2024 Harley-Davidson Hydra Glide Reviewed at Daytona Bike Week
With the limited edition 2024 Harley-Davidson Hydra Glide, everything old is new again – and better than ever.
Harley-Davidson’s Revival lineup does an excellent job of combining the latest tech with the looks and style of yesteryear. In this YouTube review, vlogger BLOCKHEAD takes us along for the ride as he reviews the new 2024 Hydra Glide.
To start the video, we meet two members of the Harley-Davidson design team at Daytona Bike Week. Talk about a dream job! Bjorn Shuster and Ashley Nieman explain, in detail, the design ethos behind the new Hydra Glide. As part of the Icons series, each bike is produced for just one year in a serialized limited edition. Will the 2024 Hydra Glide warrant a spot in your garage?
Right off the bat, we can say that a Milwaukee Eight combined with early 1950s style is a sure winner. We certainly don’t need a review to know that. However, BLOCKHEAD takes us through the ins and outs of the riding experience itself.
Old School Looks, New School Performance
Based on the excellent Softail platform, the Hydra Glide is lighter and more nimble than you would expect for a cruiser. Despite the fact that you’re much closer to the windshield, it apparently does a great job of protecting the rider from the wind. This might be a great choice for a Sportster owner who wants to move up to a larger cruiser, but not a full-on bagger.
The 114 cubic inch Milwaukee Eight is plenty powerful for navigating standard traffic and basic evasive maneuvers. There’s a healthy aftermarket for those who want more, with “stages” of power for those who like to buy their speed parts as a package deal all at once. Our take? Ride it stock for a while, then decide how much faster you want – or need – to go.
The bike handles well, but the big floorboards are at risk of scraping. Thankfully, the Hydra Glide negotiates corners effectively with a very mild lean angle. The brakes are great, and BLOCKHEAD praises the engine braking characteristics of the Milwaukee Eight engine.
All in all, the Hydra Glide is a great mid-sized cruiser for folks who want a retro look with a modern feel. In traffic, it’s a relief to know that, despite the classic looks, you’ve got a capable chassis, great brakes, and a powerful engine to keep you out of trouble. Not many classic-style bikes ride as good as they look, but this is a notable exception.
Join the HD Forums now!
