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2023 Harley-Davidson® Road Glide® vs. Road Glide Special | Branford, CT

Ride with comfort, confidence, and connection on the 2023 Harley-Davidson® Road Glide® or Road Glide Special. These Grand American Touring bikes are built for extended riding down the highway or bright afternoon rides as you take in the autumn colors. So, what’s the difference between the two motorcycles? As the name suggests, the Road Glide Special includes many style and functional upgrades over the Road Glide, including available blacked-out styling, a larger big-twin engine, and more safety features. The Road Glide has plenty to offer as well, with a muscular engine, chrome styling, modern infotainment features, and many of the same dimensions as its counterpart.

Use this 2023 Harley-Davidson Road Glide vs. Road Glide Special research guide from the pros at Freedom Road Harley Davidson in Branford, CT, to learn more about the specific differences. More details are just a click away on our Road Glide review and Road Glide special review.

Like what you see? Set up a time to ride your favorite touring bike from our new inventory. Have a bike to trade? Check its trade-in value, and visit our finance center page for other online tools.

Our team is here to help you find and outfit your dream H-D® motorcycle. Contact us online or by calling or texting (203) 315-4759 with any questions.

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2023 Harley-Davidson Road Glide vs. Road Glide Special

2023 Road Glide vs. Road Glide Special Engine Specs & Powertrain

Freedom has a soul-stirring rumble on the 2023 Harley-Davidson Road Glide and Road Glide Special. While both bikes get a big-twin engine, the Road Glide Special gets a larger engine with more power. The Milwaukee-Eight® 114 that you’ll find on the Road Glide Special makes 122 pound-feet of torque while still getting 43 MPG combined city and highway riding. With a slightly smaller displacement, the Milwaukee-Eight 107 on the Road Glide makes 109 pound-feet of torque while achieving the same fuel efficiency. Both bikes get a 6-gallon fuel tank and have a six-speed Cruise Drive® transmission.

See the performance specs for the Road Glide and Road Glide Special in the accompanying chart.

Model Road Glide Road Glide Special
Engine Milwaukee-Eight 107 Milwaukee-Eight 114
Engine Bore 3.937 in. 4.016 in.
Displacement 107 cu.-in. 114 cu.-in.
Horsepower 86 HP 95 HP
Torque 109 lb.-ft. 122 lb.-ft.
Torque RPM 3,000 lb.-ft. 2,750 RPM
Combined Fuel Economy 43 MPG 43 MPG

2023 Road Glide vs. Road Glide Special Safety & Technology

Modern and durable infotainment systems and premium rider safety features support your ride on either the 2023 Harley-Davidson Road Glide or 2023 Harley-Davidson Road Glide Special.

You get a Boom!™ Box GTS system with GPS and a 6.5-inch touchscreen on the Road Glide Special and a Boom! Box 4.3 system with on the Road Glide. Analog gauges sit on either side and below the screen on either bike. Both systems have two 5.25-inch speakers; AM, FM, and weather band radio; Bluetooth® wireless connectivity; and an electric power accessory port in the fairing. Cruise control is also standard for your long afternoon rides.

Dual LED headlamps with 1,060-lumen low beams and 1,560-lumen high beams light the road home with ease on either bike. Stopping with your large touring bike starts with dual floating rotor front brakes, which are standard on either choice. The Road Glide Special also includes a standard antilock brake system and electronic linked braking for more confident handling throughout the braking process. These systems are available on the Road Glide. For even more modern safety assistance, consider adding the Reflex™ Defensive Rider System to either motorcycle, with the following features:

  • Vehicle hold control
  • Tire pressure monitoring system
  • Cornering enhanced anti-lock brake system
  • Cornering enhanced electronic linked braking
  • Cornering enhanced traction control system
  • Cornering drag-torque slip control system
2023 Harley-Davidson Road Glide rider's view

2023 Harley-Davidson Road Glide

2023 Harley-Davidson Road Glide Special technology

2023 Harley-Davidson Road Glide Special

2023 Road Glide vs. Road Glide Special Special Dimensions

You’ll find few differences between the dimensions of the 2023 Harley-Davidson Road Glide and Road Glide Special. Both touring bikes are built for long rides with a natural upright riding position and floorboards. The frame-mounted shark-nose fairing on both bikes is optimized for highway riding. To the rear of either bike, the pillion pad makes space for your back warmer, while slick-looking saddle bags provide room for essentials.

Compare the dimensions for the Road Glide and Road Glide Special in the accompanying chart.

Model Road Glide Road Glide Special
Length 95.7 in. 95.7 in.
Wheelbase 64 in. 64 in.
Rake 26 deg. 26 deg.
Trail 6.8 in. 6.8 in.
Laden Seat Height 25.9 in. 26.1 in.
Ground Clearance 5.5 in. 5.1 in.
Weight (as shipped / running order) 820 / 855 lbs. 818 / 853 lbs.
Luggage Capacity 2.3 cu.-ft. 2.7 cu.-ft.

2023 Road Glide vs. Road Glide Special Pricing

The 2023 Harley-Davidson Road Glide starts at $21,999 MSRP*, while the 2023 Harley-Davidson Road Glide Special starts at $27,999 MSRP*. Vivid Black is the base trim option; for other colors — including a wide range of two-tone colors for the Road Glide Special — and optional equipment, the price increases.

*Prices listed are the Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Prices for base models. Options such as color are available at additional cost. Prices exclude tax, title, licensing, registration fees, destination charges, surcharges (attributable to raw materials costs in the product supply chain), added accessories, and additional dealer charges, if any, and are subject to change. Harley-Davidson reimburses dealers for performing manufacturer-specified pre-delivery inspection and setup tasks. Dealer prices may vary.

2023 Harley-Davidson Road Glide parked by power plant

2023 Harley-Davidson Road Glide

2023 Harley-Davidson Road Glide Special on the roadside

2023 Harley-Davidson Road Glide Special

Visit Freedom Road Harley-Davidson for a Test Ride

Stop by Freedom Road Harley-Davidson in Branford, CT, and see whether the Road Glide or Road Glide Special is a better fit for you. Find a motorcycle you like? Set up a time to ride. Have a question? Call or text us at (203) 315-4759 or send us a message online.

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Disclaimer

*Financing Offer available only on select new 2023 and 2022 Harley-Davidson® motorcycles financed through Eaglemark Savings Bank and is subject to credit approval. Harley-Davidson® CVO™, Police Duty, Anniversary, Icons, Highway King, Ultra Limited® Anniversary, Road Glide® Special Anniversary and Street Glide® Special Anniversary models are excluded, along with 2023 Trike, 2022 Trike and 2022 and 2022 Sportster® (Evolution Engine) and 2023 Breakout® models. Not all applicants will qualify as the Annual Percentage Rate (APR) will vary based on the applicant’s past credit performance and the term of the loan. Financing offer is available only for up to a 48 month term. For example, a 2023 Street Glide® Special motorcycle in Vivid Black with Black Trim with an MSRP of $28,999, no down payment and amount financed of $28,999, 48 month repayment term, and 1.99% APR results in monthly payments of $629.01. In this example, customer is responsible for applicable taxes, title, licensing fees and any other fees or charges at the time of sale. APR is calculated according to the simple interest method. Not valid in conjunction with other offers. Customer must take delivery by December 31, 2023. This Financing Offer is valid during the period of October 1, 2023 to December 31, 2023. Other terms, conditions, and limitations may apply. Dealer participation may vary. Financing offer is subject to change or cancellation at anytime. See your Harley-Davidson® Dealership for details.