The Harley-Davidson CVO Road Glide is a high-end touring motorcycle that showcases the brand’s legendary American craftsmanship, combining performance, style, and advanced technology. As part of Harley-Davidson’s Custom Vehicle Operations (CVO) series, this model is a high-performance, fully loaded motorcycle that’s designed for riders who seek both luxury and adventure. Whether you’re embarking on long highway cruises or enjoying a scenic ride, the CVO Road Glide promises to offer an unforgettable experience.
Design and Aesthetics: The Ultimate Touring Machine
The design of the Harley-Davidson CVO Road Glide is nothing short of breathtaking. Every detail is carefully crafted to provide both style and functionality, making it a true masterpiece in the world of touring motorcycles.
Bold Front End and Aerodynamic Styling
The most notable feature of the Road Glide is its shark-nose fairing, which sets it apart from other touring motorcycles. The batwing-inspired front end offers a sleek and aggressive look, ensuring the CVO Road Glide is a head-turner wherever it goes.
Exquisite Finish and Customization
Harley-Davidson’s CVO models are renowned for their premium finishes, and the CVO Road Glide is no exception. It boasts an array of custom paint schemes, which include unique, multi-layered finishes, creating a distinctive visual appeal. Riders can choose from a variety of colors like “Black Stardust” and “Mysterious Red Sunglo,” each paired with special pinstriping and hand-finished touches that further elevate the bike’s look. The bike also features a chrome package, which includes high-quality chrome accents on the exhaust system, handlebars, and controls. These details lend the Road Glide a sophisticated, polished look that complements its powerful presence on the road.
Engine and Performance: Power-Packed Touring
The Harley-Davidson CVO Road Glide is powered by the brand’s Milwaukee-Eight® 117 engine, a V-twin powerhouse designed for superior performance and long-lasting durability.
Milwaukee-Eight® 117 Engine
- Engine Type: V-Twin
- Displacement: 1,923cc
- Maximum Torque: 168 Nm @ 3,500 rpm
- Cooling Type: Air and Oil-cooled
- Fuel System: Electronic Sequential Port Fuel Injection (ESPFI)
- Transmission: Six-speed
With a displacement of 1,923cc, the Milwaukee-Eight® 117 engine offers a massive increase in power and torque compared to other touring models. Whether you’re navigating city streets or hitting the open highway, this engine provides smooth power delivery and a thrilling ride. The 168 Nm of torque ensures quick acceleration and effortless cruising, allowing the rider to maintain consistent speeds on long journeys with minimal effort.
Performance Features
- Electronic Throttle Control: For smoother and more responsive acceleration.
- Advanced Fuel Injection: Optimizes fuel efficiency while delivering strong performance.
- Heavy-duty Cooling System: Maintains the engine at ideal temperatures during extended rides.
- 6-Speed Cruise Drive® Transmission: Ensures smooth gear shifts and enhances fuel efficiency.
The Milwaukee-Eight® 117 engine allows the CVO Road Glide to cruise comfortably at highway speeds while offering impressive top-end power for overtaking or conquering mountain roads. This engine is a key part of what makes the CVO Road Glide an outstanding touring machine that can handle both everyday and adventure riding with ease.
Ride Comfort and Handling: Touring Excellence
The Harley-Davidson CVO Road Glide is built for comfort, with a wide range of features designed to enhance the riding experience, especially on long-distance journeys.
Suspension System
The CVO Road Glide comes equipped with Premium Suspension designed for maximum comfort and control, whether you’re on city streets or navigating rough highways.
- Front Suspension: Dual Bending Valve front forks
- Rear Suspension: Coil-over, twin shocks with easily adjustable preload
This suspension setup is crafted to provide superior ride quality, offering a smooth ride even on uneven surfaces.
Ergonomics and Comfort
The bike is designed for long-distance comfort, with an ergonomically crafted seat that supports the rider and passenger during extended rides. The rider’s seat is plush, providing comfort for hours on end, while the passenger seat is equally spacious and comfortable. Additionally, the handlebars and foot controls are adjustable, allowing for a more customized fit based on the rider’s preferences.
Technology: Advanced Features for the Modern Rider
The Harley-Davidson CVO Road Glide is equipped with advanced technology designed to improve both safety and convenience.
Infotainment System: Boom!™ Box GTS
The Boom!™ Box GTS infotainment system provides the rider with all the tech features they need for a convenient, enjoyable ride. This system includes:
- Touchscreen Display: Offers intuitive control of navigation, music, and settings.
- Apple CarPlay®: Seamlessly integrates with Apple devices, providing easy access to apps, navigation, and music.
- Bluetooth® Connectivity: This lets you connect your phone, music devices, and helmet for hands-free communication.
- SiriusXM® Satellite Radio: Offers a variety of channels for entertainment on long journeys, complemented by the Boom!™ audio system for enhanced sound quality.
With the Boom! Box GTS system, riders can easily control everything from the touchscreen, giving them the freedom to enjoy their ride without distraction. The system also features voice recognition, allowing the rider to control many aspects of the bike without taking their hands off the handlebars.
Advanced Safety Features
Harley-Davidson prioritizes rider safety, and the CVO Road Glide comes equipped with a host of advanced safety features, including:
- Reflex™ Defensive Rider Systems (RDRS): A suite of rider-assist technologies that include cornering-enhanced ABS, traction control, and electronically linked braking for improved safety in challenging conditions.
- Adaptive Headlamp: An LED headlamp that adjusts the light beam to improve visibility when cornering.
- Customizable Ride Modes: Allows riders to tailor the bike’s performance settings to suit various road conditions.
Price and Variants
The Harley-Davidson CVO Road Glide is a premium motorcycle, and its pricing reflects the high-end features and exceptional craftsmanship that come with it.
- Price: Approximately ₹45,00,000 to ₹50,00,000 (ex-showroom, India)
- Colors: Available in multiple custom finishes, including Black Stardust, Twisted Cherry, and more.
Ownership Review: The Ultimate Touring Bike
Owning the Harley-Davidson CVO Road Glide is an experience like no other. The bike delivers exceptional performance, unparalleled comfort, and sophisticated technology, making it a standout in the touring motorcycle segment.
“As a seasoned rider, I’ve owned a variety of motorcycles, but nothing compares to the CVO Road Glide. From its aggressive styling to its powerful engine, it’s the ultimate touring bike. I’ve done multiple cross-country trips, and every time I’m impressed by how comfortable and smooth the ride is. The tech features like the Boom! Box GTS makes navigation a breeze, and the RDRS system gives me peace of mind while riding. It’s worth every penny!”
For those looking for the perfect mix of luxury, power, and performance, the CVO Road Glide offers an unforgettable ownership experience.
Conclusion: A Legendary Touring Bike
The Harley-Davidson CVO Road Glide is the epitome of what a touring motorcycle should be. It blends cutting-edge technology, world-class performance, and classic Harley-Davidson styling to create the ultimate ride for those who seek both adventure and luxury. Whether you’re tackling winding mountain roads or cruising across long highways, the CVO Road Glide provides a premium riding experience that is second to none. With its unmatched features and powerful engine, the CVO Road Glide stands as a true leader in the touring motorcycle segment.