New 2023 Models Celebrate Harley-Davidson’s 120th Anniversary
This year marks Harley-Davidson’s 120th anniversary. Founded in 1903, the Motor Company has released numerous unforgettable, legendary motorcycles over its century and a fifth.
The oncoming year is proving to be no different. H-D has announced its 2023 model year lineup, commemorating the company’s milestone with anniversary models and paint schemes, the return of the Breakout, and more.
Let’s take a look at what the Motor Company has in store for 2023.
120th Anniversary Models
At the top of the list is the ultra-exclusive premium 2023 Harley-Davidson CVO Road Glide Limited Anniversary model. Painted Anniversary Black under panels of Heirloom red, the bike also features bright red pinstripes, a gold-plated special tank medallion, and subtle designs forming the shape of a soaring eagle.
The anniversary bike also features a luxurious Alcantara seat surfaced with gold-red contrast stitching, gold-tone powertrain inserts, and bright red rocker boxes and pushrod tube collars. Only 1,500 bikes will be made available worldwide, each numbered with a laser-engraved tag on the fuel tank console.
In addition, the following six bikes will receive a commemorative special colorway:
- Ultra Limited Anniversary
- Tri Glide Ultra Anniversary
- Street Glide Special Anniversary
- Road Glide Special Anniversary
- Fat Boy 114 Anniversary
- Heritage Classic 114 Anniversary
The anniversary paint job draws inspiration from early H-D motorcycles. Each features a classic paneled paint scheme with Heirloom Red as the base color.
Panels are outlined with a bright-red pinstripe and filled with a darker Midnight Crimson fade. Additional details include an Art Deco eagle tank medallion, seat covers with red side panels and a gold-embroidered Harley-Davidson logo, and red fade powertrain inserts.
2023 Harley-Davidson Breakout
Introduced in 2012, Harley-Davidson Breakout left the company’s catalog in 2020. Now, the performance cruiser is back for the big celebration.
At the heart of the 2023 Breakout is a Milwaukee-Eight 117 V-twin engine. A regular-production powertrain transmits the power to the rear.
The five-gallon fuel tank is topped with a low-profile chrome console. The shape of the tank lengthens the bike’s profile and extends the riding range.
An H-D Softail chassis retains the classic hard tail lines while providing good riding and handling characteristics.
H-D says the 2023 model will be easier to handle than previous Breakouts, thanks to a new handlebar and riser. The stainless steel bar sits ¾-inch higher than that of the earlier models, making it easier for the rider to reach.
The rear fender supports, side covers, muffler shields, turn signals, mirrors, air intake, and the 26-spoke cast aluminum wheels have a chrome finish with gloss-black machined details.
2023 Harley-Davidson Road Glide 3
The Road Glide 3 is an all-new trike model that combines three wheels with the styling of the frame-mounted Road Glide fairing. With triple splitstream vents and a low-profile windscreen, the fairing reduces buffeting and improves wind protection while giving the bike a hot rod style.
Powering the Road Glide 3 is a Milwaukee-Eight 114 engine. The trike features extensive rider safety features, such as cornering-ABS, electronic linked braking, traction control, and drag-torque slip control.
A 6.5-inch color TFT screen lets you control the Boom! Box GTS infotainment system with Bluetooth connectivity. Two 5.25-inch fairing speakers let you take to the road blaring your favorite tunes.
The cast aluminum wheels have a gloss black finish, with exposed lug nuts on the rear wheels alongside bobtail rear fenders. You can pick between a black or chrome finish for the wheels.
For luggage, the Road Glide 3 has a two-cubic-feet (around 57-liter) weatherproof rear trunk with a top-mounted door. An electric reverse gear helps get the machine out of tight spots.
2023 Harley-Davidson Nightster Special
The Nightster line receives a breath of fresh air with the new 2023 Nightster Special. This bike boasts the Revolution Max 975T liquid-cooled V-twin powerplant, which delivers plenty of torque at low RPM.
The engine’s weight has been minimized by integrating it into the chassis as a central element. To tame the engine power, the motorcycle has premium axial-mount Brembo four-piston calipers that grip a 320mm rotor in the front, while a floating single-piston caliper and a 260mm rotor take care of braking duties in the rear.
In electronics, the Nightster Special comes with four ride modes (Road, Sport, Rain, and custom), cruise control, ABS, tire pressure monitoring, traction control, and drag-torque slip control. You can adjust the electronics with the four-inch round TFT screen, which also controls an infotainment system and connects to the H-D App for mobile devices.
A five-handlebar riser pushes the bar two inches up and one inch back for a comfortable, commanding riding position. Further enhancing rideability is the 3.1-gallon under-seat fuel tank tank that gives the bike a low center of gravity.
2023 Harley-Davidson Freewheeler
The Rolling Stones has clearly been playing in the H-D headquarters, because they painted the cruiser-inspired Freewheeler trike black. The front end, headlamp nacelle, tank console, hand and foot controls, powertrain, and exhaust all have black finishes instead of the previous bright ones.
New gloss black cast aluminum wheels feature exposed rear-wheel lug nuts for performance styling. Rear 18-inch wheels replace 15-inch wheels to give the Freewheeler a more dramatic stance.
In other characteristics, the Freewheeler shares much with the Road Glide 3. Both have the same Milwaukee-Eight 114 engine, electronic safety features, luggage, bobtail fenders, and reverse gear.
New Electronic Aids
Finally, H-D is rolling out new electronics for multiple other bike models. The Fat Boy, Fat Bob, Breakout, Low Rider S, Low Rider ST, and Heritage classic all now have a standard electronic cruise control.
Additionally, the Breakout, Low Rider S, and Low Rider ST receive an optional traction control system. The traction control keeps the rear wheel from spinning under acceleration and can be switched on or off with a handlebar button.