


The 2016 Road Glide Ultra also benefits from all of the 2014 Project Rushmore enhancements, including a new 49mm fork, Reflex linked brakes with ABS, sleeker fenders, One-Touch bag latches and vents, lighter cast wheels, improved hand controls, instrumentation and comprehensive infotainment systems. The Road Glide’s central feature is its “sharknose” frame-mounted fairing, which gives the bike lighter, more precise steering than the Electra Glide’s fork-mounted “batwing.” After a two-year absence, the Road Glide returned for 2015 (November 2014) with an all-new sharknose that is more stylish, aerodynamic and flows air more smoothly with less buffeting due to its Triple Splitstream vent system. Just as with the Ultra Limited we last tested in August 2015, you can really feel the extra power, and the Twin Cooled V-twin seems to run a little smoother and doesn’t exude nearly as much uncomfortable engine heat. A combination of air cooling and precision liquid cooling allows the higher-compression engine to maintain peak performance under higher loads, and contributes to its higher peak torque output over the standard HO Twin Cam. They might put on even more with the cooler-running Twin-Cooled High Output Twin Cam 103 engine on tap, which powers the new Road Glide Ultra. Harley says that owners of its Road Glide and Road Glide Special models ride the most miles per year of any of its customers. Road Glide Ultra The Road Glide Ultra’s Triple Splitstream vents in the sharknose fairing eliminate buffeting, and the 1.9-inch taller handlebar and 13.5-inch windscreen improve comfort and wind protection. You can read all about these bikes on our website. Harley’s collection of limited-production Custom Vehicle Operations (CVO) models, aka “big wheels, big paint, big motors” with factory warranties, goes from four to three with the departure of the CVO Softail Deluxe (the only motorcycle not returning for 2016, by the way), but the CVO Limited, CVO Road Glide Ultra and CVO Street Glide are back with new paint, tire pressure monitoring systems and more. Finally, for the production bikes, new front and rear brakes stop the entry-level Street 750 and 500 motorcycles. The Sportsters get their fair share of attention, too, with all-new front and rear suspension, improved seats for all models and some cool updates on the Iron 883 and Forty-Eight 1200. The low-saddled, touring-friendly Heritage Softail Classic also gets refreshed styling and improved saddlebags in addition to the High Output 103 powertrain.

Two new limited-edition Softails, the Fat Boy S and Softail Slim S, feature the Screamin’ Eagle Twin Cam 110 engine formerly reserved for CVO models, and the High Output Twin Cam 103 engine is now standard in all other Softail models and the Dynas (except the Street Bob, which is the least expensive Dyna and is part of the H-D1 customization program).įor the first time, the CVOs electronic cruise control is available on all Softail models, and is standard equipment on the Softail Deluxe, Fat Boy S, Softail Slim S and Heritage Softail Classic. Joining the Road Glide and Road Glide Special is the new Road Glide Ultra, the third model to receive the liquid-cooled Twin-Cooled High Output Twin Cam 103 powertrain. Hidden in the Road Glide Ultra’s fairing lowers are radiators for the Twin-Cooled High Output Twin Cam 103, which makes 10.7 percent more torque than the standard 103. Here’s a summary of the new stuff, followed by a closer look at the production bikes. Rider had the opportunity to sample them all on an evening cruise around Portland, Oregon, and on a 200-mile loop from Portland along the Columbia River and around Mount Hood. Just two years after thoroughly updating its Touring lineup under the Project Rushmore banner, for 2016 Harley-Davidson is launching three new models and bringing several back with some significant improvements. Project Rushmore upgrades include a beefier fork, lighter cast wheels, Reflex linked brakes with ABS, One-Touch latches and more.
