Harley-Davidson 2023: CVO Street Glide and CVO Road Glide with VVT

The CVO Touring range features significant engine improvements and a new body design.

As we reported back in April, it looked like HD was going to equip its mid-year CVO models with a new 121ci engine and upgraded suspension. Finally, Harley has just unveiled detailed specs for the 2023 CVO Street Glide and 2023 CVO Road Glide. They feature the aforementioned new Milwaukee Eight VVT 121 engine that appears in both new 2023 CVO models, as well as beefier Showa suspension components front and rear, new riding modes, a new infotainment system, and redesigned bodywork including the fairing, fuel tank, and saddlebags.

The main mechanical improvements apply to both CVO models. The headline feature of both is obviously the new Milwaukee-Eight 121ci V-twin engine, which HD claims produces approximately 8 percent more torque and 9.5 percent more power than the twin-cooled M-8 117. So we're talking 115 hp at 4500 rpm and 189 Nm of torque at 3000 rpm from the 1977 cc engine, which also employs variable valve timing (VVT). The M-8 121 engine features redesigned water-cooled cylinder heads with new channels for coolant flow around the exhaust valves; the goal here is to reduce heat transfer to the rider, especially in low-speed, hot-weather scenarios. A high-performance camshaft with increased lift and duration also increases power and torque; compared to the Milwaukee Eight 117 engine, the compression ratio is increased to 11.4:1 in the 121. It features a balancing counterweight to cancel out any unwanted vibration. Other refinements to the 45-degree Big Twin include a new intake manifold and a larger-diameter throttle body (now 58 mm) located closer to the center of the cylinder and the intake valves for improved airflow. A larger, lighter air cleaner replaces the Heavy Breather intake used on previous CVO engines and is paired with a new performance exhaust featuring a larger-diameter muffler (increased to 4.5 inches from the previous 4.0 inches) with a high-flow design.

Another plus for both models is the new suspension, with 47mm inverted Showa forks offering 4.6 inches of travel up front, with no adjustability (still a 50% improvement over the outgoing model). At the rear are a pair of Showa outboard emulsion shocks offering a more modest 3 inches of travel, though they're at least adjustable for preload via a remote hydraulic adjustment knob near the left pannier. Rebound can also be adjusted for the rear, accessed by removing the panniers. Braking performance on the new "Glide" CVO models also gets a boost thanks to larger-diameter front discs and premium Brembo components. The dual front disc brakes, now 320mm in size, are fitted with radially mounted four-piston Brembo calipers, while the single rear brake features a two-piston Brembo caliper with a 300mm disc.

Street Glide CVO 2023

The visual changes to the CVO Street Glide model may appear minor at first glance, but there is substantial refinement over its immediate predecessor. The most striking feature is the updated "batwing" fairing, which retains the iconic "T" design but simplifies its silhouette, with the split-flow vent now fully integrated into the design. As a distinctive design element, the LED headlight takes on a new shape with its amber LED turn signals now integrated into the left and right light elements for a cleaner overall appearance. Additional LED elements flare outward from the main lamp along the left and right sides of the fairing for a dramatic effect. The combination tail brake light/taillight/turn signal light now moves between the rear fender and saddlebags, and for even more visibility, the light remains illuminated for 10 seconds after the motorcycle is turned off.

The new fairing also features a "floating" windshield design with a new adjustable control lever on the center fairing vent on both models, allowing the rider to adjust the airflow, thereby balancing the air pressure behind the fairing to minimize helmet buffeting at speed. Air deflectors on the CVO Street Glide's fork skirts can also be adjusted to reduce wind turbulence on the rider's head. Other subtle design cues on both models include shorter front fenders, a new 6-gallon fuel tank with a distinctive side bezel, and reshaped saddlebags designed to integrate with the fairings and gas tank. New Combo Cast Laced wheels make a bold custom statement with a black, machined, cast-aluminum rim and laced spokes. Like the CVO Road Glide, the Street Glide comes in two trim options.

Ergonomic issues have also been addressed in the new CVO Street Glide, with a redesigned seat and padding designed to place the rider's hips in a neutral position, reducing back and neck fatigue. The front brake lever reach can also be adjusted to better suit the rider's hand size or preference, and the temperature of the standard heated grips can be adjusted at the grip or via the infotainment screen.

As for that infotainment, it's now based around a 12.3-inch TFT touchscreen that's 90 percent larger diagonally than the outgoing unit and replaces most of the switchgear on previous CVOs. It's powered by a new operating system called Skyline that has a snazzy new voice recognition system and supports Bluetooth and Apple CarPlay (though not Android just yet), as well as a host of other add-ons. Both CVO models are also fitted with a premium, high-performance Harley-Davidson audio system powered by the Rockford Fosgate Stage II sound system bolstered by a new 500-watt, four-channel RMS amplifier and backed by 6.5-inch fairing speakers and three 5 x 7-inch Stage II saddlebag speakers.

That new touchscreen is also the gateway to four new selectable riding modes, a first for the CVO Street Glide and CVO Road Glide models. Each mode (Rain, Road, Sport, and Custom) is configured to deliver a specific combination of power intervention, engine braking, anti-lock brakes (C-ABS), and traction control (C-TCS). In addition to Cornering ABS and Cornering Traction Control systems, the two new CVOs also include Cornering Electronically Linked Brakes (C-ELB), Cornering Drag Torque Slip Control (C-DTSC), Vehicle Hold Control (VHC), and Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS).

Road Glide CVO 2023

The 2023 CVO Road Glide model features all the same engine, suspension, lighting, and electronics upgrades as the Street Glide, and many of the same ergonomic ones. The classic Road Glide "sharknose" fairing, for example, gets an aggressive update with more angular shapes. You can see how the trailing edge of the new fairing blends into the shape of the fuel tank and the lower portion of the fairing into the front engine cylinder, while pinstriping echoes the design of the saddlebags. A single LED headlight takes on a wide, horizontal shape and gives the illusion of twin elements, reprising a key feature of previous Road Glides. The "W" shape of that forward lighting is a dead giveaway, though the amber turn signals are now integrated with the outer portion of the main lighting, abandoning the previous bullet-style indicators.

The CVO Road Glide shares most of its other basic body shapes with the CVO Street Glide as well, though it has new adjustable levers on the trailing edge of its fairing that HD says can be used to fine-tune airflow to the rider’s torso for desired comfort. The CVO Road Glide’s handlebar has a wider, flatter bend than the previous shape, which puts the rider’s hands in a more natural position for long-distance riding and also allows for 27 degrees of adjustability. On both bikes, Harley says the dry weight has been reduced quite a bit through the use of different materials and processes. The weight savings are 14 kilos for the CVO Street Glide and 16 kilos for the CVO Road Glide, compared to the older models they replace.

“With the new CVO Street Glide and CVO Road Glide models, our mission is to enhance every aspect of the Grand American Touring motorcycling experience,” said Jochen Zeitz, president and CEO of Harley-Davidson. “These models set a new standard for Harley-Davidson performance, technology, and style, accelerating the evolution of the world’s most desirable motorcycle brand.”

The new CVO Street Glide and CVO Road Glide models will be offered with two paint/trim options. The standard Dark Platinum with Bright Smoked Satin accents and a color-matched inner fairing is contrasted by a black powertrain and air cleaner with chrome engine accents. The lower rocker boxes, pushrod tubes, and exhaust also feature a Scorched Chrome finish; Adversary Collection accessories feature a black powder-coat finish with machined highlights. Optionally, a two-tone Whiskey Neat/Raven Metallic finish is hand-applied and features a color-matched inner fairing. The powertrain and air cleaner are black with orange accents on the engine inserts, while the lower rocker boxes and pushrod tube collars are painted Whiskey Neat. The pushrod tubes and exhaust are chrome. The Adversary Collection accessories feature a dual-anodized black and orange finish. The CVO Street Glide and CVO Road Glide models will begin arriving at Harley-Davidson dealerships worldwide in mid-July and will be unveiled at the Motor Company's anniversary celebrations this summer.