Canadian-owned.   No duty surprises.   Need help? 1-800-291-9509

2021 Harley-Davidson FLTRXS Road Glide Special — Maintenance & Ownership Guide

Routine Maintenance

Key maintenance tasks to keep your 2021 Harley-Davidson FLTRXS Road Glide Special running reliably.

Oil Service

Requires 5.2 quarts of 20W-50 oil. Standard intervals are 1,000 miles for the first service, then every 5,000 miles.

Cable Clutch Adjustment

Unique to 2021+ models; the new cable system requires periodic manual adjustment at the primary and the inline adjuster to maintain proper freeplay.

Primary & Transmission Fluid

Separate sumps require specific fluids; the primary chaincase takes approximately 1.1 quarts and the transmission takes 1 quart.

Common Wear Items

Parts that wear over time on the 2021 Harley-Davidson FLTRXS Road Glide Special and should be inspected regularly.

Rear Tire

Heavy touring use and 114ci torque tend to wear the rear Dunlop Multi-Tread tire quickly, often needing replacement every 8,000-12,000 miles.

Brake Pads

Brembo pads provide excellent stopping power but the heavy weight of the FLTRXS leads to moderate wear on the dual front rotors.

Battery

High-compression 114 engine requires a strong 400+ CCA battery. The stock YTX30L-BS typically lasts 3-4 years.

Popular Upgrades

The most popular aftermarket upgrades for the 2021 Harley-Davidson FLTRXS Road Glide Special.

Stage 1 Performance

High-flow air intake and slip-on mufflers combined with a tuner to reduce engine heat and improve throttle response.

Rear Shocks

The stock 'Special' shocks have limited travel (2.1 inches); upgrading to 13-inch Legend or Ohlins shocks is the most common fix for ride quality.

Handlebars

Many riders find the stock bars too low; 12-inch or 14-inch 'Meathook' style apes are a frequent ergonomic upgrade.

Common Replacement Parts

Parts that commonly need replacing on the 2021 Harley-Davidson FLTRXS Road Glide Special.

Clutch Cable Adjuster

The stock plastic inline adjuster is a known weak point that can fail or feel 'mushy'; many owners replace it with a metal aftermarket unit.

Compensator

The M8 compensator can develop a rattle or 'clunk' over time, especially under heavy load or high mileage.

Used Buying Inspection Checklist

What to look for when buying a used 2021 Harley-Davidson FLTRXS Road Glide Special.

Clutch Engagement

Primary Noise

Oil Sumping Check

Infotainment Screen