2023 Harley-Davidson CVO Road Glide and CVO Street Glide Confirmed
Full details to come on June 7
Harley-Davidson officially announced it will reveal new CVO Street Glide and CVO Road Glide models for 2023, confirming many of the details we've previously uncovered. These include a new Milwaukee-Eight VVT 121 engine, new suspension, a new infotainment system, and dramatically redesigned fairings that have already drawn strong reactions from the Harley faithful. While we will have to wait until June 7 for more information, here's what we know for certain.
Both models will share the new Milwaukee-Eight VVT 121, introducing a new engine displacement as well as a variable valve timing system. The larger engine gives the CVOs a step up over the previous Milwaukee-Eight 117 engines that have now found their way to non-CVO models. Variable valve timing will also allow Harley-Davidson to tune the engine to improve performance at both high and low engine speeds, while also adding further life to the air-cooled engine design in the face of tightening emissions standards. We previously noted the transmission case looks visibly different on the new CVOs, but Harley-Davidson has made no mention of any changes to the gearbox at this point.
Harley-Davidson also confirms the suspension is "all-new". From the photos, the inverted forks are fairly obvious, but the rear suspension, however, remains a bit of a mystery. As we noted last week, a leaked photo of the CVO Street Glide's right side revealed what appears to be a suspension adjustment knob. The side panels below the seat have a new shape, and we suspect the new design may be to hide a new monoshock suspension system replacing the traditional dual shocks.
The two new fairings have already drawn strong opinions, with some comparing them to Indian's designs. The CVO Street Glide still offers a batwing design, but the shape has been updated to integrate better with the new designs for the fuel tank, side covers and saddlebags. The "Omega-shaped" light (more accurately, an upside-down omega shape) gives the CVO Street Glide a distinctive new look, with led strips integrated on either side of the fairing serving double duty as forward turn signals.
We expect the new fairing design to offer different aerodynamics compared to the previous model, especially with the forward-jutting lower section and the new windscreen design on top.
The CVO Road Glide's fairing offers a more dramatic change compared to the existing sharknose design. Also redesigned to integrate with the updates to the rest of the bike, the new fairing has a broader headlight with integrated turn signals. Harley-Davidson says the single LED headlamp gives the illusion of twin light elements which were a fixture of previous Road Glide fairings.
The new CVO models receive a new infotainment system, with previously-leaked photos confirming a large digital display replacing the previous analog dials. The new display will show vital data and control over the audio system, and we suspect it will also provide information on electronics, though Harley-Davidson remains mum on what systems the new CVOs will offer.
We'll have to wait for June 7 for more information on the new CVO models. Until then, here's what Harley-Davidson has to say about the new bikes:
HARLEY-DAVIDSON INTRODUCES ALL-NEW CVO™ MOTORCYCLES
Limited Mid-Year CVO™ Street Glide® and CVO™ Road Glide® Models Will Debut at Harley-Davidson Homecoming™ and 120th Anniversary Events
MILWAUKEE (April 26, 2023) – Since 1999, Harley-Davidson Custom Vehicle Operations™ (CVO™) motorcycles have been an aspirational collection of limited-production motorcycles that deliver the ultimate in refinement of styling, design, craftsmanship and attention to detail, along with top-of-the-line performance. Over the decades, Harley-Davidson designers and engineers have thoughtfully evolved these motorcycles, introducing incremental improvements to further enhance the riding experience, while carefully respecting their heritage and position as icons within the hearts and minds of enthusiasts around the world.
Today, Harley-Davidson announces two new 2023 CVO motorcycles with exclusive and dramatic new visual designs, advanced technology, and dynamic performance, the details of which will be announced on June 7, 2023, with the official premiere of the all-new 2023 CVO Street Glide® and CVO Road Glide®. For more information, visit www.h-d.com/ourfutureisreal.
“With the introduction of the all-new CVO Street Glide and CVO Road Glide, we’ve completely reimagined two of Harley-Davidson’s most iconic motorcycles and redefined the boundaries of CVO in the process,” said Jochen Zeitz, Chairman, President and CEO of Harley-Davidson. “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 CVO and taking the Grand American Touring experience to another level. The new CVO Street Glide and CVO Road Glide break the mold and reset the bar for the pinnacle Harley-Davidson riding experience.”
“These all-new and unquestionably Harley-Davidson designs bring a cohesive and dynamic flow from the front fenders to the saddlebags,” said Brad Richards, Harley-Davidson Vice President of Design and Creative Director, commenting on the design of the new motorcycles. “Achieving a greater degree of visual change than any generation prior, the design of these CVO™ Street Glide® and CVO™ Road Glide® 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.”
2023 Harley-Davidson CVO™ Street Glide®
The all-new batwing fairing featured on the 2023 CVO™ Street Glide® model offers an evolved profile exhibiting a faster overall gesture and more swept windshield. Undercuts beneath the headlamp are more pronounced, and turn indicators are integrated as opposed to external units. While the iconic “T” shape of the batwing fairing is retained, the silhouette and graphic outline have been modernized with updated surfacing, and the new fairing integrates in design with the fuel tank, side covers and saddlebags. The “Omega-shaped” signature light provides instant recognition of the new model and turns signals are seamlessly integrated into the left and right lamp elements.
2023 Harley-Davidson CVO™ Road Glide®
The all-new CVO™ Road Glide® model fairing presents an aggressive update to the MY22 “sharknose” design and integrates with the fuel tank, side covers and saddlebags. The single LED headlamp has a wide, horizonal shape, yet appears to have twin elements, recalling a key feature of all previous Road Glide® model fairings and turn signal lamps are integrated within the outer portions of the signature lighting.
Both models feature:
- Dramatic new visual designs
- New Milwaukee-Eight® VVT 121 engine
- All-new suspension
- All-new infotainment system
- Offered with two paint/finish options
Further details will be announced on June 7, 2023. For more information, visit www.h-d.com/ourfutureisreal.
Harley-Davidson stands for the timeless pursuit of adventure and freedom for the soul. Go to H-D.com to learn more about the complete line of 2023 Harley-Davidson® Grand American Touring, Sport, Adventure Touring, Cruiser and Trike motorcycles, Harley-Davidson Certified™ pre-owned motorcycles, Harley-Davidson® Genuine Motor Parts & Accessories, Harley-Davidson® MotorClothes® apparel and gear, and Harley-Davidson Financial Services.
Dennis has been a part of the Motorcycle.com team since 2008, and through his tenure, has developed a firm grasp of industry trends, and a solid sense of what's to come. A bloodhound when it comes to tracking information on new motorcycles, if there's a new model on the horizon, you'll probably hear about it from him first.
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What kind of person will spend 40 to 60K for either of these when there are very slightly used bikes for a fraction of the price. HD is jacking up the prices as much as $15,000 over MSRP! I have a Kaw 1000 and a new KLR. I also have a Road King that I bought new 20 years ago that now has only 11,000 miles on it. It looks like the day I bought it. Hard to believe that book value is only $3,500 (low) to $4600 (high). That is with an additional $2000 in extras. It is a Special 100th Anniversary Firefighter Edition. I like to ride it occasionally for short distances to scrath the Harley itch. I must say that I have only replaced the battery a few times and the rear brake pads once and one set of tires.. That is all in 20 years. Zero leaks and never let me down. But I use my Versys 1000 for the heavy lifting since the King is a garage queen......
BMW needs to hit that right spot. I'm thinking of going to an RT, but HD knows their market and this will be a homerun for some.