The Evolution of the Harley Touring Bike (photos)
The big, torquey V-twin motor that Harley is synonymous with make the perfect kind of power for that long lonesome highway. Some of the most popular motorcycles they make are the big touring machines for good reason. Let's look back on how they got that way.
1. 1909 - The 1st V-Twin
The Harley-Davidson Motor Company began in the year In 1903, when a 20-year-old William S. Harley drew up the plans for a small engine that he intended for use in a bicycle frame. The first Harley "motorcycle" boasted a displacement of just 116 cc's. In 1909, the first V-twin was born when the company was 6 years old, which made 7 horsepower, and quickly gained a reputation for durability on competitive endurance runs.
2. 1914 - Touring North America on a Harley
In 1914, Ms. Della Crewe chose Harley as the best means to travel and see America and the world. One day, while conversing with her nephew about the best method of travel, he jokingly suggested she ride on a motorcycle. It started as a joke, but Della did her homework and discovered that the Harley might very well be the sturdiest vehicle to handle the bad quality of the roads on the type of excursion she wished to embark on. She toured on her Harley complete with a sidecar to carry her dog "Trouble", starting in Waco, Texas and stopped at several small towns and farms along the way, even riding in a parade. From 1914 to 1916 she visited many states as well as Cuba, Puerto Rico, the Bahamas, and Panama. On arriving in New York, she quipped " Everywhere the glad hand was extended to me.”
3. 1939 - Gypsy Tours
In 1917, the first "Gypsy Tour" was held as shown in the photo. Gypsy Tours caught on in popularity and eventually became large rallies put together by local motorcycle riding clubs. In 1939, Gypsy Tours were held nationally for the first time on August 15th, with an event that started as a group ride, then typically ended in a park or public recreation area where games were played. People participated by the thousands and the demographics ranged from the dapper-dressed well to do, to the military, to women riders, and blue collar guys.
Although Gypsy Tours faded out in the fifties, the concept lives on through the biker rallies and tours still held today.
4. 1947 - Knucklehead FL
Even before the war, Harley was making big powerful bikes with the Knucklehead motor that could eat up the miles. In 1941 the model received the FL designation, which became the top of the line touring bike, and continues to be to this day. The 1947 model pictured is set up with all a rider in the 1940s would need for touring, a windscreen and a set of leather saddle bags, because men were made of sterner stuff back then.
5. 1963 - Duo-Glide
The hydraulic front fork replaced the old springer in 1949, and was a huge improvement in ride and road holding, and along with the updated Panhead motor led the FL Hydra-Glide into the 1950s. The real improvement came with a new frame in 1958, and the introduction of rear hydraulic shocks and a swingarm, on the Duo-Glide. Comparing the bike pictured to the primitive sprung seat, springer in the previous one, you can see how hard the engineers were working at the Motor Company to keep up with the market
6. 1980 - Tour Glide
No history of the Harley dresser can skip the Electra Glide, which is much like a Duo-Glide with a Shovelhead motor it it, for finally introducing the electric starter to the line. However, it was the 1980 Tour Glide that really introduced the modern touring bike features. These bikes had a rubber mounted motor for less vibration, and a fork mounted fairing, plus a roomier frame and luggage. All Harley touring bike in the 21st century can look to this one as their father.
7. 2017 Road King
The heart of the Harley-Davidson line is their many style of touring bike, so let's take a look at the 2017 models.
The 2017 Road King is a nostalgic style, retro touring cruiser, with a throwback appearance, and a large windshield like an old Duo-Glide. The lines remind you of the touring V-twins from the forties and fifties, but with the performance and versatility of a modern machine.
8. 2017 Street Glide
Next in the 2017 Touring group is the Street Glide. The Street is a fully loaded touring bike with a batwing fairing reminiscent of the Electra Glide of the late 1960s. It has the stripped down look of an old bagger, yet boasts a modern touchscreen infotainment system and Boom box stereo - and more.
9. 2017 Road Glide Ultra
The top of the line in the touring group for 2017 is the Road Glide Ultra, a modern evolution of the Tour Glide. This touring bike allows you all the comforts of a luxury car, and much of the storage, with an open air platform that lets you appreciate the world going by. Modern engineering allows these bikes to be surprisingly easy to ride, once you get rolling, with handling that allows you to tackle even curvy two lane highways.
for help keeping your bike in fine tune, check out the how to section of HDForums.com
