spaces.
In terms of power, usability, and durability, the M‑8 in the Highway King makes the Shovelhead seem like the antique it actually is. Unsurprisingly, it stomps all over the 74ci Shovelhead, boosting torque from 70 lb‑ft in 1968 to a mighty 122 lb‑ft of twist today. The Shovel’s factory rating of 60 hp is dwarfed by the M‑8’s 95 ponies.
The amount of vibration felt by riders is another key distinction between old and new. The M‑8 has much bigger pistons knocking around, but vibes are quelled by internal counterbalancers, a feature unbeknownst to the shaking Shovel. Power is passed through Harley’s familiar 6‑speed transmission to a belt final drive. A chain would’ve been nostalgic but messier and noisier.
Brakes are one of the most significant steps up from the 1960s. Drum brakes are kicked to the curb in favor of a set of Reflex‑linked Brembos with 300mm stainless‑steel discs. Not only are they vastly superior to any drum setup, they are also blessed with H‑D’s Rider Safety Enhancements package as standard equipment, so it has the benefits of cornering ABS, traction control, and hill‑hold control.
PCH: Pretty Classic Harley | Harley-Davidson Electra Glide Highway King
The Highway King glides down Pacific Coast Highway in a stately manner, unhurried but large and in charge. Cruising south through SoCal’s beach cities was idyllic on this fancy new retro Harley, as I’m sure it was on a 1960s Electra Glide. Accompanied by the rumble of the 45‑degree V‑Twin and its bottomless well of power, it was tough to imagine there could be a better bike for this particular ride.
In this temperate climate, potholes are as rare as Crockers, so it was smooth sailing for the 49mm Showa fork and emulsion‑technology rear shocks. The only suspension adjustability is found in the hydraulically actuated rear preload. The sprung seat does a fine job of taking the edge off bumps big and small, although it would perform better with some provision for adjusting rebound damping.
The riding position is neutral and agreeable, with the chrome handlebar meeting hands without much of a reach. Vibration‑damping footboards allow a variety of leg positions; a heel shifter would’ve been a nice addition.
When the road opens up, the meaty motor accelerates smartly past traffic no matter what gear is selected. At highway speeds, the windshield smoothly deflects airflow, and it can easily be removed for open‑air riding. A tap of the electronic cruise control button instantly sets a nonwavering speed that can be adjusted up or down in 1‑mph increments. Vibration is present but never disagreeable.
The Home Run | Harley-Davidson Electra Glide Highway King
The Highway King is a lovely riff on an iconic machine from H‑D’s glory days, and its allure stretches far beyond old‑timers who worship at the altar of 1960s Shovelheads. It’s one of the most attention‑getting motorcycles I’ve ever ridden, drawing in vintage riders and youngsters alike for closer looks.
Naysayers might point out that this is basically a Road King with a fancy seat, a bigger engine, and a lustrous paint job. While that’s true, the Highway King’s combination of modern civility with retro styling brings the Electra Glide to a new old level.
Unlike the Revival and El Diablo, which were available in just a single colorway, two color choices are on offer for the Highway King. The eye‑popping Hi‑Fi Orange tested here is limited to 1,000 units, while just 750 bikes in the similarly stunning Hi‑Fi Magenta color are available. Both have MSRPs of $26,999, but the widespread appeal of the bikes is nearly priceless.
See all of American Rider‘s Harley-Davidson reviews here.
2023 Harley-Davidson Electra Glide Highway King Specifications
- Price: $26,999
- Warranty: 2 yrs., unltd. miles
- Website: Harley-Davidson.com
Powertrain
- Engine: Air-cooled 45-degree Milwaukee-Eight V-Twin, twin-cam pushrod w/ 4 valves per cyl.
- Bore x Stroke: 4.016 x 4.500 in.
- Displacement: 114ci (1,868cc)
- Compression ratio: 10.5:1
- Horsepower: 95 hp @ 5,020 rpm (claimed)
- Torque: 122 lb-ft @ 2,750 rpm (claimed)
- Fuel Delivery: Electronic fuel injection
- Transmission: 6-speed w/ hydraulically actuated slip/assist wet clutch
- Final Drive: Belt
Chassis
- Frame: Tubular steel w/ stamped backbone
- Rake/Trail: 26 degrees/6.7 in.
- Wheelbase: 64.0 in.
- Suspension (F/R): 49mm Showa dual bending valve fork, 4.6 in. travel, non-adj.; dual shocks, 2.15 in. travel, hydraulic preload adj.
- Brakes (F/R): Dual Brembo 4-piston calipers, 300mm discs; Brembo 4-piston caliper, 300mm disc; cornering ABS
- Wheels (F/R): Wire-spoke steel, 16 x 3 in.; 16 x 5 in.
- Tires (F/R): Dunlop D402 130/90-16; Dunlop D407 180/65-16
- Curb weight: 849 lb
- Seat Height: 31.1 in.
- Fuel Capacity: 6 gal.
- Fuel Consumption: 43 mpg (claimed)
- Fuel Grade: Premium
