2017 Harley Davidson Road Glide Special Motorcycle Review

2017 Harley Davidson Road Glide Special Motorcycle Review - Yes I misspoke on the intro - the cone guy derailed my train of thought LOL! This is a near-the-top long distance cruiser example from Harley Davidson featuring their new 107 Milwaukee Eight engine design. It's big new trick is finally having 4 valves per cylinder, giving quieter, smoother operation while increasing efficiency and power output by a claimed 10%. In operation, it feels like it has every bit of it's on-paper 111 lbs/ft. of torque from idle to just north of 3k where it starts to taper off to the low 5.5k redline. Overall it's a welcome change for the company, improving on a solid engine lineup in all areas. The stock sound is great, with an exciting note above 2,000 rpm but staying near silent just putting down the road. Overall comfort is excellent with a near perfect geometry for long distance cruising. A wide, cupped and supportive seat, sit up and beg position with perfect grip and control layouts. Quite a bit of wind deflection which may or may not be a plus, depending on your needs. The infotainment system works very well and is easily readable in all conditions. The basic gauges are easily read as well although with a full helmet they are just out of sight. The suspension is all about soaking up bumps, with a plush springy front end, lots of nose dive and the lean angle is minimal. If you are in the cruiser market this might be the sweet spot for a Harley Davidson. Note, the main differences between the Road Glide and this Road Glide Special is a 2" larger infotainment display and standard security. It's over $2600 difference in cost, so it's certainly a huge premium for a little bit of electronics.
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[@ericv79flh]

Road King? No, Road Glide!

[@ryanenstad8928]

First Harley I ever had was a 2001 RoadGlide. Best looking, best performing fairing of any Harley by far in my opinion. Miss it. This new '17 is freaking beautiful. Wow. Thanks for sharing!!

[@billynotat]

Pick mine up on the first of March vivid black cant wait great review thanks

[@kbrett2004]

Only Harley I would ever be interested in. Good to know that the wind is not an issue since I'm as tall as you. Good review

[@chrisblake1918]

I've ridden the Milwaukee8, and I love that beast!

[@CbusLowRider]

Nice review! I test rode one today, and was surprised with how great it rode. I have a 2016 Low Rider S and love it. But man, this thing rides like a dream. It's not nearly as fast, but it has so many positives. I'll have to do some thinking about if I want to trade in or not!

[@ryanenstad8928]

Button on the dash up near the windshield was for the slipstream vent to reduce buffeting. Great review and thanks for sharing!!

[@BrewCityRider]

Good honest review Bryan. I'll be considering a trade-up from my 2013 model to the Milwaukee 8 in a year or two.

[@Touringmidwest]

Great review brother, I love my Road Glide Ultra and I am afraid to test ride one with the Milwaukee eight because I don't want to find that I want a new one LOL, I demoed the new street glide though and that was very nice as well.

[@todkapuz]

Finally broke down and bought one... always loved the roadglide side of the family... once the dealer finally delivers all the parts (seriously they didn't have some of the basics you'd expect to put on one in house).... have to find some weekend to cruise up and have you photograph it while its still beautiful, before it gets totally trashed from abuse. ^_^

[@albertcornish6579]

I just brought one yesterday the same color,Love it

[@robvail2149]

Great review! I've been looking forward to this!

[@BuddhaRice]

Great review man! I have a dyna wide glide and a ducati monster now, so I have the best of both worlds. If I ever want to upgrade the dyna, I'd look into this road glide.

[@Nicoya]

Looks like the perfect bike to take on the next Dragon trip and have yourself a little parade of one.

[@quinonesm]

Another good review. That button on top of the dash was to open the upper air vent in the windscreen, which would give you that air to the face/helmet you like. I don't know why they tilt that boom screen upward to take on so much direct sun. If they tilt it downward a bit so it's some what perpendicular to the ground, it might help with visibility. Glad they changed their mind on that paint job, as it was awfully gaudy, but I'm sure someone will like it. FYI...HD did away with the air shock for this model and year (not sure about other models or CVO's).

[@KyleSchwanz]

Beautiful bike!! The buttons by the bars (three on each side) are for original aux buttons for like led lights or other accessories you can add later, heated seats or what not

[@emeraldcitycarpenter]

Great video. Thanks for posting.

[@telace1]

The button on top is for the upper air vent...if you had opened it ...it would be cooler in the cockpit

[@TwoWheelObsession]

AH ha - I knew you guys wouldn't disappoint :) Thanks!

[@48retrop]

Commonly known as the "mailbox slot" as seen from the front side.

[@Doug_Morgan]

The vent is open, it is open when the button is down. If the button was up it would be closed. If you look close you can see light coming up through the vent.

[@jimscycleandautotn8508]

Thats the bug eater slot, so you can munch and ride

[@dangalli1]

My friend and neighbor just bought a '17 Laguna Orange Street Glide with the Screaming Eagle up-grades and he loves it. We took a spirited ride west on Highway 20 to Fort Bragg, California a couple weeks ago. I was on my '06 Yamaha Stratoliner with it's 113 C.I. and we seemed neck n neck, but he corners better than I do. I'm looking forward to a freeway entry opening up of the bikes to see which bike is faster on a straight-away. He's had the first service done at his dealership and he's done with the break-in procedure.

[@BeardedCruiser]

The special also comes with standard linked ABS. that's the main draw for me and the larger infotainment screen.

[@joedangelo5640]

Most of the "gauges" that you say are "on a gold wing" are there, you access them from the infotainment screen. Milwaukee 8 bikes have a new engine, clutch (no "clunk"), and suspension. Also, the "Hard Candy Black Gold Flake" is available for 2017. Finally, the "buttons" are for adding electronics, like auxiliary lights. I agree about the gear indicator. But, it is a lot easier to see on the black gauges (Road Glide Ultra).

[@TwoWheelObsession]

According to the Harley crew there running the show, no, it's been discontinued.

[@scootjockey]

From 1st gear to top gear then open the throttle did i hear corectley?

[@elithegreat6463]

The fairing alone would be worth more than what you get for a trade in on your FJ-1300, Harley always hold their Value👍 and you didn't mention Cruise control

[@troncoparati]

I saw that color the other day at Adamec, but it is flashier in person...too much flake...Great bike though. I rode one and I'm sold. I agree wit you as I was really surprised by the stock pipe's sound, amazing for stock.

[@jeffhudson670]

Nice review.

[@frankieh9233]

YESSS finally !!!! thank you

[@videocast406]

Not too bad, like older bikes, it blocks the rattle from wind

[@jmahaney3]

Do you know it the seat was changed to the tall boy seat or is it the stock one?

[@kbshaw]

Did he say 6th gear at 45mph?? Most of the time I’m still in 3rd

[@WORRO]

Very nice!

[@antonoat]

I'm no way in the market for one of these, I don't think they are really relevant here in the UK. I watched however because I really enjoy the way you review bikes, so much information! Your bike reviews are as good as I've ever had the pleasure to view, so thanks very much for sharing them. Cheers Tony

[@jody024]

Why would they not be relevant in the UK, with mainland Europe at your doorstep....

[@antonoat]

I was speaking personally as it wouldn't suit my style of riding. cheers

[@jody024]

antonoat Why didn't you say just that then. lol

[@antonoat]

I say what I want when I want, if you don't like it then deal with it. Harley's are not my thing but I do appreciate the reviews that the poster contributes to youtube.It was more the review of the the bike I was commenting on, if you couldn't grasp that from what I said then more fool you. I thought it was quite obvious. And furthermore my comment was aimed at the poster of the review and my appreciation of his efforts which I appreciate, even though I don't love Harleys. good night

[@jody024]

antonoat "I say what I want when I want, if you don't like it then deal with it", welcome to the internet....

[@saddle8bag]

The little windscreen is deceptive. It works great running around at 50 mph. Get it up to 70 and the wind noise will overwhelm the radio on full volume and bat your head around like a Bobblehead. The nice thing about that fairing is those two blow holes by the gauges. There are buttons to close those in the cold too, but you were getting a lot more wind than had you been on something else with a fairing. At least on your torso. Not enough to blow air thru your helmet vents I'm sure, but behind an air dam like that, there's no reason to put your visor down.

[@Zach_A]

According to the EPA the new engines make 92.53 HP and 100.57 HP for the 107 and 114 respectively.

[@TruckingWithClint]

That's in homosassa hwy 19 I live not to far from there!

[@CactusJack252]

I would like to see your take on the new Indian bikes

[@dirtycontrytimelol9313]

0:53 roadglide

[@twoweeledsoto6072]

Funny how some men get their panties in a bunch when talking about bikes. It's almost expected that everyone should love Harley. It's nothing more than another choice. Another style. Another feel. The remaining complaint now, seems to be dealing with the dealerships. Maintenance cost mainly, seems to be an issue with many owners. The attitude in the dealership was an issue with me, as well. Too many choices, to put up with crap (attitude) from a dealerships. But they have really improved in the tech advances of the bike itself, but the (I don't care if you buy or not, because I can't keep them on the floor) attitude has kept me away. REALLY GOOD REVIEW, BY THE WAY. REALLY GOOD.

[@hotadena6119]

They did sell that color in 2017

[@boss5horse115]

Nice bike but the wind coming around the fairing will peel your skin off. You will lose your helmet and skull cap if if its not anchored down. Horrible wind damage is the killer of a sale of this bike. Great video.

[@renniesmith8073]

I didn't care for that color either but it has grown on me a little? if the dealer they were desperate to get rid of and cut me a good enough deal on a bike that color I would buy it.

[@kellyj5389]

Love the reviews

[@shuckytuber3053]

You mean Road Glide Special and not Road King right?

[@migueltapia7302]

Bryan would you buy one or is the cost way over inflated?

[@elithegreat6463]

miguel tapia For some the cost is inflated , for others NOT ?, if ya have the $$, and want it, you get it

[@MCTeck]

I love all Motorcycles..I am Glad to See Harley bringing there Motorcycles Up "To Date"... However, The Left side drive belt is a Loser... Replace a belt on a Harley, Remove the primary drive and clutch... My Victory is right hand drive belt.Easy replacement. Harley Davidson Sportsters have had right hand drive since the beginning [chains then,belts now] I like what Harley did with 8v ..Suspension, Crank balance 75%Balance ,etc... My Victory Cross Country has Inverted fork and 4.8 Inches of rear suspension travel . I still own a 2001 Triumph 955I Sprint ST.. I just got back from my Sunday ride on Ortega Highway 74 in So .Cal.. The Victory Cross Country is the "Sport Bike" Of "Baggers... Good to See Harley making their Bikes More Competitive. Harley has one advantage over Victory..Better Fit and finish....

[@tax905972]

The belt last 60,000 miles before you have to change it .The chain can stretch and break. Shaft can malfunction as well .I've see that on a Honda. Nothing to malfunction

[@tax905972]

Harley allows you to go to any dear if you have any issues .Not victory . Fit and finish is 100 times better on Harley .

[@retiresoon5639]

The belt will last 100 thousand miles so it isn't that big of a deal. I have yet to replace one on any of the Harleys I have owned and I put a lot of miles on them.

[@PeterDad60]

Ha ha, dream on.

[@PeterDad60]

My reply was to duane howard.

[@blacksultan2727]

can you test out the new zx10r bud?

[@jimscycleandautotn8508]

Push the button and open the vent 👍

[@pepsilui]

i am buying one tomorrow. a bit nervious

[@joshuavell9722]

well???? lol

[@akwlb2]

You rode my dream bike. Now would you consider a 2018 star venture? I just seen a video of it a few days ago and im debating....

[@MISERSTYLE]

So is this bike more comfortable than your FJR?

[@TwoWheelObsession]

+MISERSTYLE pure relaxing comfort, yes

[@dustintaylor7843]

hey buddy I'm thinking of buying 1 would u buy the streetglide or roadglide

[@bigrainbow25]

Road glide if your a long range cruiser..... 500 plus mile a day bike...

[@drumitify]

Pretty cool......87degrees!

[@lynnhall9766]

Lmao!

[@Harleyguy03]

I notice a lack of wind noise through your microphone. What type of setup do you use. Very professional video.

[@bigdogbulldog9912]

:54 Road king ????

[@TwoWheelObsession]

Read the description????

[@bigdogbulldog9912]

Ahhhhhhh😨😨😨😨

[@stephenwilson2504]

I love that paint so that sucks.

[@chrismcdonaldracing]

Saving up my money for a fatboy or a wideglide im a harley fan.

[@williamjohnson6624]

I believe you mean to say road glide not road king.

[@TwoWheelObsession]

What gave it away? The title, the note in the description or the people commenting the same for the past 5 YEARS lol

[@ranssom1]

in aus harley roadglide spl cost au 37 k

[@tomdillon363]

Gear indicator? Pffft.

[@jody024]

prefer the classic models

[@roscocsa]

Huh. Harley via evinrude.

[@kellyj5389]

Sons of anarchy. Tampa charter.

[@Laudrengen]

The front on these bikes is really displeasing to look at...

[@boonkie601]

not a road king.....road glide

[@bryancrosby9907]

how can you review a bike when you don't know what your riding,(that's not a road king)also your In top gear and only going 45 mph, wtf have you been riding long ,,I guess not

[@sstroh08]

Bryan Crosby Road King and Road glide sound very similar... He's talking while riding... Don't be childish...

[@chrismartin500]

Lol, you have no clue dude. He just misspoke. He rides real motorcycles trust me.

[@Kenn1969]

Its a Road GLIDE not a Road King. Stick to your FJR's!

[@TwoWheelObsession]

+kmrocker 69 try reading the description

[@cuzimaluzer777]

kmrocker 69 FJR would DESTROY this bike in every measurable variable.

[@21gunsalute10]

that is one awesome ugly bike

[@HarleyBreakoutGuy]

Yamaha Star Venture is 10000% better

[@6806goats1]

Then go buy one and post a review on it. They look like the best option to Harley but I'll have a hard time giving up my Road Glide. I own a Raider as well and the engine is pretty solid but not a fan of the aluminum frame.

[@jamiefutera1395]

How do you know? Unless you demoed one the Star Ventures aren't out yet.