Testing new Harley-Davidson CVO Street Glide and Road Glide

CVOs are what Harley-Davidson does best in terms of aesthetics and technology. On the one hand, the Street Glide has almost everything to please and is adored by a large part of the brand’s fans. A charismatic bagger line with top-notch dynamic behavior, and fun in every way. On the other hand, its brother, the Road Glide, is easily identifiable with its “Shark nose”. Two timeless designs and two touring icons that Harley-Davidson must evolve smoothly, without losing their essence. We took advantage of the brand’s 120th anniversary Homecoming in Milwaukee to try out these two motorcycles that embody the Grand American Touring of the 21st century.

Audacity as a legacy

The manufacturer quite simply invented Touring and made an impression with its Electra Glide in the 60’s, the ultimate traveler. At the time, motorcycles with protection, a large engine and carrying capacity were quite rare. Harley-Davidson is quite simply at the origin of the segment, then, in the 80’s, of the famous “Batwing”. The line of machines has become a little frozen in time, especially with regard to the two baggers, the Street Glide and the Road Glide. This is what makes them successful. It is therefore difficult for the team of Brad Richard, head of design, to develop these two models without distorting them. If the firm has gone slowly in recent years, with CVOs in 2023, it is a real revolution. First of all, each benefits from a reworked front with an imposing light for the Road Glide and a rather square optic enhanced with LED bars acting as indicators for the Street Glide. Both incorporate short smoked wind screens as well as an adjustable central hatch for airflow. The aerodynamics have been reworked for a lower air penetration rate. On the handlebars, we feel that turbulence is less frequent, however protection is still very limited for riders over 1.70 m. An electric windshield would have been welcome. If the engineers justify this by the significant weight gain that this generates, it is rather with regard to the additional costs in our opinion. However, it is possible to opt for different, more protective elements in the HD catalog.

Move the lines

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Harley-Davidson CVO 123 VVT+43

Harley-Davidson CVO Road Glide 121 VVTCredit Photo – Harley-Davidson

The designers did not stop at the front part, the complete line of the two baggers was reviewed and corrected. The tank plunges towards a very hollow double saddle, rather comfortable and practical for supporting the rider, then the line ends its course with a beautiful rear mudguard plunging between the two suitcases, also reworked, and decorated with two vertical light bars . Everything is neat and of exemplary quality of finish. The magnificent rims, extremely original, enhance the whole without cannibalizing the unique colors: gray or dark orange. In profile, the two baggers embrace their rebellious side of luxury without being ostentatious. But what catches the eye above all is the imposing V-Twin of the latest generation which equips the two fraternal twins. We are first attracted by the imposing air filter on which is written 121. 121 for 121 ci of cylinder capacity, or 1,983 cm3! To do this, the engineers modified the air intake, the exhaust, but also what happens in between: the distribution. This is now variable, a real revolution for the Milwaukee block which is, at the same time, switching to liquid cooling… Horrible misfortune for fans of the brand! And yet, HD did it and quite well. When you start the V-twin, the vibrations, sound and feeling are certainly different. It’s more subdued, more modern. On the other hand, when you start playing with the handle, the block has responsiveness, and it’s rather convincing.

New life for the Milwaukee-Eight

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Harley-Davidson CVO 123 VVT+43

Harley-Davidson CVO Street Glide 121 VVTCredit Photo – Harley-Davidson

Whether it’s the Road Glide or the Street Glide, the engine is the same. By opting for variable distribution, the engineers not only favor a gain in power, more reasonable consumption, as well as simpler management of torque at low revs. We also obtain a more linear power and torque curve. Exit the crest as was the case on previous models, here you reach the summits quickly and stay there for a long time. The 115 hp are accessible from 4,500 rpm while the torque increases to 189 Nm at 3,000 rpm, i.e. 9.5% more power and 8% more torque compared to the 117 ci. On the handlebars, the feeling is surprising. The mechanics do not lack character, but also gain in length. Long accelerations are favored here, and not to spoil anything, the sound has been well worked on. The driving modes allow you to have the necessary response, and also play on the various aids available on Tourings such as traction control when cornering, vehicle hold control or even interconnected electronic braking when cornering. When you attack the small roads, you almost forget that you are on a Touring weighing almost 400 kg. Certainly the weight loss treatment was drastic. Between – 14 kg for the Street, and up to 15.8 kg for its cousin. But above all, the distribution of masses has been revised, which gives each of the two machines a unique dynamic behavior.

To each his own style

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Harley-Davidson CVO 123 VVT+43

Harley-Davidson CVO Road Glide 121 VVTCredit Photo – Harley-Davidson

The two CVOs have the same frame, the same cycle part with Showa suspension including an inverted fork, double front brake disc with 4-piston Brembo radial calipers (ultra-bite) or even 19” aluminum rims. ‘front and 18 rear with pressure control. However, the radically different riding position clearly gives the impression of having two separate original machines. The Road Glide first of all, with its handlebars higher than before and its imposing fairing, places the rider slightly back and gives the impression of having a truly imposing motorcycle. Ideal for cruising, it is less agile when changing sharp angles. The front is still a little blurry even if it absorbs the imperfections of the asphalt perfectly. Large people will be very comfortable with this pure juice bagger. The Street Glide gives the impression of a much smaller and more robust motorcycle. The driver is very straight, the feeling of the front wheel is perfect, we have the impression of having a much more lively and incisive model in curves. A little less comfortable and flexible, it stands out with an almost sporty dynamic behavior allowing you to attack hard. Both motorcycles are very reassuring and secure whatever the situation, and are truly versatile. We greatly appreciate the city cooling system which saves your right leg compared to the air cooling of current models!

Top equipment

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Harley-Davidson CVO 123 VVT+43

Harley-Davidson CVO 121 VVTCredit Photo – Harley-Davidson

Who says CVO, says high-level staffing, and on this point HD has surpassed itself. The eye is directly drawn to the 31.2 cm color TFT screen. Clear, perfectly designed, it serves as a meter unit and infotainment system. The different settings can be displayed by touch or by voice command whether they are linked to the machine, such as the riding modes (Road, Sport or Rain), electronic aids, but also navigation or even the chosen music. And there’s plenty to do with a Rockford Fosgate Stage II system equipped with four speakers with a 500 W RMS amp. The sound is perfectly audible, even at high speed, thanks to a new orientation of the speakers placed in the suitcases. Of course we find the keyless system, heated handles and even cruise control to take on the road without limits. Incidentally, we appreciate the new Street Glide storage system, a drawer tray system that comes out of the fairing, brilliant idea! It’s difficult to find a fault with these two models that we were able to test on different roads in Wisconsin. A feast of sensations, vibrations, not to mention the very nice sound of the mechanics. Successful operation for the Milwaukee firm which delivers real new products here, it’s about time! There remains one detail, and not the least, the price, which varies from €46,000 for the “basic” model and up to €53,200 for the high-end version in Whiskey Neat/Raven Metallica. Always more exclusive, the CVOs are clearly premium here, so we are impatiently awaiting the larger series models.

To sum up

Harley-Davidson has revolutionized its Grand Touring with the new CVO Street Glide and its false twin, the Road Glide. A complete redesign around a new 121 ci VVT V-Twin. We were the first to try it in Milwaukee.

Editor