50 years of Harley-Davidson Electra Glide: Icon on two wheels: The Electra Glide conquered bikers’ comfort zone

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50 Years Harley-Davidson Electra Glide

Icon on two wheels: The Electra Glide conquered bikers’ comfort zone

50 years of Harley-Davidson Electra Glide: Icon on two wheels: The Electra Glide conquered bikers' comfort zone-electra6

Harley Davidson
50 years of Harley-Davidson Electra Glide: In the beginning there was the little white button

An icon is celebrating its birthday: Exactly 50 years ago, Harley-Davidson gave the "Duo Glide" touring machine a decisive upgrade and made it significantly more comfortable at the push of a button.

In the mid-1960s, a 1.2-liter twin in a motorcycle had tangible advantages over the competition’s engines, which were usually much smaller in displacement. But with all driving comfort thanks to high torque and powerful V2 sound from the tailpipes, one disadvantage weighed heavily: 1.213 ccm distributed over two cylinders had to be started first, and the high-compression twin in the Tourer Duo Glide posed a difficult task, especially for lightweight bikers. Harley-Davidson put an end to this in 1965: A small white button next to the throttle grip indicated from then on that the new super tourer “Electra Glide” was waking up its powerful V2 engine with an electric starter.

Swing arm instead of rigid frame

At that time there were already a remarkable 17 years of production behind the series that now resulted in the new Electra Glide. During this phase, the touring machine equipped with the "Panhead" engine had received numerous optimizations, each of which had led to a different name. Among other things, this included the "Hydra Glide" from 1949, in which a telescopic fork provided comfort instead of the previous "Springer" suspension fork. The next step came in 1958: Harley’s flagship at the time became the "Duo Glide", when a new chassis with rear swing arm and spring struts replaced the previous rigid frame.

50 years of Harley-Davidson Electra Glide: Icon on two wheels: The Electra Glide conquered bikers' comfort zone-icon

Harley Davidson The first Electra Glide was released in 1965

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push of a button is enough

In 1965, a decisive step was taken into new comfort zones. A push of a button was now enough to get the V2 engine running. The developers in Milwaukee only had to reach for the shelves: The basis for the starter of the new Electra Glide was the electric starter of the so-called “Servi-Cars” – three-wheeled Harleys that police officers, among other things, used to drive around in between 1932 and the 1970s. Since they were also sold to non-motorcyclists, these trikes were particularly user-friendly and had an electric starter even before the two-wheelers.

50 years of Harley-Davidson Electra Glide: Icon on two wheels: The Electra Glide conquered bikers' comfort zone-icon

Harley Davidson Since the introduction of the first E-Glide in 1965, the series, which is particularly popular in the USA but also worldwide, has received numerous new comfort features as well as revised chassis and new engines

Since the introduction of the first E-Glide in 1965, the series, which is particularly popular in the USA but also worldwide, has received numerous new comfort features as well as revised chassis and new engines. But in the beginning there was not only positive reactions but also skepticism: as is usually the case in such cases, traditionalists are said not to have believed in the convenient way of starting at the push of a button. Nevertheless, the electric starter initially had a positive impact, because it led to the best sales figures in a decade and a half.

Video: Harley-Davidson Heritage Softail Classic

Always with Tranquillity

50 years of Harley-Davidson Electra Glide: Icon on two wheels: The Electra Glide conquered bikers' comfort zone-years

Always with Tranquillity

158 km/h used to be fast

The immediate sales success of the Electra Glide was certainly also due to the fact that it was basically a completely new model due to numerous innovations: the battery voltage increased from 6 to 12 volts, the weight increased by almost 40 kg, which in turn made stronger brakes necessary The new frame was stiffer than before, higher compression and new camshafts provided the 1965 model "74FLHB Electra Glide" with 60 hp and a top speed of 158 km/h. But the first edition did not last long, because as early as 1966 the new "Shovelhead" engine replaced the previous "Panhed" – the appearance of a pan gave the old V2 its name, the new one resembled a shovel head, but both only with plenty of imagination.

50 years of Harley-Davidson Electra Glide: Icon on two wheels: The Electra Glide conquered bikers' comfort zone-glide

Harley Davidson Today, the expansive Batwing fairing and a three-piece luggage set are typical features of the Electra Glide

Today, the expansive Batwing fairing and a three-piece luggage set are typical features of the Electra Glide. They offer very good wind and weather protection as well as generous storage volume. In the 2015 model year, the Harley-Davidson Electra Glide Ultra Classic FLHTCU is the spearhead of comfortable touring with the 1.690 ccm grown "TwinCam 103". It has an output of 64 kW/87 hp and, thanks to 138 Nm of torque, offers plenty of thrust even at low revs. With ABS (standard since 2009) and electronic brake force distribution, the super tourer is available from April 27.to have 185. Since 2014, new lighting systems and expanded infotainment as well as comfort-oriented seats, paneling and suitcases have been part of the current basic equipment of the 50-year-old touring icon, the Electra Glide.

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