Harley-Davidson CVO Road Glide bagger (2023 - ) review review

In case you hadn’t noticed, Harley-Davidson doesn’t do sweeping re-designs of its traditional touring machines. Or, at least, hasn’t until now. Finally confronting the issue of what it calls the massive ‘used park’ of near-identical looking second-hand tourers Harley has decided on a bolder re-style than ever before with the handlebar-mounted ‘bat wing’ fairing on the Electra Glide-derived Street Glide and this frame-mounted ‘shark nose’ fairing for the Road Glide range. Although these signatures remain the CVOs are far more modern and dynamic looking, have more power, significantly updated chassis with various Harley-Davidson ‘firsts’ and a fabulous spec built round a new 12.3-inch TT dash. It’s all executed brilliantly, too, albeit at a price approaching £40K.

Although bodywork, seat and tank are all new, the riding positions of both bikes remain classic ‘bagger’, which is to say a touring bike pared back with a chopped screen and no top box to keep the custom fans happy as well. The CVO Street Glide, in having its fairing closer to the rider, also has lower, narrower bars, adding up to a riding position that feels a little ‘contained’ and cute. By contrast, the CVO Road Glide is expansively roomy. The new frame-mounted fairing is larger and further away from the rider while higher, wider bars add up to more room and improved weather protection even with the cut-down screen. If you want a higher one it’s available as an accessory. There are also footboards and a classic heel/toe gearchange, a gloriously panoramic, full-width TFT dash and a sumptuously padded, all-day comfortable seat. We didn’t try the pillion.

The new CVO Road Glide is a £40,000 premium Harley-Davidson so practicality will never be perfect. Who’d want to ruin it by using it as a year-round commuter, after all? That said, the whole popularity of the bagger breed is based on their combination of attractive custom style with practical long-distance comfort and luggage-carrying ability. And the Road Glide is one of the best. So, for covering big miles it’s near-perfect, is decent for pillions and, especially with the extra 10 per cent in performance and improved handling of the lightened CVO version, it’s decent enough through the bends as well. Manageability for such a big bike is better as well and, despite its bulky size, it can traverse towns reasonably as well. But, let’s be real, it’s no all-rounder.

However improved the dynamics may be the CVO Road Glide is still a heavyweight machine, and a long way from being a sportster. But in the context of American tourers and, in particular, Harley baggers, it’s a big step up. The increase to 115 horsepower adds eagerness and comes from increased stroke taking the engine to 121 cubic inches – 1,977cc in new money – plus high-compression heads and improved flow through intake and exhaust valves. Electronic rider modes are a first for a ‘big twin’ Harley tourer, these comprising Sport, Road, Rain and two custom settings and adding real dynamism, especially in Sport. Yes, it’s still a thundering V-twin with all the lazy charm you’d expect of a Harley. But it’s also livelier than ever. The same is true of its brakes. Radially mounted four-piston calipers are another first for a Harley tourer, the discs bigger for more power and feel that was already improved by the small but significant weight saving for the CVO. It’s no sports bike but pulls up well for a big, heavy tourer.

The improvements continue here, too. Nearly 16kg has been saved through the changes to the engine, new forks, a lighter gauge tank and more besides, all helping the CVO’s handling and all-round manageability. Suspension action is also better thanks to the 47mm upside-down ‘big-piston’ Showas up front and revised shocks at the back with, it’s claimed, 50mm more travel. It’s still an upright, hefty and fairly cumbersome bagger but it’s also significantly more nimble and precise through turns and less jarring over bumps. For its intended purpose owners should have few complaints.

Again, we’re talking not just about a high-end, big twin Harley tourer, but a brand-new, high-tech and premium-priced one, so running costs are never likely to be cheap. As new, the base CVO Road Glide costs a whopping £38,795 before OTR costs – that’s around £10K more than the standard version. Nor does it end there. Insurance won’t be cheap, although actual day-to-day running costs shouldn’t be too bad. Final drive is by belt and the demands put on consumables such as tyres and brake pads shouldn’t be too severe, either. Fuel consumption, due to the lighter weight and engine revisions, is actually claimed be improved by up to five per cent as well!

There’s so much new about the CVO Road Glide it’s impossible to be certain about its likely reliability. That said, the powertrain is based on an engine that has been constantly developed over nearly 40 years, its new cycle parts are all top notch, it’s lighter than before to the hopeful benefit of reduced wear and tear and, overall, Harley generally has a pretty good reliability record. It’s not like many of them get ridden for big mileages anyway and the CVO is a premium, flagship machine Harley has developed over three years and has been determined to get right.

As with all big twin Harley-Davidsons, the new CVO Road Glide comes as standard with a manufacturer-backed, two-year, unlimited mileage warranty covering all parts and labour, with an extended five-year warranty also available as an extra cost option. Servicing is fairly standard and familiar, too, with checks due every 5,000 miles or annually, although we would expect the cost of these to be higher than usual due to the extra complexity of the uprated engine.

How long have you got? As you might expect from a flagship Harley tourer costing nearly £40K, the new CVO Road Glide pretty much has it all. On top of the extra performance and improved chassis there are now five electronic riding modes, cornering ABS and traction control, the built-in infotainment system is Harley’s best yet, you get tyre pressure monitoring and adjustable heated grips plus standard panniers and that expansive fairing. If you want to quibble, the screen is a touch low and unadjustable, but that’s in its nature of being a bagger and, if you want a taller one, it’s available as an extra cost accessory along with a whole host of extras.

If you want a big, bagger style V-twin cruiser that also has plenty of touring ability, the Harley-Davidson Road Glide (or the Street Glide, if you prefer) remain definitive choices. And the new CVO version is a significant and sizeable step-up from that, with extra performance, handling, equipment and style. Of course, you pay significantly for the privilege, and we’re not entirely sure it’s worth the £10K+ premium. Nor is it likely to win over anyone not previously convinced by the whole Harley bagger thing. If you are, though, it’s the best yet by a long (and expensive) way.