Muscle cars, hot rods, and motorcycles have had a long intersecting history together. They optimize powerful engines, tough exterior designs, and plenty of bragging rights on the track. So with another edition of Harley-Davidson's Enthusiast Motorcycle Collection of 2023 comes the Fast Johnnie, a nod to the brand's hay days of full-throttle racing with factory-custom paint and graphics.
Donning a Celestial Blue/White color scheme, the Fast Johnnie is available in the Road Glide ST, Street Glide ST, and Low Rider ST, and will have a very limited production run of 2,000 units worldwide. “The striping graphic effect is a powerful signal to the generation that came of age during this era, and is still impactful today,” says Brad Richards, Harley-Davidson Vice President of Design and Creative Director. “The Celestial Blue base color selected for Fast Johnnie recalls a popular tone from the muscle car era. For the graphic striping, we created a custom white color formulated to authentically reflect the era, executed in a classic thin-wide-thin pattern on the sides and top of the motorcycle bodywork. The look is a nod to pure Americana.”
The Look
The purpose behind Harley-Davidson's Fast Johnnie collection isn't just to produce a rare, fast, and flashy motorcycle, but to pay homage to the legacies of the racers of the 60s and 70s that inspired it, and perhaps pave the way for new racers in the future. Just like any classic hot rod, the exterior makes a statement. By adopting the bold, contrasting colors of Celestial Blue and white, along with the bold graphics package, customers can carry this part of Harley-Davidson's legacy across three different models, allowing for more than one kind of riding style.
Speaking of stories attached to these motorcycles, on the left side of each fuel tank features the iconic Fast Johnnie character that was once inspired by a famous piglet named Johnnie that was adopted by Way Weishaar, who was a racer and member of the infamous "Wrecking Crew" of the 20s. Johnnie would often be seen sitting atop the fuel tank after every post-victory lap, and is responsible for inspiring the recognizable "Hog" moniker attached to the Harley-Davidson brand. Interestingly enough, the same Johnnie character is also featured on Harley-Davidson's Screamin' Eagle factory team racing motorcycles used in the MotoAmerica King of the Baggers series.
Meanwhile, the "Harley-Davidson" script is incorporated into parts of the white striping pattern. Depending on the actual model, this unique striping element can be seen on the front and rear fenders, the fuel tank, the saddlebags, and the front of the fairing.
The Road Glide ST And Street Glide ST
Because Harley-Davidson aimed to pay homage to its racing roots, it only makes sense that the models to be covered under the Fast Johnnie line happen to be the ones with strong emphasis on speed and performance. Considering that Harley-Davidson's racing team also draws inspiration from its racing history, using its two fastest factory baggers, the Road Glide ST and Street Glide ST were obvious choices.
Both the Road Glide ST and the Street Glide ST come equipped with the mighty Milwaukee-Eight 117 cubic-inch engine, a choice powertrain for those that require an above-average boost in speed. Able to produce 107 horsepower and 126 lb-ft of torque at 3500 RPM, this engine is ideal for those that have an insatiable desire for both. As an added bonus, this engine eligible to receive Harley-Davidson's newest 135 cubic-inch Stage 4 upgrade.
These pro-touring performance baggers come equipped with the latest in riding technology that put them a cut above the rest, such as Cornering Electronically Linked Brakes, Cornering-ABS, Cornering-Traction Control with multiple ride modes, Drag Torque Slip Control, Hill Hold Control (HHC), and a Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS). The Fast Johnnie Road Glide ST and Street Glide ST also feature the same features as the standard models like a touch-screen infotainment system, Bluetooth compatibility, turn-by-turn navigation, dual-speaker sound system, 49mm dual bending valve suspension with an adjustable rear shock, and 320 mm, 4-piston fixed front and rear brakes.
The Low Rider ST
For riders that desire ample amounts of speed and power, but also want something more compact than the Road Glide ST and Street Glide ST, the third model to fulfill those needs that is also receiving the Fast Johnnie treatment is the Low Rider ST. Visually, this motorcycle can be viewed as the Road Glide ST's younger brother. While it too features the Milwaukee-Eight 117 V-Twin engine, a frame-mounted fairing, and a pair of hard saddlebags, this motorcycle is built upon Harley's softail frame, providing more sport-touring maneuverability and 121-less pounds to worry about.
Aside from the Heritage Classic 114, the Low Rider ST motorcycle serves as an alternative bridge between softails and touring bikes, as it balances the best of both worlds with an attitude entirely unique to its own. Able to handle the cities and suburbs as well as the highway, there is no road around that this bike cannot handle. While the Heritage Classic 114 serves as more of a laid-back cruiser, the Low Rider ST sports some extra doses of performance and power. This bike is particularly popular among riders that value speed and style, especially those that are fond of classic West Coast styling. It also sports an above-average stock suspension, which includes single cartridge 43mm inverted front forks, and a concealed free piston coil-over monoshock with 56mm stroke that features a hydraulic preload adjustment.