Harley-Davidson has revealed full information about the new models in its premium CVO line, which were first teased in April. The 2023 Harley-Davidson CVO Street Glide and CVO Road Glide employ the new Milwaukee-Eight VVT 121 engine, with the VVT referring to a variable valve-timing system.
More obvious is the new styling of the models, which adds sharper edges to create more contemporary design sensibilities. “Exclusive and dramatic new visual designs present a transformative revision of the Harley-Davidson Grand American Touring platform,” says the MoCo.
Keep in mind that the bikes’ new styling will surely migrate to non-CVO models, featuring fairings with integrated venting and LED signature lighting with integrated turnsignals. Additional design elements include a trimmed front fender, saddlebags with a three-dimensional shape to blend in with the fairings, and new fuel tanks with side bevels.
New Combo Cast Laced wheels have a black machine-cut cast-aluminum rim and laced spokes for a unique appearance, a design that enables TPMS (tire-pressure monitoring system) on a laced wheel.
Related: Harley-Davidson Announces 120th Anniversary Editions and Other 2023 Models
The new fairings feature a “floating” windscreen design that is said to improve aerodynamics and rider comfort, augmented by adjustable air-control vanes in the center vent. H-D reports that helmet buffeting is reduced by an average of 60% in wind-tunnel testing compared to previous models.
“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.”
Power-To-Weight
The new 121-cubic inch Milwaukee-Eight VVT 121 ramps up power and reliability, featuring liquid-cooled cylinder heads, variable valve timing, a new intake tract, a higher compression ratio, and a freer-flowing exhaust system. The 1,977cc V-Twin boasts 9.5% more horsepower (115 hp at 4,500 rpm) and 8% more torque (139 lb-ft at 3,000 rpm) than the previous Twin-Cooled Milwaukee-Eight 117 engine.
Variable valve timing helps expand the engine’s powerband by advancing or retarding camshaft timing over a range of 40 degrees of crankshaft rotation, which also improves fuel economy by up to 5%. Redesigned 4-valve cylinder heads incorporate new channels for coolant flow around the exhaust valve areas using an electric pump to circulate coolant to a heat exchanger (radiator) located low on the front of the frame. A new 4-liter airbox offers a 50% improvement over the former Heavy Breather intake and combines with a larger throttle body to improve power. The transmission is upgraded with a new shift drum that supposedly makes it easier to select neutral.
Related: Harley-Davidson Introduces Screamin’ Eagle 135 Stage IV Crate Engine
The CVOs also offer selectable ride modes (Road, Sport, and Rain) that electronically control power delivery, engine braking, Cornering-Antilock Braking System (C-ABS), and Cornering-Traction Control System (C-TCS) settings.
All baggers are heavy, so it’s nice to see the new Glides have trimmed some fat. Dry weight of the Street Glide has been cut by 31 lb, while the Road Glide is 35 lb lighter. New triple clamps use a liquid aluminum forging process that reduces weight by about 7 lb, and the 6.0-gallon fuel tank is formed from lighter-gauge steel.
Rolling Stock
The new CVOs use Showa suspension components that “promote confident handling and provide a dramatic improvement in rider comfort compared to previous CVO models,” with rear suspension travel increased by 50% to 3.0 inches, and a new remote hydraulic preload-adjustment knob is located forward of the left saddlebag.
Braking performance should be significantly improved with the adoption of radially mounted 4-piston Brembo calipers up front.
Infotainment
The Glides receive new instrumentation with a 12.3-inch TFT color touchscreen replacing the former bikes’ analog instruments and most switches, providing 400% greater screen area. Powered by H-D’s new Skyline OS, the display is customizable within three view options and is compatible with Apple and Android devices.
A high-performance audio system features four Rockford Fosgate Stage II speakers that are powered by a new 500-watt amplifier. Wi-Fi connectivity enables wireless connection to a rider’s device, and a Bluetooth receiver for wireless headsets is built into the system. Both models feature expanded media storage compartments with a USB-C connection point. Heated grips are now standard and can be adjusted through the infotainment display or on the grips.
2023 Harley-Davidson CVO Street Glide
The Harley-Davidson CVO Street Glide’s iconic batwing fairing gets a thorough overhaul, updated to present a faster overall look with the splitstream vent now fully integrated into the design and pronounced undercuts beneath the LED headlamp. Amber LED turnsignals are seamlessly integrated into the left and right lamp elements, cleaning up the overall appearance. A shutdown sequence keeps the signature lighting illuminated for 10 seconds after the vehicle is turned off for a dramatic curbside effect.
2023 Harley-Davidson CVO Road Glide
The Harley-Davidson CVO Road Glide’s distinctive sharknose fairing gets updated for a more modern appearance, “with more surface tension and the definition of a well-trained athlete.” The trailing edge of the fairing now better matches the shape of the fuel tank. The horizontal LED headlamp appears to have twin elements, mimicking the styling of previous RGs. Amber turnsignal lamps are integrated within the outer portions of the signature lighting, eliminating the previous bullet turnsignals.
The Road Glide now has a wider handlebar with a flatter bend, which purportedly puts the rider’s hands in a more natural position for long-haul riding and enables 27 degrees of adjustability.
Both Glides feature a redesigned seat shape and padding materials to offer improvement in long-range comfort. The seats (at 26.7 inches when laden) are shaped to rotate the rider’s hips to a neutral position relative to the spine, said to reduce fatigue on a rider’s back and neck.
Options
Both the Glides will be offered in two finish options. The Standard Dark Platinum finish uses Bright Smoked Satin pinstriping with color-matched inner fairing panels. Engine components are Gloss Black with Scorched Chrome accents on the engine inserts. The lower rocker boxes, pushrod tubes, and exhaust are finished in Scorched Chrome.
An optional upgrade is the Whiskey Neat/Raven Metallic two-tone with color-matched inner fairing, a paint process applied by hand. Raven Metallic panels are laid over the deep orange Whiskey Neat base, with airbrush accents and a bright orange pinstripe at the color break. The engine and air cleaner are finished in Gloss Black with orange accents on the engine inserts. The lower rocker boxes and pushrod tube collars are painted Whiskey Neat. Pushrod tubes and exhaust are chrome. Adversary Collection accessories feature a Black and Orange double anodized finish.
The CVO Street Glide and CVO Road Glide models will make a U.S. public debut in Milwaukee during the Harley-Davidson Homecoming Festival, July 13-16, 2023. Both models will reach authorized Harley-Davidson dealer showrooms globally in mid-July with an MSRP of $42,999.
View all of Rider‘s Harley-Davidson coverage here.
$6000 for a paint upgrade!?!? Yikes!!
Plus another $2000. for surcharge and shipping! That would put a 2-tone Street Glide at over $50K! I love Harleys, but I cannot for the life of me see myself spending that kind of money for a motorcycle even if I can afford it. Can you imagine trying to fix that paint if you ever dropped it, or do you do the human sacrifice of your body as it’s going down?
Very very nice.
I wish i had $42K to throw down on one of these. Well. My 2020 Sport Glide and old 2000 VMAX will have to do.
Any rich understanding single over 60 YO women out there that want yo adopt and spoil this 70 YO man?
Starting at 60K dollars in the Netherlands … Very nice motorcycles but far out of reach.
The Neverland’s is more like it.
After 50 years of riding Harley Davidson
I am disappointed in this design
I would not ride a Honda Goldwing or a Indian.
And I probably won’t ride this new Harley
I currently own 2 road glides 2020 and 2021
Do better Harley it’s a motorcycle not a new home chill out with the high price the working man buys your bikes well they used to anyway
Punctuation is your friend. 😉
Base MSRP of $43,000 plus some options takes you to $50-55,000 and puts this bike out of reach for most. Almost a new car or truck that can be ridden year around. Being from Pennsylvania, and manufactured in Milwaukee, you should know you get around 6 months riding season. Nice bike but outta my range.
My 2021 RG CVO was listed at 59k. So this will be more in the 60s.
48k for whiskey paint. 42 for black or silver
Jeez, what up with people coming to a write up about a limited production, luxury item and complaining about the price. You guys do know that buying one of these is voluntary right?
That’s right Lou, it’s limited, luxurious and expensive. So, we got two of them. My wife came home with the Street Glide 1st. I followed her lead sold my 22′ RG ST and bought the CVO Road Glide.
BMW k 1600, six cylinders, smoother ride for sub 30K figures.
Have owned several Milwaukee twins, better bang for my bucks.
There’s WAY MORE to life than an OVERPRICED Harley ! Joe Public can no longer afford these way over priced behemoths !
A disaster waiting to happen, mucking with Camshaft timing.
Just look up what happened with FORDS F150, WHAT AN EXPENSIVE Nightmare!
Ford F-150 5.4L & 5.8L Variable Cam Timing PHASER Problems
Have owned HD and Rode them at work since the 90’s but this brand is becoming dead to me. I think these designers and people who come up with the prices are drinking waaay to much Budlight. I had been interested in the PanAmerica ADV bike but i may just go somewhere else.
I don’t care for the new look. I sure as hell don’t like the price. My wife thought I needed my head examined when I spent over $24,000.00 for my Road Glide in 2011. This is just way too much for a motorcycle. When you concider what you can get for the same money, this motorcycle can stay at the dealership.
These two bikes are sure to attract new, younger riders earning minimum wage.
Wow imagine that ,CVO Harley’s are expensive!
Well, i like them and will buy one. 48k for the whiskey color. Btw, new truck is 75 to 100k. New cars are 50k.. chose how to spend your own money.
I love these new 23 cvo’s. They have finally caught up to my 2005 kawasaki vn2000.!
With Harley prices, and styling, they’ve decided to appeal to a different audience. Too bad they’ve slowly discarded their most loyal customer base.
So many variables here. Did Harley get jealous of the custom bike scene? Butt-hurt over the aftermarket parts sales? How about disdain over the cookie-cutter dealerships? Used to be nice to check out different dealerships. For a while it’s been like going to the mall in the 80s with sales people hovering.
I’ll keep and maintain our ’00 883 and ’01 FXDWG. If I want a bike covered in bodywork and plastic covers I’ll get a ZX14 or something …..and a R7 the wifey wants. And still spend less than the base touring bike from Harley. Hmmm. I need to make room in the garage.
Remember it’s just money you can save it but when you die somebody else will spend it and enjoy buy no means it’s not for every one if you have the money and want it buy enjoy it