Drool Over Harley-Davidson’s New Icon: The Hydra-Glide Revival

Summary

• The special edition commemorates 75 years of the OG Hydra-Glide with a retro aesthetic like no other.
• It is powered by the Milwaukee Eight 114ci engine, producing 94 horsepower and 119 pound-feet.

Back in early January, we brought you some hot gossip suggesting Harley-Davidson is readying a new limited-edition motorcycle. And now, that’s precisely what America’s most-loved bikemaker has done. Say hello to the 2024 Hydra-Glide Reviva. It headlines the Icons Collection this year and only a handful of examples will go on sale. There are loads of special tidbits all around, although the motorcycle is largely based on the already popular Heritage Classic.

In case you’re wondering why this is an Icon, you should know the special edition commemorates 75 years of the OG Hydra-Glide. It was H-D’s first telescopic fork equipped offering, which marked a monumental shift from the spring fork. The cruiser also had a new 74 cubic-inch engine with better performance than its forefathers, courtesy of new aluminum cylinder heads, bronze valve inserts, and camshaft. Eventually discontinued in 1957, the Hydra-Glide still served basis for the first-generation Fat Boy in 1990. With that history lesson out of the way, let’s check out Harley-Davidson’s new cruiser.

The H-D Hydra-Glide Revival Takes You Straight Back To The 1940s

The Hydra-Glide Revival is Harley-Davidson’s fourth offering under the Icons Collection. The Electra Glide Revival came first, then the Low Rider El Diablo, and the last was the Highway King in 2023. All these took inspiration from the bikes they revived, and the Hydra-Glide takes the torch forward.

One look at it sends you straight back to the 40s (when the OG debuted). Up top, you get a large 21-inch windscreen with a color-matched semi-tint, partnered by a gigantic fender that gallops most of the front wheel. The latter has ‘Hydra-Glide’ script badges on the chrome skirt to remind you what the bike celebrates. Moving backward, the Revival has the same fuel tank as the Heritage Classic, albeit with a bespoke chrome “Harley-Davidson V” badges.

The tank flawlessly flows into a retro-inspired solo saddle. It has fringed and decorated leather valance, along with white piping and red contrast stitching. A chrome rail elevates the classic appeal further. When you jump aboard, you’ll also appreciate the leather tank strap and serialized engraving on the handlebar riser. This special treatment also trickles to the soft leather saddlebags. They boast chrome conchos with acrylic red centers and chrome studs, while being water-resistant and lockable.

Bringing all of it together is a gorgeous Redline Red and Birch White livery. The tank has a dual-tone treatment with the two colors, while the chunky fenders are all wrapped in red. This is topped by heavy amounts of chrome on all mechanical parts (engine, wheels, handlebar, guards, exhaust).

Design Highlights Of 2024 Harley-Davidson Hydra-Glide Revival

• Redline Red and Birch White livery
• 21-inch dual-tone windscreen
• Special ‘Hydra-Glide’ badges
• Chrome mechanicals
• Leather saddle with contrast stitching
• Lockable saddlebags with chrome treatment

Harley’s Milwauke Eight 114 Engine Powers The Hydra-Glide Revival

Under the classic aesthetic, the Hydra-Glide is essentially a Heritage Classic. It employs Harley’s Milwaukee Eight 114ci (1,868cc) V-twin engine that’s good for 94 horsepower and 119 pound-feet of torque. Although the Swiss filings suggested otherwise, the output is exactly the same as the Classic. A six-speed transmission sends the power to the rear wheel, without any electronic intrusions. That’s because there’s no traction control, cornering ABS, or torque control here. The only aids are cruise control and anti-lock brakes.

2024 Harley-Davidson Hydra-Glide Revival Power Figures

As for underpinnings, the engine is nestled inside a Softail chassis, carved from steel. It suspends on 49 mm telescopic forks and a preload adjustable monoshock, both paired with chrome steel laced 16-inch wheels. Each wheel has a single disc brake to help shed speed. With all this use of steel, the Revival tips the scale at 742 pounds wet–14 up from the Heritage Classic. Another difference is the 0.2-inch lower saddle height of the new cruiser. More details are in the table below.

2024 Harley-Davidson Hydra-Glide Revival Underpinnings

Only 1,750 Units Of The Harley-Davidson Hydra-Glide Revival Will Go On Sale

Like all the previous Icons, this one has limited production, too. Harley-Davidson will produce only 1,750 units of the Hydra-Glide Revival, each priced at $24,999. The MSRP is $2,500 more than the Heritage Classic, which is well justified according to us. If you’re not convinced, you can head to the upcoming Daytona Bike Week to check it out in the flesh. It’ll be on display at the Harley-Davidson Event Display area. Alternatively, the company says some examples are already on the way to your nearest dealerships.

Source: Harley-Davidson