For decades, if you wanted the ultimate American touring experience, you bought an Electra Glide. It was the gold standard—the “King of the Highway.” But in recent years, Harley-Davidson has been playing a shell game with its badges, slowly retiring the “Electra” nameplate in favor of the trendier “Street Glide” and “Limited” monikers.
The 2025 Harley-Davidson Street Glide Ultra has just been unveiled, and let’s call a spade a spade: This is the modern Electra Glide we’ve been asking for.
While the marketing brochures might say “Street Glide,” the DNA of this machine—”Very Premium,” tech-laden, and built for cross-country domination—is pure Electra Glide Ultra Classic. As a tech analyst and a rider who has logged over 50,000 miles on H-D touring frames, I’m looking past the badge to tell you why this might be the most significant “Electra Glide” launch in a decade.
The Heart of the Beast: Milwaukee-Eight 117
The headline news is the engine. The 2025 model finally ditches the standard 114ci for the muscular Milwaukee-Eight 117 V-Twin.
- Power: We are talking about 105 horsepower and a tarmac-ripping 130 ft-lbs of torque.
- The “Feel”: In my testing of the 117 platform, the difference isn’t just in peak speed; it’s in passing power. At 70 mph, when you twist the throttle to pass a semi-truck, the 117 surges forward with an urgency the 114 lacked.
- Cooling: It features Harley’s precision oil/air cooling strategy (and twin-cooling on select trims), which is essential for managing heat during those slow parades or traffic jams.
This isn’t just a “stronger engine”; it’s the new baseline for premium touring. You no longer need to buy a CVO (Custom Vehicle Operations) model to get the “big motor” bragging rights.
Tech That Finally Rivals Your Car: Skyline OS
For years, motorcycle infotainment was a laggy, frustrating afterthought. The 2025 update changes the game with the Skyline™ OS displayed on a massive 12.3-inch TFT color touchscreen.
- The Screen: It replaces the old analog gauges entirely. Some purists will hate this, but from a tech perspective, it’s brilliant. The anti-reflective coating is genuinely readable in direct sunlight (a huge fail point for competitors).
- Connectivity: It supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. No more fiddling with cables in your glovebox. Your maps, Spotify, and messages are just there.
- Navigation: The built-in navigation is now faster and more intuitive, but let’s be honest—you’re going to use Google Maps via CarPlay. The fact that Harley embraces this rather than fighting it is a massive win.
Design & Comfort: The “Ultra” Experience
This is where the “Electra Glide” spirit shines through. The “Ultra” designation means this bike comes dressed for the long haul.
- The Batwing Fairing: The iconic Batwing fairing has been subtly redesigned. It features a new “omega-shaped” signature LED light that modernizes the face of the bike without losing that classic silhouette. More importantly, the splitstream vent is optimized to smooth out wind buffeting—a godsend for riders over 6 feet tall.
- Suspension Travel: Harley has listened to the complaints. The rear suspension now boasts 3.0 inches of travel (up from the spine-compressing 2.1 inches on older Street Glides). This 50% increase in travel transforms the ride quality from “tolerable” to genuinely “plush.”
- Passenger Comfort: The Tour-Pak (top box) and passenger backrest are standard, offering the “armchair” comfort that passengers demand. If your partner refuses to ride on a standard Street Glide, put them on this.
Pros & Cons: The Expert’s Take
The Good:
- Engine Upgrade: The M8 117 is the perfect engine for a bike of this weight.
- Skyline OS: Finally, a screen that feels like an iPad, not an ATM from 2005.
- Suspension: The increased rear travel fixes the biggest flaw of the previous generation.
The Bad:
- Weight: At nearly 900 lbs wet, this is a heavy motorcycle. You feel every ounce of it in a parking lot.
- Price: Expect an MSRP north of $30,000 once you add fees and a color other than “Billiard Gray.”
- Heat: Despite cooling improvements, a 117ci air-cooled V-Twin is still a space heater between your legs in stop-and-go traffic.
Comparison: The Rivalry
- vs. Honda Gold Wing: The Gold Wing is smoother, quieter, and more “tech-forward” (DCT automatic transmission). But it lacks the soul, the rumble, and the infinite customization of the Harley.
- vs. Indian Roadmaster: The Indian offers a terrifyingly good Ride Command system and the PowerPlus engine, but Harley’s new Skyline OS has effectively closed the tech gap, and the H-D dealer network remains superior.
Final Verdict
If you’ve been holding onto your 2015 Electra Glide Ultra Classic because you didn’t want to lose the comfort or the classic looks, 2025 is the year to upgrade.
Harley-Davidson may have reshuffled the names, but the 2025 Street Glide Ultra is the spiritual successor to the Electra Glide throne. It combines the “hot rod” bagger style of the Street Glide with the long-haul comfort of the Ultra. It’s faster, smarter, and significantly more comfortable than anything before it.
The King is dead. Long live the King.
