2007–2011 Harley-Davidson Touring Twin Cam 96 (FLHX Street Glide)

The 2007–2011 Harley-Davidson Touring Twin Cam 96 (FLHX Street Glide) represented a significant era for the American motorcycle manufacturer, marking a transition to a more powerful engine and a refined chassis for its popular “factory-custom bagger.” Introduced for the 2007 model year, the FLHX Street Glide quickly became one of the best-selling models in North America. It combined the long-haul comfort of the Touring platform with a stripped-down, lowered, and aggressive aesthetic that appealed to a wide range of riders. This generation of the Street Glide is defined by the introduction of the Twin Cam 96 engine and, later in its run, a completely redesigned frame that dramatically improved handling and stability.

Development and Evolution

The Street Glide was first launched in 2006, but the 2007 model year marked a pivotal change across Harley-Davidson’s Touring and Dyna lines. The most substantial upgrade was the replacement of the venerable Twin Cam 88 (1450 cc) engine with the larger Twin Cam 96 (1584 cc). This new engine provided a welcome increase in torque, which was especially noticeable during acceleration and two-up riding. Paired with this new powerplant was the all-new 6-speed Cruise Drive transmission, which lowered cruising RPMs on the highway, reducing vibration and improving fuel economy for long-distance travel.

Compared to its direct predecessor, the Twin Cam 88-powered Touring bikes, the 2007–2011 generation offered several key differences:

Engine and Transmission: The move from the 88 cubic-inch engine to the 96 cubic-inch engine resulted in approximately 17% more displacement. This, combined with the new 6-speed transmission, provided a smoother and more powerful riding experience. Electronic Sequential Port Fuel Injection (ESPFI) also became standard.
Chassis Redesign (2009): Perhaps the most critical update during this period came in 2009. Harley-Davidson introduced a brand-new frame and swingarm for its entire Touring family. The new single-spar, rigid backbone frame was designed to increase carrying capacity and significantly improve handling. This frame, along with a wider rear wheel, eliminated the “bagger wobble” or frame flex that could occur in high-speed cornering on earlier models.
* Feature Upgrades: Throughout this period, the Street Glide saw incremental but important updates. In 2008, the fuel tank was enlarged from 5 to 6 gallons, extending its touring range. Brembo brakes with an optional Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) were also introduced, enhancing safety. A “throttle-by-wire” system was added for smoother throttle response and to enable electronic cruise control.

Design of the 2007-2011 Harley-Davidson Touring Twin Cam 96 Street Glide

The FLHX Street Glide’s design philosophy was to take the functional foundation of the Electra Glide and give it a minimalist, custom look straight from the factory.

Styling and Ergonomics

The motorcycle’s visual identity is defined by its iconic “batwing” fairing, but with a short, smoked windscreen for a tougher appearance. It featured color-matched, locking hard saddlebags that were streamlined and mounted without the extra chrome luggage guards found on other touring models, contributing to its clean profile. The rear was given a custom treatment with a “tri-line” fender extension, integrated LED lighting, and a low-mounted license plate.

A key feature of the Street Glide was its low stance. It was equipped with lower rear suspension than the Electra Glide, resulting in one of the lowest seat heights in the Harley-Davidson Touring lineup at the time. This made the bike more accessible to a broader range of riders and contributed to its sleek, ground-hugging look.

Engine and Drivetrain

The heart of this generation was the air-cooled, 45-degree V-Twin Twin Cam 96 engine. Displacing 1584 cc, it was known for producing strong low-end torque—peaking at over 90 ft-lb—making it ideal for effortless cruising and highway passing. The engine was rubber-mounted to the frame to isolate the rider from excessive vibration, a hallmark of the Touring platform. The 6-speed Cruise Drive transmission featured a quiet-operating helical-cut fifth gear, and the final drive was a clean, low-maintenance carbon-fiber-reinforced belt.

Specifications: 2009 Harley-Davidson FLHX Street Glide