I finally got an opportunity to see the 2024 road glide sharkskin blue within the sunlight, plus let me tell you, pictures on the web really don't perform this finish any justice. It will be one of those colors that seems to shift depending on the position you're looking at it from. One minute it looks like a heavy, stony grey, as well as the next, the metallic blue flakes catch the light and it pops with this modern, commercial vibe. It's quickly one of the particular most talked-about color jobs Harley offers released in a few years, mostly because it handles to be subtle plus aggressive at the particular same time.
If you've been following the Harley globe lately, you know that 2024 has been a massive yr for the touring lineup. They didn't just slap a new coat of paint with an older frame and contact it a day time. The whole silhouette associated with the Road Glide was overhauled, and choosing the Sharkskin Blue really features those new body lines. The bike looks leaner, more aerodynamic, and honestly, a lot even more expensive than the predecessors.
The First Impression of Sharkskin Blue
When you stroll up to the 2024 road glide sharkskin blue , the particular first thing a person notice is just how well the color complements the new fairing design. For years, the "Sharknose" fairing was pretty bulky—which lots of people loved—but the particular new 2024 version is more integrated. It flows to the tank much even more smoothly. The Sharkskin Blue paint has a matte-adjacent high quality to it, yet it's definitely the metallic gloss. This isn't "loud" such as some of the orange or reddish colored options, that i believe is why it's becoming so well-known. It feels sophisticated.
I've noticed that will this specific blue looks incredibly great with the blacked out trim. Harley offers these bikes along with either chrome or black finishes, although there is something about the Sharkskin Blue paired using the blacked out engine and exhaust system that just appears "right. " This gives the bicycle a stealthy, custom look straight from the particular factory. You don't seem like you require to immediately change out every component to be able to look great; it's already right now there.
That New Milwaukee-Eight 117 Motor
Looks are something, but we all all know that a Road Glide is created for the long haul. For 2024, Harley made the Milwaukee-Eight 117 V-Twin the standard engine for the base model. Previously, you'd have got to step up to the ST or the CVO to obtain this type of displacement, yet now it's right there in the standard 2024 road glide sharkskin blue .
Operating it is a blast. The 117 has so much grunt within the low finish that merging on to the highway seems effortless. You aren't constantly fishing for that right gear since the torque is just there. It's also got a fresh cooling system that will focuses on the cylinder heads, which usually is a godsend if you're trapped in traffic on the hot day. I remember the old times of roasting our right leg upon a big double, and while it still gets cozy, the 2024 design feels much even more manageable when it comes to temperature.
Tech Improvements You'll Actually Use
The largest shock when you take a seat on the 2024 road glide sharkskin blue isn't it height or the particular bars—it's the dashboard. Gone are the particular old analog gauges and the small, dated screens. In their place is a massive 12. 3-inch TFT color touch screen. It's generally like having a good iPad mounted into your fairing.
In the beginning, I was a bit worried that a screen that will big would become distracting or look out of place on a "classic" American cruiser, however it actually works. The Skyline OS is fast, responsive, and easy to navigate even with gloves on. It has built-in navigation, yet let's be real, the majority of us just would like to use Apple CarPlay or Google android Auto. Being able to call at your road directions and Spotify playlists on a display screen that size whilst cruising at seventy mph is the total game changer.
Aerodynamics plus Comfort
1 of the issues about the old Road Glides was the wind buffeting at high speeds. Even with the frame-mounted fairing, several riders felt like their helmets had been getting rattled. Intended for the 2024 road glide sharkskin blue , Harley spent a ton of time in the wind tunnel. They will added these new adjustable vanes and a redesigned "slipstream" vent that actually functions.
I had taken one out for the spin on the especially windy afternoon, and the difference is definitely noticeable. You experience much more "tucked in" behind the fairing without feeling like you're in the vacuum. It's a smoother ride, which usually means you can stay in the particular saddle for four or five hours without experience like you've been in a boxing complement the wind. The ergonomics are pretty spot-on too. The bars have the more natural get to, and the seat has been reshaped to support your lower back a bit better.
Why Choose This Color More than Others?
A person might be taking a look at the 2024 lineup and wondering why you need to go with the Sharkskin Blue instead of something like Pool Gray or Whiskey Fire. In my experience, it's about longevity. Brilliant colors are enjoyable for a season, but they can get tiring after a while. Gray and blue colors tend to age very much better.
Also, the Sharkskin Blue is remarkably easy to keep clean. I've possessed black bikes before, and they are a nightmare—you observe every fingerprint, every single speck of dirt, and every swirl mark. This blue has enough precious metal flake in this to hide a bit of road muck, which is ideal for a bicycle that's meant to be ridden across state outlines. It's an useful choice that doesn't feel boring.
Customization Potential
Even though the 2024 road glide sharkskin blue looks great share, we all know half the particular fun of having a Harley is which makes it yours. The Sharkskin Blue serves as a great "blank painting. " If you wanted to choose a high-performance bagger appearance, you could add some carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer fenders and a shorty exhaust. If a person want an even more classic touring look, some chrome highway bars and a taller windshield would merge perfectly.
I've already seen some individuals swapping out there the stock wheels for something along with a bit more contrast, and it really changes the particular personality of the bicycle. Because the paint is a bit more muted, you can go strong with your add-ons without the whole point looking cluttered or even overdone.
Final Thoughts on the particular 2024 Model
It is a weird period for the motorcycle sector, but Harley really has listened to what people wanted with this redesign. The 2024 road glide sharkskin blue isn't just a style; it's a significantly better device than the 2023 version. Through the power of the 117 motor to the huge tech overhaul, seems like the bicycle has finally captured up towards the modern era without losing its soul.
If you're on the fence about the color, I'd recommend heading down in order to a dealership to see it within person. Photos make it look like a flat slate blue, but in individual, it has a depth that's tough to capture upon a phone digital camera. It's a razor-sharp, modern look with regard to a bike that's built to eat up miles.
Whether you're an old-school riders who's been upon a Road Glide for twenty years or someone looking to get their particular first big visiting bike, this 2024 model in Sharkskin Blue is the strong contender. It's comfortable, fast, and has all of the bells and whistles a person could ever want. Plus, let's become honest, it just looks cool parked in the driveway. And sometimes, that's reason enough.