2024 Harley-Davidson Street Glide Cruiser Review Specs Price

Descending Chiriaco Summit, just south of Joshua Tree National Park, I could feel the punishing sun slicing across my right side like a barrage of hot needles. A glance at the 2024 Harley-Davidson Street Glide Cruiser’s tablet-sized touchscreen revealed the ambient temperature: a brutal 105 degrees—at just 11:30 in the morning. And there were still three hours to go.

Choosing to hop on Interstate 10 near the California-Arizona border was regrettable, thanks to a lingering heatwave, non-stop road construction, and multiple crash pileups. What was supposed to be Google’s “fastest” route quickly devolved into a grueling, four-hour journey through smoky chaos, including the toxic stench of a flaming semi-truck that blocked several lanes. Creeping along at 30 mph in sweltering heat will push anyone to the brink—but at least I wasn’t on an air-cooled machine.

2024 Harley-Davidson Street Glide Cruiser – Features and Specs

Engine Features

The 2024 Harley-Davidson Street Glide Cruiser has long held a place in Harley-Davidson’s touring roster and is consistently one of its best-sellers. However, the last substantial update came during 2014’s Project Rushmore. That changed with the 2024 model, which introduces a thoroughly reworked platform led by the all-new Milwaukee-Eight 117 V-twin engine. This powerplant—exclusive to the 2024 Street and Road Glide—bumps output to a claimed 105 horsepower and 130 lb.-ft. Of torque, offering a slight performance increase over last year’s version.

Also Read: 2024 Harley-Davidson Fat Bob 114 Cruisers Review

Suspension

Most of the suspension setup carries over from the previous generation. It includes a 49mm Showa front fork with Dual Bending Valve technology and 4.6 inches of travel. However, the rear Showa shocks have been improved, offering 3 inches of travel (up from 2 inches). While the core chassis remains unchanged, the bike benefits from new Brembo brakes with larger 320mm front discs, four-piston calipers, and a 300mm disc at the rear. Harley claims the 2024 Street Glide sheds 18 pounds compared to its predecessor.

Styling and Fuel Tank

Refreshing the design of such an iconic silhouette was no easy task. Yet the team led by Brad Richards managed to strike a thoughtful balance between tradition and innovation. Key elements—like chrome beer-can fork covers and the signature 6-gallon teardrop fuel tank—remain with subtle enhancements. The tank now uses thinner gauge steel to save weight and features beveled edges that continue into the redesigned saddlebags.

The recognizable batwing fairing is still present but has sharper contours. It now houses a single LED headlight flanked by integrated strips that double as turn signals and running lights. The mirrors have been moved from stalks to a clean position inside the fairing, offering a sleeker appearance without sacrificing visibility. These new design choices also aid in aerodynamics, according to Harley.

Riding Impressions

The ride from Harley’s Southern California facility to my buddy’s home in Cave Creek, Arizona, spans around 400 miles. But instead of sticking to the monotonous I-10, I opted for the scenic, cooler paths winding through Idyllwild and the San Jacinto Mountains. On those curvier, elevated roads, the 2024 Harley-Davidson Street Glide Cruiser felt like a slightly more muscular version of an old, trusted companion. Its V-twin heartbeat combined smooth throttle response with unwavering stability—even when hustling through tight turns or twisty descents.

Gearbox

Launching from a standstill, the 2024 Harley-Davidson Street Glide Cruiser has no trouble pulling ahead of traffic. While the torque is generous from low RPMs, the counterbalanced Milwaukee-Eight 117 delivers its power refined and steadily. In Road mode—where I spent most of my ride—the traction control and ABS provided confidence-inspiring support. Flip it into Sport mode, and throttle response becomes noticeably sharper with reduced electronic intervention. Still, overtaking was simple even in Road mode—a quick twist of the throttle was all it took.

At higher speeds, the engine feels completely unstrained; cruising at 90 mph in sixth gear sees the RPM needle just above 3,000. Moreover, fuel economy proved impressively consistent, averaging 48 mpg over various conditions. A welcome change is the now-attached fuel cap, which no longer requires a key for refueling.

Chassis and Ergonomics

The 2024 Harley-Davidson Street Glide Cruiser has always been known for easy handling, and the lighter 2024 model only enhances that reputation. Despite weighing 811 pounds, it dives into corners with surprising agility. Ergonomics has also been refined—particularly for shorter riders like myself (5’6″). The handlebars are now slightly wider and placed farther forward, while the seat and floorboards remain the same. The reshaped, low-slung seat, neutral bar height, and well-positioned footboards make for a comfortable, roomy cockpit with solid control.

Also Read: 2024 Harley-Davidson Breakout 117 Cruisers Review

The batwing fairing helps maintain front-wheel feedback, especially in corners. The retuned Dual Bending Valve fork handles most imperfections confidently, while the rear emulsion-based shocks absorb rough terrain much better than previous generations. Still, extremely harsh hits will be felt with only 3 inches of travel at the back. Preload adjustment is available on the left shock, although you’ll need to remove the saddlebag to access it.

Heat and Comfort

Day two brought a serious challenge: intense desert heat. With forecasts reaching 107 degrees and several hours of open highway riding ahead, the only goal was efficiency. Setting the cruise control and angling the vent on the fairing, I focused on staying cool.

That new air vane mounted in the fairing center helped reduce cockpit turbulence. Still, I wished the windscreen were taller for better protection from head-on gusts. What truly impressed, however, was the 2024 Harley-Davidson Street Glide Cruiser’s improved cooling system—or as Harley terms it, “optimized thermal comfort.” The liquid-cooled cylinder heads kept the engine’s heat manageable even in blistering temperatures. The system utilizes a low-mounted radiator to direct coolant to the exhaust valves, while an electric fan forces hot air away from the rider. My legs still roasted—but only from the sun, not the engine.

Electronics and Display

One of the most notable upgrades is the massive 12.3-inch TFT touchscreen, a vast improvement over the old Boom! Box systems and analog gauges. It provides information, including rider aids, ride modes (Road, Sport, Rain, and Custom), and real-time bike diagnostics. You can toggle between different display themes like Cruise, Sport, and Tour—the latter offering a full-screen navigation view, though activating complete turn-by-turn GPS requires a $350 navigation add-on.

Running on Harley’s new Skyline OS, the interface is responsive and glove-compatible, but I found the handlebar switches far more efficient for input. A handy tray beneath the screen includes a USB-C port for phone charging, and the system works with Apple devices and, to a limited extent, Android. However, a compatible headset is required for full Apple CarPlay access.

Final Verdict

Harley-Davidson’s revamped Street Glide stands out in a market crowded with heavyweight touring machines. The new engine is smooth yet potent, the handling is balanced and confident, and the updated design distinguishes between honoring tradition and embracing modern flair. Yes, some traditionalists may gripe about changes to the batwing or the digital interface, but this is a thoroughly improved long-distance cruiser overall.

2024 Harley-Davidson Street Glide Cruiser – Price

The new 2024 Harley-Davidson Street Glide Cruiser is priced at $25,999.

2024 Harley-Davidson Street Glide Cruiser – Technical Specifications

Dimensions

Engine

Performance

Drive train

Chassis

Electric

Rider safety enhancements