Harley-Davidson CVO 1800 ROAD GLIDE ULTRA FLTRSE 2016 — Specifications

One speaks of a machine costing the price of a Porsche Cayenne, yet not exceeding 170 km/h. The 2016 CVO Road Glide Ultra embodies this ultimate contradiction, where value lies not in raw figures, but in the total experience. With its 98 horsepower drawn from an 1801 cm3 twin cylinder, it falls short of the performance of European sport-touring models. But this engine, the liquid-cooled Twin Cam 110, is a masterpiece of mechanical craftsmanship. Its torque of 155 Nm at 3750 rpm is so present that it pulls you from the first quarter turn of the throttle, effortlessly, with an authority reminiscent of steam locomotives. The sound, this greasy and labored rumble, is Milwaukee’s acoustic signature, an audible heritage that almost justifies the investment alone.

The Road Glide stands out within the Harley family with its fixed fairing, this massive forkhead that carries the headlights and vents. Unlike the Electra Glide with its Batwing, this architecture frees the handlebars, offering a more direct steering feel, less burdened by moving masses. The Rushmore project refined the aerodynamics, reducing turbulence, while the Daymaker LED headlights illuminate the road with modern efficiency. It is a giant roadster, weighing 439 kg fully fueled, but it conceals its mass beneath an avalanche of chrome and worked details. The Slicer wheels, the Airflow components, the perforated leather heated seats: each element aims to transform the rider into a command center.

The trunk space is phenomenal. With its two side cases and the Tour-Pak backrest, this motorcycle can carry a month's worth of luggage without a hitch. The technological equipment is up to the price: cruise control, Brembo brakes coupled with Reflex ABS, the Boom! Box 6.5 GT console with GPS and its powerful audio system, the adjustable pneumatic rear suspension. The 2016 novelty, the integrated tire pressure monitoring system on the dashboard, and the LED turn signals, add a touch of safety and modernity to what is already a technological arch.

Ultimately, this CVO is not a motorcycle for those seeking performance or efficiency. It is a motorized luxury item, intended for the traveler who wants to ride in a rolling armchair, surrounded by a mechanical orchestra and a jumble of comforts. At 40,420 euros, it is aimed at those who consider the road as a backdrop, and the motorcycle as the most prestigious way to traverse it. It crushes the competition in terms of presence and equipment, but is humiliated by a BMW K1600GT on the highway. It is a passionate choice, an act of affirmation, not a rational calculation.