Nostalgia has always been a major way to woo motorcycle lovers. This statement is especially true in the cruiser motorcycle segment. Accordingly, almost all major brands have old-school cruisers in their lineups. Among these players, Harley-Davidson usually remains ahead in this regard. It brings us modern renditions of our iconic machines and 2026 brings yet another such example. We’re talking about the gorgeous Super Glide. Here are 10 interesting things you should know about this iconic Softail.
Beautiful old school aesthetic
We have to start with design. The new Super Glide celebrates one of the most impressive machines in H-D’s history. Accordingly, certain special touches cause it to look the part. The livery is the most obvious, consisting of a white base with red and blue stripes. You also find bits of chrome everywhere, be it on the ape-hanger or on the shield below the rider saddle. Some other highlights include:
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Serial number on instrument cluster
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Swingarm-mounted plate holder
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chrome headlight nacelle
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chrome mirror
Two-up saddle from the factory
The special treatment extends to ergonomics. You get a single-piece saddle with an ape-hanger on top. With mid-set pegs, this means you have a comfortable riding triangle to move around town. The seat also has a pillion section with pillion pegs as standard. It is an optional extra on the Street Bob, costing an additional $1,000. So the overall value seems better here. More on that at the end.
While most chassis elements are typical, the wheels are special. Here you get a set of 19/16-inch Lace wheels as standard at no extra cost. Considering that these are usually optional extras (costing $850), this is a big plus for the Super Glide. These hoops have single disc brakes at each end, clamped by Brembo calipers. Another notable detail is the set of bright aluminum hubs. These are complemented by silver studs for dazzling appeal.
a modern powerhouse
The design may be a throwback to the OG Super Glide, but the powerhouse is thoroughly modern. It uses Harley’s new-age Milwaukee-Eight 117 engine, which powers its least powerful Classic trim. This means you get a two-in-one exhaust, classic round air cleaner and flat torque curve. According to Harley-Davidson, the emphasis is on satisfactory performance on the road and ride comfort.
Produces approximately 100 hp
As far as output goes, you get a respectable 98 horsepower and 120 pound-feet. This is much more than its Indian competitors, be it the Thunderstroke 116 or the SpeedPlus 1250 variants. Power and torque are also low in the RPM range to promote drivability. A positive side effect is the 47 miles per gallon efficiency figure, which means a healthy riding range of about 230 miles. Meanwhile, all the power is delivered to the wheels via a belt-driven six-speed transmission.
A proven double-cradle chassis
In typical Softail fashion, housing the engine is a steel double-cradle chassis. This is mated to a typical Showa 49mm dual-bending fork setup and a Showa monoshock. The latter has been shortened for the Super Glide to lower ride height. However, this doesn’t hurt cornering ability. The maximum angle on either side is still at 28.5 degrees. Meanwhile, the adjustment capability is very limited. There is hydraulic preload adjustment only at the rear.
Larger dimensions than similarly sized Softail
The Super Glide is loosely based on the Street Bob and has many similarities. But look deeper, and you’ll notice some key differences, too. The larger tank has a capacity of five gallons – which is 1.5 gallons up from the Street Bob. This explains the slight 10 pound increase in weight.
The second difference is the seat height. The Super Glide’s shorter monoshock reduces saddle height to 25.2 inches—0.6 inches lower than the Bob. Meanwhile, the length, width, ground clearance and wheelbase of both are all the same.
A completely modern feature list
This is where the Super Glide looks absolutely modern. Harley-Davidson has loaded the cruiser with a six-axis IMU and ride-by-wire. These allow for rider assists like three ride modes (Road, Sport, Rain), cornering traction control, cornering drag-torque slip control and cornering dual-channel ABS. The most important thing are the comfort features like cruise control, a USB port and all-LED lights. The only problem is the basic instrument cluster mounted on the tank. This is the same unit as the cheapest Harley: The Nightster.
An attractive MSRP
Last but not least, the Super Glide has a fantastic MSRP of $15,999. It sounds expensive, yes. But look at the bike it’s based on and things go right really fast. You see, the Street Bob has a base price of $14,999, which includes neither a pillion seat nor laced wheels. Adding these increases the price to $1,850.
Then, choosing a brighter color increases the price to about $600. So the $14,999 figure quickly increases to almost $17,000. In comparison, the Super Glide gets you a reclining rear seat, laced wheels, and a sleeker livery for $15,999 MSRP. That’s excellent value if you ask us.
A potential collectible in the future
If you are convinced, we suggest you visit your nearest Harley-Davidson dealership and place a deposit. This is because only 2,500 units are planned for production worldwide. So not only are you getting a special machine, but it may also serve as a collectible in the future, potentially increasing in value. Or at least, maintaining its value well. The iconic nameplate will help things further.
The 1971 Harley-Davidson FX Super Glide was one of the first complete motorcycles styled by Willie G. Davidson, who joined the motor company as a designer in 1963 and was inspired in part by the home-built custom motorcycles he saw roaming the streets of Los Angeles. The FX Super Glide combined the Big Twin FL chassis with a narrow XL Sportster front fork. — Harley Davidson
Source: Harley-Davidson
