Since its introduction in 1984, the Harley-Davidson Street Glide evolved from a basic bagger to a bike that some argue is the best Grand American tourer of the bunch. Blending traditional style and long-ride comfort with agility for riders who want a sporty edge, the Street Glide is a bike with a wheel squarely in both worlds. When people see the Batwing fairing, they know they’re looking at a legendary all-American motorcycle.
However, anyone currently in search of a new Harley-Davidson Street Glide for sale has a little something different waiting for them. For its 40th anniversary, Harley-Davidson has given the 2024 Street Glide a major revamp (along with its sibling, the Road Glide). The 2024 refresh may be the most ambitious since the 2006 model year, a transformation so significant that many people, deliberately or erroneously, say the 2006 Street Glide was the first.
What’s waiting for Street Glide fans when they head to the nearest Harley-Davidson dealer? We’re here to give you a peek at the all-new Street Glide and how this “hot rod bagger” has taken the next step.
A New Engine for Newfound Power
Anyone accustomed to an older Street Glide will notice something different the moment they squeeze the throttle on the new model. For 2024, Harley-Davidson has officially ditched the Milwaukee-Eight 107 V-Twin engine that powered the Rushmore generation of Street Glides. In its place is a modified version of the Milwaukee-Eight 117 that has previously been used for the Low Rider S and other models.
The manufacturer claims the updated Milwaukee-Eight 117 produces 105 hp and 130 lb-ft of torque, a huge leap from the 86 hp and 111 lb-ft of torque in 2023. You’ll feel the surge off the line and the added top speed for open interstate cruising. Yet because of advancements in efficiency and lower weight, the 2024 Street Glide gets slightly better fuel mileage, 44 vs. 43 claimed MPG. It’s a bigger engine that also lets you ride further, a rare combination.
Better Ride From a Better Chassis
Harley-Davidson engineers have also made substantial changes to the 2024 Street Glide chassis. One of the few quibbles with the Rushmore Street Glides was that they had a little trouble getting through the center of the corner. To address this, the updated rear suspension now has Showa preloading adjustable shocks with up to three inches of compression. The 43% compression increase stiffens the ride so you don’t get bogged down and makes it more stable. You can adjust the shock by removing the saddlebags. Harley-Davidson has redone the front fork as well, so it works better in tandem with the rear.
The result is better handling and more support for those long rides. You won’t feel like you’re sinking in as the trip goes on, even when the saddlebags are fully loaded. With new four-piston axially mounted front and rear brakes, you’ll have control over that extra engine power, especially when you hit sudden rush-hour traffic. The 2024 Street Glide is lighter as well, dropping from 829 to 811 lbs. That means more responsive steering and less having to manhandle the bike around corners.
Technology That Adapts to You
As much as purists love a barebones bike, even traditionally stripped-down rides like the Street Glide must keep up with the times. The 2024 model does so with a remarkable mix of technological driving aids and comfort amenities. While advanced safety enhancements were optional as recently as 2023, in 2024, no less than ten features are included. Here’s the full list of rider systems:
- Anti-lock brakes
- Electronically linked braking
- Traction control
- Drag-torque slip control
- Vehicle hold control
- Tire-pressure monitoring
- Cornering-enhanced anti-lock brakes
- Cornering-enhanced electronic linked braking
- Cornering-enhanced traction control
- Corner drag-torque slip control
Harley-Davidson knows you’re sometimes in a certain riding mood, and a one-size-fits-all bike isn’t going to fit any of those moods. There are now three ride modes available on the Street Glide to adjust the bike as needed. Choose Road Mode for good everyday performance, Sport Mode for aggressive power and braking, and Custom Mode if you want to personalize everything from throttle response to the level of traction control.
As for creature comforts, Harley-Davidson replaced the previous Boom! Box 4.3 infotainment software with the more powerful Skyline OS. Not only that, but the screen size has jumped from 6.5-inch maximum to 12.3 inches, making it far easier to navigate your playlists. The speaker wattage has been doubled for a fuller sound. Bluetooth wireless headsets are now supported, and there’s a rider/passenger intercom system so you can easily talk to each other over the road noise. Touring will be truly grand when you have the latest tech at your fingertips.
Classic and Modern Styling Collide
Cosmetically, the 2024 Street Glide remains much like its predecessor. That’s just as well because we’re sure riders would have revolted if Harley-Davidson ditched the Batwing fairing. Still, there are a few tweaks worth talking about. The lighting is now all LEDs, which shine brighter, last longer, and use less battery power than halogen lights. The front turn signals look almost like eagle wings complementing the headlight.
On the fuel tank, there is a modern bevel-style line. You can now pop the fuel cap off without needing a key, so you never have to worry about being locked out of a fill-up. This beveling extends to the saddlebags and side covers for a unified look. Harley-Davidson says these changes help the bike’s aerodynamics so you “glide” through the air better.
Are you planning to spend all afternoon riding? The redesigned seats have softer cushioning and more back support, so you’ll be cozy. As you cruise, you’ll notice the analog gauges have been replaced with digital gauges that integrate with the infotainment display. Traditionalists might miss the old gauges, but with four display modes, including a high-contrast option, it’s easy to see important information.
Finally, while new paint may not make you go faster or increase the MPG, it will make a bike feel like yours. To this end, Harley-Davidson has increased the available colors from three to eight, with dazzling shades like Whiskey Fire, Sharkskin Blue, White Onyx Pearl, and Alpine Green joining the party. They’re paired with black or chrome trim for a symphony to your eyeballs.
A New Street Glide Era
The Street Glide has long been one of the best bikes for people who want to get out there and ride. Now, with a new foundation that maintains a free-spirited attitude, the 2024 Harley-Davidson Street Glide blows the handlebars off anything that can before it.
In many ways, the 2024 Street Glide is like the 2023 Street Glide CVO. The only major difference is the Milwaukee-Eight 117 engine instead of the Milwaukee-Eight 121. Essentially, that special-edition CVO has become the standard against which all Street Glides are now measured. This redefining of what a basic Street Glide should be has Harley-Davidson screaming into the future of motorcycles.
For anyone who has been waiting to take the plunge for a Street Glide, we think the 2024 edition is worth the wait. If you’ve been hanging onto your trusty Street Glide from years past, now is a great time to consider the next generation. Check it out and let us know what you think of the latest Street Glide.
