WHAT MAKES HARLEY-DAVIDSON® CVO™ TOURING SO SPECIAL?

PUBLISHED 21.06.2024

The pinnacle of Harley-Davidson Touring.

For 25 years, Custom Vehicle Operation™ (CVO) models have represented the pinnacle of Harley-Davidson® style and design. They are manufactured in limited numbers and draw upon the expertise and craftsmanship of the brand. Each CVO model is equipped with show-stopping finishes, advanced features, exclusive components, and attention to detail that borders on the obsessive.

Last year, during their 120-year celebrations, Harley-Davidson released new CVO Street Glide and CVO Road Glide models, completely modernising the touring platform from top to bottom, with both featuring a new VVT 121 engine code-named “Helix”. The new models were introduced as two of the most refined touring motorcycles ever seen with outstanding comfort, electronics as modern as you can get on a motorcycle, and the incredibly engaging, new liquid-cooled 1977cc engine.

If that hasn't already answered the question of, "What makes Harley-Davidson CVO touring so special?", let's deep-dive further into every piece of innovation and detail and answer that for you.

1. Ultimate touring performance.

The Milwaukee-Eight™ VVT 121 V-Twin Engine is the highest displacement powertrain ever to be factory-installed on a Harley-Davidson Touring motorcycle. Featuring liquid-cooled cylinder heads, variable valve timing (VVT), and a new intake tract. The increased displacement produces more power and torque than the previous Milwaukee-Eight 117 engine, putting out 115HP at 5,020 rpm and 183 Nm torque at 3,500 rpm, while the VVT broadens the overall powerband and improves fuel economy. It's a beast!

The new 2023 and 24 models are both lighter than their 2022 counterparts, with the CVO Street Glide weighing 14kg less and the CVO Road Glide weighing 16kg less. This has enhanced all aspects of the performance, including acceleration and braking. Those brakes being dual front discs with radially mounted four-piston Brembo™ calipers in the front and single four-piston Brembo calipers in the rear, producing fantastic braking performance with a responsive feel. For the exhaust, Harley developed 114.3 mm-wide mufflers with a premium finish on their high-flow exhaust system to compliment the engine performance with epic style and sound.

On both models, comfort has been a focus of improvement, using inverted 47 mm SHOWA® forks and premium shocks with 76.2 mm of suspension travel, optimising the handling performance and rider comfort. The new windshield and fairings reduce wind buffeting and rider fatigue tested with computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and wind tunnel analysis. The adjustable air vanes also tune air flow to enhance comfort even further for the ultimate riding experience.

2. Modernised and improved design from front to back.

It isn't just performance, comfort, and ergonomics that have improved. The design enhancements look stunning and have evolved the platform for the 2024 standard Street Glide and Road Glide models in perfect fashion. The iconic fairings, batwing on the Street Glide and sharknose on the Road Glide, have both been modernised with sculpted silhouettes, fully integrated LED lighting, and new windshield designs. The integrated LED lighting package gives improved visibility and an instantly recognisable look on the road, day or night, for a road presence like no other.

To match the striking headlights, both models have been produced in Dark Platinum with Bright Smoked Satin pinstriping or two-tone Whiskey Neat and Raven Metallic with airbrushed details and pinstriping. Each is complemented with either gloss black and chrome or scorched chrome accents for a total package that accentuates the new body lines and highlights the CVO ethos of obsessive attention to detail.

Every surface of the CVO Street Glide and Road Glide has been reimagined and refined, creating a seamless visual flow from the tip of the front fender to the tail of the saddlebags. Speaking of which, the saddlebags have an increased overall luggage capacity and complete the aggressive stance of the two models along with 483 mm front and 457 mm rear, Combo Cast Laced wheels equipped with a Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS).

3. Technological innovation.

Finally, we come to technology. The new rider safety enhancements include the latest chassis control, electronic brake control, and powertrain technology to enhance rider confidence in any type of ride condition. This gives maximised traction during acceleration, deceleration, and braking. This is paired with new Ride Modes which can be easily selected to provide more control and confidence during various riding conditions by electronically adjusting performance characteristics and the level of safety intervention. With three standard and two customisable ride modes, you can create a unique combination of power delivery, engine braking, Cornering Antilock Braking System (C-ABS), and Cornering Traction Control (C-TCS) settings.

Of course, what would luxury beasts like these be without a top-end sound system and smart infotainment? The brand-new Skyline™ OS customisable in-dash experience features navigation, three unique display options, and an all-new suite of connected infotainment options. This is contained within a crystal-clear, 312mm touch-screen colour TFT display which puts navigation and infotainment at your fingertips. For audio, your ears are graced by four-channel, 500-watt RMS amplifiers built into the fairing and saddlebag speakers using the epic Rockford Fosgate™ Stage II premium audio system.

It really is the full package...

Can you get your hands on one?

Overall the "Helix" CVO models are outstanding motorcycles that truly are the pinnacle of motorcycle Touring. In 2024 Harley-Davidson released new versions of the CVO Street Glide and CVO Road Glide with exclusive paint and finishes to celebrate 25 years of CVO, available in colour-shifting Copperhead with Warm-Shift pinstripes or Legendary Orange with Raven Metallic and Atlas Silver brushed sections. Each option is finished with colour-matched parts and accessories, CVO graphics, and an engraved CVO 25th Anniversary console insert.

While these 2023 and 2024 CVO models are extremely limited and produced in small numbers, we're fortunate to have a selection of these models available around our LIND Harley-Davidson stores right now.

Contact your nearest store below to find out which limited edition CVO models we have available before it's too late.