Harley-Davidson CVO Road Glide ST 2026 — Specifications

Attention! This CVO ST is brutal. It’s the Harley that unites all Harleys in terms of performance. It plays the “racing” role, but you’re going to have to pay a bill exceeding €49,000. Kiss goodbye…

Regarding the silhouette, the Road Glide originally differs from the Street Glide by having its fairing anchored to the frame, rather than the forks, as is the case with the latter. This facilitates maneuvering, as the weight is no longer supported by the steering. In 3023, the Road Glide underwent a major change, as its former shark-like nose, which once housed a double optic, was transformed into a large LED bar, with a visual signature underneath forming a sort of W.

For this series, the Road Glide features three letters that signify its importance: CVO! This means Custom Vehicle Operation; the very highest grade of Harley-Davidson. Each year, Harley offers a small series of motorcycles benefiting from these luxury attributes. The base Road Glide, with the Milwaukee Twin 117, already costs more than €32,000.

In fact, the ST designation was a first in the CVO category. For this Road Glide, Custom Vehicle Operation offers two versions: the base CVO (!) which is the ultimate version of the Road Glide and the CVO ST version, which is one of the most sophisticated baggers ever produced by Harley-Davidson – there is also the CVO 131 Road Glide RR, but that takes you to a borderline racing level. In the United States, enthusiasm for racing these large GTs without a top case but with their pair of saddlebags and their huge fairing is booming! Indian and Harley are competing to see who can do it better. Consequently, Harley has released a Road Glide CVO ST to respond to this growing demand by offering the most performant and fastest bagger it can.

In terms of appearance, the paintwork is worthy of the meticulous CVO service. Three colors are available: "Citrus Heat," "Electric Coast," or "Inferno Gray." These ultra-refined paints, varnished and revarnished, often cost more than €7,000 each… On the fairing, the Screamin' Eagle graphic sets the tone for a heavily motorized machine, claiming the grandeur of America.

The most violent aspect of this ST is the engine. A monster of metal, capable of sending out a lot of power! The Milwaukee-Eight 121 High Output (1977 cm3) is exclusive to this CVO + ST configuration. It has undergone work on the camshaft (a Screamin' Eagle stage 2) and high-performance intake inspired by the Harley racing service. The airbox delivers 26% more air than the VVT 121 installed on other CVO touring models. Its shape and positioning have been optimized for both performance and to minimize leg interference for the rider.

The result is conclusive. Better than the original CVO, which offers 183 Nm at 3,500 rpm and 115 hp at 5,020 rpm, this one has been revised to deliver a massive 193 Nm at 4,000 rpm and approximately 127 hp at 4,900 rpm! This Harley engine is of exceptional power and force. Moreover, the final gear ratio is shortened to further improve acceleration performance at each gear. And the redline is placed at 5,900 rpm. That’s brutal! Harley has installed a speed limiter, electronically limiting the maximum speed to 193 km/h for a maximum of 25 seconds.

Regarding the chassis, the front and rear suspensions have been entrusted to Showa. These are fully adjustable. Separate emulsion chambers at the rear are placed towards the top of the saddlebags, to allow for easier adjustment. The inverted fork has a diameter of 47 mm. The travel is 117 mm at the front and 79 mm at the rear. Braking is entrusted to Brembo, with 4-piston floating calipers at the front. Finally, the wheels are 19 inches at the front and 18 inches at the rear.

Excellent work has also been done on the weight; Harley has also reduced the figure on the scale by 12 kg. The CVO ST weighs 363 kg dry (approximately 380 kg in running order) compared to 375 kg for the CVO (approximately 393 kg ready to ride). The fender, the tank console, and the rear saddle cap are made of carbon fiber. The muffler has lightweight titanium shells and carbon fiber end caps. Finally, the wheels and brake discs have been lightened to reduce unsprung weight.

In terms of electronics, this CVO ST receives several Riding Modes: Road, Sport, Rain, as well as two modes reserved for the track, Track and Track Plus; very “King of the baggers” themed. Not to mention four other customizable riding modes. These riding modes allow you to intervene on different aspects such as the power delivered, the engine braking, the cornering ABS (C-ABS) system, and the cornering traction control system (C-TCS).

Finally, the FLTRXSTSE also pleases the eye with its dashboard. Immense at 312 mm, it is fully customizable. In addition to navigation, it offers three display options and an impressive infotainment system. The sound system is equipped with a 500-watt amplifier and 6.5-inch Rockford Fosgate Stage II speakers in the fairing, allowing you to tax your little comrades by blasting Prodigy with the controls at full attack.

The different Riding Modes of the Harley-Davidson CVO 121 Road Glide:

-Road Mode: Designed for daily use, Road mode offers balanced performance. This mode offers a less aggressive throttle response and less engine power in the mid-range than Sport mode, with a higher level of C-ABS and C-TCS intervention.

-Sport Mode: Sport mode can maximize the rider's connection to the motorcycle. It can experience the full performance potential of the motorcycle directly and precisely, with full power and the fastest throttle response. C-TCS is set to its lowest level of intervention and engine braking is increased.

-Rain Mode: Throttle response and power output are programmed to significantly limit acceleration rates, engine braking is limited, and the highest levels of C-ABS and C-TCS intervention are selected.

-Custom Modes: To create a custom mode, the rider uses the touchscreen to select their combined preferences for engine torque distribution characteristics, engine braking, throttle response, and C-TCS and C-ABS intervention, in specific ranges.

-Track Mode: Maximum power is the same as in Sport mode, but throttle response is tuned to the track for more refined control. ABS setting is a reduced level of intervention (identical to that of King of the Bagger racing motorcycles) and front-rear electronic braking is disabled. The traction control system maintains the same performance as Sport mode. This mode is intended for use on a dry track or closed circuit.

-Track Plus Mode: Maximum power is the same as in Sport mode and the throttle response is the same as in Circuit mode. The ABS setting is an even lower level of intervention, which allows for a noticeably higher degree of rear wheel slip during braking or downshifting to improve rider control in a track context. In addition, this mode disables electronic braking in both directions (front-rear and rear-front), allowing for completely independent control of both brakes. The performance of the traction control system is also adapted for the circuit and allows for greater wheel slip during acceleration in a straight line and in corners. This mode should only be used by experienced riders and on a dry track or closed circuit.