Faced with slowing sales and a changing U.S. motorcycle market, Harley-Davidson has announced its plans for 2019 and beyond, including technological updates to its core heavyweight Touring and Cruiser models, an all-new FXDR 114 power cruiser (read the First Ride Review here), three 2019 CVO models and a look at the company’s future lineup that includes a 975cc streetfighter, a 1,250cc adventure tourer and the LiveWire electric motorcycle.
Touring and Cruiser Updates
For 2019 Harley’s Milwaukee-Eight 114 V-twin will power the Ultra Limited, Ultra Limited Low, Road Glide Ultra, Road Glide Special, Street Glide Special, Road King Special, Tri-Glide Ultra and Freewheeler. The 114 delivers more torque than the Milwaukee-Eight 107 (a claimed 123 lb-ft vs. 117 lb-ft) and quicker zero-to-60 acceleration.
Heavyweight Touring and Trike models are also getting a number of technological enhancements for the 2019 model year, starting with the new Boom! Box GTS infotainment system. This upgraded system has an improved 6.5-inch TFT display, a faster processor and more memory than the Boom! Box 6.5GT it replaces. It’s also Apple CarPlay and Bluetooth compatible. The Boom! Box GTS will be standard equipment on the 2019 Ultra Limited, Ultra Limited Low, Road Glide Ultra, Road Glide Special, Street Glide Special, CVO Limited, CVO Street Glide, CVO Road Glide and Tri-Glide Ultra, and it’s a factory-installed option on the Street Glide, Road Glide and Electra Glide Ultra Classic.
Trike riders will be happy to hear that the 2019 Tri-Glide Ultra and Freewheeler are getting an IMU-based Reflex Linked Brake system, which includes traction control, Drag-Torque Slip Control (limits rear wheel slip under deceleration), ABS and linked front and rear brakes. Those models also get new premium Touring suspension as standard. The new front suspension features dual bending valve technology, and the emulsion rear suspension has an easy-to-reach preload adjustment knob.
2019 CVO Models
Harley’s Custom Vehicle Operations has unveiled its 2019 lineup of limited-production models, the CVO Limited, CVO Street Glide and CVO Road Glide, all of which are powered by the exclusive, high-performance. Milwaukee-Eight 117.
The CVO Limited is aimed at the rider who expects it all in terms of luxury, performance, features and style. New features include a Blaze Red band on the engine rocker boxes, Tomahawk 19-inch front and 18-inch rear wheels, Kahuna Collection components and new paint options: Auburn Sunglo/Rich Bourbon/Black Hole with Contrast Chrome Tomahawk wheels, Red Pepper/Wineberry/Magnetic Gray with Contrast Anodize Tomahawk wheels or Magnetic Gray Fade with Contrast Anodize Tomahawk wheels.
The CVO Street Glide is a custom bagger with hot-rod performance and a premium audio system. New features include a Blaze Red band on the engine rocker boxes, Kahuna Collection components and new paint options: Charred Steel/Lightning Silver with Contrast Chrome Talon wheels, Wineberry/Black Forest with Contrast Anodize Talon wheels or Black Forest with Contrast Anodize Talon wheels.
The CVO Road Glide is a performance-touring bike ready to conquer the highway and urban jungle alike. It gets a Blaze Red band on the engine rocker boxes, Fang Front Spoiler bodywork, a Screamin’ Eagle Heavy Breather intake, exclusive Knockout 21-inch front and 18-inch rear wheels and new paint options: Charred Steel/Lightning Silver/Black Hole with Contrast Chrome Knockout wheels and Bright Chrome covers and exhaust, Red Pepper/Magnetic Gray/Black Hole with Contrast Anodize Knockout wheels and Mako Shark Fade with Contrast Anodize Knockout wheels.