Harley-Davidson Electra Glide Highway King 2023
On the Harley-Davidson Electra Glide Highway King from the Icons Collection in Milwaukee on the road
I experience a truly unique seating position on the Highway King
After settling into 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 was sitting really high up and my legs were already slightly stretched out, even though I'm not necessarily 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 that doesn't bother you too much.
THE BEAUTY! Those were the words of a Harley biker when I pulled up next to him at a stoplight in Milwaukee. „That Harley is so pretty„ he said to his wife, who was sitting behind him and looked over at me with a friendly smile on her face. We only stood at the traffic lights for a short time, but were immediately engaged in conversation. That's the way it is with Americans, communication is always established quickly, especially when it's obvious that you have common interests.
Traveling on the Highway King in Milwaukee
The Highway King stands out particularly in the Magenta / Birch White paint finish. There is another paint option in Orange / Birch White, but this was not available to me. Nevertheless, I couldn't resist the temptation to ride it through Harley-Davidson's home town, even if the color is rather unusual for a biker type. Unfortunately, you don't often get this opportunity to ride a model from the Harley-Davidson ICONS COLLECTION on the road and in Milwaukee to boot.
The Highway King exudes an impressive presence!
From the first sight of the Electra Glide Highway King, I was fascinated by its imposing presence and characteristic styling, something more in the classic design that Harley fans around the world love so much 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 I may say so. The two-tone paint finish is included with both Icon models.
Technically, the Highway is king in today's world!
It has been equipped with various assistance systems. Anti-lock braking system and curve-optimized anti-lock braking system, electronic brake force distribution and curve-optimized electronic brake force distribution, traction control and curve-optimized traction control, drag torque control, vehicle hold assist and tire pressure monitoring system. You could say it's everything that's possible on a Harley today.
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 this is where the first Harley-Davidson was launched in 1903. While this old cold storage building may be a relic of the past, Harley-Davidson remains active today and continues the tradition of producing legendary motorcycles like the Highway King.
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, allowing it to glide smoothly, or as smoothly as a Harley can, through the gears, but also to overtake powerfully when required, although this is not particularly appropriate on such an icon.
It's not a corner hunter, you could take it fast through the bends, but the high seating position and handling are not designed for that. It just wants to be beautiful and it can do that. A royal and relaxed ride is her profession, and she is perfect for promenading through the city.
[wpmfgallery gallery_id=“16693″ size=“medium“ columns=“2″ targetsize=“large“ link=“file“ wpmf_orderby=“post__in“ wpmf_order=“ASC“ display_tree=“0″ display_tag=“0″ display=“material“ gutterwidth=“15″]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 rode 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 these historic surroundings on a Harley-Davidson from the Icons Collection.
My goal, the Harley-Davidson Museum, The perfect place to pull up on a Highway King. First of all, 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. They are not allowed to park anywhere on the bridge because it can be folded up, which some of the bikers have not even noticed.
Only when it was pointed out to them that it would be better to park somewhere else did they vacate the space, not without reason. I only positioned myself briefly on the threshold for the photo with the Harley-Davidson Museum in the background.
I can't even describe the feeling, if you only have a bit of Harley in your blood and get a view of the museum, where the entire history of Harley-Davidson is kept, it gives you a real tingle.
I can't wait to visit the museum, an impressive collection of historical models awaits me, and it feels good to take the Highway King onto the site.
It is parked in a row with the „normal“ Harleys on the lawn in front of the museum. The Highway King will be able to withstand that for once.
Searching in vain for the FLHFB Electra Glide from 1968, the model for today's Electra Glide Highway King
Of course, it's possible that I was totally blown away when I strolled through the Harley-Davidson Museum. But I couldn't find the model for today's 1968 Electra Glide in the museum.
[wpmfgallery gallery_id=“16695″ size=“medium“ columns=“2″ targetsize=“large“ link=“file“ wpmf_orderby=“post__in“ wpmf_order=“ASC“ display_tree=“0″ display_tag=“0″ display=“material“ gutterwidth=“15″]The Harley-Davidson Archive in the Harley-Davidson Museum
I was in the Harley-Davidson archive, where there really is a lot of Harley-Davidson history to explore. It's awesome what you get to see in the Harley-Davidson Museum in general, that's a story in itself. There is also the Sturgis Softail, a very special one-off.
After I had finished my program, I went back to the Highway King, which I had parked in the meadow. A group of Harley ladies saw me as I got the magenta-colored Highway King ready to go. Again I was told how beautiful it was and that they would love to have one themselves. I then made it clear that it wasn't mine, I just had the honor of being able to take the King, or maybe it's the Queen in the magenta paint job, for a ride through Milwaukee.
A royal day comes to an end
Harley-Davidson continues to pursue the goal of arousing customer desire. They achieve this with limited editions, as in this case. A total of 1750 of the models are available worldwide, 750 of them in Hi-Fi Magenta and 1000 in Hi-Fi Orange. The price is a royal €38,495 plus set-up fee.
I was driving the 199 model, one of 750 worldwide Highway Kings in magenta livery. Yes, this is something very special, the attention they have received perhaps proves them right, as long as the concept doesn't become commonplace and there are too many special models in the brand's portfolio. We've had quite a few this year, but the ICONS COLLECTION still stands out.
Hard to get any more!
Basically, this article only addresses very few bikers, because most of them are already sold and very few will have gotten one. So this is more about the feeling and dreams, I don't begrudge anyone the fun of riding one of the models from the Icons Collection. It's especially good when the owners ride them and let us share in their beauty when they're out on the world's highways on exclusive Harleys.
Text & picture credits: 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 cm3, Power kW (hp)/rpm*: 69 (94)/5250,Torque Nm/rpm*: 158/3250, Top speed: 175 km/h,Stability/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, whitewall, front: D402F MT90B16 72H, rear: D407 T 180/65B16 81H, kerb weight incl. fuel: 385 kg, permissible gross weight: 617 kg, payload: 232 kg, tank capacity (reserve): 22.7 l (3.8 l), Seat height, without rider: 790 mm. * According to 134/2014EC
Assistance systems: Anti-lock braking system and cornering-optimized anti-lock braking system, electronic brake force distribution and cornering-optimized electronic brake force distribution, traction control and cornering-optimized traction control, drag torque control, vehicle hold assist and tire pressure monitoring system.
Features: Solo saddle (sprung) with chrome railing, windshield (tinted at the bottom), immobilizer, remaining range indicator, rider footboards, electronic cruise control, two lockable luggage cases (total volume: 64 l), chrome-plated trim strips on cases and front fender, Daymaker LED headlights, auxiliary headlights, self-resetting indicators, hazard warning lights, connection for battery charger.
Price ex works: 38,495 euros (RRP Germany) or 47,595 euros (RRP Austria)
Colors: Hi-Fi Orange, Hi-Fi Magenta, case each in Birch White
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