Breathless HD Execs Announce ‘Dramatic’ New CVOs
Harley Davidson Road Glide and Street Glide get mid-year CVO ‘reimagining’ treatment.
Harley Davidson announced two new CVOs on Wednesday, but the company is saving details until June 7 when it will officially unveil the new motorcycles in conjunction with its 120th anniversary celebrations.
As is usually the case with mid-year releases, especially CVO models, HD executives were breathless in their descriptions.
“We’ve completely re-imagined two of Harley Davidson’s most iconic motorcycles and redefined the boundaries of CVO in the process,” said HD CEO Jochen Zeitz in a press release. “By rethinking these two models from the ground up, we are ushering in a new era of innovation, design, engineering and technology, while expanding the definition of Harley Davidson CEO and taking the Grand American Touring experience to another level.”
New, Bigger Engine
Sounds great, but based on shadowy photos HD released as well as leaked photos online, it isn’t exactly like you won’t recognize these new models; they still resemble expensive, highly-stylized Street Glides and Road Glides. No word on pricing yet, but they will undoubtedly still cost like touring CVO bikes.
We do know the CVOs will have the new Milwaukee 8, 121 variable valve timing (VVT) engine. What we can see of the badging on the new bikes makes that very clear. VVT is often used to boost performance and fuel mileage in engine systems, but it also can be used to improve emissions.
There has also been speculation about putting a reverse gear on CVOs, as we reported previously. No word on that yet.
Shark Nose Gets ‘Aggressive Update’
The new CVOs will also get all new suspensions, new wheels and all new infotainment systems, probably a digital update.
The most obvious change at first glance involves the newly designed fairings for both bikes, which now “integrate in design with the fuel tank, side covers and saddlebags.”
In other words, they match. The Road Glide fairing gets an “aggressive update” from its previous MY22 shark nose design. It still has the single LED headlight that looks like it has twin elements.
Electronically Adjustable Windshields?
The new Street Glide fairing looks beefier than past models. The silhouette and graphic outline have been updated with a more “swept” windshield, according to HD.
Both fairings now have integrated turn signals, and it has been reported by several media outlets that the fairings on both bikes have electronically adjustable windshields.
As far as suspension, it appears the bikes now have inverted forks and possibly a mono shock since it looks like from the leaked photos that the coil has been relocated to where the horn used to be.
‘Timeless Desire’
Potential buyers will get to choose between two separate paint and finish options. We won’t know exactly what those are until the official unveiling.
We’ll let HD creative director Brad Richards have the last words.
“These all-new and unquestionably Harley Davidson designs bring a cohesive and dynamic flow from the front fenders to the saddlebags,” says Richards. “Achieving a greater degree of visual change than any generation prior, the designs of these models are revolutionary takes on the historical art of evolution. Like all Harley Davidson motorcycles, these new models are meant to instill a sense of timeless desire.”
Photos: Harley Davidson
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