Of course, here is a full article about the 2017–2019 Harley-Davidson FLTRU Road Glide Ultra, written in the requested style.
The 2017–2019 Harley-Davidson Touring Milwaukee-Eight 107 (FLTRU Road Glide Ultra) is a premium long-haul touring motorcycle produced by the American manufacturer Harley-Davidson. As part of the company’s Touring family, the Road Glide Ultra is distinguished by its frame-mounted “sharknose” fairing and comprehensive features designed for cross-country travel for both a rider and a passenger. This specific generation marked a significant engineering milestone for the company, primarily through the introduction of the all-new Milwaukee-Eight engine and a completely redesigned suspension system, setting it apart from its predecessors.
Development and Key Upgrades
The 2017 model year was a watershed moment for Harley-Davidson’s touring lineup. The most substantial change was the replacement of the long-serving Twin Cam 103 engine with the new Milwaukee-Eight 107. This new powerplant represented a major leap forward in performance, refinement, and rider comfort.
Key differences from the previous Twin Cam-powered models include:
Engine Design: The Milwaukee-Eight features four valves per cylinder (totaling eight valves, hence the name), a departure from the two-valve design of the Twin Cam. This improved airflow by 50%, contributing to increased power and efficiency.
Performance: The Milwaukee-Eight 107 produced approximately 10% more torque than the Twin Cam 103 it replaced. This resulted in stronger acceleration, particularly noticeable when passing or climbing grades with a passenger and luggage.
Heat Management: A precision oil-cooling strategy targeted the hottest areas around the exhaust valves. Combined with a repositioned rear exhaust pipe and catalytic converter, this system significantly reduced the amount of heat felt by the rider and passenger.
Vibration Reduction: A single internal counter-balancer was engineered to cancel 75% of the engine’s primary vibration at idle. This resulted in a much smoother experience at a standstill, while still retaining the classic Harley-Davidson feel at cruising speeds.
Suspension: Alongside the new engine, the 2017 touring models received a completely overhauled suspension. The front featured new Showa Dual Bending Valve (SDBV) forks, which provided the performance of a racing-style cartridge fork with more linear damping characteristics. The rear suspension was upgraded to new emulsion-technology shock absorbers, which offered 15 to 30% more pre-load adjustment than previous models via a single, tool-free hydraulic adjustment knob.
Design and Features of the FLTRU Road Glide Ultra
The defining visual characteristic of the Road Glide Ultra is its distinctive frame-mounted fairing. Unlike the fork-mounted “batwing” fairing on models like the Street Glide and Electra Glide, the Road Glide’s fairing is fixed to the motorcycle’s frame. This design removes the weight of the fairing and infotainment system from the handlebars, resulting in lighter steering input and increased stability in crosswinds. The fairing features triple split-stream vents that open and close to equalize pressure behind the windscreen, dramatically reducing rider head buffeting.
As an “Ultra” model, the FLTRU was equipped with a full suite of touring amenities:
Luggage: A full-size Tour-Pak luggage carrier with an integrated passenger backrest and luggage rack, complemented by a pair of color-matched hard saddlebags.
Lighting: Dual Daymaker Reflector LED headlamps provided exceptional visibility, a signature element of the sharknose fairing.
Infotainment: The bike came standard with the Boom! Box 6.5GT infotainment system, featuring a full-color touchscreen, GPS navigation, and Bluetooth connectivity for music and hands-free calling.
Braking:** Reflex Linked Brembo brakes with ABS were standard. This system electronically links the front and rear brakes to provide the optimal amount of braking force to each wheel, regardless of which brake control the rider uses, improving stability under hard braking.
The combination of the Milwaukee-Eight engine’s smooth power delivery, the upgraded suspension’s plush ride, and the comprehensive touring features made the 2017–2019 Road Glide Ultra a highly capable machine for serious two-up touring. After the 2019 model year, the “Ultra” designation was largely succeeded by the “Road Glide Limited,” which continued the platform’s evolution, often incorporating the larger 114 cubic inch version of the Milwaukee-Eight engine as standard equipment.
Specifications Table
| General | |
| Brand | Harley-Davidson |
| Model | Road Glide Ultra |
| Model Class | FLTRU |
| Model Year | 2017–2019 |
| Type | Touring |
| Maximum mass (GVWR) | 1,360 lb. (617 kg) |
| Maximum passengers | 2 |
| Performance | |
| Max. power | ~90 Hp (67 Kw) / 5,000 RPM (Rear wheel estimate) |
| Max. torque | 114 ft-lb (154 N•m) / 3,250 RPM |
| Min. turn diameter | N/A |
| Top designed speed | ~110 mph (177 km/h) |
| Size | |
| Length | 102.2 in. (2595 mm) |
| Width | 37.8 in. (960 mm) |
| Height | 55.3 in. (1405 mm) |
| Wheelbase | 64 in. (1625 mm) |
| Seat height | 29.1 in. (739 mm) (laden) |
| Ground clearance | 5.3 in. (135 mm) |
| Curb weight (in running order) | 913 lb. (414 kg) |
| Engine | |
| Type | Milwaukee-Eight 107, 45° V-Twin, Four Stroke, Air & Precision Oil-Cooled |
| Displacement | 107 cu in (1746 cc) |
| Bore × Stroke | 3.937 in. × 4.375 in. (100 mm × 111.1 mm) |
| Compression ratio | 10.0:1 |
| Starting system | Electric starter |
| Fuel supplying system | Electronic Sequential Port Fuel Injection (ESPFI) |
| Ignition control system | ECU Ignition |
| Lubricating system | Dry sump |
| Oil capacity | 5.2 qt (4.9 L) with filter |
| Engine oil type | SAE 20W-50 Harley-Davidson H-D 360 Motorcycle Oil |
| Coolant capacity | N/A (Precision oil-cooled) |
| Coolant type | N/A |
| Idle speed | 850 RPM ± 50 RPM |
| Transmission | |
| Transmission type | 6-speed Cruise Drive, manual gear shift |
| Clutch type | Wet, multi-disc, hydraulically actuated with Assist & Slip |
| Driving system | Belt drive |
| Primary reduction ratio | 1.353 (34/46) |
| Final reduction ratio | 2.125 (32/68) |
| Gear ratio | 1st: 9.593; 2nd: 6.65; 3rd: 4.938; 4th: 4.00; 5th: 3.407; 6th: 2.875 |
| Chassis | |
| Tire size | Front: BW 130/80B17 65H; Rear: BW 180/65B16 81H |
| Rim size | Front: 17 in.; Rear: 16 in. (Impeller Cast Aluminum) |
| Capacity of fuel tank | 6.0 gal (22.7 L) |
| Fuel consumption | ~43 MPG (5.5 L / 100 km) combined |
| Electric | |
| Battery | 12V / 28 Ah |
| Headlight | Dual Daymaker™ Reflector LED |
| Position Light | LED |
| Turning light | Incandescent Bulb |
| Tail light / Braking Light | LED |
| Front fog light | N/A |
| Shock Absorbers | |
| Front travel | 4.6 in (117 mm) |
| Front suspension type | 49 mm Showa Dual Bending Valve (SDBV) |
| Rear travel | 3.0 in (76 mm) |
| Rear suspension type | Premium hand-adjustable emulsion shock absorbers |
| Rear spring preload | Tool-free hydraulic knob adjustment |


