Harley-Davidson introduced this long-distance touring nameplate in 1989 as the more fully equipped evolution of its Electra Glide line. It built on the established batwing-fairing touring formula with a factory-installed approach to two-up travel and cross-country comfort, and it quickly became one of the brand’s defining full-dress motorcycles. The model is closely associated with Harley-Davidson’s classic big-twin touring identity, combining the Electra Glide tradition with a higher level of standard equipment aimed at riders who wanted a ready-for-the-road flagship rather than a stripped touring machine.
Over time, the nameplate became a familiar anchor in Harley-Davidson’s touring family as the company updated chassis, engines, braking, and infotainment features across successive generations. It also served as a basis for special and related touring variants, reflecting how central it was to the brand’s road-going image. In the mid-1990s, the model was among the Harley-Davidson touring bikes to adopt fuel injection, marking one of the important technical steps in the evolution of the platform. Later versions carried the line through major touring updates into the modern era, while preserving the classic silhouette that made the model instantly recognizable.
The nameplate remained in production through the 2019 model year, after which Harley-Davidson’s touring lineup shifted toward newer naming and equipment structures. Even after its final model year, it remains an important chapter in Harley-Davidson history: a flagship touring motorcycle that helped define the modern American dress-tourer and carried the Electra Glide concept from the late 1980s into the 21st century.