2020–2024 Harley-Davidson Touring Milwaukee-Eight 114 (FLTRK Road Glide Limited)

The 2020–2024 Harley-Davidson Touring Milwaukee-Eight 114 (FLTRK Road Glide Limited) is a grand American touring motorcycle produced by Harley-Davidson. Positioned as a premium, long-haul machine within the company’s Touring family, the Road Glide Limited is designed for riders and passengers seeking maximum comfort and features for cross-country travel. It is distinguished by its frame-mounted “sharknose” fairing and is powered by the Milwaukee-Eight 114 V-Twin engine.

Model History and Evolution

The FLTRK Road Glide Limited was introduced for the 2020 model year, effectively replacing the FLTRU Road Glide Ultra. The primary distinction between the new Limited model and its predecessor was the standardization of the larger-displacement Milwaukee-Eight 114 engine. The outgoing Road Glide Ultra came standard with the Milwaukee-Eight 107 engine, with the 114 being an optional upgrade.

This strategic change signaled a shift in Harley-Davidson’s premium touring lineup, making the more powerful engine the new baseline for its top-tier models. Alongside the engine upgrade, the Road Glide Limited also introduced updated premium finishes, including options for blacked-out components (engine, exhaust, forks) in addition to the traditional chrome, and incorporated features like heated grips as standard equipment. The core chassis and distinctive fairing design were carried over from the well-established Road Glide platform.

Design and Features

The most defining visual and functional element of the Road Glide Limited is its frame-mounted fairing. Unlike the fork-mounted “batwing” fairing found on models like the Street Glide and Electra Glide, the Road Glide’s “sharknose” fairing is fixed to the motorcycle’s frame. This design removes the weight of the fairing, headlights, and infotainment system from the handlebars, resulting in lighter steering input and increased stability, particularly in crosswinds. The fairing houses dual Daymaker LED headlamps and a tall, 13.5-inch windscreen for enhanced wind protection.

Ergonomics are tailored for long-distance comfort for both rider and passenger. The motorcycle features a two-up touring seat with a passenger backrest integrated into the rear Tour-Pak luggage carrier. The Tour-Pak provides significant storage capacity and is complemented by a pair of hard-sided saddlebags. The rider triangle is upright and relaxed, with pulled-back handlebars and full-length rider footboards.

The Harley-Davidson Touring Milwaukee-Eight 114 Engine

The heart of the FLTRK Road Glide Limited is its powertrain. The Milwaukee-Eight 114 engine is an air- and oil-cooled, 45-degree V-Twin featuring four valves per cylinder (eight total, giving the engine its name).

Powertrain Characteristics

Displacing 114 cubic inches (1868cc), the engine is tuned for strong low-end torque, a characteristic desirable for heavy touring motorcycles, especially when loaded with a passenger and gear. It produces approximately 122 ft-lb of torque at a low 3000 RPM, allowing for effortless acceleration from a stop and confident passing power without frequent downshifting. Compared to the Twin Cam engine it replaced in the touring lineup, the Milwaukee-Eight is counter-balanced for smoother operation at idle and features improved heat management for enhanced rider and passenger comfort.

Power is delivered to the rear wheel through a 6-Speed Cruise Drive transmission and a low-maintenance belt final drive system.

Chassis, Suspension, and Brakes

The Road Glide Limited is built on Harley-Davidson’s robust touring frame, designed for stability under heavy loads and at highway speeds. The front suspension consists of 49mm forks with Dual Bending Valve technology, which provides damping performance comparable to a cartridge-style fork for a more controlled and comfortable ride. The rear suspension features premium emulsion-style shock absorbers with a hand-adjustable preload knob, allowing the rider to easily tune the suspension for the load (solo, two-up, or with luggage) without the need for tools.

Braking is handled by a Reflex Linked Brembo brake system with standard ABS. The system electronically links the front and rear brakes to provide the optimal amount of braking force to each wheel when the rider applies either brake control above 25 mph, helping to prevent wheel lock-up.

Technology and Rider Aids

From 2020 onward, the Road Glide Limited came standard with the Boom! Box GTS infotainment system. It features a full-color touchscreen interface, GPS navigation, and Bluetooth connectivity for hands-free calling and music streaming from a mobile device.

As an available option, the motorcycle could be equipped with the Reflex Defensive Rider Systems (RDRS), a suite of electronic rider aids designed to match motorcycle performance to available traction during acceleration, deceleration, and braking. RDRS includes:
Cornering Enhanced ABS (C-ABS): Varies brake pressure based on the motorcycle’s lean angle.
Cornering Enhanced Traction Control System (C-TCS): Prevents the rear wheel from excessive spinning under acceleration, with modes for different conditions.
Drag-Torque Slip Control System (DSCS): Manages rear-wheel slip during deceleration.
Vehicle Hold Control (VHC): Applies brake pressure to prevent the motorcycle from rolling when stopped on an incline.
* Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS): Displays current front and rear tire pressure on the infotainment screen.

Specifications