Harley-Davidson CVO 1920 Road Glide FLTRXSE 2019 — Specifications

Does the ultimate American bagger necessarily have to be a colossus weighing over 440 pounds? Milwaukee’s answer, with this CVO Road Glide 117, is a resounding and unequivocal "yes." We are no longer talking about a simple motorcycle here, but a rolling manifesto, a declaration of principles where excess becomes a virtue. For a little more than €41,000, the buyer does not acquire a means of transport, but a symbol of power and a concentration of Harley-Davidson technology, reserved for an elite of demanding and wealthy road riders.

The heart of the beast, this Milwaukee-Eight inflated to 1923 cm³, is a true statement of intent. With 169.7 Nm of torque available from 3750 rpm, it is not a question of seeking peak power – its 106 horsepower seems almost anecdotal – but of mastering a mechanical tsunami. The sensation at acceleration is that of an inexorable force, a deployment of energy that seems never to stop, propelling this imposing mass with disconcerting authority. Faced with competitors like the Indian Roadmaster, more refined and geared towards comfortable long-distance touring, the CVO chooses brute affirmation. It will not seduce track riders in search of velocity, but it will offer the seasoned road rider a unique sensory experience, centered on this engine that reigns supreme.

This Road Glide also stands out for its attitude. The 21-inch front wheel, a first from the factory for Harley, and the V-shaped fairing give it an aggressive posture, far from the serenity of the Ultra models. It is a bagger that embraces its bad boy side, with flowing saddlebags and touches of Blaze Red that scream bespoke craftsmanship. Comfort is not lacking, with a low seat at 680 mm that facilitates handling despite the considerable weight, but it is above all the equipment that impresses. The Boom! Box GTS audio system, with its 6.5-inch touchscreen and 600 watts, transforms the cockpit into a high-fidelity mobile living room. Connectivity is pushed to the extreme, integrating Apple CarPlay and a wireless intercom, making this machine a true technological hub on two wheels.

Ultimately, this CVO Road Glide 117 is a passion object, reserved for a very specific public. It does not target beginners, nor even the standard motorcyclist in search of efficiency. Its price places it in a stratosphere accessible to a few, and its weight of 405 kg when fully fueled makes it a demanding motorcycle to maneuver. But for those seeking the pinnacle of the American bagger, a machine where the feeling of power takes precedence over everything, where every detail is signed and where tradition meets the most advanced modernity, it remains an unparalleled proposition. It is less a motorcycle than a trophy, made to cover long, straight roads while listening to its own status rumble.