Harley-Davidson's Iconic Super Glide Cruiser Is Back. It Looks Great

The Motor Co. brings the icon back at just the right time.

Photo by: Harley-Davidson

By: Justin W Coffey

Jun 16, at 8:51am ET

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Willie G. Davidson, grandson of Harley-Davidson’s co-founder, William A. Davidson, signed on as a designer at the Motor Company in 1963. He was just 30 years old and eager to leave his mark on the Bar & Shield brand. Having graduated from the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California, Willie G. worked for the design department at the Ford Motor Company before joining H-D.

The custom motorcycle scene in and around Los Angeles during the late 1960s inspired Willie G. and would go on to influence the original Factory Custom motorcycle launched in 1971, the FX Super Glide, which combined the Big Twin FL chassis with a narrow XL Sportster front fork , and a wild rear fender. Designed by the man himself, it was his first for the company, but most definitely not the last, as he went on to pen the outlines of the 1977 FXS Low Rider and the 1977 XLCR Sportster, among others.

55 years later, Harley-Davidson is reviving the Super Glide name, with a new model that is inspired, yet again, by the Southern California custom motorcycle scene. And on paper, the 2026 Super Glide looks like a Street Bob with fancy paint, plenty of chrome, and a taller, fist-in-the-wind style handlebar. But it’s more than a ‘Merica-themed Street Bob, it’s an homage to both Willie G. and the So-Cal custom bike culture.

Oh, and America, too.

Photo by: Harley-Davidson

Production will be limited to 2,500 serialized motorcycles and presented in 2026 as a Special Edition to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the founding of the U.S.A. The Super Glide joins Harley-Davidson’s portfolio of cruiser motorcycles based on the Softail chassis, and features a fuel tank and fenders that are finished in White Onyx Pearl paint topped with red and blue fender striping and graphics inspired by the 1971 Super Glide model.

The 2026 Super Glide is powered by the Milwaukee-Eight 117 Classic V-Twin motor that’s good for 98-hp and 120 lb-ft of torque, according to Harley-Davidson.

There’s a dual-bending valve 49 mm fork up front and a rear monoshock hidden beneath the seat, with hydraulic pre-load adjustment, that provides 3.4 inches of suspension travel. A single front disc brake with a 300mm rotor, as well as a single rear brake with a 292mm rotor handle the slowing down, while tubeless laced wheels wrapped in Dunlop “Harley-Davidson Series” tires (100/90-19 front,150/80-16 rear) keep the Super Glide stuck to the tarmac.

Photo by: Harley-Davidson

The limited edition Super Glide is equipped with a suite of rider safety technology, including Cornering Antilock Braking System (ABS/C-ABS), Cornering Traction Control System (TCS/C-TCS), Cornering Drag Torque Slip Control (DSCS/C-DSCS) and Tire Pressure Monitoring (TPMS). There’s also three selectable ride modes – Road, Rain and Sport – which can be changed on the fly, or when stopped.

A 5.75-inch LED headlamp, along with LED turn signals and brake light, comes standard, as well as a five-inch console-mounted display that presents an analog speedometer sitting above a multi-function LCD digital display.

What do you think?

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So, while this might appear to be a Street Bob on chrome steroids, the new Super Glide is meant to be more than that. More than custom paint and chrome accents. It’s meant to honor both the legacy of Willie G. Davidson and the Southern California custom bike culture that inspired him in the late 60’s. It also, in some ways, pays tribute to the 250th year of the United States by highlighting how we may have changed in many ways - for better or worse - but we’re still thundering down the road on big American V-twin powered machines, fists in the wind, chrome dripping from the exhaust.

The 2026 Super Glide will only be offered in the United States and Canada with an MSRP of $15,999. But what do you all think? Has Harley hit the mark and the market on this OG design and, more importantly, would Willie G. have loved it?