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

2024 & 2025 STREET GLIDE® AND CRUISER OFFER 

Financing Offer available only on select, new untitled 2025 or 2024 Harley-Davidson® motorcycles financed through Eaglemark Savings Bank and is subject to credit approval. Not valid in conjunction with other offers. Other terms, conditions, and limitations may apply. Dealer participation may vary. 

 $1,000 Trade-In Assistance available on the purchase of select new, 2024 and 2025 Harley-Davidson® Street Glide® and Cruiser motorcycles when any motorcycle is traded in. Offer valid at participating Harley-Davidson® dealerships in the U.S., including Alaska and Hawaii, on eligible models that are available and in dealer stock between April 1, 2026 and June 30, 2026. Offer cannot be redeemed for cash or cash equivalent. Dealer participation may vary. Offer subject to change without notice. Void where prohibited or restricted by law. Additional restrictions may apply. See your participating Harley-Davidson® dealer for complete details. 

 $500 Customer Cash Offer valid toward the purchase price of select new, untitled 2024 and 2025 Harley-Davidson® Street Glide® and Cruiser motorcycles available and in stock at participating H‑D® dealerships in the United States, including Alaska and Hawaii. Eligible customers must visit H‑D.com/Military or H‑D.com/Police and validate eligibility through ID.me to receive a unique H‑D Hero Offer code. Offer valid only for the named eligible individual, is non‑transferable, and must be presented at time of purchase. Offer valid on purchases made between April 1, 2026 and June 30, 2026. Limit one offer per eligible customer and per eligible motorcycle purchase. Offer may not be applied toward a motorcycle down payment and is not valid on prior purchases or future motorcycle orders after June 30, 2026. This Offer may be combined with certain in‑market Harley-Davidson® promotions; however, restrictions apply. See your authorized Harley-Davidson® dealership for details on eligible offer combinations, including Harley-Davidson® finance offers. Offer cannot be redeemed for cash or cash equivalent and is non‑refundable. Harley-Davidson® and participating dealers are not responsible for lost or stolen offer codes. Offer subject to change without notice. Void where prohibited or restricted by law. 

Financing Offer available only on New MY26 Street Glide® Limited and Road Glide® Limited HarleyDavidson® motorcycles financed through Eaglemark Savings Bank (ESB) and is subject to credit approval. Not all applicants will qualify. 7.19% APR offer is available only to high credit tier customers at ESB and only for a 36month term. The APR may vary based on the applicant’s past credit performance and the term of the loan. For example, a 2026 Street Glide Limited in Dark Billiard Gray with an MSRP of $32,999, 10% down payment and amount financed of $29,699.10, 36month repayment term, and 7.19% APR results in 35 monthly payments of $394.20 and a 36th balloon payment of $21,433.64. 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. This Financing Offer is valid during the period of April 1, 2026 – June 30, 2026. Other terms, conditions, and limitations may apply. Dealer participation may vary. Offer not available in Alaska. Financing offer is subject to change or cancellation at any time. A return fee up to $395, excess wear, mileage and other charges may apply. Some motorcycles may be ineligible for return due to excess wear and tear, excessive modifications, or other conditions.