The Harley-Davidson Electra Glide turns 60

Shows the 2025 Street Glide Ultra (l) and the 1965 Electra Glide (r)

THE ELECTRICAL TRICK
The first Harley-Davidson Electra Glide appeared 60 years ago

FRANKFURT (04.03.2025) - Until 1964, two-wheeled machines from Milwaukee had to be kick-started, which was not everyone's cup of tea given the high-displacement V2 with official compression. The Motor Company thought of a remedy and fitted the twin with an electric starter in 1965. Nomen est omen: The Electra Glide was born.

Their 1200 was called the Panhead by fans because its rocker covers reminded them of upturned pans. It had been in service since 1948 and Harley-Davidson had made it and its working environment ever more sophisticated and comfortable since then: in 1949, a hydraulic telescopic fork replaced the previously used Springer fork - consequently, the bike was now called the Hydra-Glide. And from 1958, a swing arm and two suspension struts provided even more comfort at the previously rigid rear end, resulting in the name Duo-Glide.

Turning it into the Electra Glide was much more complex than simply implanting an electric motor for starting the engine. Among other things, the motorcycle received a completely new electrical system with state-of-the-art 12 volts instead of the previous 6 volts.

The Electra Glide, powered by the new, even more powerful Shovelhead V2 from 1966, cemented Harley-Davidson's reputation as a manufacturer of ultimate touring machines. Motorcycle fans on both sides of the ocean licked their fingers after such a „Cadillac on two wheels“.

Nothing has changed to this day, even if modern touring machines from Milwaukee are in no way technically comparable with their 1965 ancestor. The best example of this is the new Street Glide Ultra. Based on the new Grand American Touring platform, it offers reduced weight and an increase in advanced technologies, riding comfort and performance.

Propulsion is provided by the high-capacity Milwaukee-Eight 117, which delivers 80 kW (109 hp) and develops a maximum torque of 175 Nm. The bike has the new chassis, the new look and the new infotainment system of the Street Glide and is also equipped with numerous luggage and comfort features to ensure ultimate traveling comfort. The classic design makes it unmistakably clear that this is a genuine Harley-Davidson.

An electric starter is just as much a matter of course on the Street Glide Ultra as it is on all modern motorcycles. This was by no means the case 60 years ago: the electric starter on the 1965 Electra Glide was also one of the very first to bring such a large-volume motorcycle engine to life, and it was a component that set a precedent:

A few decades later, the kickstarter gradually died out for two-wheelers. If you want to find out more about machines from Milwaukee, go to the web Harley-Davidson.com or visit your nearest authorized H-D dealer.

Text & image credits: Harley-Davidson