Source: Motorcycle Cruiser –
Harley-Davidson’s 120th Anniversary lineup is seven deep (Harley-Davidson/)The fact that Harley-Davidson has been building motorcycles nonstop for 120 years might not seem all that remarkable, but a glance at how the world has changed in that time illustrates just what a survivor the brand is. The year 1903, when William S. Harley and Arthur Davidson put their first bike together, was the same year that the Wright brothers made the first powered flight, and motorcycles themselves were still a novelty, so Harley’s decision to mark its 120th anniversary with new models and a series of events through 2023 is well earned.The seven 2023 Harley-Davidson 120th Anniversary models. (Harley-Davidson/)The first batch of Harley’s 2023 launches includes seven limited-edition Anniversary models, each made in strictly limited numbers, to mark the occasion. Anniversary bikes themselves have become something of a Harley speciality over the years. The first marked the firm’s 50th anniversary—although they appeared a year late in 1954—and since the 85th anniversary in 1988 there have been special anniversary models every five years.To mark 2023′s 120th anniversary, Harley-Davidson’s limited-edition models are the Ultra Limited Anniversary, Tri Glide Anniversary, Street Glide Special Anniversary and Road Glide Special Anniversary, Fat Boy 114 Anniversary, Heritage Classic 114 Anniversary, and the CVO Road Glide Limited Anniversary. Each bike wears special Heirloom Red paint and anniversary detailing, but the CVO model is the most exotic of the lot.For 2023, the Harley-Davidson CVO Road Glide Limited Anniversary is the king of the castle with its ultraexclusive paint and features. (Harley-Davidson/)Limited to 1,500 examples globally, the CVO Road Glide Limited Anniversary carries an MSRP of $51,999, but the effort that goes into its paintwork justifies a proportion of that price. Lead stylist Brad Richards explained, “On the CVO model we started with a color called Anniversary Black, which we made specifically for that CVO Road Glide Limited. It looks black, but if the sun hits it, there’s a blood red highlight.” On top of that base, there are panels of Heirloom Red edged with red pinstripes and hand-laid gold foil.Richards continues: “In the whole side panel, starting on the fairing and going all the way back to the Tour-Pak and saddlebag, there’s a large eagle, the head on the fairing, the wings on the fuel tank, the tail on the side panel, Tour-Pak and saddlebag. It’s a really subtle effect; when the light hits it a certain way you see this beautiful eagle, but most of the time it looks like a dark red panel.” The CVO bike also gets Alcantara covers for the seat, with red and gold stitching, and a gold-colored 120th anniversary tank badge—used across all the Anniversary models this year—that features the same eagle that’s hidden in its paintwork.Related: Westward Ho! A Cross Country Motorcycle Adventure Begins in Milwaukee, WisconsinThe 2023 Harley-Davidson Ultra Limited Anniversary. (Harley-Davidson/)2023 Harley-Davidson Tri-Glide Anniversary. (Harley-Davidson/)The rest of the Anniversary models are also painted Heirloom Red and have panels outlined with a red pinstripe but don’t have the CVO’s Anniversary Black base and instead use a deeper Midnight Crimson red to create the fade effect. The crimson theme continues into the seats, which use oxblood inserts to match the paintwork. While all will be limited in production, the numbers vary from model to model. The most widely available will be the Fat Boy 114 Anniversary, with 3,000 being made and an MSRP of $21,699, which seems more than reasonable since it’s only $650 more than the standard Fat Boy in two-tone paint. Next comes the Heritage Classic 114 Anniversary, limited to 1,700 examples and costing $22,699—again, a $650 premium over the two-tone option.2023 Harley-Davidson Fat Boy 114 Anniversary. (Harley-Davidson/)2023 Harley-Davidson Heritage Classic Anniversary. (Harley-Davidson/)Moving across to the Grand American Touring part of the range, the Street Glide Special Anniversary and Road Glide Special Anniversary will be limited to 1,600 examples of each, and have the same MSRP of $30,899, representing a $1,400 premium over the two-tone paint versions of the standard models. There’s also the Ultra Limited Anniversary, which will be made in a run of 1,300 bikes and priced at $32,799, compared to $31,599 for the standard model with two-tone paintwork. Finally, the Tri Glide Ultra Anniversary will be the most limited production of all the bikes, with just 1,100 made and an MSRP of $41,299, which is $2,800 more than the full-production version in two-tone paint.2023 Harley-Davidson Street Glide Special Anniversary. (Harley-Davidson/)2023 Harley-Davidson Road Glide Special Anniversary. (Harley-Davidson/)As well as the paintwork, Anniversary tank badge, and new seat materials, the limited-production bikes get inserts on their powertrains and air cleaners in the same red fade paint seen on the bodywork, with gold colored “120th Anniversary” markings, plus individually numbered, laser-etched consoles. Technically, they’re all identical to the standard models. The first of the bikes are expected to be in dealers imminently.2023 Harley-Davidson Fat Boy 114 Anniversary. (Harley-Davidson/)2023 Harley-Davidson Heritage Classic Anniversary. (Harley-Davidson/)2023 Harley-Davidson Tri-Glide Anniversary. (Harley-Davidson/)2023 Harley Davidson Ultra Limited Anniversary studio right side profile (Harley-Davidson/)2023 Harley-Davidson Street Glide Special Anniversary. (Harley-Davidson/)2023 Harley-Davidson Road Glide Special Anniversary. (Harley-Davidson/)2023 Harley-Davidson CVO Road Glide Limited Anniversary. (Harley-Davidson/)
