Harley-Davidson CVO Road Glide 2025 Touring Test

The 2025 Balkan Rally provided the perfect backdrop to put our long-term tester, the Harley-Davidson CVO Road Glide, through its paces in a more realistic setting after plenty of antics. No less than 3000 km were covered on this journey. From the first meters out of the Danube metropolis of Budapest to the tight bends of Slovenia, over Croatia's expansive coastal roads to Dubrovnik and back, it was clear: this Harley is more than just show and shine. The trip was the perfect test bed for the Grand American Touring concept's ergonomics, electronics, handling, acoustics, and everyday usability. Amidst old enduros, modern retros, and automotive rarities, this rolling statement on two wheels had to prove itself.

The CVO Road Glide is hard to miss. Weighing 399 kg fully fueled (measured on the 1000PS scale), it's a giant, yet once seated, many concerns dissipate. Its low center of gravity and excellent balance make maneuvering surprisingly easy despite its weight. Particularly at slow speeds, the Harley impresses with its stability. Hairpins lose their intimidation due to the wide steering angle and finely tuned clutch action. Even tight switchbacks can be confidently tackled with good line of sight. Nonetheless, one must remember: once it tips, you're dealing with 400 kilos.

Important to note: We've fitted our long-term tester with an Öhlins suspension, not part of the standard equipment on the Harley-Davidson CVO Road Glide. Martin Bauer fine-tuned the setup, elevating the bike to a remarkably high level of dynamic performance. The fork responds delicately, consistently providing feedback and remaining stable even under hard braking. The rear damping is firm yet effective. Despite the short suspension travel (117 mm front, approximately 90 mm rear), the bike glides smoothly over rough surfaces, maintaining its line even on bumpy asphalt.

Adjusting the preload requires removing the saddlebags and having special tools at hand. A positive side effect of the raised suspension is an increase in ground clearance by about 1.5 cm, allowing for greater lean angles. The standard lean angle is specified at 32 degrees—without the chicken strips (removed thanks to Martin's track outings) and with the adjusted setup, you can achieve much more.

However, a minor downside due to the bike's inherent geometry is that at high speeds, around 150 km/h, the front can become light, especially with fully loaded bags. Increasing the rear preload can somewhat mitigate this effect. Nonetheless, this remains an inherent design limitation of the Road Glide, though it's fair to note that this Harley's intended use is not in the high-speed range. Ultimately, the electronic limiter kicks in forcefully at 180 km/h, putting an end to any further acceleration.

Few accessories define the character of a cruiser as much as its exhaust system. While the stock system is subdued due to strict Euro 5+ regulations, and the massive V2 only stands out audibly in Sport mode and at higher revs, our upgraded Jekill & Hyde system offers constant choice. It delivers an unparalleled range of sound, successfully combining regulatory compliance with emotional impact thanks to the Dutch specialists.

With the press of a button, you can switch between three sound profiles: Dr. Jekill, Dynamic, and Mr. Hyde. The quietest mode is perfect for early morning hotel parking and noise-sensitive areas. In Dynamic mode, the Milwaukee-Eight's voice becomes punchy and present, yet remains refined. Activating the Mr. Hyde mode, however, offers an acoustic experience that thrills even the most die-hard V2 fans – deep, growling, and full-bodied.

The system remains fully TÜV-compliant and meets all legal noise regulations. Mode switching is done electronically inside via a new Smartbox integrated with the CANBUS system. The valve positioning responds instantly and remains consistent even with frequent changes. During the Balkan Rally, the system's flexibility proved invaluable: true Harley sound during the day in the wild, considerate at night – without compromising style or technology. Additionally, the chrome finish beautifully complements the special paint of the luxury CVO.

The Milwaukee-Eight VVT 121, with its 1977 cc displacement, churns out 183 Nm and 117 hp, making the rear wheel a bit of a sympathy case. Coupled with riding modes like Road, Sport, Rain, and two customizable options, it offers a wide range of applications. The Road mode becomes the everyday favorite. Depending on the road quality beneath you, it's wise to engage the Rain mode in wet conditions while in the CVO's saddle. Doing so rewards you with a buttery smooth, even tame throttle response. But on the magnificent twists and turns of Croatia's coastal Magistrale, the Sport mode is essential. This mode translates throttle commands most directly, leaving you trying to keep a broad grin inside your helmet while being mindful not to lean too aggressively in the rush of unleashed emotion. After all, grounding out or slipping can take a significant toll on your budget.

The CVO comes standard with cornering-optimized ABS (C-ABS) and electronic brake force distribution (C-ELB). The front Brembo dual-disc provides solid deceleration without being overly aggressive on initial bite.

The foot brake allows for effective deceleration, as beyond a certain pedal pressure, the front brake is also subtly engaged. Initially, getting accustomed to this system requires some adjustment, and it's highly recommended to use the front brake for spirited riding. However, when cruising and combining the engine braking of the mighty V2 with the C-ELB, you achieve the pinnacle of control.

The standard hill start assist really shines on steep inclines. It activates automatically when stopping with the clutch pulled in, but can also be manually engaged by pulling hard on the front brake lever. When starting off, don't be thrown by the gradual release of the brake; you need to accelerate over the resistance while simultaneously releasing the clutch. Practice makes perfect here as well.

A 12.3-inch touchscreen with Skyline OS shines with clear displays, fast response times, and intuitive operation. Apple CarPlay works wirelessly, though only when connected with a headset. However, Harley no longer supports Android Auto. The integrated navigation system performed flawlessly during the rally across various Balkan countries—except you should activate the "avoid ferries" option to avoid ending up in harbor areas unexpectedly. The digital gauge display is configurable: focus on vehicle, tour, or entertainment.

The Harley's infotainment system naturally allows content playback through the Cardo headset, which is the recommended mode on the highway. However, at country road speeds, you should definitely rely on the Rockford Fosgate Surround system's performance. Two 6.5-inch fairing speakers and two 5x7-inch saddlebag speakers deliver impressive sound quality, with various equalizer modes allowing you to enjoy different music styles—a special recommendation is the Harley-Davidson-specific tuning. Whether via smartphone or headset connection, music and navigation prompts come through powerfully and clearly. During the Balkan Rally, the system became a rolling jukebox, with the CVO being the highlight at every puzzle stop.

The wind protection is generally very good, but the windscreen creates unpleasant turbulence around the helmet when the air vent is closed. Opening the vent significantly improves acoustics. The fairing allows for comfortable temperature control for the legs with adjustable wind deflectors.

The seat is comfortable and well-crafted, but the Alcantara absorbs rain and stays wet longer. The passenger seat is only suitable for short distances, not due to uncomfortable padding, but because of the rearward sloping shape (attributed to its sleek design). While the knee angle in the second row is comfortable, the hip angle can be challenging on longer rides. Those who like to travel two-up should consider an alternative seat from Harley-Davidson accessories. A full setup with integrated armrests in the top case might keep the passenger happy. The load capacity is 224 kg, sufficient for two people with luggage.

The standard 31-liter saddlebags are waterproof and stylish, but their shape doesn't accommodate helmets. There's a USB-C port in the right fairing box for charging a smartphone or GPS. For additional storage, we used the SW-Motech Rearbag on the tour, which secures perfectly to the passenger seat without compromising access to the saddlebags.

With a fuel tank capacity of 22.7 liters and consumption ranging from 4.9 liters (with a gentle throttle) to 6 liters (when pushing the V2), the range is about 330 to 400 km.

The Balkan Rally brings together vehicles from various eras: from old BMW R45s and XT600s to the brand-new Harley. Amidst this diversity, the CVO Road Glide not only stands out but is admired. Especially in the evenings, curious onlookers gather around this masterpiece.

Each day of the rally reveals a different facet of motorcycle travel. From the heat of Slovenia to the busy streets of Opatija and the heavy rain on the way to Zadar, the versatility of the Balkans was on full display. Thermal pools, UNESCO caves, coastal roads—it's a must for any travel enthusiast.

The conclusion at the destination of Neum and the gala dinner in Dubrovnik: The Harley-Davidson CVO Road Glide 2025 is no showbike, but a luxurious travel companion for those with a taste for excellence, style, and sound culture. It excels in comfort, ensuring long stretches are not tiring but rather filled with enjoyment mile after mile.