Harley-Davidson CVO 1980 Street Glide 2024 — Specifications

So, Harley-Davidson has finally decided to take a turn? It seems so. With this CVO Street Glide 121, the Milwaukee firm is doing more than just a facelift; it’s undergoing a transformation. Imagine the shock: a redesigned Batwing for the first time in over half a century, a square-edged headlight, an inverted fork, and Brembo radial calipers. It feels like a dream. For those who know the brand’s sometimes heavy inertia, it’s like seeing a sequoia uproot itself to go for a ride. The message is clear: Indian and its Challenger are being left in the dust, and Harley is responding not with a coat of paint, but with a technical revolution.

The heart of this metamorphosis beats beneath a fuel tank with a more taut profile. Inside is the new Milwaukee-Eight 121, a 1977 cm³ V-twin that’s not afraid of anything. With 115 horsepower and, above all, 182 Nm of torque available from 3500 rpm, this engine is in excellent health. The secret? Variable valve timing, technology borrowed from the Pan America, which significantly expands the usable range. As a result, this beast weighing close to 380 kg fully fueled, rises with disconcerting ease, as if pushed by a telluric force. Compared to previous engines, the gain in smoothness and responsiveness is palpable. It’s less an engine than an earthquake on wheels.

But Harley didn’t stop at the engine. The chassis follows suit, with a 47 mm inverted fork and radial braking that are nothing to be ashamed of compared to some sportbikes. At the rear, the shock absorbers see their travel increased by 50% for comfort, but it’s the front end that sends a strong signal: this touring machine can handle curves. The electronics are up to the task, with cornering ABS and traction control, five riding modes, and even linked braking. All of this is controlled via the Skyline, a giant TFT screen that replaces all analog instrumentation, featuring Apple CarPlay and a GPS. It’s high-tech, almost too much for a purist, but it’s the price of entry into the 21st century.

So, who is this €47,000 machine for? Clearly not for the novice or those on a tight budget. It targets the demanding globetrotter, the one who wants the aura and comfort of a Glide, but refuses to compromise on modernity and dynamics. It’s a motorcycle for an industry captain who also wants to tackle mountain passes. Faced with an Indian Roadmaster or a BMW K 1600 B, it plays the card of raw identity and monstrous torque, rather than ultimate sophistication or versatility. A bold gamble, successful on paper, which proves that even a legend can reinvent itself when its territory is threatened. Remains to be seen whether the faithful will follow in this generational leap.