AMERICANRIDER. COM JUNE 2026 | 37
The Milwaukee- Eight 117 VVT makes a stumppulling 131 lb- ft of torque that peaks at 3,250 rpm, and about 90 % of that torque is available from 1,750 to 4,750 rpm. Whatever gear you’ re in, there’ s always enough grunt to make a quick pass or drop the hammer just for the thrill of it. The ride modes make it easy to dial in your preferred engine characteristics, from sedate to aggressive.
When shifting gears there’ s more mechanical noise than what you’ ll find on many other modern motorcycles, but somehow it seems fitting on a big Harley. I want a visceral experience; some thrum from the engine, a little clunk from the gearbox. The slip / assist clutch keeps lever engagement light, and 6th gear is an overdrive, so the big crankshaft turns only about 2,250 rpm at 60 mph. Harley claims 45 mpg in mixed riding, which allows you to ride about 270 miles between Buc- ee’ s gas stations.
At our relaxed pace on mostly straight, entirely dry roads, we didn’ t have much need for Harley’ s Rider Safety Enhancements, which are standard on the Limiteds. The suite of electronic rider aids includes linked brakes, ABS, traction control, and drag- torque slip control, all of which work in a straight line and in corners, as well as vehicle hold control( hill start assist) and tire- pressure monitoring. When it comes to safety features, I’ ve always believed it’ s better to have them and not need them than to need them and not have them. Life is unpredictable and riding can be risky, so I’ ll take all the help I can get.
IT’ S ABOUT THE JOURNEY Just as it was enjoyable to ride the new Limited, it was a genuine pleasure to be back in the South, the region of my birth. At various times and places, I spent nearly two decades living in South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida, the three states we rode through during this test. Being able to say“ yes, ma’ am” without getting weird looks or order sweet tea in a restaurant always warms my heart, reconnects me to my roots. But I don’ t miss the humidity. Nor the bugs.
Spending several full days on the Street Glide Limited left me feeling content. No need was left unfulfilled. Fatigue brought about by wind, engine heat, or undue vibration was never an issue. Cruising down city streets and highways on such a regal machine filled me with pride. And it looked right at home in front of the historic hotel where we stayed on Jekyll Island.
In Daytona, I struck out solo, spending a few hours riding and photographing the Ormond Scenic Loop and Trail( see Favorite Ride on page 58). Then I cruised north to St. Augustine to have lunch with my sister- in- law, Erica, and her husband, Dan. In a sea of blinged- out and hopped- up Harleys at Bike Week, the Street Glide Limited always stood out as a class act. If my schedule allowed, I would have gladly canceled my flight home and spent the next few weeks on the Limited exploring America’ s blue highways.
Top: LED fog lights and highway pegs are standard. Bottom: American V-Twin luxury touring doesn’ t get much better than this.