Moto Guzzi MGX-21 Flying Fortress vs Harley Davidson Street Glide

Moto Guzzi is an Italian motorcycle company that has been around since 1920. Moto Guzzi is famous for its retro cruisers and STANDARD motorcycles. Released in 2017, the MGX-21 Flying Fortress a bagger motorcycle whose design is based on the Moto Guzzi California 1400 with a few tweaks, such as its larger front wheel and carbon fiber body.

The HARLEY DAVIDSON STREET GLIDE is one of the oldest Harley models, being first launched in 1984. It was equipped with a five-speed transmission and a 1,337 cc engine that could deliver a horsepower of 50 hp. In 2006, it gained popularity due to being a heavyweight touring motorcycle with a large engine. In 2009, the entire Harley touring lineup received upgrades, including a new swingarm, engine mounting, frame, exhaust system, and wheel size.

The MGX-21 Flying Fortress is a modern bagger motorcycle with a traditional riding position. It is available in only a matte black color scheme, equipped with carbon fiber saddlebags, fenders, rims, and a fuel tank. Like other Moto Guzzi motorcycles, the Flying Fortress also has a horizontally mounted engine that is red in color on top, matching the color of the front Brembo brake. It also has a large front matte black batwing fairing, pre-installed large HARD SADDLEBAGS, and dual matte black exhausts. At the front, it has a 46 mm fork with a wheel travel of 120 mm (4.7 in) and dual 320 mm disc brakes with a tire size of 130/70 R18. At the rear, it has dual spring preload-adjustable shocks with a wheel travel of 110 mm (4.3 in) and a single 282 mm disc brake with a tire size of 200/60 R16.

The HARLEY STREET GLIDE is a touring motorcycle equipped with modern technology. It has a wide front batwing fairing with a small windshield, a pre-installed hard passenger seat, saddlebags, crash bars, and floorboards. The Street Glide has a chrome body, covering many of its parts, including the suspension, HANDLEBARS, CRASH BARS, engine, and exhaust. The Harley Street Glide has a round front headlight and front and rear full-sized fenders. At the front, it has a 41.3 mm telescopic fork with a wheel travel of 117 mm (4.6 in) and dual disc brakes with a 130/60B19 61H tire. At the rear, it has dual air-adjustable shocks with a wheel travel of 51 mm (2 in) and a single disc brake with a tire size of 180/65B16 81H.

The Moto Guzzi MGX-21 Flying Fortress has a 90^o V-Twin, air/oil-cooled engine mounted horizontally, with a displacement size of 84.2 cu in (1,380 cc). It has a bore size of 104 mm (4.1 in) and a stroke size of 81.2 mm (3.2 in), which offers a horsepower of 96 hp @ 6,500 rpm and torque of 120 Nm @ 2,750 rpm. The Flying Fortress has a single-disc clutch with an integrated anti-vibration buffer. It also has a fuel tank able to hold 5.4 gal (20.5 L) with Magnetic Marelli Injectors that deliver a fuel economy of 35.2 MPG (15 km/l). Finally, the Moto Guzzi MGX-21 is equipped with a maintenance-free shaft drive with a six-speed transmission.

The Harley Street Glide has a Milwaukee-Eight, air-cooled, V-Twin engine with an engine size of 107 cu in (1,753 cc). This engine has a hydraulically actuated nine-plate wet clutch with assist & slip. Built with a bore and stroke size of 100 mm (3.94 in) and 111.25 mm (4.38 in), it has a horsepower of 93 hp @5,020 rpm and a torque of 150.5 Nm @ 3,250 rpm. The Street Glide has a fuel tank capable of holding 6 gal (22.7 L) with an ESPFI (Electronic Sequential Port Fuel Injection) that delivers a fuel economy of 43 MPG (18.2 km/l). It is equipped with a belt drive system with a six-speed transmission.

The MGX-21 Flying Fortress is a bagger motorcycle with similar ergonomics very similar to touring motorcycles. It has wide swept-back handlebars that provide a straight-back riding position. Its good ergonomics come from its height of 1,115 mm (43.8 in), the seat height of 740 mm (29.1 in) combined with a trail size of 109 mm (4.2 in), and a rake angle of 27^o 50'. The Flying Fortress is a large heavyweight motorcycle with a length of 2,445 mm (90.2 in), a wheelbase of 1,695 mm (66.7 in), a width of 940 mm (37 in), and a weight of 314 kg. Though it is comfortable for riders of all sizes, it is not a beginner-friendly motorcycle.

The Harley Street Glide is a Grand American Touring motorcycle with wide handlebars and a low seat height of 26.1 in. With a height of 1,348.78 mm (53.1 in), a trail size of 170 mm (6.7 in), and a rake angle of 26^o, it has comfortable ergonomics for all riders. However, because of its heavy weight of 376 kg, it is not recommended for novice riders. The Harley Street Glide has swept-back handlebars and forward-mounted floorboards which offer a straight-back riding position. The motorcycle’s bulky build comes from its overall length of 2,451 mm (96.5 in), wheelbase of 1,625.6 mm (64 in), and width of 960.1 mm (37.8 in).

The Flying Fortress has a lot of carbon fiber in its build, including saddlebags, fuel tanks, rims, and fenders, and carbon fiber is an expensive material. Moreover, this model has several standard features, including cruise control, traction control, riding modes, and an infotainment system.

Both motorcycles have different designs and aesthetic appeal. The Flying Fortress is only available in matte black, while the Street Glide is available in three colors. The Street Glide has a bigger engine capable of producing more torque, but the Flying Fortress is capable of producing more horsepower.

The Harley Street Glide is a better option for shorter riders because of its seat height of 26.1 in, while the Flying Fortress has a seat height of 29.1 in. The Street Glide is also heavier than the Flying Fortress which makes it more difficult for beginners to handle.

Both motorcycles have powerful engines, good fuel capacity, and mileage, produce decent amounts of torque, and offer comfortable riding positions. Both have pre-installed SADDLEBAGS and FAIRINGS, though the Street Glide also comes with crash bars as well. In conclusion, both models are good options for longer rides.  

The Moto Guzzi MGX-21 Flying Fortress and the Harley Davidson Street Glide are heavyweight motorcycles with all the features found in touring and bagger motorcycles. Both can be fitted with extra LUGGAGE SPACE and CRASH BARS, but neither of them has a pre-installed backrest or SISSY BAR.