10 Interesting Things About Harley-Davidson’s New Iconic Softail
Nostalgia has always been a key way to lure in motorcycle enthusiasts. This statement is particularly true in the cruiser motorcycle segment. Accordingly, nearly all leading brands have old-school cruisers in their lineups. Out of these players, Harley-Davidson usually leads the way in this regard. It treats us with modern renditions of its iconic machines, and 2026 has brought another such example. We’re talking about the gorgeous Super Glide. Here are 10 interesting things you should know about this iconic Softail.
Beautiful Old-School Aesthetic
We have to start with the design. The new Super Glide celebrates one of the most influential machines in H-D’s history. Accordingly, it looks the part, thanks to a handful of special touches. The livery is the most obvious, comprising a white base with red and blue stripes. You also get dollops of chrome all over, be it on the ape-hangers or the shield under the rider saddle. Some other highlights include:
- Serial number on the instrument cluster
- Swingarm-mounted plate holder
- Chrome headlight nacelle
- Chrome mirrors
Two-Up Saddle From The Factory
The special treatment extends to the ergonomics. You get a single-piece saddle, topped with the ape-hanger. That, along with the mid-set pegs, means a laidback riding triangle for you to lug around town. The seat also has a pillion section as standard, alongside pillion pegs. This is an optional extra on the Street Bob, costing $1,000 extra. So the overall value seems better here. More on that at the end.
While most chassis elements are typical, the wheels are special. You get a set of 19/16-inch laced wheels as standard here for no extra cost. Considering these are usually optional extras (priced at $850), that’s a big plus for the Super Glide. These hoops house single disc brakes at each end, clamped by Brembo calipers. Another notable detail is the set of bright aluminum hubs. These complement the silver spokes for a shiny appeal.
A Modern Powerhouse
The design might be a throwback to the OG Super Glide, but the powerhouse is thoroughly modern. This employs Harley’s new-age Milwaukee-Eight 117 engine, operating in its least powerful Classic trim. That means you get a two-into-one exhaust, classic round air cleaner, and a flat torque curve. The emphasis is on satisfying street performance and ease of rideability, according to Harley-Davidson.
Produces Close To 100 HP
As for output, you get a respectable 98 horsepower and 120 pound-feet. This is more than its direct rivals from Indian, be it the Thunderstroke 116 or SpeedPlus 1250 variants. The power and torque are also low in the RPM range to boost usability. A positive side effect is the 47 miles per gallon efficiency figure, which means a healthy riding range of around 230 miles. Meanwhile, all the power reaches the wheel via a belt-driven six-speed transmission.
A Proven Double-Cradle Chassis
In typical Softail fashion, housing the engine is a steel double-cradle chassis. This pairs up with the typical Showa 49 mm dual-bending fork setup and a Showa monoshock. The latter has been shortened for the Super Glide to lower the ride height. This doesn’t hurt the cornering potential, though. The max angle still lies at 28.5 degrees for both sides. Adjustability is very limited, meanwhile. Only the rear has hydraulic preload adjustment.
Larger Dimensions Than Similarly Sized Softails
The Super Glide is largely based on the Street Bob, and there are several similarities. But dive deeper, and you’ll see some key differences, too. The big one is the tank capacity of five gallons–a sizable 1.5 gallons up from the Street Bob. This understandably bumps the weight by a mild 10 pounds.
Another difference is the seat height. The Super Glide’s shorter monoshock drops the saddle height to 25.2 inches–0.6 inches lower than the Bob. Meanwhile, the length, width, ground clearance, and wheelbase are all similar between the two.
A Thoroughly Modern Feature List
This is where the Super Glide comes across as properly modern. Harley-Davidson has loaded the cruiser with a six-axis IMU and ride-by-wire. These allow rider aids like three ride modes (Road, Sport, Rain), cornering traction control, cornering drag-torque slip control, and cornering dual-channel ABS. Topping things off are creature comforts like cruise control, a USB port, and all-LED lights. The only gripe is the rather basic instrument cluster mounted on the tank. It’s the same unit from the cheapest Harley: the Nightster.
A Lip-Smacking MSRP
Last but not least, the Super Glide has a brilliant MSRP of $15,999. That seems pricey, yes. But look at the bike it’s based on, and things fall into place really fast. You see, the Street Bob has a base price of $14,999, which neither includes a pillion seat nor the laced wheels. Adding these bumps up the price by $1,850.
Then, choosing a shiny color further takes the price up by around $600. So the $14,999 figure quickly rises to around $17,000. In comparison, the Super Glide gets you the pillion seat, laced wheels, and a head-turning livery all for the $15,999 MSRP. That is excellent value if you ask us.
A Potential Collectible In The Future
If you’re convinced, we’d suggest you rush to your nearest Harley-Davidson dealership and put down a deposit. That’s because only 2,500 units are planned for production worldwide. So you’re not only getting a special machine, but this could also serve as a collectible in the future, potentially increasing in value. Or at the least, holding its value well. The iconic nameplate will further help things.
The 1971 Harley-Davidson FX Super Glide was one of the first complete motorcycles styled by Willie G. Davidson, who joined the Motor Company as a designer in 1963 and was inspired in part by home-built custom motorcycles he had seen prowling the streets of Los Angeles. The FX Super Glide combined the Big Twin FL chassis with a narrow XL Sportster front fork. — Harley-Davidson
Source: Harley-Davidson
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