Harley-Davidson reveals 2023 models
Harley-Davidson’s 120th Anniversary year is here and the famous American motorcycle company will be celebrating the milestone later in 2023 with a massive party in their hometown of Milwaukee Wisconsin. They’ve also released new and updated models for the new year, the first batch of which was announced in late January.
Amongst the MY23 range revealed so far, there are some all-new models, a visual makeover of one and a power hike for another, while the 120th Anniversary of Harley-Davidson’s first motorcycle in 1903 will be marked with the release of seven limited-edition models, all with commemorative paint and details.
“Since 1903, Harley-Davidson has pioneered American motorcycle design, technology, and performance, and today marks the beginning of a year-long celebration of Harley-Davidson’s 120th Anniversary.” said Jochen Zeitz, Chairman, President and CEO of Harley-Davidson, on announcing the initial models in the 2023 model lineup on 19 January.
“We’re excited to share the first release of 2023 Harley-Davidson motorcycles, with more to come later in the year. 2023 is going to be an unforgettable milestone for the Company, celebrating the history, culture and community of Harley-Davidson.”
120th Anniversary models
Harley-Davidson never misses a milestone year and 2023 is no exception. To mark 120 years since the foundation of The Motor Company, seven special edition motorcycles will be released, starting with the CVO Road Glide Limited Anniversary.
Over the course of 2023, the Ultra Limited Anniversary, Tri Glide Ultra Anniversary, Street Glide Anniversary, Road Glide Anniversary, Fat Boy 114 Anniversary and Heritage Classic 114 Anniversary will also be released. Each Anniversary model will be a numbered, limited edition, varying in production from 1,100 to 3,000 units worldwide.
On the CVO Road Glide Limited Anniversary model (the only 2023 limited-edition that details were available on at time of writing), the finish includes a base in Anniversary Black, with panels of Heirloom Red, outlined with red pinstripes and hand-applied gold scallops.
Within the Heirloom Red panels, the head and wings of an eagle feature in a subtle, ghosted effect, while an Art Deco rendition of an eagle features on the gold-plated tank badge that also carries ‘120 Years’ identification.
In addition to one of the most intricate paint schemes ever offered on a Harley-Davidson, the CVO Road Glide Limited Anniversary also features Alcantara seat trim with gold and red contrast stitching. The Milwaukee-Eight 117 v-twin adds inserts in gold, with a bright red finish for the rocker boxes and pushrod tube collars.
Only 1,500 examples of the CVO Road Glide Limited Anniversary will be produced for global distribution, each individually numbered with a laser-etched panel on the fuel tank console.
Australian allocation of that total is unknown, but local pricing is listed at $64,995.
The other six 120th Anniversary limited editions will also feature special paint treatments, inspired by early Harley-Davidson models, but unlike the CVO Road Glide Limited Anniversary, Heirloom Red will be the base colour, with insert panels in a darker Midnight Crimson fade with red outlines.
These models will also feature an Art Deco eagle tank badge, ‘red fade’ engine inserts and seats with red panels and a gold embroidered Harley-Davidson logo.
Full details on the other 120th Anniversary limited editions will be drip fed throughout 2023.
NEW Road Glide 3
Harley-Davidson’s trike range has expanded in 2023 with the all-new Road Glide 3 joining the existing Tri Glide Ultra and Freewheeler.
As the name suggests, the Road Glide 3 takes Road Glide styling features and puts them on a three-wheel platform, offering a modern-looking alternative to the Tri Glide Ultra, but with more touring-friendly features than the Freewheeler.
The new trike’s ‘shark nose’ frame-mounted fairing is the sane as what’s on the Road Glide and features triple splitstream vents, dual Daymaker LED headlights and a low-profile, bagger-style windscreen.
Incorporated within the fairing is a full set of instruments and the Boom! Box GTS infotainment system with 6.5-inch colour touchscreen and Bluetooth connectivity for hands-free calling (with a Bluetooth headset), as well as a pair of 5.25-inch speakers.
Power comes from the Milwaukee-Eight 114, electric reverse gear is standard and trike-specific safety tech includes Cornering Enhanced Electronic Linked Braking, Cornering Enhanced ABS, Cornering Enhanced Traction Control and Cornering Enhanced Drag-Torque Slip Control.
Other details on the Road Glide 3 released so far include a 56.6-litre boot (same size as the Freewheeler) that’s weatherproof, with a top-mounted lid, while the cast alloy wheels are finished in gloss black with machined details, capped at the rear with the same bobbed mudguards as the Freewheeler.
Three colour options for this all-new model – Vivid Black, Grey Haze and Bright Billiard Blue – can be matched with either chrome or blackout drivetrain trim.
Australian pricing for the 2023 Road Glide 3 starts at $58,995.
NEW Nightster Special
Replacing the Nightster for 2023, the Nightster Special ups the tech and incorporates more premium features.
The Revolution Max 975T liquid-cooled v-twin producing 67kW and 95Nm remains unchanged from last year’s Nightster, as do items like the six-speed transmission, Showa front suspension, Brembo brakes and LED lighting.
A 101mm TFT instrument screen replaces the previous analogue display and supports infotainment (including voice commands with a compatible headset) and navigation via a Bluetooth-equipped phone and the Harley-Davidson App (iOS and Android).
When the app-based navigation is activated, the instrument pod can display moving map or turn-by-turn instructions enhanced by audio instructions if a headset is used.
Riding modes on the Nightster Special include Road, Sport and Rain, with the ability to mix and match the different interventions – ABS, traction control and drag torque slip control - to make custom modes.
For two-up riding, a pillion seat and pegs are fitted as standard, the handlebar has been moved up and back, while cruise control and tyre pressure monitoring are standard.
Available colours include Vivid Black, Black Denim, Bright Billiard Blue and Industrial Yellow, paired with a new design of cast alloy wheels in silver instead of the Nightser’s black. Other detail touches include an AMF-era-inspired tank badge and shorter front mudguard.
Australian pricing for the 2023 Nightster Special starts at $25,995.
Freewheeler goes dark
The stripped-down Freewheeler trike has been restyled for 2023, with the key differences being new wheels and a blackout treatment as standard.
Existing Freewheeler features, like the Milwaukee-Eight 114 engine, dual exhaust with slash tips, electric reverse gear, bobbed rear mudguards and 56.6-litre boot remain, but there’s a new look, with the engine and exhaust, front end, headlight nacelle, fuel tank console, hand and foot controls all finished in a mix of gloss, matte and satin black instead of chrome.
In harmony with this, the wheels are now finished in gloss black and the rear wheels are upsized from 15 inches to 18 inches, for a look that Harley-Davidson says reinforces the Freewheeler’s raw, hot-rod attitude. Despite the larger wheels, the MY23 Freewheeler is lighter than last year’s version by 4kg, listed at 488kg dry.
Trike-specific safety tech on the Freewheeler includes Cornering Enhanced Electronic Linked Braking, Cornering Enhanced ABS, Cornering Enhanced Traction Control and Cornering Enhanced Drag-Torque Slip Control.
Complementing the Blackout styling treatment are two new colours for 2023, White Sand pearl and two-tone Bright Billiard Blue/Billiard Grey.
Australian pricing for the 2023 Freewheeler starts at $51,995.
Breakout gets a boost
One of the most popular models in Harley-Davidson’s lineup since it was launched in 2013, the Breakout power cruiser gets some serious upgrades for 2023 that are sure to increase its popularity.
The key change for this premium Softail model is an engine upgrade from the Milwaukee-Eight 114 to the Milwaukee-Eight 117 previously reserved for the CVO range and selected touring models. That means 75kW and 167Nm instead of the previous 70kW and 155Nm maximums, while the Heavy Breather air intake is fitted as standard.
Fuel capacity increases from 13.2 litres to 18.9 litres, with the 43 per cent larger tank also featuring a low-profile chrome console and a reshaped seat to suit.
Reversing recent trends in blackout detailing, there’s more chrome on the MY23 Breakout, featuring on the side covers, Heavy Breather intake, muffler shields, indicator shells, mirrors and rear mudguard supports.
The handlebar is a polished stainless-steel unit that sits 19mm higher than last year, thanks to taller risers, while the wheels are a new, 26-spoke design, finished in gloss black with aluminium details.
Cruise control is now standard on this model, and like the rest of the 2023 Harley-Davidson range, the Breakout will be available with new colour options, including Black Denim, Baja Orange and Atlas Silver metallic, as well as the standard Vivid Black.
Despite the new wheels, larger fuel tank and other features, a new Softail chassis means weight increases by only 2kg to 296kg dry.
Australian pricing for the 2023 Breakout starts at $37,995.
More to Come
Further details on the rest of the 2023 Harley-Davidson range were still to come at time of writing, but in addition to what's been covered here, The Motor Company has confirmed that cruise control will also be fitted as standard to the MY23 Fat Boy, Fat Bob and Low Rider S. Of the other Softail models, cruise control is already standard on the Heritage Classic, Sport Glide and Low Rider ST.
Watch this space for further details on the 2023 Harley-Davidson range as they’re released.
