2024 Harley-Davidson Road Glide (FLTRX) Full Review and First Ride! 

Having owned a 2013, then a 2017 and now replaced with a 2024, this is by far the best road glide fairing to date. the lights at night are awesome, seat is good, and the infotainment screen is better than I even imagined. top that off with the 117", best bike I have ever owned and haven't needed to change dozens of things from the start. Glad I bought it at Laidlaw's as well, best dealer around. Matt I need your highway 1 shirt with a road glide though!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Let’s step back for a minute. Whether you like the bike or not, this video is incredibly put together. Matt, the way you put things into perspective by giving historical context is simply incredible. Epic Epic Epic.

Matt Laidlaw is the KING of telling the story and history of Harley-Davidson motorcycles in our modern era! Hats off to you sir!

I’ve watched a lot of videos on these bikes so far, but I gotta say this is the one I’ve been waiting for. Exceptional quality and well done as always, Matt. Thanks!

The history combined with a review of the over all better bike hit a home run.

Always the best reviews. Love the history lesson in each one as well. It was one of your reviews that convinced me on a heritage in 2017! You always lay out the pros and cons of each model. ❤

It’s really cool to hear someone that truly loves touring bikes, especially HD.

Power windshield is one of the most used functions of my touring bike. I adjust it all the time and multiple times during each ride due to the speed, the weather, how I fell about the wind on my face depending on my mood, etc. If you never had one, I would not expect you to know the difference it makes. HD addressed many of it's shortcomings with this new design, and the bike looks so much better than the older one. Power windshield, heated rider and passenger seats, quick shifter and lighter clutch (hydraulic) or even a DCT (Honda GW) are still missing to be the perfect touring machine at this price level. Except the price, affordability with the current finance rates, if you have the funds, worth a test ride.

Matt, something else too that I don’t think you really touched on enough….the new handlebars are taller and give a better hand position from stock, especially for those of us with short arms. When I bought my 2015 RGS ( Which I bought from BTW), I had to immediately swap the bars for some 14” apes just so my arms (from wrist to shoulder) could be parallel to the ground. The factory bars had my hands so low that they lined up with my belly button. This new bar setup on the new Road Glide put my hands almost where my 14” bars did on my 2015. If you have any 2023 RGs still in stock, you should sit on both and you’ll see what I’m talking about. Thanks again for the amazing content brother!

Just bought a 2024 RG. Sharkskin. First new bike in 17 years, and I'm pumped! So far I love just about everything about the bike. Nice review of the RG! Your review just solidifies my decision in buying it. I had a Street Glide years ago in 2007, and loved it! But, this RG is taking things to a whole new level. Thanks for all of your videos of the trips with the guys. It has inspired me to take longer trips again. Plus, as videos go, there's a lot of really bad videos out there as you are probably well aware of, but you have it down to a science I believe. First long trip is not all that long, but I'm in the middle of Florida, and going to ride to Key West for my first adventure. It's about 345 miles from here. I've not done that ride before, but guys tell me it's pretty cool riding across those water ways. Please keep the great videos coming!

Excellent video, thanks for all the information

Best review on new road glide I’ve seen yet. Thanks Matt

By far the best review on these 24s to date. Thank you!

Great work. These videos are top quality and the work you put in is appreciated.

Thanks Matt have been waiting for this review. Excellent detail and informative information. 👌

I always watch your review of the new models. Great information and details. Plus your honest opinion on them. Keep up the good work 😮

Just bought one, my first Harley, yesterday! Woot, soo excited to get it out on the road.

Thank you for this video Matt, excellent detail of all of the changes that have been made, the ones you can see, and especially the ones you can’t see. Time to upgrade my 19’- decision made. Thanks again Matt. 👍

Hey Matt as always great coverage this is probably the second time you convinced me on a purchase. I got my roadglide yesterday and so far Jesus she rides smooth. I’m coming from a twincam so it’s a huge change . Thanks for all you do

Great review Matt. Thanks for sharing. I’m looking forward to road testing one soon. 👍

Matt is the man putting these videos together! When it comes to a models back history the generational Harley salesman known it right to left top to bottom! I often find myself in agreement with his opinion on his reviews. He also understands the the best parts of touring fun! Watch all his videos

Great overview. I really enjoy you look into the history of the model being discussed. Thank you.

Great content Matt, thank you for the time and effort you put into these videos.

100% Matt! No arguments here. Excellent job. Harley Davidson truly is a life style, as much as the most important element of being a motorcyclist and, the experience of the ride. Harley is about that experience. It’s really not about having drank the Koolaide. No. This is really about a wonderful family. Coast to Coast and worldwide. Thank you for your contributions.

Great quality review! I really appreciate the honesty in your review. Really gives you credibility.

Enjoy allways your reviews. Thaks for your work doing for the brand

Love how you integrated the retro and history of the Road Glide in to your video.

I feel like this video was made for me! 😂 I’m 51 and I have ALWAYS been a sportbike/naked sportbike rider that swore I’d never own a Harley. That was until 2 weeks ago when I picked up my 24 Alpine green on chrome Road Glide! I honestly can’t believe how much I like riding this 800+ lbs bike. It handles surprisingly well and that 130 ft lbs of torque are pretty of motivation.

Thanks Matt, always enjoy your videos. Your friend from Canada 🇨🇦

Matt Laidlaw gives the best, practical overview of a bike that I've ever watched. I own a 2018 Road King, and his insight has helped me make the decision to jump to the 2024.

Love the new changes, was a long time bat wing guy. 3 limiteds but went with a 23 CVO Roadglide because I prefer the looks better than the new bat wing. Plus not having the fairing to the bars is so nice. Never thought it made a difference but slow maneuvers without the fairing attached is so nice.

Great video Matt. Your videos area always well put together. Loved the history lesson at the beginning.

Great review, appreciate your directness and pointing out what you find 'less perfect'. I like the redesign...after all, despite being a 'trad HD' fiend ('28 JDH, 79 Shovel stroker, 92 FXR, 2000 FXDX, 2020 Street Glide and 2021 RoadGlide), we did enter the 21stC a few years ago, and I'm glad that the Motor Company are paying a nod to that and incorporating stylish tech that improves the riding pleasure. After all, it's a tourer, and some comforts are expected for long haul. Flat black, simple inner fairing is fine...less glare and no distractions. The new wheels look like blades...there, the 2024 Blade Wheel! Greetings from Oz...

Again … another great video Matt! 👍🏼

Awesome video bro! Thanks for all the info.

Another great vid, hopefully I get to see one in person in the next few months

Your videos are always top notch. One aspect I really enjoy is the history of the topic you are going to cover. It helps put things into perspective. An interesting aspect of this year's models is that Harley did away with the "Special" and "ST" models. Given Jochen Zeitz' history at Puma and his German upbringing, I believe that Harley will follow German automakers' strategy in the marketing of their models, and role out the "Special" and "ST" models next year and the following year. Porsche, for example, will introduce a model like the Cayenne, and the following year add the "S" model, and then add the "GTS" and "Turbo" models some time after the initial model is released. They do it because there are early adopters and some of the early adopters want the latest version the year it is released. That way they sell more vehicles. I would be surprised if Jochen Zeitz isn't following that model. Keep enjoying your bikes and making great videos.

Good job man. Very informative. Loved every bit of it 👊

🛑🛑 Matt…I liked the Retro Harley Commercial, and history lesson of the Roadglide. I appreciate your videos and information that is provided . 💯👍

Thanks for the honest and professional review. Love the new faring! 5 stars! And I’m a classic- don’t change anything guy. And I actually like the way they did the reservoir. It looks like “yes I am a Harley with a radiator! Deal with it” attitude ha!

I test rode a 2024 Road Glide yesterday. Amazed at how well it handled. Felt very different from the 2023 RG ST I had. Just all over better handling, and punchier power. I told the sales dude the bike was "flickable" feeling. Yes, HD has really done a massive upgrade with the 24 bikes. Now I just need to figure out WHEN to get one.

Thanks Matt. I haven’t finished the video yet, but I’ll take a white one in chrome trim. Thanks.

Hands down, the most informative video on the topic.

Big American Cruisers / Tourers or this category (much different to a Heritage, even a RoadKing) will require normal bike riders to rethink their riding: A) use your back brakes to steer, to balance, to stretch, to corner, to halt the bike. The back brake is your prime control over the front-brake, or let’s say use both intelligently, in opposition to the normal approach to work almost everything with the front brake and applying the rear-brake more like an accessorized brake. B) Cornering is easy, sure, not knee-down, not going that far, but it’s as easy as with any other bike. But your decision needs to be committed, you can’t just twiggle wiggle around or sudden-twist to a very different direction, the 800pounds are following your once committed direction and to take them off that line in a hard hack fashion takes the right skill movement and understanding how far it can be done without throwing the bike and rider off. C) Keep a solid distance to your from man, as halting the heavy bike takes today only a tiny bit longer, in earlier years almost forever. After all you’re cruising and looking around, a reason to keep added space to your average traffic. D) Don’t use force, your own, use the bike’s forces, it’s weight and it’s engine power to manouver the bike into any direction and equally never hold the bike for too long with one leg sideways, balance it upright and keep it that way and you can make the bike all manouvers you want. On inclines, too, just keepi it vertical, or minimally leaned uphill.

I’m not quite in the market for a touring/bagger bike yet but I know for sure when it’s time to move on from my street bob this will be the move. The improvements are actually significant instead of the usual iterative or incremental year to year changes that happen in some models. The fact that you’re getting all these updates at a decreased price in this model year is mind blowing and isn’t what anyone expected from a new model year with this many updates. The MoCo seems to be listening to its audience 👏🏽

I love this bike. Thanks for video

Thanks for another great review video. Enjoyed the history lesson of the origins of the Batwing and Shark nose fairing. Basically agree with all your opinions about the new motorcycles. On another note, just got your t-shirts from your store. The design and quality is top notch! Will be ordering more in the future. Be sure to hit that "Like" and "Subscribe" button and show some love for your motorcycle vloggers. It's a lot of work to produce these videos.

Hello Matt. Love your videos. Great job. Love the historical ads at the front of this video. Beginning around 1:18 you show two FLT’s with Evo motors, while your narrative is saying 1980. That year was still shovel head. Evos came on in ‘84 and ‘85, as I’m sure your father knows well. Love the new ‘Glides. Wish they had a power windshield, tho. All else is great.

I have very limited riding experience, always wanted a Harley and a year and a half ago decided to go ahead and buy a Road King without even test riding it. Was nervous prior to going on my first ride, but after taking off, felt super comfortable and didn’t even feel the weight after as I was riding. I feel if you respect the bike and power you should be alright even as a beginner, but that’s just my opinion. Now that I’m seeing these 2024 Road Glides, I really want to give up the Road King for this brand new Road Glide.

Road Glide, our loving Iron Horse !!

So impressed Matt, 1st great video. We know you spend so much time writing, filming and editing. Second, the colors are really nice. My favorite are the white onyx pearl, whiskey fire and blue burst. And third, thank you for talking about the value this year offers compared to previous years. So many changes and upgrades. Everyone should be upgrading and if you're like me, (if you can) keep your OG Harley. I love my Ultra Limited and will not sell it. But I also love my new 24 CVO RG in legendary orange.

Very informative Matt. Thanks!

Pretty cool seeing such clean first generation Road Glides. 😎

Cool video, thanks. 6"5' here looking for my first Harley. Will the RoadGlide stock fit me and allow comfortable riding?

This video was what solidified my decision. Thank you, just got my 24 Road Glide!

Great video, i enjoy the nostalgia videos, can the ride modes be changed while riding or do you need to stop? These are the best deal by far.

Thanks Matt for this very complete report on the RG model. I'm getting ready to swap my 2022 Apex SG for a new 24 RG. This video helped convince me.

I have a 2020 limited , I like these new bikes good job HD

the fairing being adjustable is a good thing because of airflow, rain, heat one size fits all. suspension travel is always welcome. a set of T bars would give more options. beautiful bike.

Can't wait to see your video on the Hydra Glide and Tobacco paint!

That's it I'm buying another Harley you got me, I own a Street Glide time for a Road Glide both are beautiful and Harley Davidson have out did themselves Love it Great video Matt I had goosebumps on the introduction..👊👊

Awesome review, awesome bike, need one of these!

Excellent presentation Matt!

You always has the best quality videos and i like how you imbed a history lesson as well. Brilliant 👍🏼

Great video and review. I haven’t been on an HD touring bike since the five I owned during twin cam era. I would think the early M8 engine issues have (mostly?) been solved by now and I’d like to go back to HD, but I still have long memories of the twin cam (stage1) oil blow by running down my pants leg on all five thanks to EPA crank case ventilation regs and having to install various homemade or aftermarket catch cans. Has this been mitigated on newer HD’s in some way?

Love the content. I've been looking for a newer Touring bike. Currently I ride a 2000 Fatboy. I love it but its getting time for a new one. Never rode either the Street Glide or Road Glide. Which would you recommend coming from an older Softail?

Great b roll, this is the video I was waiting to watch. As for the bike, I’d like to keep 2020 RGS and get my 1st Batwing on this new style to go with it.

I adore my 2017 RoadGlide Ultra but these changes and upgrades are incredible. Looking to upgrade if/when HD bakes these upgrades into the RoadGlide Limited. Great video as always Matt!!

Test drove one in blueburst at Berts in Clearwater a few days ago and loved it. I currently have a 2017 FLHXS hard candy and love that bike, but this bike is awesome. I also rode the 24 FLHX and like it too, but this thing is so comfortable to ride and i just love the new fairing when i hated it before. I was a little worried about the higher bars versus my flhxs, but it is really more comfortable than my current bike. Plus, being in Florida and having liquid cooled is going to be nice. It's amazing how much power this 117 has versus my 107 first year Milwaukee 8.

Great review! We picked up a ‘22 Tuono 660 and while it’s for my wife after riding it I picked up a ‘23 Tuono V4 for myself, they are amazing bikes!

Matt You missed your calling. Harley-Davidson Corporate should hire you as their design engineer. Your attention to detail is spot on. To back what you said on the M8, I have over 46,000, miles on my 2017 RGU not an ounce of problems. I’m shooting for a leftover 2024 Road Glide. Thanks for keeping the juices flowing 🍻👍🇺🇸

Another superb video.

I had a 103 street glide that ran typically at 320 degrees Fahrenheit on the rear cylinder on an 80 degree day! I see my new 2024 runs at 190 to 209 typically on a 65 degree day consistently. I will report when I’m running at Vegas inferno 110 degree day what the engine temps are for those conditions. Thank you Harley! Love it!

Great vid, much appreciated

Nice vid Matt. Always a little thought about few other brands😅😂. This bike is really cool, the shark nose fairing look a bigger than the old one. I will go to my HD shop to test one of them

Matt’s vids are the Best vids on u tube by a country mile

Great vid as always. It may be a small thing but Here is a testament to Harley Davidson paint quality, I lightly rubbed against my saddle bag while backing my Lexus (also great paint quality) into my garage. It scraped a small amount of white paint off my lexus but i was able to wipe the white paint off the Harley with zero damage to paint! 😊

I love all the upgrades, but can’t stand the road glide fairing. I’ve warmed up to the new street glide fairing, but that shark nose on the 24s - no way!

Love your narratives 👍

Hah - Matt absolutely love the visuals, your commentary, and the arc of your storytelling. So when is The Motor Company going to declare you their official HD Emissary? 😉

Great review Matt, as always. One question I have us did Harley change the angle of the rear brake pedal?? I have a 2016 CVO road glide and my biggest complaint is how uncomfortable it is to bend my foot backwards to apply the brake if you know what I mean. I've never been able to find any kind of solution to that, aftermarket or stock. Just wondering if they made a change there. Thanks for all the great videos, keep them coming!!

Has I known that HD was redesigning the Road Glide for 24, I wouldn't have gotten my 23. I've ridden a 24 and it's got a bunch of different changes that are improvements over the 23. But, given how depreciation hits used versions of the now older model Ill be keeping my 23 lol. My biggest hope is that the suspension improvements can be applied to my 23. Not jealous of the standard 117". The S&S 129 big bore kit is my name.... LMAO Great review as always Matt!!!

I’ll buy the first revised version of the Road Glide, just because there’s so much more electronics to perfect. The processor will be upgraded and this will help with the additional features to come. Harley-Davidson has done a fantastic job and I can’t wait to get one 😊

Matt, thank you, i traded my 2018 RG with 50k plus for a new 24 RG.. No regrets, so many more upgrades standard! Mine is the Whiskey Fire Red. I really do prefer the dull finish interior of the fairing for the reasons stated. Me personally i need a different seat due to previous injuries on my neck and spine gotta have a comfortable backrest. Although the seat is much more comfortable than previous stock seats. I can feel the suspension upgrades which is a huge plus as is the 117! i love it. Ill probably change at the bars, same height just different look. So looking forward to crushing some miles. I kept my old tour pack, it fits perfectly, its being painted to match. Absolutely thrilled with this bike!!! Keep up the great videos! Thank you!

HD did an excellent job with the redesign of both the touring bikes. Probably a black RG with chrome trim in my near future. The lowrider ST with the tobacco paint that just came out looks awesome as well.

Great review!

Awesome video Matt. Talking about seats are they interchangeable with Rushmore 2021? If that makes sense.

My late Father in Law had a brand new 1980 FLT. It was a Shovelhead with an enclosed chain, no radio. On our first trip together his clutch cable broke. I had a vise grip that got him to the dealer on the way for a replacement.

Hey Matt, great job with the review. I have a question, do you think HD will ever bring the hydraulic clutch back?

@MattLaidlaw interested in the rider triangle for taller riders. I see you on various models in your videos rather than just your personal bike you can adjust to you. How do you find a standard Road or Street Glide with the foot controls? In the showroom I found at 6 2” 36” inseam I can’t place a foot on the rear brake or above the shifter without physically lifting up and over. On my Softail Slim S I can flex my ankle to reach both without having to lift. I’m doing a tour this Summer on a rented Glide and wondering how you find it on a non tall boy/ extended control bike? I know if I traded the Slim I would have to change out the foot controls to extended. Thanks

Will the new Kruesi originals style saddlebags fit on the older models?

Matt I have a question for you seeing that the heads are liquid cooled and the radiator the fan if that stopped working with the engine overheat

Matt, thanks for another awesome review (love the historical lead-in). I ride a Roadglide 3 now (gonna be 70 this year) but still have my Road King Special. The new styling is growing on me. May go try one to see how the balance is (biggest concern as I get older). I been riding HD's since 93 and not through riding yet. One question for you (sorry the engineer in me is showing up) does Harley publish the vertical center of gravity (VCG) info on their motorcycles? 😊

Awesome video 👏

Was a sport bike rider. Then transitioned to sport touring and hyper naked. Ready for a touring bike and was considering BMW. But somehow got introduced to the Roadglide. I think this is it!

Hey Matt, I have a question for you. I can’t seem to find an answer anywhere. Under the seat there are two like power jacks and looks like an accessory connection harness. Any idea as a dealer if a heated seat from my 2020 bike is going to be compatible in the future

Thank you Matt👊🏿

Great review!!! I want one..

Honestly Matt, was never a fan of the Road Glide. Strangely enough though, found my way to the dealership and priced out a beautiful RG in Blue Bust. I am a Road King rider as well as a GS Adventure rider. What I love about the Road Glide TFT screen is the fact that analog guages are projected on the screen. Best of both worlds IMO. Love your channel and content. Looking forward to your next road trip with your crew!!

another highly informative, non bias review. Never tried to push an opinion or agenda just raw facts. Good bad and everything in between. This new body style is growing on me everytime I see it. Mine Glide is just the way I like it, be a shame to have to start over on a new bike. Now when they drop the new Road Glide Limited I'm in trouble.