Harley-Davidson Refreshes the Road Glide Limited for 2025

Harley-Davidson has quietly relaunched one of its most polarising machines. The Road Glide Limited, successor to the Electra Glide Ultra Limited, now carries the brand’s flagship tourer into a generation defined by variable valve timing, a fully digital cockpit and a chassis that hides its immense weight better than ever.

At the heart sits the air/liquid-cooled Milwaukee‑Eight VVT 117, a 1 923 cc V‑twin making 106 hp and a chunky 177 Nm of torque. Variable valve timing does not chase a headline peak power figure; instead it fattens the mid‑range, smoothing delivery when the bike is loaded with a passenger and luggage. On the move, that translates into effortless overtakes from just over 1 000 rpm and a relaxed gait on the motorway.

The £39 900 (€39 900) asking price buys a motorcycle that pampers riders with a 12‑inch TFT colour touchscreen running the Skyline operating system, 3D navigation, natural‑voice recognition and a Rockford Fosgate four‑speaker sound system that drowns out wind noise at legal speeds. A 417 kg kerb weight is disguised by a 699 mm seat height and a low‑speed poise that is rare among machines this size.

What the Revamped Road Glide Limited Means on the Road

The Shark‑Nose Fairing Still Works

The frame‑mounted, shark‑nosed fairing has always set the Road Glide apart from the fork‑mounted Street Glide. By removing the fairing’s mass from the steering, Harley engineers created a front end that feels lighter and more precise through bends. The latest Showa Dual Bending Valve fork and emulsion rear shocks keep control tidy even when the asphalt deteriorates, while dual 320 mm front discs haul the giant down with confidence.

Engine Evolution, Not Revolution

The Milwaukee‑Eight VVT 117’s 175‑177 Nm plateau is the story here. Where the old 114 cubic‑inch engine could feel breathless at low revs with a full load, the variable valve train fills the torque curve from barely above idle. The result is a touring motorcycle that rarely needs downshifting, making long motorway spells almost drowsily smooth, yet it responds willingly when the road turns twisty.

Electronics That Stay Out of the Way

The 12‑inch TFT is the command centre for riding modes (Road, Sport, Rain, Custom), cornering ABS, cornering traction control, cruise control and hill‑hold. Unlike earlier systems that bombarded the rider with menus, the Skyline interface is logical and the driver aids work discreetly in the background. The only constant presence is the huge screen, which doubles as an infotainment hub while you let the miles roll by.

What a Prospective Buyer Should Know

The Road Glide Limited is unashamedly a continent‑crosser. Its combination of a planted chassis, generous wind protection and a torque‑rich engine makes it a compelling choice for anyone who regularly covers 500‑km days. The 417 kg weight is only noticeable when pushing it around a garage or performing a U‑turn on a steep slope; once rolling, it shrinks remarkably.

At €40 000 it sits in premium territory, so a test ride is essential. The frame‑mounted fairing rewards riders who enjoy a flowing pace on secondary roads, but if you spend 90 % of your time on straight motorway work, the Street Glide Limited may feel more intuitive. Factor in the updated infotainment, the improved passenger seat and the effortless torque delivery, and this is a long‑distance tool that genuinely makes you want to seek out a mountain detour.