2017–2019 Harley-Davidson Touring Milwaukee-Eight 107 (FLTRU Road Glide Ultra)

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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
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