Glide and seek

surprisingly easy, thanks to a firm but light clutch with a lovely progressive bite, and a power delivery which even at low revs is buttery smooth.

With 11% more power and 7% more torque than the previous model, combined with the weight loss, progress even in Road mode is as lusty but smooth as James Bond. And changing to Sport using a simple toggle switch on the right bar adds a satisfying urgency to progress and makes overtaking swift and satisfying.

All three riding modes deliver maximum power, but with different throttle response, and a brief foray into Rain proved to be disturbingly lethargic, and pointless, since Harley owners are so proud of their bikes, especially ones costing 27 grand, that they never take them out in the rain. There’s also a Custom mode for inveterate tweakers.

Either way, grunt is available from basement revs to the redline at 5,500rpm, with the sweet spot for powering out of bends or past old dears in Nissan Micras between maximum torque at 3,250rpm and peak power at 4,600rpm.

Handling, in spite of the hefty weight, is delightfully neutral and precise, even on mountain twisties, and those big twin discs on the front were more than adequate for hauling in the anchors. The only negative aspect was the suspension.

Harley claims the rear suspension travel has been increased by 50% to 76mm, but it was still very choppy on rough sections.

The Road Glide is the same as Street Glide from the headstock back, the main difference being the sharknose fairing is attached to the frame, so stays fixed while the bars turn. The bars are also higher and wider than on the Street Glide, which makes flinging it into corners easier, although being flung into corners isn’t really what Harleys are all about. As a result, this is more popular in the States, whereas in the UK, Street Glide and Road Glide sales are split about 50/50.

Dashing around corners on this is more of a jive, while on the Street Glide, it’s an elegant waltz.

The mirrors are also normal ones on stalks as opposed to the slicker faired-in ones on the Street Glide, which I preferred overall due to the sleeker look and the more normal riding position.

Still, it’s good to see those NY resolutions paying off.