FEATURE – 2023 Harley-Davidson CVO Road Glide and CVO Street Glide
Words: Mike Ryan
Photos: Harley-Davidson ANZ
After being teased back in April, Harley-Davidson’s CVO Street Glide and CVO Road Glide for 2023 had their official unveiling in June. In what’s arguably the biggest change for both models since the introduction of the Milwaukee-Eight v-twin for 2017, the MY23 CVO pair feature new styling, improved ergonomics, new tech and new rider assist features. Most importantly, these premium baggers also get a new powerplant.
The key change for the 2023 CVO Street Glide and CVO Road Glide is the adoption of the ‘Milwaukee-Eight VVT 121’, a 121 cubic inch engine that’s exclusive to these models. Both are also lighter than the CVOs they replace and introduce new technologies and a new infotainment system. Additionally, premium components, like Showa suspension and Brembo brakes, come as standard.
Riding modes have been added for the first time and the aerodynamic efficiency has been optimised through changes to each model’s fairing. Ergonomics have changed, too, with a redesigned seat for both models and a wider, flatter handlebar for the CVO Road Glide.
“With the all-new CVO Street Glide and CVO Road Glide models, our mission is to advance every aspect of the Grand American Touring motorcycling experience,” said Jochen Zeitz, Chairman, 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.”
New Style
In terms of styling, virtually all the key elements on the 2023 CVO Street Glide and CVO Road Glide have been changed, from the front mudguard to the fuel tank, seat and saddlebags, but the most notable difference on both models are new fairings.
The CVO Street Glide retains its fork-mounted ‘batwing’ fairing, while the CVO Road Glide continues to use the frame-mounted ‘sharknose’ fairing, but both have had major design makeovers.
For the 2023 CVO Street Glide, the fairing shape is broadly the same, but has been aerodynamically optimised, with tapered outer edges and a noticeable scoop on the bottom edge. The circular LED headlight within this fairing has been reshaped, too, with flattened upper and lower edges. The indicators are now incorporated into LED lighting strips within the fairing itself, rather than suspended underneath. As in some cars and SUVs, these indicators offer additional illumination when not activated.
On the 2023 CVO Road Glide, the key change to that model’s sharknose fairing is the switch from two headlights to one, but signature LED lighting elements either side of the new single headlight maintain a link to the old fairing’s look. As with the CVO Street Glide, these additional lighting elements contain the front indicators.
Additionally, the CVO Road Glide’s fairing shape now blends with the line of the fuel tank at the rear, while a similar approach has been taken to contour the lower fairing around the front cylinder.
Both of the new fairings include storage space for phones, wallets or other small items. On the CVO Street Glide, there’s a single storage compartment, measuring 254mm wide by 203mm deep, that’s located below the central infotainment screen and includes a USB-C socket. The CVO Road Glide has two compartments, one of which has a USB-C socket. In both cases, the compartments have spring-loaded doors to keep items secure, while the CVO Street Glide’s storage has a slide-out tray.
Beyond the new fairings, there’s a new look to the fuel tank for both models, with what Harley-Davidson calls a “taut and stretched surface,” but capacity remains at 22.7 litres. The sidecovers have been reshaped with the same approach in mind, while the front mudguard has been trimmed down and bobbed at the trailing edge.
The saddlebags appear much smaller (or at least shorter) than last year, but Harley-Davdson claims they offer more volume. However, a comparison of the spec sheet for both the 2023 and 2022 models shows capacity has been reduced from a combined 68 litres to 62 litres.
Combo Cast Laced wheels are a new design, and as the name suggests, combine cast alloy construction with laced spokes. Fitted in a 19-inch front and 18-inch rear combination, these wheels are common to both 2023 CVO models, but have a different finish depending on which of the two available colour options are selected.
Of those options, ‘Dark Platinum’ is the default, with ‘Whiskey Neat/Raven Metallic’ available at extra cost. Dark Platinum includes Bright Smoked Satin pinstripes, but is a monotone treatment, while the copper look of Whiskey Neat is contrasted by scalloped sections in Raven Metallic (black), to which a grey airbrush fade and orange pinstripe outline are applied by hand.
Detailing on the Dark Platinum option includes engine parts in Gloss Black, a Scorched Chrome finish for the exhaust and black powdercoated parts from the Adversary Collection of accessories.
Whiskey Neat/Raven Metallic adds Gloss Black sections and some colour-matched inserts to the Milwaukee-Eight 121 engine, along with a chrome finish for the pushrod tubes and exhaust. Adversary Collection accessories for this colour scheme combine black and orange anodised finishes for a slightly more traditional look overall than the ‘blackout’ treatment of Dark Platinum.
Milwaukee-Eight VVT 121
The key mechanical change on the MY23 CVO Street Glide and CVO Road Glide is the Milwaukee Eight VVT 121 engine. While v-twins of larger capacity have been available through the Screamin’ Eagle range as a dealer-installed upgrade, this is the first time an engine of such capacity has been fitted at the factory.
Obviously, the Milwaukee-Eight VVT 121 is bigger than the Milwaukee-Eight 117, and is the largest factory-fitted engine Harley has ever offered. It’s only available on the CVO Street Glide and CVO Road Glide - at least for now (the CVO Road Glide Limited Anniversary that was unveiled in January uses the 117 engine).
Harley-Davidson have not yet indicated whether the CVO Tri Glide will return for 2023, but given the Road Glide 3 was added to the trike range this year, it seems unlikely. If an MY23 CVO Tri Glide is released, it’ll almost certainly be powered by the Milwaukee-Eight VVT 121, too.
Compared to the Milwaukee-Eight 117, the four extra cubic inches in the 121 results in a claimed power increase of 9.5 per cent and torque increase of 8 per cent. Listed maximums are 86kW (115hp) at 5020rpm and 183Nm (135lb/ft) at 3500rpm. This compares to 77kW and 169Nm from the Milwaukee-Eight 117 fitted to last year’s CVO Street Glide and CVO Road Glide.
Beyond its larger 1977cc capacity (compared to the 117’s 1923cc), the 121 engine also brings new features and technologies, like variable valve timing, liquid-cooled cylinder heads, a new cooling system and new inlet manifold.
A Harley-Davidson first, the variable valve timing (VVT) on the Milwaukee-Eight 121 broadens the powerband and improves torque management, while also benefitting efficiency. Compared to the Milwaukee-Eight 117, an improvement in fuel economy of between 3 and 5 per cent is claimed.
Redesigning the camshaft for higher lift and duration plays its part in upping the power and torque, with the valvetrain updated with higher capacity lifters. Changes have also been made to the inner cam bearing and valve springs to suit. Throttle bodies have been increased from 55mm to 58mm and there’s a new intake manifold that offers improved, more direct airflow – mass flow is increased by 7.5 per cent and port velocity by 10.3 per cent.
In harmony with this, the Heavy Breather air intake is replaced with an all-new airbox with more volume (around 50 per cent greater) for more power. Additional byproducts of this new airbox are less intake noise, reduced weight and fewer parts and fasteners.
Cylinder heads for the 45-degree v-twin are reshaped to accommodate liquid cooling and adopt oval intake ports, low-profile valve seats and an enhanced squish band (piston/head clearance) for improved combustion. This has allowed the compression ratio to be increased from 10.2:1 to 11.4:1, resulting in improved fuel economy and more torque at low rpm.
Key to being able to increase the compression ratio is the liquid cooling for the cylinder heads, which focuses on the exhaust valves and routes coolant firstly to the rear cylinder, then the front cylinder before returning to the front-mounted radiator, which includes a thermo fan. As well as keeping the Milwaukee-Eight 121 engine cool, this system also improves rider comfort. In the same vein, attention has been paid to small elements, like the air flow from the fan, to minimise discomfort for rider and pillion.
At the outlet end of the Milwaukee-Eight VVT 121, there’s a high-performance exhaust system with larger mufflers (increased in diameter from 4.0 to 4.5 inches) as part of a high-flow design that’s been tuned specifically for the CVO pair. The result is a sound that Harley-Davidson says is exhilarating and also notably different from other Grand American Touring models.
Finally, recognising the strain placed on the battery by things like the electronic rider aids and advanced infotainment system, the Milwaukee-Eight 121 increases charging output from 48 peak amps to 58 peak amps, compared to the Milwaukee-Eight 117.
On the transmission, the six-speed Cruise Drive carries over for the 2023 CVOs, but Harley says changes to the shift drum make it easier to find neutral. Belt final drive remains, too.
Lighter Weight, Premium Spec
While one would expect the bigger Milwaukee-Eight 121 to give the 2023 CVO Street Glide and CVO Road Glide a weight penalty, both are lighter than the models they replace. In the case of the CVO Street Glide, weight has been reduced by 14kg to 380kg wet, with the CVO Road Glide lighter by 15kg, for a 393kg wet weight.
Harley don’t elaborate on how they’ve managed such a significant reduction, other than to say they “shaved grams, wherever possible”. Outside reporting states that the weight savings can be attributed to things like new castings for the fork yokes and thinner gauge steel for the fuel tank, amongst others.
Showa suspension remains, but the forks have been reduced in diameter from 49mm to 47mm on both models. Front suspension travel of 117mm remains, but at the rear, travel is now 76mm – a 50 per cent increase on the 2022 models. That may still seem short, but remember, these are baggers, so being low to the ground is all part of the aesthetic.
On the rear dual shock system, there’s rebound and preload adjustability. A new, tool less remote preload adjuster has been added on the nearside (located in front of the saddlebag), while the main adjuster for primary load is on the offside and requires both an adjustment tool and removal of the saddlebag to access. For rebound adjustment, there’s a dial on the bottom of each shock.
To rein in the extra power and torque from the Milwaukee-Eight 121, changes to the braking include larger 320mm front discs (previously 300mm) and radial mounting for the Brembo four-piston front calipers. A four-piston Brembo caliper is also used on the 300mm rear disc, while both Cornering Enhanced ABS and ELB are standard. The latter is part of Harley-Davidson’s existing Rider Safety Enhancements package that includes Cornering Enhanced Traction Control and Drag Torque Slip Control, Vehicle Hold Control and a Tyre Pressure Monitoring System.
LED lighting all round is a feature on the target="_blank"2023 CVO Street Glide and target="_blank"CVO Road Glide, while the redesigned fairings on each model now incorporate the aforementioned signature lighting that includes the front indicators.
The headlight on each model is designed to provide an even spread of light, while the shutdown sequence keeps the signature lighting on for a 10-second period after the motorcycle is switched off.
Riding Modes Introduced
For 2023, both the CVO Street Glide and CVO Road Glide offer a model first in selectable riding modes. These work much like similar systems on other motorcycles, adjusting engine output, throttle response and tech intervention to suit different riding situations. ‘Road,’ ‘Sport’ and ‘Rain’ modes are available, most of which can be changed on the go.
Road is the default mode, with standard throttle response, less mid-range output from the Milwaukee-Eight 121 and both the Cornering ABS and Cornering TCS intervention at a medium level.
Sport mode unlocks the full engine power and provides the quickest throttle response, with engine braking increased and Cornering TCS at its lowest level.
Rain mode has the lowest engine power, mildest throttle response and highest Cornering ABS and Cornering TCS intervention. Apart from its obvious application in wet conditions, this mode is recommended for CVO newcomers as they build confidence in and familiarity with the motorcycle.
Beyond these pre-set modes, there are also two Custom modes that allow riders to set their own combination of engine output, throttle response, engine braking, Cornering ABS and Cornering TCS levels via the touchscreen instrument display.
More Comfort – as Standard
On the ergonomic front, the improved cooling on the Milwaukee-Eight 121 will bring obvious advantages in terms of rider and pillion comfort, especially at lower speeds, but other improvements have been made, too.
The aforementioned new fairings for the 2023 CVO Street Glide and CVO Road Glide are more than just styling exercises. Both the CVO Street Glide’s fork-mounted fairing and the CVO Road Glide’s frame-mounted fairing have been aerodynamically optimised to maximise comfort on long haul rides.
Using computational fluid dynamics, wind tunnel testing and real world riding, changes to both types of fairing have reduced helmet buffeting by an average of 60 per cent compared to last year’s CVO models, according to Harley-Davidson.
Other new features in this completely redesigned aerodynamic system include an adjustable control vane in the centre of the fairing that allows the rider to adjust airflow, balancing air pressure behind the fairing to minimise helmet buffeting at speed.
On the CVO Street Glide, there are new air deflectors on the fork skirts that are adjustable to reduce turbulence, while the CVO Road Glide gains new adjustable vanes in the trailing edge of the fairing, allowing more or less air to be directed to the rider’s torso as required.
The rider seat has been redesigned, with a new shape that reduces pressure on the rider’s back and neck, while new padding improves long range riding comfort.
Heated grips are standard, with the 2023 CVO Street Glide and CVO Road Glide allowing adjustment through either the grip itself or via the instrument touchscreen. While heated riding gear is rarely required in Australian environments, two pre-wired connection points for such apparel are included under the seat.
Both models also include an adjustable front brake lever, while the 2023 CVO Road Glide introduces a wider, flatter handlebar that is also adjustable (through 27 degrees) and claims to offer a more natural, comfortable position for the rider’s hands.
New Infotainment
For the 2023 CVO Street Glide and CVO Road Glide, the Boom! Box GTS is out, with an all-new infotainment system introduced in its place.
Powered by Skyline OS, this system is said to be the most “tech-forward” display ever offered on a Harley-Davidson. Three display options for the full colour TFT instrument screen are available – Cruise, Sport and Tour - with different information prioritised and different widget availability for each.
In Tour mode, for example, the map and turn-by-turn instructions are placed centrally, with widget information to one side. Alternatively, the map can fill the whole screen in this mode.
The 12.3-inch screen for the new system is almost double the 6.5-inch screen size used previously, with the significantly larger area allowing more information to be displayed in a clearer, easy-to-read manner. With anti-glare and anti-fingerprint coatings, the screen is usable with gloves on and remains functional when the motorcycle is in motion, but some features are disabled for safety reasons.
An interface in the touchscreen allows the owner to conduct ECU reprogramming themselves when new accessories, like auxiliary lights, are added, rather than requiring a dealer to do so. A Bluetooth receiver is built in, with Apple and Android device integration standard.
Other new features include wi-fi connectivity and an improved voice recognition system that requires fewer fixed prompts and understands more conversational requests. For the navigation system, free map upgrades will be offered for three years after new motorcycle purchase.
Both new CVO models run a familiar Harley-Davidson Audio powered by Rickford Fosgate Stage II sound system. There are 3-way speakers in the fairing (6.5-inch) and saddlebags (7-inch), plus multiple EQ settings, while the amp is a new 4-channel, 500-watt RMS unit. Larger speakers are available as an option.
DAB digital radio is included, while the traditional whip aerial for each model has been replaced with a “hidden” antenna that’s incorporated into the fairing.
Local Release and Pricing
Following its global reveal in June, the 2023 CVO Street Glide and CVO Road Glide were due to arrive in Australia from August, with New Zealand release expected in September.
Australian pricing for the 2023 CVO Street Glide starts at $62,495 for Dark Platinum and $70,305 for Whiskey Neat/Raven Metallic. That base pricing is a $3,000 increase on last year’s CVO Street Glide.
For the 2023 CVO Road Glide, Australian pricing also starts at $62,495 for Dark Platinum and $70,305 for Whiskey Neat/Raven Metallic. In this instance, the base price is a $2,500 increase on last year’s CVO Road Glide.
New Zealand pricing for both models starts at NZ$66,750 with Dark Platinum paint, or NZ$75,980 with Whiskey Neat/Raven Metallic.
For more details, to order and book a test ride, see your Harley-Davidson dealer.
