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2021 Harley-Davidson Street Glide Special vs. 2021 Indian Chieftain Limited vs. 2022 BMW R 18 B Ride Comparison Photo Gallery


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Three luxury touring machines built for American highways. As tested, the 2021 Harley-Davidson Street Glide Special costs $29,994, the Indian Chieftain Limited $27,999, and the BMW R 18 B First Edition $28,870.
Three luxury touring machines built for American highways. As tested, the 2021 Harley-Davidson Street Glide Special costs $29,994, the Indian Chieftain Limited $27,999, and the BMW R 18 B First Edition $28,870. (Jeff Allen/)Long straights, tight twists, and beautiful scenery make California’s Pacific Coast Highway an ideal testing ground for this comparison.
Long straights, tight twists, and beautiful scenery make California’s Pacific Coast Highway an ideal testing ground for this comparison. (Jeff Allen/)H-D styling balances black and chrome finishes in the Milwaukee-Eight’s updated but classic form.
H-D styling balances black and chrome finishes in the Milwaukee-Eight’s updated but classic form. (Jeff Allen/)Compared to the 2021 R 18, the B is deraked by more than five degrees, from 32.7 to 27.3, with longer-travel rear suspension, giving it a taller appearance and allowing for greater available lean angle.
Compared to the 2021 R 18, the B is deraked by more than five degrees, from 32.7 to 27.3, with longer-travel rear suspension, giving it a taller appearance and allowing for greater available lean angle. (Jeff Allen/)The Indian Chieftain’s infotainment system is easy to use and displays relevant information clearly, but shares a touchscreen and button layout with the Polaris Slingshot and side-by-side models which detracts from Indian’s separate brand identity.
The Indian Chieftain’s infotainment system is easy to use and displays relevant information clearly, but shares a touchscreen and button layout with the Polaris Slingshot and side-by-side models which detracts from Indian’s separate brand identity. (Jeff Allen/)Nearing Cayucos toward the end of the first day, Pacific Coast Highway is ours alone without a car in sight.
Nearing Cayucos toward the end of the first day, Pacific Coast Highway is ours alone without a car in sight. (Jeff Allen/)The 2021 H-D Street Glide Special is seen here in Gauntlet Gray Metallic/Vivid Black, which is available with black or chrome engine finishes.
The 2021 H-D Street Glide Special is seen here in Gauntlet Gray Metallic/Vivid Black, which is available with black or chrome engine finishes. (Jeff Allen/)The R 18 B’s fit and finish is the best of the group and a testament to BMW’s manufacturing.
The R 18 B’s fit and finish is the best of the group and a testament to BMW’s manufacturing. (Jeff Allen/)Piedras Blancas lighthouse stands in the background as our three baggers cruise north along PCH toward Big Sur.
Piedras Blancas lighthouse stands in the background as our three baggers cruise north along PCH toward Big Sur. (Jeff Allen/)Riders appreciating the view from Pacific Coast Highway.
Riders appreciating the view from Pacific Coast Highway. (Jeff Allen/)The 2021 Indian Chieftain Limited is a wonderful bike to ride, but shortcomings in the fit and finish category take away from the overall feeling of quality.
The 2021 Indian Chieftain Limited is a wonderful bike to ride, but shortcomings in the fit and finish category take away from the overall feeling of quality. (Jeff Allen/)BMW claims the R 18 B has a lean angle of 35 degrees, compared to 32 on the Street Glide Special and Chieftain Limited, but in real-world testing, the B was often the first to touch a floorboard to the ground.
BMW claims the R 18 B has a lean angle of 35 degrees, compared to 32 on the Street Glide Special and Chieftain Limited, but in real-world testing, the B was often the first to touch a floorboard to the ground. (Jeff Allen/)Three baggers crossing Bixby Bridge, the historic landmark that connects northern Big Sur to the rest of Pacific Coast Highway.
Three baggers crossing Bixby Bridge, the historic landmark that connects northern Big Sur to the rest of Pacific Coast Highway. (Jeff Allen/)On a flat, straight road going about 70 mph, each bike is exquisite, but as the limits are pushed, their strengths and weaknesses become apparent.
On a flat, straight road going about 70 mph, each bike is exquisite, but as the limits are pushed, their strengths and weaknesses become apparent. (Jeff Allen/)In production as the Street Glide since 2006, this model has been refined year after year, resulting in a product that feels cohesive, high quality, and well engineered.
In production as the Street Glide since 2006, this model has been refined year after year, resulting in a product that feels cohesive, high quality, and well engineered. (Jeff Allen/)Dual disk brakes and 4-piston calipers on the R 18 B first edition provided great feel while applying the front alone, but the Full Integrated ABS gave some unwanted feedback to the lever while using front and rear brakes together.
Dual disk brakes and 4-piston calipers on the R 18 B first edition provided great feel while applying the front alone, but the Full Integrated ABS gave some unwanted feedback to the lever while using front and rear brakes together. (Jeff Allen/)Rider Morgan Gales appreciates the view during a quick roadside stop.
Rider Morgan Gales appreciates the view during a quick roadside stop. (Jeff Allen/)2021 Street Glide Special saddlebag.
2021 Street Glide Special saddlebag. (Jeff Allen/)A nod to classic Indian Motorcycle design, the Indian headdress adorns the Chieftain’s front fender.
A nod to classic Indian Motorcycle design, the Indian headdress adorns the Chieftain’s front fender. (Jeff Allen/)The Street Glide Special’s gauge and infotainment system.
The Street Glide Special’s gauge and infotainment system. (Jeff Allen/)Indian branding on the front of the Chieftain’s fairing.
Indian branding on the front of the Chieftain’s fairing. (Jeff Allen/)Marshall speakers are part of BMW’s Premium Package, which adds $2,800 to the MSRP.
Marshall speakers are part of BMW’s Premium Package, which adds $2,800 to the MSRP. (Jeff Allen/)The BMW R 18 B comes with this mid-height windshield, but one taller and one shorter option are also available through BMW.
The BMW R 18 B comes with this mid-height windshield, but one taller and one shorter option are also available through BMW. (Jeff Allen/)Gauges and touchscreen on the 2021 Indian Chieftain Limited.
Gauges and touchscreen on the 2021 Indian Chieftain Limited. (Jeff Allen/)Four analog gauges and the 10.25-inch screen on the 2022 BMW R 18 B First Edition.
Four analog gauges and the 10.25-inch screen on the 2022 BMW R 18 B First Edition. (Jeff Allen/)The 2021 Harley-Davidson Street Glide Special’s 19-inch front wheel and dual disc brakes with 4-piston calipers.
The 2021 Harley-Davidson Street Glide Special’s 19-inch front wheel and dual disc brakes with 4-piston calipers. (Jeff Allen/)The only electronically adjustable windshield of the bunch gave Indian’s Chieftain the best wind management.
The only electronically adjustable windshield of the bunch gave Indian’s Chieftain the best wind management. (Jeff Allen/)On all comparison tests, each rider spends time on each motorcycle.
On all comparison tests, each rider spends time on each motorcycle. (Jeff Allen/)The view from the BMW R 18 B’s cockpit.
The view from the BMW R 18 B’s cockpit. (Jeff Allen/)A chrome front engine cover, cylinder head covers, and intake runner are part of the B’s $2,400 First Edition Package.
A chrome front engine cover, cylinder head covers, and intake runner are part of the B’s $2,400 First Edition Package. (Jeff Allen/)The R 18 B’s large cylinder heads limit footpeg position options and have potential to crowd riders with large feet.
The R 18 B’s large cylinder heads limit footpeg position options and have potential to crowd riders with large feet. (Jeff Allen/)

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