2014–2016 · Tourer · Buyer's Guide
Factory Bagger, Connected Cockpit
The Street Glide Special FLHXS is the factory-custom bagger built on Harley's Project Rushmore refresh, and it wears that intent in every panel. Up front sits the fork-mounted batwing fairing with a gloss-black inner shell, blacked-out Enforcer wheels, and a slammed stance that reads as menace before you ever thumb the starter. The air-cooled 45° Twin Cam High Output V-twin runs 1690 cc and lays down 105 lb-ft of torque against 86 hp, fed through a 6-speed box and a belt final drive. Reflex-linked ABS and the Boom! Box 6.5 infotainment with GPS and Bluetooth round out a flagship tourer that means to cover ground in style.
This is a bike that wants long, open miles, and it ages the way a heavy V-twin tourer does when it's ridden. Standard cruise control and the fairing make interstate hours pass easily, and there's a plush, planted feel once the pace settles. At 818 lb it takes a firm hand at walking speed, though it hides its bulk better than the number suggests. It's honestly aimed at the rider who values presence and highway comfort over gadgetry. The caveat: know the ownership history. Compensator wear around 35,000 miles is common on these motors, so a healthy driveline matters more than paint.
Spec sheets don't ride bikes, but they set the baseline.
| Power | 86 hp (64 kW) |
|---|---|
| Torque | 105 lb-ft (142 Nm) |
| Displacement | 1690 cc |
| Engine | 45° V-twin |
| Cooling | Air-cooled |
| Gearbox | 6-speed |
| Final drive | Belt |
| Fork | Telescopic |
| Front tire | 130/60B19 |
| Rear tire | 180/65B16 |
| Wheelbase | 64.0 in (1626 mm) |
| Seat height | 27.4 in (696 mm) |
| Wet weight | 818 lb (371 kg) |
| Fuel capacity | 6.0 gal (22.7 L) |
| Fuel economy | 42 mpg (US) |
Equipment check
Chassis
Connectivity
Safety
Swing a leg over and the low 27.4-inch seat drops you into the machine rather than on top of it, which is what keeps the 818 lb from feeling intimidating once you're rolling. The batwing fairing does real work at speed, pushing the wind stream up and off your chest so a full tank of interstate never wears you down. Your thumbs fall onto the switch clusters and the joystick controls without hunting. There's texture through the bars and pegs, the honest pulse of a big air-cooled twin, but it stays a heartbeat rather than a buzz. The exhaust note is deep and unmistakable, loud enough to announce you at a light and civil enough to live with for eight hours. Loaded down, it settles and tracks straight, holding its line with the kind of unhurried composure this bike is built to deliver.
Hydraulic clutch master cylinder failure (Recalled)
Gas bubbles in the clutch master cylinder could cause a loss of disengagement, especially after being parked for extended periods. This could result in unintended bike movement when starting in gear. Harley recalled 45,901 units (NHTSA 15V-216-000) built April 28, 2014 – October 24, 2014. The remedy was a flush and rebuild of the master cylinder.
Premature compensator wear
Some owners report compensator (primary drive) failure around 35,000 miles, causing a loud clunk and starting difficulty. The issue is well-known among Twin Cam 103-powered Touring models built during this period.
Upper rocker box gasket leak
A slow oil weep from the upper rocker box seals has been documented by some owners, often appearing after 60,000 miles. It is considered a cosmetic leak and typically does not cause major issues if left unaddressed.
Where this Harley-Davidson Touring Street Glide Special FLHXS pulls ahead of — or falls behind — its rivals on the numbers, and the typical bike in its class on character.
Power
Torque
Displacement
Wet weight
Seat height
Forget spec-sheet bragging. Here's who the Touring Street Glide Special FLHXS is actually built for.
If Sturgis, Daytona, and the sound of a big American twin are the whole point, this is your bike. The blacked-out look and that exhaust note give you the statement you came for.
Made for A1A — Florida Atlantic Coast · Black Hills / Sturgis Rally Hub · Daytona Main Street / Bike Week
For long two-up hauls to the big parks, the fairing, cruise control, and 6.0-gallon tank make sense. Just weigh the heft at low speed and buy one with a documented service record.
Made for Beartooth Highway · Blue Ridge Parkway · Going-to-the-Sun Road
You can string together scenic day rides on it, and it's comfortable doing so, but at 818 lb this is a cruiser at heart. If tight, quick backroads are your priority, know that going in.
Made for Black Hills · Blue Ridge Parkway · Cherohala Skyway
If you're cross-shopping the older generation, here's what changed.
Previous generation · 2010–2014
Chrome, Thunder, Factory Prestige
Compare to the previous model →If this one isn't quite the fit, these are the bikes worth riding back-to-back against it.
Any price note compares both bikes at the same age — the youngest age both have on the used market — against this Harley-Davidson Touring Street Glide Special FLHXS. “cheaper/pricier” is what that bike costs second-hand, not how worn it is.
Successor · 2021–2024
Factory Custom, Highway Ready
Competitor · 2014–2016
Smooth V4, Surprisingly Low
Similar Character · 2015–2016
Sound, Style, Highway Soul