With the 121 H-D motor, top level safety & user technology, the 2024 CVO Road Glide ST is one hell of a machine! Paul Bailey rips up the tarmac and chases the miles... Photos: Tim Munro
If you had a cool $63k to spend on the ultimate performance bagger, what would you buy? Look no further than the new Harley-Davidson CVO Road Glide ST. It’s lighter than before, more powerful at 126hp and 142ft-lbs, and has infotainment, chassis and styling upgrades…
Have you ever dreamed about the perfect bike? If you are like me, the answer is yes, of course! But the perfect bike is so individual for each of us, it can be anything! What I like is different to what everyone else likes, so finding the perfect bike is such an impossible task…
Check out our other Harley-Davidson reviews here…
For me, it’s about improving on a motorcycle to make it your own or at least make it far better than the stock version of that model. To improve it in power, handling, braking and suspension plus give it a cool custom look as well. This sort of thinking is normally way outside of the boundaries of the different motorcycle manufacturers. Sure they produce models that offer things different to the base model and they can make these very appealing to potential buyers. But rarely do they build a motorcycle that is truly a complete package, but it still may not suit everyone.
“To improve it in power, handling, braking and suspension plus give it a cool custom look as well”…
Harley-Davidson has always built special models in their 121 years of continual production of the Big V Twin motorcycle. In 1999 Harley realised that customers wanted more than the already prestigious and collectable Harley-Davidson. So, the first CVO was released in 1999, the FXR2. Loaded with custom features and custom limited paint, it was an instant hit with customers.
The CVO models have always been a limited run and have always with each year raised the stakes with customisation that was way ahead of the normal models. Bigger engines, custom accessories and unique paint combinations all added up to a more expensive ride, between 20 to 30 per cent more expensive than the stock model. But you just couldn’t by the stock model and then add all the accessories for that price, so in many ways a CVO has always been a bargain to those that know the expense that really goes into a CVO model.
“In many ways a CVO has always been a bargain to those that know the expense that really goes into a CVO model”…
These were Harley-Davidson’s examples of making the perfect motorcycle for their customers, and I stress, their customers. Harley wasn’t trying the make the fastest, or the best handling, or the lightest Harley-Davidson, they were making the best that their customers wanted. The customer’s feedback has always been a massive part of Harley’s DNA and has always played highly in the final decision of each model in each year’s new line up.
For the 2024 model year, Harley has done something very special, and also taken a leap into an area that the company has shied away from for most of its existence. Yes, there have been a few models over the years that have had some sort of adjustable suspension and some models that have had larger displacement engines than others in the line-up. But this year’s CVO range has truly been exceptional, but the real stand-out is the CVO Road Glide ST. So what is it? CVO is for Custom Vehicle Operations and is pretty much the absolute top spec’ vehicle in the range.
It’s the Road Glide touring model with a unique chassis design that has the frame and front forks as one unit and the engine and swingarm as another unit, they are tied together with a unique rubber mounting system that allows the engine to vibrate in the rubber isolation bushes reducing vibration of the massive V-Twin engine. This gives a much more comfortable ride for the owner and passenger. This system is only in the touring range of models within the Harley-Davidson line up.
The Road Glide has a unique faring that is it fixed to the frame of the motorcycle and offers great protection from wind buffeting but also is very stable in its design if compared to the other Batwing style faring as fitted to other touring model like the Electra Glide, this faring is attached to the forks of the bike which can be a detriment in some circumstances.
The ST stands for Sport Touring, which sounds a bit odd, how can you have sport in a touring motorcycle? Well you can, it’s all relevant really, you can make any bike more sportier, it doesn’t have to be a Jap sportsbike to be sporty. Harley-Davidson has been doing their version of sportsbikes for decades. In the ’50s it was the XLCH sportster, CH stood for “competition hot”.
In the ’80s there was the XR1000, which was based on the legendary XR750 race bike that dominated the American Flat Track and road racing for over 50-years. In more recent times there has been Dyna Sports, Screaming Eagle V-Rods and others that have been a sportier version of the stock model. So the ST designation is a legitimate distinction in the Harley-Davidson model line up over the years.
“This CVO Road Glide ST is by far the most advanced, most powerful and best handling Harley yet, no matter what the base model may have been”…
Never before though, has the ST stood for so much. This CVO Road Glide ST is by far the most advanced, most powerful and best handling Harley yet, no matter what the base model may have been in the past. This ST is a purer sensation when it comes to what is stock on the CVO Road Glide ST that makes it such a great sports touring motorcycle.
“Both ends are fully adjustable with spring preload, compression dampening and rebound damping”.
The power plant is huge, 121 cubic inches (1977cc) of V-Twin muscle. The engine produces 126hp and 142ft-lbs, compare that to a stock Road Glide which makes 107hp and a Road King which makes 93hp. Way more power in bikes that are very much the same base machine. What is really amazing with the new M8 engine is that it is so smooth. It really is hard to comprehend that a 1977cc V-Twin engine could be so compliant and smooth…
“For me, it’s the most complete motorcycle that Harley-Davidson has ever built”…
It pulls from 2000rpm in sixth gear with no complaints, vibration or opposition to what you want it to do, but it can also be revved to redline effortlessly while trying to tear your arms out of their sockets! It is powerful and fast but can also be so docile. You have to give credit to Harley-Davidson, it’s superb.
The massive change in mindset for Harley-Davidson with this model is to fit fully adjustable suspension to this beast. Not just token suspension, but true high quality tuneable suspension. SHOWA is supplying the big piston upside down 47mm front forks and the quality remote canister rear twin shocks. Both ends are fully adjustable with spring preload, compression damping and rebound damping. This is no simple task for Harley, it has meant an entire redesign of the front-end including the triple-trees and bodywork around the top of the forks to give access to the adjusters.
Same goes for the rear to both fit and place the adjusters in an easily accessible position. No lowered suspension for this bike as can be found on other in Harley fleet. The CVO sits high off the ground and has lean angles that give it very good clearance when cornering. The suspension is so compliant over all road conditions yet controls the bike so well when playing hard in the corners, even mid-corner bumps don’t upset the bike or the line you are taking at speed.
“The suspension is so compliant over all road conditions yet controls the bike so well when playing hard in the corners”…
Putting high quality adjustable suspension on a tourer is, in my opinion, one of Harley-Davidson’s greatest decisions in decades. I hope that these innovations on this CVO will find their way onto the more stock models both Touring and Softail families in the near future. The radial mount front Brembo calipers are magnificent! Harley has also gone to 320mm rotors, which just add more to the stopping power of the beast. Wow…
“Everything has a very special place on the bike and all work in harmony with each other to bring together a very beautiful motorcycle”…
The riding position on the CVO Road Glide ST is a real departure from the norm as well, with high risers and flattish ‘bars that give a tall yet sporty feel to them with a hand position that is ideal for control and comfort. The rider foot controls are as you would expect, but the old style foot boards have been replaced with much shorter and stylised boards that allow fare easier movement of your feet, but still give a good purchase on them for those long rides.
The CVO Road Glide ST is equipped with a premium, Harley-Davidson Audio powered by Rockford Fosgat ® Stage II audio system powered by a new 4-channel, 500-watt RMS amplifier.
As an example, I rode my own Street Glide back from Harley headquarters after returning the CVO. I found the stock ‘bars on my bike felt awkward and I didn’t feel as comfortable, it took me most of the 80km trip home to get used to my bike and ‘bars again. I’m now looking to change the ‘bars on my bike to something similar to the CVO set up!
Paul liked the handlebars so much on the CVO that he is modifying his own Street Glide to have a similar position.
The paintwork, body panels and all those things that make a CVO so much more than a stock tourer are there. They are all beautiful pieces of sculpture or colour and detail. Everything has a very special place on the bike and all work in harmony with each other to bring together a very beautiful motorcycle. Attention to detail has always been a strong point with Harley-Davidson and this bike is no exception.
“The brilliance of the paint is exceptional. The detail to controls, grips, fittings are all first class”…
The seat, although only solo, is so comfortable yet so in the right style of a custom CVO. It is some form of suede with side panels and stitching that is art. The use of carbon-fibre flakes on some panels just adds to the look of the bike to bring it up to CVO specification. The brilliance of the paint is exceptional. The detail to controls, grips, fittings are all first class…
The infotainment system is absolute quality with the functionality that only Harley can do. From maps to music, it is all brilliant. The modes and individual maps that can be used or made are all so simple to find and do. The different modes do work and make a noticeable change in the manners of the CVO ST. A comforting thought for today’s roads and weather to be able to control the dynamics and power of the CVO at the touch of a screen or button is truly modern.
OK, so does it stack up as the perfect bike? For me, it’s the most complete motorcycle that Harley-Davidson has ever built. The fact that it’s a CVO and is $16,500 more than a stock Road Glide just doesn’t seem all that much more compared to what you get – it’s a complete bike, the looks, power, handling and prestige. Sounds perfect to me!
2024 Harley Davidson CVO Road Glide Tech Talk
The Milwaukee-Eight VVT 121 powertrain is used in the 2024 CVO Road Glide ST model. This 121-cubic-inch 45-degree V-Twin engine is the largest factory installed torque and displacement available in a Harley-Davidson Touring motorcycle, with 126hp and 194Nm on tap…
The Milwaukee-Eight VVT 121 is equipped with a number of new features, including optimised liquid-cooled cylinder-heads with a new cooling system, variable valve timing (VVT), and a new intake tract. A single counter-balancer is tuned to cancel undesirable vibration. Through computer control, VVT advances or retards camshaft timing infinitely through a potential range of 40 degrees of crankshaft rotation (20 degrees of camshaft rotation).
An improved cooling system focused on the exhaust valve area of each cylinder-head further improves thermal comfort. Redesigned four-valve cylinder-heads incorporate new channels for coolant flow around the exhaust valve areas. An electric pump circulates a coolant solution first to the hotter rear cylinder-head, then to the front cylinder-head, and then to a radiator located low on the front of the frame and backed by a thermostatically controlled fan.
2024 Harley-Davidson Road Glide ST CVO 121.
The cylinder-heads feature a combustion chamber reshaped with oval intake ports, low-profile intake valve seats and an enhanced squish band, which combined increase intake air velocity and tumble and accelerate combustion to improve performance and fuel economy. The compression ratio is 11.4:1, higher compression is enabled by improvement of the cylinder-head cooling design, the burn rate in the combustion chamber, and enhanced knock sensing to protect the engine from pre-ignition.
A high-performance camshaft with higher lift and longer duration than the Milwaukee-Eight 117 camshaft contributes to increased power and torque. The valvetrain is updated with high capacity lifters and inner cam bearing, and valve springs capable of higher lift, to maintain durability with the more-aggressive camshaft in place.
A new intake tract contributes to increased power and lower exhaust emissions. The throttle-body diameter is increased to 58mm from the 55mm used on Milwaukee-Eight 117 engines, and the throttle body is positioned closer to the centre of the cylinder spacing. The new contoured aluminium intake manifold offers a more-direct air path and creates a smooth transition from the round throttle body to the oval intake ports..
Front suspension is 47mm SHOWA inverted forks with 117mm of travel, while the rear sees 76mm of travel. This is a 50 per cent increase in travel compared to comparable old Grand American Touring models. SHOWA dual outboard emulsion technology shock absorbers feature a new remote hydraulic pre-load adjustment knob located forward of the left saddlebag.
Braking is provided by Brembo components, dual front disc brakes feature new radially mounted four-piston Brembo callipers. The front brake rotor diameter is increased to 320mm from 300mm (previous models). The single rear brake features a four-piston Brembo calliper.
For the first time the CVO Road Glide offers selectable Ride Modes. Each mode consists of a specific combination of power delivery, engine braking, Cornering-Antilock Braking System (C-ABS) and Cornering-Traction Control System (C-TCS) settings.
- Road Mode: Intended for daily use, Road Mode delivers balanced performance. This mode offers less-aggressive throttle response and less mid-range engine power than Sport Mode, with a higher level of C-ABS and C-TCS intervention.
- Sport Mode: Sport Mode can maximise the rider’s connection to the motorcycle. The rider can experience the full performance potential of the motorcycle in a direct and precise manner, with full power and the quickest throttle response. C-TCS is set to its lowest level of intervention, and engine braking is increased.
- Rain Mode: This mode is designed to give the rider greater confidence when riding in the rain or when traction is otherwise compromised. Rain Mode is also an appropriate setting for riders building confidence as they become familiar with the motorcycle. Throttle response and power output are programmed to significantly restrain the rate of acceleration, engine braking is limited, and the highest levels of C-ABS and C-TCS intervention are selected.
- Custom Mode: Within two available Custom Ride Modes the rider may create a set of performance characteristics to meet personal preference or for special situations. To create a Custom Mode the rider uses the touch screen display to select their combined preference of engine torque delivery characteristics, engine braking, throttle response, and C-TCS and C-ABS intervention, within specific ranges.
Rider Safety Enhancements by Harley-Davidson, a collection of technologies designed to enhance rider confidence, are featured on the CVO Road Glide ST. These models include the following elements of Rider Safety Enhancements by Harley-Davidson:
- Cornering Electronically Linked Brakes (C-ELB)
- Cornering ABS (C-ABS)
- Cornering Traction Control (C-TCS) with modes
- Cornering Drag Torque Slip Control (C-DTSC)
- Vehicle Hold Control (VHC)
- Tyre Pressure Monitoring (TPMS)
Each aero system element was created using CFD (computational fluid dynamics) tools, wind tunnel analysis and real-world subjective testing with an emphasis on reducing rider helmet buffeting at highway speed. The new adjustable control vane in the fairing centre vent allows the rider to dial in airflow for comfort in most conditions..
The CVO Road Glide ST has an infotainment technology powered by the new Skyline OS. This premium display is bright and well-organised, is customisable within three distinct view options, and is compatible with Apple and Android devices.
The CVO Road Glide ST features the following infotainment features:
- The 312mm Touch Screen TFT
- Wi-Fi connectivity enables wireless connection to a rider’s device and to provide live services such as traffic, weather and navigation map updates.
- Voice Recognition System is conversational rather than “fixed prompts” and allows the rider to make general commands like “Find me a gas station” to perform a search on Navigation.
- Built-in user interface on the touch screen allows the owner to activate the ECU programming required for installation of certain accessories.
- DAB (Digital Audio Broadcasting) is now available for Australia and certain other markets.
- The Bluetooth receiver for wireless headsets is now built into the system.
- The CVO Road Glide ST is equipped with a premium, Harley-Davidson Audio powered by Rockford Fosgat ® Stage II audio system powered by a new 4-channel, 500-watt RMS amplifier.
2024 Harley-Davidson CVO Road Glide ST Specifications
Price: From $62,995 (ride away)
Colours: Raven Metallic/Golden Pearl White
Warranty: Two-years unlimited km
Service: 1600km then every 8000km
Claimed Fuel Consumption: 6L/100km
Claimed Power: 94kW@5020rpm
Claimed Torque: 193Nm@3750rpm
Wet Weight: 380kg
Fuel capacity: 22.7L
Engine: Milwaukee-Eight 121 V-Twin, 1977cc (121 cu. in.), 103.5 x 117.5mm bore x stroke, 11.4:1 compression ratio, VVTI, ESPFI two-into-one-into-two exhaust
Gearbox: Primary drive: 34/46. Six-speed – 1st: 9.593, 6.65, 4.938, 4.0, 3.407, 6th: 2.875 Final Belt 32/68, Wet multi-plate, cable actuation
Chassis: Mild steel; tubular frame; two-piece stamped and welded backbone; cast and forged junctions; twin downtubes; bolt-on rear frame with forged fender supports; MIG welded.
Rake: 26° Trail: 170mm
Suspension: 47mm Inverted 1×1 Front Forks, 117mm travel, Dual adjustable emulsions suspension with remote preload adjustment on the left shock, and threaded preload on the right shock, 76mm travel.
Brakes: 300mm rotors, Brembo Four-piston fixed calipers (f), 300mm rotor, two-piston floating caliper (r), ABS
Wheels & Tyres: Black 7 spoke cast alloy, 130/60 – 19in (f), 180/55 – 18in (r), Dunlop
Dimensions:
Wheelbase: 1625mm
Seat height: 720mm
Ground clearance: 130mm
Overall Length: 2410mm
Lean Angle: 32/32º
Instruments: Skyline OS, 312mm TFT, Two 6.5in fairing speakers, and two 5x7in saddlebag speakers, Cornering Electronically Linked Brakes (C-ELB), Cornering ABS (C-ABS), Cornering Traction Control (C-TCS) with modes, Cornering Drag Torque Slip Control (C-DTSC), Vehicle Hold Control (VHC), Tyre Pressure Monitoring (TPMS). Apple CarPlay.
Editor’s Note: If you are reading this article on any website other than BikeReview.com.au, please report it to BikeReview via our contact page, as it has been stolen or re-published without authority.
Ratings | Bike Review | 2024 Harley-Davidson CVO Road Glide ST
Perfection!
The 2024 Harley-Davidson CVO Road Glide ST is jam packed with top quality kit, you just could not build this bike yourself from a Road Glide for the same price. We put this weapon to the test and come back inspired!
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