Harley-Davidson has just redesigned its large touring cruisers. A new front fairing for the Road Glide and Street Glide brings a breath of fresh air. While retaining a timeless classic look.
Top of the list when it comes to equipment and paintwork: the fabulous CVOs. This acronym stands for “Custom Vehicle Operations” and is celebrating its 25th anniversary.
What better way to do a complete review than with one of the models, if not the most in demand at the moment? Discover with us the Harley-Davidson CVO Road Glide ST 2024 in detail.
looks and design
The prominent ”Sharknose” front fairing presents itself with an entirely new dynamic. The two round front lights disappear and are replaced by a huge sculpted light that blends in with the new silhouette. Powerful LED lighting with a distinctive light signature does an excellent job for night-time strolls. It’s also highly recognizable when you pass it on the road. We’re also treated to an all-new windscreen design to protect the rider while providing just enough wind. We can also modulate the air supply to the rider with an adjustable flap on top. A very important effect that contributes to the overall riding experience on this bike.
It’s easy to see that the design and shapes have been developed using computational fluid dynamics. This makes for a fabulous look while enabling efficient aerodynamics at the same time. Overall, the quality of finish is impeccable, as you’d expect from a motorcycle of this price.
The rest of the bodywork has also undergone a complete overhaul. In fact, the panniers are now higher, to allow for steeper turns, and also for the “racing” aspect we know from the “King of the Bagger” racing series. These races are very popular in North America, with big American motorcycles battling it out. It’s a sight to behold, and one we invite you to watch if you haven’t already.
What makes the CVO Road Glide ST different?
Our Harley-Davidson CVO Road Glide ST 2024 model brings exclusive performance parts; 121 HO engine, suspension, titanium exhaust, oversized air intake, etc. Forged carbon fiber parts are also used to reduce weight and give the bike a stunning look. These parts, like the front wing and rear seat cover, make the CVO ST version highly distinctive. All in all, these additions contribute even more to the performance aspect of this limited edition version.
Another unique feature of the CVO 2024 models. There’s the 25th anniversary CVO graphics on the outer fairing and the engraved recessed trim on the tank console.
Milwaukee Eight 121 HO mechanicals
The centerpiece of the CVO Road Glide ST is the gigantic Milwaukee Eight 121 HO V-twin engine, which stands for “High Output”. The HO version features high-performance cams and an oversized air intake. The result is 127 horsepower and 197 n*m of torque. There’s no need to go into detail about the performance.
The sound is expressed by the titanium “Screaming Eagle” mufflers fitted as standard. While the sound is not overpowering (or even harmful), this exhaust allows the engine to breathe more easily. And, of course, allows us to appreciate the symphony more fully when revving up.
And speaking of performance… It’s worth noting that the ST’s many modifications reduce its overall weight by 11 kg. This also contributes to the power-to-weight ratio.
Suspension and braking
In keeping with the performance theme, the front end features a fully adjustable SHOWA inverted fork (preload, compression and rebound). And at the rear, the ST version comes with SHOWA gas suspension with piggy-backreservoirs. These rear shock absorbers are fully adjustable (preload, compression/lowering and rebound). As a result, they can be very firm for sporty driving or smoother for rough roads. This is an excellent improvement on previous versions. Unfortunately, it doesn’t solve the rear wheel problem 100%. We’ll come back to this in our driving impressions.
With such a high-performance beast, and especially its overall weight of 380 kg (838 lb), good brakes are a must. Harley-Davidson had the good idea of equipping this bike with excellent stopping power. Thanks to Brembo four-piston calipers and double front discs. Braking is easily controlled and the ABS is perfectly calibrated. As a result, you can push the CVO Road Glide ST hard on twisty sections with complete confidence.
Ergonomics and infotainment system
As you take your place on the Harley-Davidson CVO Road Glide ST, you’ll immediately notice the new six-inch handlebar riser. This allows the rider to sit more upright. It also gives a more successful performance bagger look. Next, our buttocks will immediately feel at ease on the bucket-type seat. It’s super-comfortable, and above all, it holds the rider firmly in place during acceleration. The numerous controls are also quite intuitive. And it’s worth mentioning that they’re all now backlit for optimal night-time driving.
The new Road Glide also features a huge 12.3-inch touchscreen! There are no longer any analog gauges, and everything has gone digital. What’s more, you can choose from three different displays. This gives access to key information such as speed, engine revs, temperatures and more. In addition, you’ll enjoy integrated navigation, a sound system and a Bluetooth connection. Or even better, the use of Apple CarPlay for all functionalities. However, if you have an Android cell phone, you should know that this is not yet available. Let’s hope it will be, in the near future.
Rockford Fosgate sound system
If you want to devour the roads with zest, you’ll be able to play your favorite tunes and count on powerful sound. With the top-of-the-range Rockford Fosgate Stage II sound system, featuring a four-channel 500 W RMS amplifier. Note that there are no sound boxes in the cases for the ST version, for reasons of lightness.
Driving impressions
The Harley-Davidson CVO Road Glide ST feels right at home from the very first mile. The upright seat is ideal for all-round vision. The lowered aspect of the seat, and of the bike in general, makes you feel at one with the road. With rock music playing in the background, the mechanics quickly propel us to the prescribed speed limits… The curves roll by with an ease that few big American motorcycles can match. Clearly, the CVO Road Glide ST is a brilliant answer to the Indian Challenger, which previously boasted a class of its own.
The big Milwaukee Eight 121 HO engine is an ear-catcher without being too deafening. You can feel the hard work put in by the engineers to maintain a classic look while delivering performance. The on-board electronic assistance and the various riding modes allow you to really modulate the bike’s reactions. In addition, the transmission makes full use of the 127 horsepower through six well-spaced gears.
Handling
The new upside-down front forks used exclusively on CVO models are a marvel to behold. It provides hyper-precise steering and a feel for the road that the basic suspension could never deliver.
At the rear, the SHOWA gas suspension, standard on the CVO Road Glide ST, is sublime. They’re easy to adjust and adapt to the type of road you’ll be driving on. In a firm configuration with nice smooth roads, it would be hard to do better. Handling is impeccable, and there’s no wobble like with the basic shock absorbers.
On the other hand, when the going gets tough, gas-charged rear shock absorbers have their limits. Let me explain: although the suspension can be adjusted to be softer, the rear suspension travel will not be more generous. So, the limitation comes from the short travel we have, which is attributable to one thing: keeping the Road Glide’s fabulous, low-slung lines. So there’s always work to be done at the rear. This may mean losing a little of the bike’s look, to make it more comfortable to ride. It remains to be seen whether the Milwaukee-based manufacturer will move in this direction.
Highlights:
- Guaranteed exclusivity of the CVO model, in addition to combining it with the ST (Sport Touring) package.
- Technologies (infotainment system, dynamic driving assistance) while retaining an iconic look.
- Enhanced performance with Milwaukee Eight 121 HO engine and sound!
- More powerful suspension on the ST version.
Areas for improvement:
- Apple CarPlay available, but not Android Auto for now.
- Rear gas suspension does an excellent job on smooth roads. On the other hand, although it’s better than the previous generation with this option, it could still gain in smoothness. Especially for models without this suspension. More travel would certainly help…
- Stratospheric asking price!
Conclusion
The new redesign of Harley-Davidson’s big American cruisers brings a breath of fresh air. At last, a revitalized line and a clear move towards more technology.
The new Road Glide version remains an unavoidable icon in the motorcycling landscape… As a bonus, very special editions are available, like our test model. The Harley-Davidson CVO Road Glide ST 2024, representative of the Milwaukee-based manufacturer’s legendary expertise.
If you’re looking for THE Harley-Davidson 2024 to buy this year… And a great way to mark the 25th anniversary of the CVO division; this is the collector’s item for you!
Equipment wearing and visible in the photos:
- Helmet: LS2 FF900 Valiant II
- Coat: Oxford Montreal 4.0
- Boots : Falco Ranger 2
Photo credits: Steve Maillet
