Harley-Davidson launches ‘Icons Collection’ motorcycles

The meaning behind the ‘Revival’ tag glimpsed in Harley-Davidson’s 2021 model launch earlier this year has been revealed. The name has been attached to a new Electra Glide tourer, which launched on 27 April as the first in what will be an ongoing series of limited-edition motorcycles that tap into the long history of the famous American brand.

Dubbed ‘Icons Collection,’ this new initiative will see Harley-Davidson produce one or two special models each year, with a short, single production run for each. Further ensuring exclusivity, once production of each Icons Collection motorcycle is completed, it will not be resumed or repeated.

“With ‘The Hardwire,’ we made a commitment to introduce a series of motorcycles that align with our strategy to increase desirability and to drive the legacy of Harley-Davidson,” said Jochen Zeitz, chairman, president and CEO of Harley-Davidson.

“With that in mind, I am proud to introduce our new limited production Icons Collection, a series of extraordinary adaptations of production motorcycles which look to our storied past and bright future.”

Inspired by ’69 . . .

The launch model for the Icons Collection is the ‘Electra Glide Revival,’ which is based on the current Touring platform and revives a long-standing Harley-Davidson name - one that was seen here just last year in the stripped-down Electra Glide Standard.

Specific inspiration for the styling, features and finish of the Electra Glide Revival came from the 1969-model Electra Glide, which was the first Harley to be offered with the now iconic ‘batwing’ fork-mounted fairing.

Back in ’69, the accessory batwing fairing was often paired with accessory saddlebags, both of which were made from fibreglass and only offered in white, according to Harley-Davidson. With that in mind, the fairing and panniers on the Electra Glide Revival are finished in Birch White, but both are fitted as standard.

The rest of the colour scheme is also inspired by a ’69 Electra Glide, comprising metallic Hi Fi Blue over satin Black Denim, separated by a Birch White stripe on the tank. This will be the only colour scheme offered on the Electra Glide Revival, with a C1960s-style tank badge, Electra Glide script on the front mudguard and whitewall tyres keeping the theme going. Being bias ply instead of radial, the tyres may seem to be taking the retro theme a little too far, but this is due to bias plies being more suitable to carry the Electra Glide Revival’s wet weight of 391kg.

To make the colour scheme pop, there’s an abundance of chrome, from the wire spoked wheels and front mudguard rails to the auxiliary light shells, tank console, engine trim, crash bars, exhaust and saddlebag rails.

The solo saddle is another distinctly retro feature, finished in two-tone black and white, with a chrome grab rail. In a nod to Harley’s FL models from the 1960s, an adjustable coil spring and shock absorber is fitted to this saddle, offering additional rider comfort on top of the standard Touring suspension.

“We live in a very dynamic time, each of us experiencing constant change,” said Brad Richards,

Harley-Davidson vice president of styling and design. “The Electra Glide Revival model is an oasis in this daily turbulence, a way to reconnect with the fundamental Harley-Davidson DNA that created Grand American Touring.”

. . . With 2021 Power and Tech

While it looks like it rolled out of a Harley-Davidson showroom in 1969, the Electra Glide Revival is a thoroughly modern machine under the skin.

Being based on the 2021 Touring platform means this limited-edition model runs that family’s steel backbone frame, 49mm forks with dual bending valve technology and premium twin rear shocks with manual preload adjustability.

Power comes from the Milwaukee-Eight 114 v-twin, which is the standard Touring powerplant that offers 69kW at 5250rpm and 158Nm at 3250rpm in this application. This 45-degee v-twin engine is matched to the six-speed Cruise Drive transmission that reduces engine RPM at highway speeds to improve fuel economy and enhance rider comfort. A slipper clutch and belt final drive are standard.

Brakes are dual 320mm floating discs up front, with a single 320mm fixed disc on the rear, with 4-piston calipers at each end.

Harley’s Boom! Box GTS infotainment system is standard, combining a powerful audio system with an advanced satnav. Two 5.25-inch BOOM speakers are fitted to the fairing, while the full-colour 6.5-inch touchscreen dash panel is designed to be easy to see in all conditions. The system features Apple CarPlay compatibility (Android Auto application), with voice control available via a suitable headset.

Also standard on this model is the RDRS Safety Enhancements suite, which includes Cruise Control, Cornering Enhanced ABS, Cornering Enhanced Electronic Linked Braking, Drag-torque Slip Control and Hill Hold Control.

Strictly Limited

The Electra Glide Revival will be limited to just 1,500 units worldwide, more than half of which are allocated to the North American market. Australian allocation is unconfirmed at time of writing, but likely to be less than 50 units.

Individually numbered (on the tank console), each Electra Glide Revival will also come with a Certificate of Authenticity from Harley-Davidson.

Australian pricing for the 2021 Electra Glide Revival is $40,495 ride away (NZ$43,995 ride away for New Zealand), with local stock due for arrival in June.

For more details, see your Harley-Davidson dealer or go to: h-d.com/icons