Harley-Davidson Electra Glide Highway King 2023
Riding the Harley-Davidson Electra Glide Highway King from the Icons Collection in Milwaukee
I experience a truly unique sitting position on the Highway King
After sitting in the comfortable seat and starting the engine, I was greeted by a deep, sonorous sound. The 114ci Milwaukee-Eight engine came to life, but the most noticeable thing was the seating position, which was very unusual for me. I sat really high and my legs were already slightly stretched, even though I'm not exactly short at 1.83. But somehow it was cool and off we went to the Mother City of Harley-Davidson . The roads in Milwaukee are really bad, but in the suspension saddle of the Highway King it doesn't bother you much.
THE BEAUTY! Those were the words from a Harley biker as I appeared next to him at a traffic light in Milwaukee. “ That Harley is so pretty ,” he said to his wife, who was sitting behind him and looking friendly over at me with a smile on her face. We only stood at the traffic lights for a short time, but we immediately started talking. That's the way it is with Americans, communication is always established quickly, especially when it's clear that you have common interests.
Driving on Highway King in Milwaukee
The Highway King particularly stands out in the Magenta / Birch White paintwork. There is another paint option in Orange/Birch White, but it wasn't available to me. Still, even though the color is unusual for a biker guy, I couldn't resist the temptation to ride it around Harley-Davidson's hometown. Unfortunately, you don't get this opportunity to travel with a model from the Harley-Davidson ICONS COLLECTION very often, and in Milwaukee too.
The Highway King exudes an impressive presence!
From the first moment I laid eyes on the Electra Glide Highway King, I was captivated by its imposing presence and signature styling, something more in the classic design that Harley fans around the world love about the brand. The rich black on the tank with shiny chrome details and the unmistakable Harley emblem made my biker heart beat faster, it is simply beautiful, but my favorite would still have been the orange, if you can say so. The two-tone paintwork is included in the two Icon models.
Technically the highway is king these days!
She has had various assistance systems implemented. Anti-lock braking system and corner-optimized anti-lock braking system, electronic brake force distribution and corner-optimized electronic brake force distribution, traction control and corner-optimized traction control, drag torque control, vehicle holding assistant and tire air pressure monitoring system. Something like everything that's going on at Harley today, you could say.
From Historic Buildings to Legendary Motorcycles: A Journey Through Time in Milwaukee
This building complex was built between 1889 and 1929, a period that must be considered extremely productive. After all, I'm only in Milwaukee because the first Harley-Davidson was launched here in 1903. While this old cold storage facility may be a relic of the past, Harley-Davidson remains active today, continuing the tradition of producing motorcycles
WHAT A FEELING!
The Electra Glide Highway King showed its true strength on the streets of Milwaukee. Acceleration was effortless and powerful. The 114ci engine developed an impressive torque curve, which made it possible to glide through the gears gently, or as gently as you can with a Harley, but also to overtake powerfully if necessary, but that's not particularly appropriate for such an icon.
It's not a corner chaser, you could take it quickly through corners, but the high seating position and handling are not intended for that. She just wants to be beautiful and she can do that. A royal and relaxed outing is her specialty, with her you can easily promenade through the city.
The trip to the legendary Harley-Davidson Museum
My route took me through the historic streets of Milwaukee, the birthplace of Harley-Davidson. As I drove through the streets of Milwaukee, I could feel the history and soul of Harley-Davidson. The city is the birthplace of this legendary brand, and I was honored to cruise through this historic setting on an Icons Collection Harley-Davidson.
My destination, the Harley-Davidson Museum , the perfect place to pull up on a Highway King. First, I enjoy the view from the large Sixth Street South Bridge, which is in front of the Harley-Davidson Museum, where numerous Harleys have been parked. You are not allowed to park anywhere on the bridge because it can be folded up, which some of the bikers didn't even notice.
Only when it was pointed out to them that it would be better to park somewhere else did they clear the space, which was not vacant for no reason. I just positioned myself briefly on the threshold for the photo, with the Harley-Davidson Museum in the background.
I can't even describe the feeling, when you have just a little bit of Harley in your blood and you get a glimpse of the museum where the entire history of Harley-Davidson is kept, you get a tingling feeling.
I can't wait to visit the museum, there's an impressive collection of historical models waiting for me, and it felt good to take the Highway King to the site.
It is parked in a row with the “ordinary” Harleys on the lawn in front of the museum. The Highway King will be able to endure that one day.
Vain search for the FLHFB Electra Glide from 1968, the template for today's Electra Glide Highway King
Of course, it's possible that I was totally contaminated while strolling through the Harley-Davidson Museum. But I couldn't find the original for today's Electra Glide from 1968 in the museum.
The Harley-Davidson Archive at the Harley-Davidson Museum
I went to the Harley-Davidson Archives, which really has a lot of Harley-Davidson history to explore. What you can generally see in the Harley-Davidson Museum is a story in itself. The Sturgis Softail is also located here, a particularly unique piece.
After I finished my program, I went back to the Highway King, which I had parked on the lawn. A group of Harley ladies saw me getting the magenta colored Highway King ready to go. Again I heard how beautiful it is and that you would love to have one of those. I then made it clear that it wasn't mine, I just had the honor of being the king, or maybe in the magenta livery it was also the queen, to be able to run a little through Milwaukee.
A royal day comes to an end
Harley-Davidson continues to pursue the goal of arousing desire among its customers. They achieve this with limitations, as in this case. There are a total of 1,750 of the models worldwide, 750 of which are in Hi-Fi Magenta and 1,000 in Hi-Fi Orange. The price is a royal €38,495 plus installation fee.
I was driving the model 199, one of 750 worldwide Highway Kings in magenta paint. Yes, that's something very special, the attention it received might prove them right, as long as the concept doesn't become commonplace and there are too many special models in the brand's portfolio. We had quite a few this year, but the ICONS COLLECTION still stands out.
Hard to get anymore!
Basically, this article only addresses very few bikers, because most of them have already been sold and very few will have received one. So it's more about the feeling and dreams, I want everyone to have fun with one of the models from the Icons Collection. It's especially good when the owners ride them and let us share in their beauty as they travel the world's highways with exclusive Harleys.
Text & image credit: Harleysite . 1968 FLHFB Harley-Davidson
Technical data and prices: Highway King 2023
Harley-Davidson Electra Glide Highway King – FLHFB
Electra Glide Highway King model year 2023
Type: FL3 , model: FLHFB, engine: Milwaukee-Eight 114 , displacement: 1868 cm 3 , power kW (hp)/rpm*: 69 (94)/5250 , torque Nm/rpm*: 158/3250 , Top speed: 175 km/h , Standing/driving noise: 92 dB(A)/2625 rpm / 74 dB(A) , Emissions*: 142 g/km CO2 (Euro V) , Fuel consumption*: 6.1 l /100 km , standard tires: Dunlop Harley-Davidson, white wall , front: D402F MT90B16 72H , rear: D407 T 180/65B16 81H , empty weight including fuel: 385 kg , permissible total weight: 617 kg , payload: 232 kg , tank capacity (Reserve): 22.7 l (3.8 l) , seat height, without driver: 790 mm . * according to 134/2014EC
Assistance systems: anti-lock braking system and corner-optimized anti-lock braking system, electronic brake force distribution and corner-optimized electronic brake force distribution, traction control and corner-optimized traction control, drag torque control, vehicle holding assistant and tire air pressure monitoring system.
Features: Solo saddle (sprung) with chrome railing, windshield (tinted below), immobilizer, remaining range indicator, driver's footboards, electronic cruise control system, two lockable luggage cases (total volume: 64 l), chrome-plated trim strips on cases and front fender, Daymaker LED headlights, Additional headlights, self-resetting indicators, hazard warning lights, connection for battery charger.
Colors: Hi-Fi Orange, Hi-Fi Magenta, each case in Birch White
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