Raw and bare, stripped of all the arguably distracting bells and whistles that Bluetooth-connected, GPS-dependent riders have been coddled with, Harley’s new FLHT Electra Glide Standard is the epitome of simplicity. As a mid-year release, the bike signifies a back-to-basics, cut-the-fat approach geared to attract riders at a reasonable $18,999. Compared to the Electra Glide Ultra’s $24,589 or the Street Glide’s $21,289, the Standard is the lowest-priced offering in H-D’s touring line.
Described as a dressed down dresser, the Electra Glide Standard does away with the radio and instead depends on the ultra-smooth Milwaukee-Eight 107 V-twin to set the tempo. Importantly, the iconic batwing fairing with a clear, mid-height windshield and a single halogen headlight are retained, though its foam-covered speaker holes are empty as is the gaping slot for the LCD screen, which now serves as a phone or glove holder during pit stops.
The dished solo seat sits at 26.1 inches, which made it extremely comfortable for my 6-foot-3 build. With a minimalist amount of chrome, the bike maintains a sleek and intimidating look that will still turn heads with the purity of its black paint job (and it only comes in Vivid Black).
The Electra Glide Standard comes with large One Touch saddlebags. spacious floorboards and a standard shift lever in place of the usual heel-toe shifter. Its naked front fender covers a 17-inch black machined Impeller wheel that is accented by chrome fork skirts.
Handling was impressive at all speeds during a daylong press ride through Florida’s swampland near Daytona Beach. The fat 130/80 front tire meant I had to put a little more effort into steering it, but the still-nimble, 820-pound bike felt firmly connected to the asphalt. With 26 degrees of rake and 6.7 inches of trail, it provides stable, comfortable cruising for days, especially with the Showa Dual Bending Valve front fork and dual emulsion shocks in the back.
This no-frills bike is not for beginners, nor is it billed as such. It is an attractive and attractively priced piece of American iron that will appeal to a wide swath of financially conscious riders. It gives a rider the basics that matter to get them out on the open road or into a dealership. And it is prepped to be incrementally customized as riding seasons pass–a deliberate Harley marketing plan.
The streamlined beauty and Milwaukee-Eight power should hopefully make the Electra Glide Standard a lasting hit in Harley’s touring line.
Kali Kotoski is the Managing Editor of Rider’s sister publication Thunder Press.
This is new?? Maybe returning to the stable, but definitely not new. I’m thinking that it’s a back to basics motorcycle because of the dropping motorcycle sales industry wide. This bike is good, though. I can’t possibly believe that I’m the only rider who doesn’t need all the bells and whistles of the super bloated and ultra expensive touring motorcycles we have now. Forty grand for a bike is, in my scheme of things, ridiculous. This is still expensive for a base model, but when it’s more than $20,000 less (msrp) than H-D’s CVO E.G. STARTING price of $40,000, it’s a relative bargain. There are a lot of us who prefer to hear the engine noise as well as the open air sounds you’ll hear when riding. Long winded comment, I know, but I will say that H-D deserves credit for having the guts to go TRULY retro. Bravo and best of luck with this model.
I agree with you. My ‘84 Tour Glide doesn’t have radio or any other fancy stuff to interfere with sheer riding pleasure & the purring if the drivetrain &, like you mentioned, the open air sounds. Just basic carb’d Evo, 5-speed, fairing with 2 lockable storage areas, 2 lockable saddlebags & lockable King Tour Pack.
Kali Kotoski mentioned in his review of the Harley Electra Glide Standard that it was not for a beginner. I am just entering the novice stage and i’m wondering if this could be a good prospect for my next bike. Thank you.
Marv Kornegay
Hi Marv,
If you’re just starting out on two-wheels, a bike like the Harley Electra Glide Standard may be a lot to handle. I wouldn’t necessarily say that it’d be “too much” because of the power and performance, which it does have quite a bit of, but mainly because of its physical weight and size. It’s a heavy-duty touring bike and for someone without a good skillset beneath them, dealing with these bikes can be tough. I tend to always recommend lighter, smaller, and more affordable motorcycles for those just starting out and I do that for a couple reasons. First, a lighter bike is often much easier to control at low speeds (parking lots, neighborhoods, etc.). Second, if you learn on something that’s relatively more affordable, you won’t feel as bad when it inevitably gets a scratch or two (I’m not the only one that did forgetful things like failing to fully extend my kickstand when parking, etc.) If you’re just starting out and are attracted to Harley-Davidson or V-twins in general, I’d look at picking up a used Sporster or perhaps an Indian Scout. They’re affordable, robust, and much more approachable for new riders.
Hope this helps,
– Nic
Design a motorcycle for 400 lb. Riders; They would love to ride a motorcycle like everyone else. Not everyone weighs 98lbs
Hey Jeffrey, I don’t know why any of the touring models wouldn’t work for you. I’m 230 lbs. (+) and my wife is about 150. We throw at least 50 lbs of gear on top of that on a long trip. This is on our old Road King with only an 88 c.i. motor and I’ve been all over the country without a problem. The newer larger displacements should handle you even better. Floorboards, handlebars and seats are all adjustable, so with a myriad of options out there I think you could tailor one for you right at the dealer. There are Harley rental places, maybe give one a try- Get out there in the wind with us! Good Luck, Bob
Hi Kali, why is this bike not for beginners? What about it makes it a challenge for beginners?
Sincerely curious! Thanks!
I’m not Kali but I’ve ridden a lot of miles on a lot of bikes.
1) This bike is really heavy, which means:
a) It’s not well suited to learning balancing skills on, because mistakes will have you trying to pick it back up. Having said that… its center of gravity is low, which means it’s not as tippy as some other bike, and it has crash bars which prevent it from falling all the way over. All the same, beginners would likely be best served learning good habits on a lighter bike.
b) It’s not well suited to learning all those skills about not getting into places you can’t get out of. I remember parking my 400 lb first bike nose first down an incline and having to shove it back up the hill by bouncing the forks and catching the bounce with the brakes. I probably would have had to call a tow on this bike.
2) This bike is really long and has slow reflexes. You have to a good intuition on how plan your way through curves on long, low bikes because you only have so much ability to react and change course as you go. Smaller more agile bikes are more forgiving to mistakes. It’s immensely satisfying to get a curve right on a cruiser because their safe limits aren’t usually too far above the speed limit, but you only get a few big mistakes over the course of your riding career and heavy slow bikes can commit you to a mistake you might steer out of on something more forgiving.
3) This bike is expensive. Its a big commitment for a beginner and repairs will be expensive. IMO it is wise to start on a small and cheap bike, so your mistakes will be small and cheap as well.
Ride safe.
FLHT Electra Glide Standard, I do not believe; markets it’s self as an entry level bike. I like the idea of a bike refined for one. Build and equip an individual bike to an individuals WANT. I will trade soon.
Does this have the old standard FLH-bagger suspension or does it still have the slammed suspension like last year’s?
No reason to have more limited suspension travel than the Road King, etc, not to mention comfort.
Slammed. Same shocks as the Street Glide.
I too prefer the non radio HD and for that reason, I opted for a Heritage Softail Classic back in 2015 and it’s been a great bike. I would enjoy the better accessible saddle bags and I wouldn’t mind if it had cruise control to aid my carpal tunnel aggravated right hand. (does it have that at least?) Mine has the 104 engine and I swapped the stock pipes for a set of 2-1 Cobra’s, added a K&N air filter and a tuner so it runs really good and sounds fantastic. But if stock 107 would outrun it and I would think it would, I’d be plenty content to ride it stock. This may be the one I replace my current HD with.
My favorite touring bike bar non and it’s made by Harley-Davidson…… No Radio! No Bluetooth! Great riding position… ride all day long… extremely comfortable…… brilliant design and really good handling for an 800 lb motorcycle…….. it’s why they are chosen by all the police departments
This bike should appeal to me … it has everything that I want, nothing that I don’t. I could even endure the black but why do they put that red Harley sign on the tank? Please, offer some basic color choices: black, silver, green, red … it’s the perfect touring Harley for folks who want the fairing but not the electronics.
Really glad Harley brought this bike back ,I have an 06 , and it has been a great bike, I would definitely give this one a second look.
I just bought one with 2200 miles on it for an obscenely low price that a Honda dealer took on trade because the FLHT was “too small” for the guy who bought it! He claimed he and his wife dwarfed the bike and traded it for a goldwing. Good for me, I Love this stripped Glide!
I have this bike, bought it 1 year ago and now have 3K on the clock and love it. I am 62 yrs. old and have been riding since I was 16 and I have ridden all brands and this is my first Harley. I was not disappointed the bike has plenty of power, the 107 pulls like a diesel and I like the fact that it is air/oil cooled as I ride N.E. Florida and S.E. Georgia. I like the bat wing fairing and mid height windshield and love the vent in the fairing gives you just enough air to reduce the wind buffeting at speed. The cruise control is smooth, the bike is well balanced and plenty of storage I like the fact that even with the black paint and minimal chrome the bike is easy to clean. It may be the bottom end of the touring line for Harley but for myself it pretty much fits the bill, my average ride is 125 to 150 miles. The bike has plenty of fuel capacity and is a comfortable ride. The European touring bikes have really escalated in price over the years and in my opinion have really gotten away from providing affordable transportation. Just my opinion on a bike that I own.
Have owned a few HD’s in my 65 years, from Sporties all the way up to Ultra Classics, I recently purchased this “back to the basics” motorcycle, the 2020 model comes with ABS, and Cruise Control, standard…I traded an Ultra Classic for this 2020 Electra Glide Standard (FLHT) and have not looked back…This motorcycle reminds you why we ride to start with.
I recently traded my 2007 Sportster for this bike. I love it. I didn’t ride the Sportster much because it was too small (I’m 6’2″) even with the forward foot controls, and had no storage. I ride this bike to work daily, and it fits the bill perfectly. I ordered a tour pack so my wife can go on rides with me. She’s excited to get on this bike as soon as possible. The engine is awesome. Smooth and pulls at all RPMs. On the Sportster I would have to stretch at stop lights and it wasn’t very comfortable, but this bike is great. Very glad I made the switch.
Being an old guy, riding since 1966, I approached my 07 Electra Glide Standard knowing full well what I was in for and I got that in spades.
The 6 speed trans was long overdue and changes everything IMO. 3rd gear getaway is very satisfying as a wide ratio Andrews 3rd on my shovel head was.
Fuel injected cold start ups is a case study in combustion efficiency during initial warm up.
Then it’s off to the road to nowhere without a care because there’s now a gas guage and low fuel light for those of us who strive to attain Nirvana without watching miles travelled at 50 mpg. Handling an 850 pound cruiser plus rider, is as good as I could have asked for in my golden years. The driver back rest a gift.
The machine has no bad handling habits even during unexpected rough road conditions that are quickly ironed out safely with no heavy bottom out but rather come off like a large long legged Cadillac magic carpet ride now.
Then it’s green light time on the electric speedo as I stretch out my legs for the highway pegs down position.
It’s been a long time coming since that cager took me down on PCH in Malibu with that illegal left turn that left me sprawled on the asphalt, not sure if crash bars would have made any difference then but this Glide has em now and I have no intentions of using them on my trans continental run from NYC to LA on the Mother Road of miles of smiles.
I have a 2000 HD for sale. Eng 1400cc Electra glide, I think. I get overwhelming hits on this bike. Not a biker but husband was, deceased on Indian. What’s the hype on this bike?
I have a 2019 electra glide standard in mind, good price and low mileage. I am concerned about the weight. Currently driving a 2014 Yamaha star touring bike that weights 653 lb. I have been riding for years but stopped then retired and got back into riding. I want to upgrade and the electra glide looks good. What is your thoughts
I commented on this Bike back in December 2019 right after I bought it. I have absolutely fallen in love with this Bike since. H-D touring seat and passenger boards and backrest added. My Wife and I have racked up many thousands of miles on this FLHT and it’s been nothing but a pleasure. I simply can’t believe the MoCo has stopped making it! Two weeks after purchasing the Bike, after changing all fluids for TRIBODYNE I loaded the Saddlebags and rode from my home in deep East Texas south to the Texas Hill Country where I grew up. (700 miles round trip). I arrived at the destination after 6 hours in the saddle with music playing in my helmet almost as fresh as when I started out. I’m in my 60’s and medically retired from the U.S. Military and in my opinion this is a testament to just how good this Bike is. Smooth, powerful and great handling for an 800+ pound Bike and very comfortable. On the Highway at 75-80mph on cruise this thing is as smooth as glass whilst still letting you know you are on an H-D. That feeling of perpetual motion that H-D imparts to a rider is still here but very refined compared to previous years and the performance potential with the 4 valve M8 is beyond what the 2 valve’s could even dream of while retaining reliability. I’m buying a ‘22 year model to compliment this one and going to keep riding until the Lord calls me home. If you want Simple Touring nirvana grab an FLHT, you won’t regret it.