2024 Harley-Davidson Hydra-Glide Revival First Ride

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Harley’s latest Icon Collection model is the 2024 Hydra-Glide Revival, a limited-edition bike paying homage to the 75th anniversary of the Hydra-Glide suspension. (Andrea Wilson/)

One of the first actions Harley-Davidson undertook in 2021 after scrapping its “More Roads” strategy was to launch the Icons Collection, a limited-production line of motorcycles celebrating its iconic motorcycles and past designs. To qualify for the collection, the bikes would only be produced once in limited numbers and be priced reasonably, with each model celebrating a significant motorcycle or technology in Harley-Davidson’s past.

Needless to say, Harley’s got a significantly deep catalog of candidates to draw from, and with the 2024 FLI Hydra-Glide Revival, the latest Icons bike, The Motor Company specifically calls out the 75th anniversary of the 1949 Hydra-Glide suspension for its E and F models. The 1949 Hydra-Glide was notable for its hydraulic telescopic fork (hence the name “Hydra”), which signaled a shift away from the springer front end on previous bikes—an impactful move at the time. And when Harley unveiled the new Revival at Daytona Bike Week, we were able to have a brisk chat with Director of Motorcycle Design Bjorn Shuster before jumping on the bike for a quick ride up the coast.

Related: 2024 Harley-Davidson Hydra-Glide Revival First Look

Based largely on styling cues from the 1956 Hydra-Glide, the new Revival model puts an even more nostalgic spin on the Heritage Classic donor bike. (Andrea Wilson/)

Officially, the Hydra-Glide Revival borrows its styling cues most heavily from the ‘56 FLH Hydra-Glide, though Shuster says the Icons bikes are “not meant to be verbatim, literal replicas of any one model” but rather a celebration of a time period. The Revival bike also presented an opportunity for the company to incorporate some of the new postwar industrial design aesthetics that were starting to creep into the popular culture at the time.

The classic two-tone red and white “slash” paint scheme on the current Hydra, for example, is inspired by the 1956 models, as is the classic medallion tank badge, which prominently features a large “V” to signify the V-twin design, also a common element for the time. Stylized Hydra-Glide font on the chrome-trimmed front fender echoes the period look.

It might help to look twice; 1950s cues include stylized Harley-Davidson font with V flourish. Two-tone “slash” paint job is also lifted from the 1956 Hydra-Glide model. (Andrea Wilson/)

Even the experience of sitting in the cockpit has echoes of the past with the tank-mounted analog-look round gauge wearing font ripped right from the ‘50s designs. There are a lot of textures at play on this Revival bike, and the dished solo seat goes all in with fringed leather valance with chrome studs and conchos, and a chrome rail to frame the contrast-stitched padding. And looking through that two-tone detachable windshield, color matched to the tank, is definitely a ride back to another time.

Other period touches include a drum-look front brake with a chrome cover, which obscures the thoroughly modern disc lurking on the other side of the wheel, and a Screamin’ Eagle Hi-Flow pan-style air cleaner wedged between the jugs on the completely modern Milwaukee-Eight 114ci V-twin engine.

Matching Hydra-Glide badging on chrome-trimmed fender betrays Streamline influences seen in the era. (Andrea Wilson/)

That’s right, you won’t find a 74ci Panhead motor here; the Hydra-Glide Revival is based almost entirely on the current Heritage Classic, so under the 5-gallon fuel tank is a 1,868cc mill good for a claimed 94 hp at 4,750 rpm and 119 lb.-ft. of torque at 3,000 revs. In an unusual move, Harley decided not to badge the motor as such, which gives it an even more retro appeal. As usual, owners can further pump up the power with Screamin’ Eagle accessories.

Sitting in the bike is also a trip back to the past, with a wide solo seat, leather tank strap, two-tone windshield, and analog-looking gauge taking up the view. Serialized “Hydra-Glide Revival” insert caps the handlebar riser. (Andrea Wilson/)

If the standout feature of the original Hydra-Glide was its hydraulic damped front suspension, the Revival’s underpinnings are pure modern-day Softail, with a 49mm Showa dual-bending valve telescopic fork and a preload-adjustable shock hidden under the rear fender. The spoke wheels, tires, and brakes are straight off the Heritage Classic too. In keeping with the Icons theme, electronics on the Revival are minimal, though you still get the basics like ABS, cruise control, LED lighting, and locking saddlebags that are all found on the factory production Heritage, just stylized to pay homage to the past.

With its Heritage Classic underpinnings, the Hydra-Glide Revival benefits from the same composed, comfortable, and thoroughly modern ride. (Andrea Wilson/)

Shuster says the Hydra-Glide time period appealed to the team for its cultural significance, but certain visual elements like the long primary case, teardrop tanks, and pushrod arrangement have been a signature feature of Harleys for decades. So things didn’t need to look that different in 2024 to trigger that nostalgic remembrance of the past. The downside to the Hydra-Glide’s well-sorted thoroughly throwback vibe is the constant attention of other riders especially at stoplights or gas stations. “What year is that thing?” was a constant refrain we heard, as lookie-loos rolled up to squint at what they thought was a resto-mod or full-on vintage bike.

The rigid locking weather-resistant saddlebags are based on the Heritage Classic units and feature the same capacity but are covered in conchos, studs, and fringe. Fun fact: Back in the day, fringe was used to channel water away from objects, not just as styling elements. (Andrea Wilson/)

We’ve been on the Heritage platform countless times, so this bike, despite all the adornments and finery, felt like an old friend, with the composed manners, excellent ride quality, and enviable stability we’ve come to expect from that bike. Whether in low-speed turns or at extra-legal Florida highway speeds, the Hydra/Heritage is solid, well damped, and affords good protection thanks to the taller-than-stock shield. Ergonomics are near Goldilocks-level-right (for my 5-foot-7 frame, anyway), and you really can’t underestimate just how comfortable the Heritage is. With plenty of power, ample storage, good comfort, and decent protection, there’s not much to quibble about using this model as a donor bike.

The Hydra-Glide Revival’s color-matched shield is about 2 inches taller than the stock Heritage unit, but is similarly detachable. (Andrea Wilson/)

At the end of the day, the Hydra-Glide Revival toes the line between retro and modern pretty well. It manages to wear its period trappings authentically without feeling stuck in the past, choosing to highlight certain cues without going too hard on the nostalgia angle (depending on your fringe bias). This bike makes no bones about its theme, but underneath the rose-colored windshield lies a thoroughly competent motorcycle, with well-sorted components that have a proven track record for comfort and performance.

Full-on throwback ’50s styling with modern ride quality; if those things appeal to you, the 2024 Hydra-Glide Revival is available in limited numbers, with an MSRP of $24,999. (Andrea Wilson/)

Add to this a buy-in price that’s not outrageously steep—$24,999, or just $2,500 more than a base Heritage Classic—-and things start to look even better (provided the styling appeals to you). Also consider that just 1,750 units of the Hydra-Glide Revival will be built, all numbered and serialized, and we see no reason the latest Revival won’t sell as well as the first three (the series has been wildly successful, according to H-D insiders).

Side note: In a happy coincidence, the Hydra-Glide is making its way to dealerships just before the release of the BikeRiders movie, a period flick set in 1950s Detroit starring Tom Hardy, which recounts the antics of an outlaw biker club, many of them riding Hydra-Glides. Harley reps swear it’s just a coincidence.

2024 Harley-Davidson Hydra Glide Revival Specs

MSRP:	$24,999
Engine:	45-degree V-twin; 4 valves/cyl.
Displacement:	1,868cc
Bore x Stroke:	102.0 x 114.3mm
Compression Ratio:	10.5:1
Transmission/Final Drive:	6-speed/belt
Claimed Horsepower:	94.0 hp @ 4,750 rpm
Claimed Torque:	119 lb.-ft. @ 3,000 rpm
Fuel System:	Electronic Sequential Port Fuel Injection
Clutch:	Wet, multiplate assist
Frame:	Tubular steel
Front Suspension:	49mm telescopic, dual-bending valve; 5.1 in. travel
Rear Suspension:	Monoshock, spring preload adjustable; 3.4 in. travel
Front Brake:	4-piston fixed calipers, floating 300mm discs w/ ABS
Rear Brake:	2-piston floating caliper, 292mm disc w/ ABS
Wheels, Front/Rear:	Spoked steel; 16 x 3.0 in. / 16 x 3.0 in.
Tires, Front/Rear:	Dunlop Harley-Davidson Series, bias blackwall; 130/90-16 / 150/80-16
Rake/Trail:	30.0°/5.7 in.
Wheelbase:	64.2 in.
Ground Clearance:	4.7 in.
Seat Height:	27.0 in. (unladen)
Fuel Capacity:	5.0 gal.
Claimed Wet Weight:	742 lb.
Contact:	harley-davidson.com

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