2023 has been nothing short of a treat for Harley-Davidson fans. First, the company treated us with a few exciting motorcycles as its 120th-anniversary celebration. Then came Harley’s first sub-500cc motorcycle in ages, soon followed by its bigger sibling, the X 500 roadster. And if you thought this was it, the MoCo has now introduced not one, not two, but four special edition motorcycles based on its popular Low Rider, Electra Glide, Road Glide, and Street Glide models. All motorcycles have limited production too, which makes them solid collectibles. Let’s dive in.
2023 Harley-Davidson Enthusiast Collection Takes Inspiration From American Muscle Cars
First up, we have the new Enthusiast Collection. Called Fast Johnnie, it blends the American muscle car culture of yore and Harley’s racing heritage. The former gives it a bespoke livery, complete with a Celestial Blue base coat and a thick white strip in the center you’d find on old-school muscle cars. Whereas, the latter is why you see a piglet on the fuel tank which pays homage to iconic Harley-Davidson racer Ray Weishaar. This piglet not served as a mascot back in the day, but it is even cited as the reason why Harley motorcycles earned the ‘Hog’ title. The livery is brought together by thick ‘Harley-Davidson’ lettering on the fuel tank and fenders.
The Fast Johnnie edition is available for the Low Rider ST, Road Glide ST, and Street Glide ST, with only 2,000 units per model for the world. With the colorway, the Low Rider ST will cost you $24,099 ($1,900 over the base MSRP), while the Road Glide and Street Glide ST command a $32,899 MSRP (a $2,900 increment). The colorway doesn't, however, change the rivals of the trio. The Low Ride continues to lock horns with the 2023 Indian Sport Chief and the Glides take on the Indian Chieftain.
What else do you get for the money, you ask? Well, not much. All three motorcycles continue to feature the Milwaukee Eight 117 V-twin powerhouse that produces 125 pound-feet on the Low Rider and 127 pound-feet on the two Glides. Another difference lies in the underpinnings, as the Rider comprises 19/16-inch wheels and upside-down forks. Meanwhile, the Road Glide and Street Glide have telescopic forks, complete with 19/18-inch wheels. What is common between the trifecta, though, is the feature list - cruise control, digi-analog instrument clusters, dual-channel ABS.
2023 Harley-Davidson Electra Glide Highway King Joins The Icon Collection
Last but not least is the new-for-2023 Electra Glide Highway King–the third offering in the company’s Icon Collection after the 2022 Low Rider ST El Diablo and the 2021 Electra Glide Revival. It pays homage to the 1968 FLH Electra Glide and boy, does it do that well. The motorcycle exudes old-school essence from the get-go, courtesy of the spoke wheels, whitewall rubber, and a two-tone black-white seat. There’s no shortage of chrome either, as it is present on the front fender skirt, saddlebag protectors, and even the seat rails.
What amps up all this are two special liveries - HiFi Orange and HiFi Magenta - both offered with contrasting Birch White saddlebags as well as color-matched, detachable windscreens. Of the two, the Magenta certainly takes the cake as this finish is rather uncommon on a Harley. Oh, and regardless of the color, each motorcycle is laden with special touches like the chrome Electra Glide logos, Black Denim panels on the tank, and a laser-etched handlebar badge.
Don’t be fooled by the old-school aesthetic, however. Harley-Davidson has equipped the Highway King with extensive features such as cornering ABS, traction control, cruise control, drag-torque slip control, and even hill-hold control. All these work together with the cruiser’s Milwaukee Eight 114 engine (with 95 horsepower and 122 pound-feet) to keep you upright at all times.
As for underpinnings, you get a single-spar chassis, sprung on 49 mm telescopic forks and a hand-adjustable monoshock. This is topped by 16-inch wheels, clamped by Brembo-equipped dual discs up top and a single disc outback. Couple all this, and the whole package weighs a whopping 849 pounds (curb).
Like what you see? Well, then you need to hurry up and put in a deposit as only 1,750 Highway Kings will go into production, each priced at $26,999. Out of these, 1,000 will be in the orange finish, and 750 in the Magenta. So what’s your take on these exclusive baggers? Would you take one home? If yes, which one? Let us know in the comments!