Video Review: 2023 Harley-Davidson CVO Road Glide 121

Ever wonder what nearly $63,000 gets you on two wheels? Look no further than the new Harley-Davidson CVO range; welcome to premium luxury. I took on the heavily updated CVO Road Glide with it’s massive 121ci VVT Milwaukee-Eight for two weeks…

Check out Zane’s full review here…

2023 Harley Davidson CVO Road Glide Tech Talk

The new Milwaukee-Eight VVT 121 powertrain is only used in the 2023 CVO Street Glide and CVO Road Glide models. This 121-cubic-inch 45-degree V-Twin engine is the largest factory installed torque and displacement available in a Harley-Davidson Touring motorcycle – approximately 8 percent more torque and 9.5 percent more horsepower than the TwinCooled Milwaukee-Eight 117 engine.

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.

Milwaukee-Eight VVT 121 Specs

• Displacement: 121 cubic inches (1977cc)
• Bore x Stroke: 4.075″ (103.5mm) x 4.625″ (117.5mm)
• Compression Ratio: 11.4:1
• Torque: 183Nm@3500RPM
• Horsepower: 86kW@5020RPM

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.

This 121ci 45-degree V-Twin is the largest factory installed torque and displacement available in a Harley-Davidson.

New 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 increased to 11.4:1 from 10.2:1 (2022 Milwaukee-Eight 117 engine), 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..

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.

Front suspension is 47mm SHOWA inverted forks with 117mm of travel, while the rear sees 76mm of travel. This is a 50 percent increase in travel compared to comparable 2022 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.

Street Glide Dark Platinum.

Road Glide Whiskey Neat/Raven Metallic.

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.

300mm rotors, Brembo Four-piston fixed calipers.

300mm rotor, two-piston floating caliper.

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 Street Glide and CVO Road Glide models. 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 of both models allows the rider to dial in airflow for comfort in most conditions..

The CVO Street Glide and CVO Road Glide models introduce an all-new suite of infotainment technology powered by the new Skyline OS. A TFT colour touch screen is the most tech-forward display ever offered for a Harley-Davidson.

The CVO Street Glide and CVO Road Glide models introduce an all-new suite of 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.

Rockford Fosgate system.

5×7 saddlebag speakers.

The CVO Street Glide and CVO Road Glide feature the following new infotainment features:

• The 12.3-inch Touch Screen TFT
• New Wi-Fi connectivity enables wireless connection to a rider’s device and to provide live services such as traffic, weather and navigation map updates.
• The new 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.
• The new 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 Street Glide and CVO Road Glide models are 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.

Pricing for the both the CVO Road Glide and the CVO Street Glide starts from $62,495 rideaway. If you’re interested in checking them out, head here.

The new CVO Street Glide and CVO Road Glide models will be offered with two paint/finish choices: Standard Dark Platinum with Bright Smoked Satin pinstriping and colour-matched inner fairing. And, optional for an additional charge, Whiskey Neat/Raven Metallic two-tone with colour matched inner fairing. This complex paint scheme is hand-applied.

Street Glide Whiskey Neat/Raven Metallic.

Road Glide Dark Platinum.

2023 Harley-Davidson CVO Road Glide Specifications

www.harley-davidson.com

Price: From $62,495 (ride away)
Colours: Dark Platinum, Whiskey Neat/Raven Metallic (+$7,810)
Warranty: Two-years unlimited km
Service: 1600km then every 8000km
Claimed Fuel Consumption: N/A
Claimed Power: 86kW@5020rpm
Claimed Torque: 183Nm@3500rpm
Wet Weight: 393kg
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 130/60 – 19in (f), 180/55 – 18in (r), Dunlop

Dimensions:
Wheelbase: 1625mm
Seat height: 720mm
Ground clearance: 145mm
Overall Length: 2410mm
Lean Angle: N/A

Instruments: Skyline OS, 12.2in 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.

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