Harley-Davidson have delivered significant upgrades for the 2024 Street Glide, the first major redesign since the inception of the Project Rushmore model just over a decade ago. This time round it has a larger powerplant for increased performance.
Aerodynamic and technology updates take the ever-popular touring model to the next level too. Earlier this year we travelled to the Gold Coast for the launch of this bike and were left impressed with our first taste.
Since then, we’ve spent a significant amount of time exploring the new 2024 Street Glide further, testing it out in a variety of trims, featuring an array of factory parts and accessories.
Sporting a striking visual stance for 2024, the Street Glide scores a new batwing fairing, fuel tank, oil tank and saddle bags/panniers (depending on your term of choice). Not just a visual aid, the entire silhouette increases aerodynamic flow.
Staying with the looks for a moment, a new LED lighting package makes for a far more aggressive and modern style. That fuel tank we mentioned features more flat surfaces, with the traditional teardrop shape now a thing of the past.
So too are the stretched saddlebags that draped down over the exhaust of the outgoing models. Perhaps the biggest aesthetic change though for the 2024 Street Glide is the introduction of the 12.3-inch TFT display featuring Harley-Davidson’s Skyline IOS system.
Gone are the analogue gauges and all of the controls and information, including speed, revs, fuel and battery charge, with all of it now displayed via the digital dash. There’s even Apple CarPlay and smartphone integration.
On the road, the performance from the 2024 Street Glide’s 117 Milwaukee Eight motor is impressive. Packing close to 10 per cent more power than the outgoing 114 engine, it produces 80kW and 175Nm, delivered through four selectable ride modes.
Rain, Road, Sport and Custom make up offerings, which are, for the first time, available across the entire range. Handling is also vastly improved thanks to an extra 22mm of rear suspension travel via a Showa suspension setup at the rear.
It makes a huge and legitimate difference to how these bikes perform. A new frontend suspension and weight reduction package assists with the much-improved handling, with the new models down a mammoth 8.2kg.
The way the Street Glide changes direction when you’re riding with a little more enthusiasm is truly game changing for this big bike. Combined with the additional clearance, it will have you pushing the big bagger through corners harder than ever before.
A suite of parts and accessories have are on offer too, including seats, screens, luggage options, motor and bling items. In addition, they’ve released a set of preconfigured packages, which we’ve had the chance to test as part of this range review.
The list includes the Day Tripper, Sport, Sport Plus and Long Haul. Of course, there’s also a CVO route you can take if your wallet and passion allow. What follows here is our breakdown of the packages we had the chance to test.
Street Glide Day Tripper – Perfect for riding two-up and heading out for the day or potentially overnight, this package features a detachable sissy bar, saddlebag organisers, mid-frame air deflectors and an upgraded audio setup that includes an amplifier.
You’ll also find Stage 2 front speakers in this practical option for day trips (as the name suggests). It’s priced from $51,588 ride away, which is a $5,093 premium over the standard Street Glide.
Street Glide Long Haul – As the name suggests, this package is set up for proper touring and provides prospective Ultra Glide purchasers with a Street Glide option, complete with all the updated features.
The Long Haul package scores a colour matched detachable top box, a taller, more touring oriented windscreen, a heel toe shifter, mid-frame heat deflectors and a sundowner seat for extra comfort when punching in long kilometres.
Priced as tested from $53,702 ride away, it bundles up everything you’ll likely need so that you’re ready to hit the road and ride, for days at a time.
Street Glide Sport – This package ups the ante and includes a lot of accessories that potential owners will be looking for. Bling and sound are at the forefront of those, including a Screamin’ Eagle Pro Street Tuner and Extreme Wedge air cleaner to boost performance.
There is a noticeable difference in how the Milwaukee power plant breathes and accelerates over the standard incarnation. Bling comes in the form of adversary handgrips, floorboards, rear pegs, a derby cover, shifter peg and brake pedal pad.
You’ll also find a low-profile rider seat to finish off the sportier persona.
The Street Glide Sport retails for $55,123.90 but you get a much better looking and performing bike for that money. It really does add a cool touch of customisation straight off the dealer floor.
Street Glide Sport Plus – This variant ups the ante a little more over the Sport, adding sports handlebars, risers, a red stitch step-up seat, and saddlebag tip over protectors. There is also a Screamin’ Eagle air cleaner and tuner.
The package is topped off with a little more bling, including kahuna grips and a derby cover and will set you back $54,954.33 – again, ride away.
CVO Street Glide – Sitting atop the 2024 Street Glide range is the CVO. Featuring custom paint and a 121 cubic inch powerplant with variable valve timing, it comes with all the bling you could possibly ever want. It is, without doubt, the showstopper.
There is a steep entry price though, and for the full package of goodies that feature on this model, you will need to dig deep into your pockets to find $63,995 ride away (in a Copperhead colour scheme). Legendary Orange adds an additional $9,995 to that price.
To find out more about the 2024 Harley-Davidson Street Glide range, you can visit their website, or talk to your local dealership. If you’re keen on the CVO, it has its own dedicated microsite.
Our test bikes were provided by Harley-Davidson Australia for independent review purposes.
