Willie G. Davidson, grandson of Harley-Davidson co-founder William A. Davidson, signed on as a designer at the motor company in 1963. He was just 30 years old and was eager to make his mark on the Bar & Shield brand. After graduating from the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California, Willie G. worked for the design department at Ford Motor Company before joining HD.
The custom motorcycle scene in and around Los Angeles in the late 1960s inspired Willie G and influenced the original factory custom motorcycle, the FX Super Glide, launched in 1971, which combined a Big Twin FL chassis with a narrow XL Sportster front fork and a wilder rear fender. Designed by the man himself, it was his first for the company, but certainly not the last, as he penned the outlines of others, including the 1977 FXS Low Rider and the 1977 XLCR Sportster.
After 55 years, Harley-Davidson is reviving the Super Glide name with a new model, once again inspired by the Southern California custom motorcycle scene. And on paper, the 2026 Super Glide looks like a street bob with fancy paint, plenty of chrome and a tall, fist-in-the-air handlebar. But it’s more than just a ‘Merica-themed Street Bob, it’s a tribute to both Willie G and So-Cal custom bike culture.
Oh, and America too.
Photo by: Harley-Davidson
Production will be limited to 2,500 serialized motorcycles and presented as a special edition in 2026 to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States. The Super Glide joins Harley-Davidson’s portfolio of cruiser motorcycles based on its Softail chassis, and features a fuel tank and fenders finished in white Onyx Pearl paint, topped with red and blue fender striping and graphics inspired by the 1971 Super Glide model.
The 2026 Super Glide is powered by a Milwaukee-Eight 117 Classic V-twin motor that’s good for 98-hp and 120 lb-ft of torque. According to Harley-Davidson.
There’s a dual-bending valve 49mm fork at the front with hydraulic pre-load adjustment and a rear monoshock hidden under the seat, providing 3.4 inches of suspension travel. A single front disc brake with a 300 mm rotor, as well as a single rear brake with a 292 mm rotor handle slowing down, while tubeless laced wheels wrapped in Dunlop “Harley-Davidson Series” tires (100/90-19 front, 150/80-16 rear) keep the Super Glide glued to the tarmac.
Photo by: Harley-Davidson
The limited edition Super Glide is equipped with a set of rider safety technologies, including Cornering Antilock Braking System (ABS/C-ABS), Cornering Traction Control System (TCS/C-TCS), Cornering Drag Torque Slip Control (DSCS/C-DSCS) and Tire Pressure Monitoring (TPMS). It also has three selectable riding modes – Road, Rain and Sport – which can be changed instantly or at a stop.
A 5.75-inch LED headlamp with LED turn signals and brake lights comes standard, along with a five-inch console-mounted display that presents an analog speedometer above a multi-function LCD digital display.
So, while it may seem like a street bob on chrome steroids, the new Super Glide is much more than that. Much more than custom paint and chrome accents. It aims to honor both the legacy of Willie G. Davidson and the Southern California custom bike culture that inspired him in the late ’60s. It, in some ways, pays tribute to the United States’ 250th year by highlighting how we’ve changed in many ways – for better or for worse – but we’re still roaring down the road on big American V-twin powered machines, fists in the air, chrome dripping from the exhaust.
The 2026 Super Glide will be offered only in the United States and Canada with an MSRP of $15,999. But what do you all think? Would Harley have hit the mark on this OG design and market it, and more importantly, would Willie G have liked it?
