Harley-Davidson has announced a new limited edition bike, as the 2024 Hydra Glide swoops into view.
The bike is a modern-day take on the original Hydra Glide, built between 1949 and 1957, and just like the oldtimer, the 2024 edition is dripping in chrome and peppered with period features, badging and details. It’ll be available in limited numbers, with just 1,750 machines set to be produced, each with a serial number etched into a plaque on the handlebar clamp of the £29,495 machine.
The new bike is powered by the 114ci Milwaukee Eight air/liquid-cooled pushrod V-twin engine. The original bike is named after the Hydra Glide front-end that it debuted, although thankfully Harley-Davidson has gone for a more modern dual-bending valve 49 mm telescopic fork - finished off with period-looking ‘Coke Can’ covers. Hidden rear twin shocks complete the retro look.
The devil really is in the detail with a bike like this, and from what we can see, Harley’s engineers and styling team have gone to town on the new machine. It features badging on the fuel tank that is an exact replica of the style and font used on the 1950s machines, and the Redline Red with Birchwood White panels paint scheme, while not an exact replica, is clearly heavily inspired by the bikes of the 1950s. The engine even breathes through a simple Screamin Eagle pan-style air filter, and the retro look is completed by the tall two-tone screen, chrome headlights and foglights, and leather seat and saddle bags - complete with tassels! Even the analogue dials on the bike feature numbers and branding that is evocative of the original machine.
As mentioned, it’s a limited-run model meaning it’ll likely sell quickly, so should you want to find out more information, speak to your nearest Harley-Davidson dealer, or head over to the official website.
