2018 Harley-Davidson Touring Road Glide Special

Black and white, or black as night. These color options and two others await Road Glide Special customers. Just like the its first cousin, the Street Glide Special, the Road Glide Special adds blackout finishes from front to back, including wheels, engine, exhaust system, and various details. Buyers may choose their preferred body color: Bonneville Salt Pearl, Vivid Black, Wicked Red, or Hard Candy Hot Rod Red Flake. As well, each Street Glide Special gets lithe-looking Talon multi-spoke wheels (18-inch rear)—finished in black, of course—plus “stretched” hard side bags that hold 17 percent more cargo, and a Boom! Box 6.5 audio system.

Viewed from the front, there’s no mistaking a Road Glide, thanks to its “shark nose fairing” with twin LED headlights (the name is no accident; google a whale shark’s front view for proof!). As with all Milwaukee-Eight Big Twins, the Road Glide Special delivers a greatly improved riding experience, including a smoother, counterbalanced engine, improved acceleration and fuel economy, better heat management, reduced noise, superior suspension, and electronically linked brakes.

Likes: Impersonating a peace officer is unlawful, but riding a Road Glide Special finished in Bonneville Salt Pearl isn't!

Dislikes: Harley's architecture is all-in on low seat heights. But especially on the Big Twins, a "tall seat" option would be nice.

Verdict: Thoroughly updated after two decades in production, this special Road Glide retains its bad-boy image.