Introduced for the 2015 model year, this touring bagger was Harley-Davidson’s premium, fully equipped take on the Road Glide formula. It arrived as part of the company’s Project RUSHMORE-era update, which focused on improving comfort, aerodynamics, rider control, and long-distance usability. The model stood out for its frame-mounted sharknose fairing, a defining Road Glide feature that gave the bike a distinctive appearance and helped separate it from Harley-Davidson’s batwing-faired touring machines.
From the start, the nameplate was positioned as a more upscale, feature-rich version of the standard Road Glide, aimed at riders who wanted factory touring amenities with a darker, more custom-leaning attitude. Over its run, it became known for combining highway presence with substantial factory equipment and evolved through Harley-Davidson’s changing touring platform updates, including later revisions to infotainment, styling, lighting, and rider-assistance technology.
The nameplate remained part of Harley-Davidson’s lineup through the 2023 model year. For 2024, Harley-Davidson reorganized its Grand American Touring range and replaced the earlier Road Glide Special with a new Road Glide model, bringing the run of this specific nameplate to a close after the 2023 model year. It remains a significant modern Harley bagger because it marked the first appearance of the Road Glide Special name and represented the more performance-oriented, premium side of the brand’s long-distance touring lineup.