10 Things We Like About The 2024 Harley-Davidson Hydra-Glide Revival

Just as we suspected, Harley-Davidson has kept its much-loved Icons Collection going for 2024. After the Electra Glide Revival, Low Rider El Diablo, and Highway King, we’re now getting the limited-edition Hydra-Glide Revival this year. It commemorates 75 years of Harley’s first-ever telescopic fork-equipped motorcycle via an array of special touches from head to toe. All this while, the mechanical package is fairly modern, as much of it comes directly from the Heritage Classic.

So you’re essentially getting an epic blend of exclusivity, modern performance, and properly classic aesthetics. A combination that no other cruiser in the market offers at the moment. Not to mention, it’s one of the most exclusive H-D bikes in the lineup right now. But aside from this, there are several other things to like about the Revival. Check them out below.

1 Rich Heritage

In recent years, the ‘Revival’ badge has belonged to Harley-Davidson bikes, which pay homage to its key offerings from yesteryears. The Hydra-Glide is no different. As the name suggests, it pays homage to the OG Hydra-Glide from 1949. That was Harley’s first motorcycle equipped with a telescopic fork–a huge step up from the springer or girder forks at the time.

Another key highlight of the retro offering was its 74 cubic-inch engine. It came armed with new aluminum cylinder heads, bronze valve inserts, and a new camshaft to offer more performance than its predecessors. The Hydra-Glide bowed out from production in 1957, but the moniker is back for 2024. A true Icon, isn’t it?

Harley-Davidson defines its Icons Collection as:

The Icons Motorcycle Collection is an annual program for the limited release of a new model that offers a fresh interpretation of an iconic Harley-Davidson motorcycle.

2 Timeless Design

Like the name, the new cruiser takes heavy inspiration from the OG in terms of design. Right from the fascia to the tail, there’s no shortage of classic elements. A trio of round headlights are present up top, flanked by a large fender and a 21-inch high windscreen. This is followed by a curvy tank that blends into an old-school single-piece saddle. The tail is simple and classic, thanks to leather saddlebags and a flowing fender. It’s a design that takes you straight to the 50s in a jiffy.

3 Bespoke Touches

All that seems just on the surface. But the deeper you dive, the more special touches you discover. For instance, the tank has chrome “Harley-Davidson V” badges inspired by 1955-56 models. “Hydra-Glide” script badges are present on the front fender, and you also get a serialized “Hydra-Glide Revival” insert on the riser.

Then, there’s the saddle and saddlebag design. Both items have contrast stitching, chrome studs, chrome conchos with acrylic red centers, and leather fringes for an unmatched retro appeal. As good as they look, the saddlebags are also practical. They’re waterproof from the inside and offer 42 liters of storage space.

4 Stunning Livery

The final aesthetic touch is the alluring livery. It’s called Redline Red and Birch White, where the latter dominates all around. You can find the red color on the fenders, side covers, and even the lower half of the windscreen. The white finish, meanwhile, pops on the dual-tone tank. Harley-Davidson says the tank design is meant to mimic the 1956 FLH’s “slash” two-tone color scheme. What brings all of it together is the heavy chrome treatment. This includes:

• Chrome exhaust
• Chrome engine
• Chrome instrument cluster tank console
• Chrome fender skirts
• Spoke wheels

5 Long-Haul Ergonomics

Long-haul riding is synonymous with Harley-Davidson. The Revival keeps that in mind too. You sit aboard a leather-wrapped saddle, while your hands go on a tall, curvy handlebar. This, along with the wide, chrome floorboards, ensures a foot-forward and upright riding triangle well suited for cruisin’ on the freeway for hours. The accessible 26.1-inch saddle height (0.2 lower than the Heritage Classic) and 4.7 inches of ground clearance further sweeten the pot. However, moving this in a parking lot will be no short of a leg workout, given the heft.

6 Proven Engine

Now, we come to the juicy bits. The Hydra-Glide might be retro from the outside, but its heart is all modern. Harley has equipped the cruiser with one of its most popular engines, the Milwaukee Eight 114. It has air cooling, 1,868 cubic centimeters, and a 10.5:1 compression ratio to produce a respectable 94 horsepower and 119 pound-feet. The mill is drawn straight from the Harley-Davidson Heritage Classic, like all the other mechanicals.

In case you want more performance, H-D has a handful of performance upgrades under its Screamin’ Eagle division, most of which are compatible with the 114 engine. Or you can just swap the engine with one of Harley’s crazy crate engines. Or just supercharge it like TTS Performance did with this Fat Boy.

2024 Harley-Davidson Hydra-Glide Revival Power And Torque

7 Raw And Rampant Power Delivery

The OG Hydra-Glide had no electronics to rob you of the fun. And Harley-Davidson has tried to keep that intact with the Revival. So there’s no electronic hindrance from modern aids like traction control, cornering ABS, drag-torque control, and ride modes. But that’s not to say this misses on the basics. Dual-channel ABS is standard here, and so are LED headlights to brighten up the roads. You might argue H-D should’ve included some rider aids, but hey, don’t forget the idea is to keep things old-school.

8 Quality Underpinnings

As for underpinnings, all of these come straight from the Heritage Classic (like the engine). You get a double-cradle steel chassis, suspended on beefy 49 mm telescopic forks and a shock absorber. This is attached to 16-inch spoke wheels. There are single disc brakes at each end to slow you down, and you’ll need all of the stopping power, considering the 742-pound curb weight. The weight is 14 up from the Heritage, likely down to the aesthetic differences.

2024 Harley-Davidson Hydra-Glide Revival Underpinnings

9 Limited Production

If all this isn’t convincing enough, then the motorcycle’s limited production will certainly help. Only 1,750 units of the Hydra-Glide Revival will go on sale worldwide, meaning the cruiser will become a sure-short collectible in the future. It could even sell for extra money later, although we won’t guarantee that just yet. The limited production also makes this one of the most exclusive models of Harley’s 2024 lineup. Bragging rights at your next HOG meet and head turns all around? Check and check!

10 Well-Justified Price Tag

With limited production and such special touches, you won’t be wrong to expect a sky-high MSRP for the Hydra-Glide. But you’re wrong. Harley-Davidson has priced the motorcycle at $24,999, just $2,500 more than the Heritage Classic. It’s a well-justified hike in our opinion, one that gets you a much-more premium product for your moolah.

Not to mention, there’s no other classic cruiser in the market like this one. Sure, Indian has the Springfield, but the Revival hits the retro sweet spot better than that. Plus, the Indian is neither a limited edition nor as bedazzling. It’s also a lot heavier at 829 pounds (wet)!