Harley-Davidson Street Glide Limited, how the star traveller goes
The queen of the Grand American Touring family was born for long journeys: you travel comfortably and protected, but in town you struggle a little due to weight and bulk
by Gianluigi Guiotto
Scrolling through the technical data sheet of the new Street Glide Limited 2026 from Harley-Davidson (36,000 euros) one is struck by two figures in particular: the 405 kg of weight in running order and the 1,625 mm of wheelbase are decidedly important for a motorbike, especially if read with the eyes of a European (decidedly less if read by an American). Yes, because the Street Glide Limited is one of the highest expressions of the modern American touring concept: it's a sumptuous bike, you can already tell when you put it upright to remove the side stand, an operation that requires toned arms, also because the fairing and windshield "batwing" are fixed to the handlebars and weigh it down in manoeuvring and at low speed. But this is a motorbike designed to travel long distances in comfort, without sacrificing high performance, advanced technology and the typical 'made in Milwaukee' personality.
New Engine
In 2026 the Touring platform was profoundly updated, starting with the heart of the bike, the huge Milwaukee-Eight V-twin Vvt 117, a 1,923 cc engine capable of developing 107 horsepower and above all a very high torque, 175 Nm already at quite low revs (3,500). On the road this translates into a powerful and constant thrust even when the throttle is opened a little, a typical feature of large H-D touring bikes. The presence of variable valve timing improves engine response throughout the entire range of use, making riding smoother and less tiring on long journeys, as well as reducing fuel consumption and emissions compared to previous generations.
Cycling at the height
The frame is the classic Harley Touring chassis, made of high-strength steel, combined with suspension evolved from the past: at the front we find a fork with Dual Bending Valve technology and 49 mm diameter stanchions, while at the rear there is a preload adjustable suspension designed to adapt to the weight when travelling, between luggage and any passenger. The braking system is adequate for the bike's weight: it employs two 320 mm diameter front discs with Abs cornering, i.e. tilt-sensitive: it increases safety when braking on bends, a technology now indispensable on high-end bikes. The electronics also include traction control, cruise control and selectable riding modes (Street, Sport, Rain and Custom).
The aerodynamics are influenced by the new Grand Tour Pak, the rear 'top box': it offers an impressive 68 litres of capacity, is illuminated on the inside, supports a redesigned backrest profile and also has a 12 V socket; the shape allows two full-face helmets to be comfortably accommodated. The side bags, which are now larger, contribute to the load capacity: a total of 144 litres are available.
In the saddle
More than a saddle, one should speak of a... seat for two: super padded, with dual-zone heating for rider and passenger with its newly designed portion, a height of 740 mm from the ground that allows practically everyone to touch the ground with both feet. In short, you can sit for hours without being affected, not least because vibrations are reduced to a minimum. Even the padding rotates the rider's pelvis slightly in a neutral position in relation to the spine, reducing back and neck fatigue.
