2022 Harley-Davidson Road Glide Special
Harley-Davidson embodies the timeless pursuit of adventure, encouraging riders to chase the horizon and seek new experiences. Bikes like the 2022 Harley-Davidson Road Glide Special make these adventures more comfortable and engaging, proving you don’t have to settle for less when you’re in the saddle. So, how does Harley-Davidson accomplish such a feat with this Grand American Touring bike?
Starting at $27,449, the 2022 Road Glide Special is all about customization, comfort, and performance.[a] Harley-Davidson makes it possible to build the bike of your dreams, whether you’re looking for a sinister road warrior or a traditional tourer. This is possible with the Road Glide Special’s new two-tone paint colors that mate Reef Blue with Vivid Black and the choice between a bright chrome finish or blacked-out styling treatments.
You’ll find several other improvements to Harley-Davidson’s all-American bagger for 2022. Its aerodynamic design is ideal for riders who appreciate a frame-mounted fairing that reduces drag. Of course, the Road Glide Special wouldn’t be a Harley-Davidson without its Milwaukee-Eight 114 engine, which gives the bagger its characteristic rumble. Components like the Emulsion-technology rear shock absorbers and Reflex Linked Brembo brakes with the dual-channel anti-lock braking system take the Road Glide Special’s performance and handling even further.
So, what else makes the 2022 Road Glide Special so unique? From its distinctive design and paint schemes to the rumble of its engine and beyond, we’re here to answer that question with a closer look at the bike and everything it offers to riders looking for their next adventure. So, gear up, and let’s get started.
MSRP: $27,449[a]
Engine: Milwaukee-Eight 114
Torque: (lb-ft) 118
Cargo Space: (cu.ft.) 2.7
Design
A Classic Tourer
The 2022 Road Glide Special is part of Harley-Davidson’s Grand American Touring lineup and is designed for riders looking for a classic tourer with premium features. It earns a coveted place in the category with its mild steel, tubular frame that features a two-piece stamped and welded backbone with cast and forged junctions, twin downtubes, and a bolt-on rear frame with forged fender supports. This setup gives the bike its overall length of 95.7 inches, a width of 39 inches, a height of 52.2 inches, and a static ground clearance of 5.1 inches.
The Road Glide Special’s upright riding position expertly positions the rider for optimal comfort. As a result, the bagger’s seat height ranges between 27.4 inches (unladen) and 26.1 inches (laden with an average 180-pound rider). In addition, the floorboards add comfort when cruising, and the shark-nose frame-mounted fairing reduces drag and differentiates the bike from the Street Glide Special by keeping the fairing stationary when turning the handlebars.
You’ll find that the Road Glide Special’s premium features and overall build make it slightly heavier than alternatives like the Street Glide Special. For 2022, the Road Glide Special has a dry weight, sans fluids, of 818 lbs and a running weight of 858 lbs. This weight difference takes into consideration the six gallons of fuel, one gallon of reserve fuel, 5.2 quarts of oil, and other vital powertrain fluids. In total, the bike can support a gross vehicle weight rating of 1,360 lbs, including the bike’s running weight and that of you, your passenger, and any gear stored in the saddlebags that offer 2.7 cu.ft. of space.
Premium Customization
Beyond its build and weight, the 2022 Road Glide Special gives you several options for customization. For 2022, Harley-Davidson introduces new two-tone paint colors that pair Reef Blue with Vivid Black for a distinct look. If you’re looking for a more traditional aesthetic, you have plenty of choices between Vivid Black, Redline Red, Gunship Gray, and White Sand Pearl. Lastly, Harley-Davidson lets you put the all-American bagger in stealth mode by opting for a blacked-out finish, or you can stick with the traditional chrome styling.
Performance and Handling
The Milwaukee-Eight V-Twin
Harley-Davidson constantly rises to the occasion in meeting the demands of riders. The 2022 Road Glide Special’s Milwaukee-Eight V-Twin engine is a prime example of this and was first introduced in 2017. But what makes the powerplant so impressive on a bagger like the Road Glide Special?
The Milwaukee-Eight 114 V-Twin answers the growing need for more power in Harley-Davidson’s lineup. Upon its introduction, it earned immediate praise for delivering more torque, faster acceleration, improved efficiency, and better overall heat management. These factors are the core of any bike, especially a Harley-Davidson, and it’s what makes the 2022 Road Glide Special a favorite.
The Milwaukee-Eight 114’s higher compression ratio and four-valve cylinder heads enhance the exhaust flow capacity to deliver more power and faster acceleration. Its streamlined and lightweight design ensures this power and capability don’t come at the cost of handling, with the Milwaukee-Eight 114 churning out 97 horsepower and 118 lb-ft of torque for optimal acceleration and handling at any speed. In addition, the dual spark plugs on each cylinder optimize efficiency and account for the Road Glide Special’s average fuel economy of 43 MPG.
A Complete Design
Just as important as power is the engine’s heat management system and overall fit. Harley-Davidson mitigates overheating and improves rider and passenger comfort by outfitting the Milwaukee-Eight 114 with an exhaust system that features a precision cooling strategy. It optimizes the coolant flow to the hottest areas around the cylinder heads, with the rear exhaust pipe positioned to move heat away from the passenger. In addition, the engine is slimmer and allows for improved legroom and reach, while its single internal counter balancer cancels vibration for a more comfortable ride.
What’s truly remarkable about the 2022 Road Glide Special’s Milwaukee-Eight 114 powerplant is that its design doesn’t overshadow everything that makes the bike a Harley-Davidson. For example, the Milwaukee-Eight 114’s optimized design and driveline components eliminate excessive noise without sacrificing the bike’s iconic rumble. Instead, it gives it a richer exhaust note that resonates as it idles, leaving no doubt that it bears the Harley-Davidson name.
Technology
A Rider’s Delight
The 2022 Road Glide Special is a rider’s delight as a Grand American Touring bike with all the bells and whistles. Harley-Davidson guarantees as much by outfitting the bike with an array of technology that enhances your ride, whatever the distance. This technology ranges from the infotainment system to a suite of available rider safety enhancements that optimize your control.
Harley-Davidson makes it easy to stay connected when in the saddle and outfits the 2022 Road Glide Special with a Boom! Box GTS infotainment system. The system is designed specifically for motorcycles, and the screen features the lowest reflectivity possible, minimizing washout in bright conditions. Incredibly rugged, the intuitive system is accessible when wearing touchscreen gloves and gives you access to your smartphone, allowing you to navigate the fastest route, stream music, and more from the bike’s hand controls.
Built to Perform
Moving beyond connectivity to performance tech, the 2022 Road Glide Special’s technology stretches behind the scenes to its anti-lock braking system. The Reflex Linked Brembo brakes come with an anti-lock braking system that constantly monitors the wheels and brake input. By operating independently on the front and rear brakes, the system optimizes your control and prevents the wheels from locking up in emergency braking situations.
Your control in the saddle is also improved by a suite of standard and available rider safety enhancements. For example, the bike comes standard with electronically linked brakes. However, you can upgrade the system by adding several cornering features like the Cornering Enhanced Anti-Lock Brake System, Cornering Enhanced Electronic Linked Braking, Cornering Enhanced Traction Control System, and Cornering Drag-Torque Slip Control System. This technology optimizes the 2022 Road Glide Special’s handling in corners, giving you greater control to navigate winding roads and deliver miles of fun.
Say Yes to Adventure!
The 2022 Harley-Davidson Road Glide Special gives you every reason to say “yes” to more adventures in the saddle. It’s also one of our favorite bikes here at Republic Harley-Davidson. Why? Because it’s a remarkable example of the Grand American Touring lineup and its ability to deliver comfort, convenience, capability, and power.
As the leading Harley-Davidson dealer in the Houston area, we can’t wait to show you everything a bike like the Road Glide Special has to offer. We also can’t wait to show you what it means to shop with the Republic Harley-Davidson team. We love the Harley-Davidson lineup and share your excitement for riding and adventures. This passion is at the heart of our customer-centric approach and our commitment to honesty and transparency. Our values and passion make buying a motorcycle with Republic Harley-Davidson a fun and rewarding experience.
Beyond helping you find the perfect Harley-Davidson for your riding needs, we’re also here to help you protect your investment. Our state-of-the-art service center is staffed by some of the best factory-trained and certified technicians in the region. They share your passion for riding and treat every bike like it’s their own. As a result, we can handle everything from scheduled maintenance to custom upgrades and beyond. This makes us a one-stop shop for all your Harley-Davidson needs, and that saves you valuable time that you can spend in the saddle.