Interstate touring has never been about how quickly you can get from one point to another on a motorcycle. It focuses on how comfortable the journey becomes as the miles keep on racking up. Traveling long stretches of highway always come with challenges. Changing weather, uneven roads, and unexpected traffic are all part of the package you have to endure while maintaining a steady cruising pace. For riders who take on the challenge of traveling miles in a single stint, it takes a motorcycle that does more than get you from point A to point B. This is where a purpose-built touring motorcycle stands apart from the rest.
What Makes A Touring Motorcycle Ideal For The Interstate?
To overcome these definite hurdles, a touring motorcycle indeed becomes the ideal choice. But why is that? If you look closely, the low-slung back and raised front aren’t just aesthetics. Every part performs a particular function. Traveling for hours with wind hitting your face is one of the main reasons you get tired. The fairings and windshields, which are the largest of all segments, take the brunt of it.
Stability is never a two-wheeler’s strongest suit compared to four-wheelers. With crosswinds and large vehicles part and parcel of highways, control becomes crucial. A longer wheelbase and appropriate suspension, coupled with the massive weight, help a touring motorcycle stay planted on the ground. Power delivery is also vital, as low-end torque provides plenty of power for effortless cruising without constant gear changes. You can’t hit an interstate ride without packing clothes and essentials. So, most touring motorcycles come with storage to accommodate them.
Harley Understands This Better Than Any Other Brand
Harley-Davidson can be considered the best in business when it comes to touring motorcycles for America. This reputation is something that has been perfected over 80 years. From bringing electric starters to their bikes to introducing the widely famous ‘batwing’ fairing, Harley-Davidson has redefined the touring segment every decade through refinement. The latest iteration of that evolution is best seen in the completely overhauled CVO Street Glide Limited.
The CVO Street Glide Limited Is Harley’s Gold Standard For Interstate Travel
After upgrading to the Twin Cam 96 engine in 2007, the Street Glide has been on a path of structural re-engineering ever since. Harley-Davidson redesigned the frame, introduced many customer-requested mechanical and hardware changes, brought the all-new Milwaukee-Eight, and made technological advances. While the Street Glide Limited establishes Harley’s touring formula, the CVO variant takes it up a notch in every way.
The CVO Street Glide Limited comes with a Milwaukee-Eight VVT 121 engine (the base features 117), which produces more power and low-end torque. The front forks and brakes have also been upgraded to complement the powerful engine. Beyond that, the CVO is also maxed out on audio quality and accessories that make tours comfortable. The cherry on top: Custom paintwork and graphics give the motorcycle the oomph factor, making it stand out from the crowd.
The CVO Checks All Key Requirements For The Open Road
The Milwaukee-Eight VVT 121 Brings Plenty Of Torque
The CVO Street Glide Limited features a larger Milwaukee-Eight that produces 1977cc, 115 horsepower, and a peak torque of 139 pound-feet at just 3,000 rpm. That means you can generate maximum pull by simply twisting the throttle, and the 919-pound motorcycle will move without any hesitation. The engine features variable valve timing (VVT), which helps balance strong low-end torque and effrotless high-speed cruising power.
Rock-Solid Stability Via The Touring Frame And Showa Suspension
The main chassis uses heavy-duty tubular mild steel with circular sections that provide maximum rigidity to keep the motorcycle planted while carrying all that weight. Suspension is handled by Showa, with a 47mm USD fork up front with 4.6-inch travel and preload-adjustable rear shocks with 4.7-inch travel. Braking comes from four-piston radially mounted Brembo calipers, which squeeze 320mm dual discs on the front wheel. The rear uses a 300mm disc with a single, axially mounted fixed caliper.
Built For Multi-Day Two-Up Comfort
The CVO Street Glide Limited does not mess around when it comes to comfort, either. The rider and pillion perches get heating, and the MoCo says the seats have been redesigned for better long-distance comfort. The sculpted padding is covered in premium upholstery, complemented by removable rider and pillion backrests.
The rider enjoys highway pegs and a heel shifter, letting you reset your riding position on a long journey. This being a CVO tourer means it also gets Carbide Collection components at every touchpoint, including heated grips, floorboards, and pegs, which are designed to offer a tactile feel while giving the bike a premium look.
Wind protection comes from the massive batwing fairing at the front and fairing lowers, both working together to direct the air around you while limiting wind buffeting on the helmet. The lightly smoked tall windscreen gives you a clear view of the road while allowing some ventilation. The windscreen is mechanically adjustable, though we would’ve liked to see electronic adjustment at this price. And the bike can hold 4.8 cubic feet of luggage between its side cases and the trunk.
An Army Of Creature Comforts With Top-Drawer Rider Aids
Harley-Davidson officially moved on from its analog dashboard to the latest display framework in 2023. That became standard, and the CVO Street Glide Limited has featured it since its launch. The massive 12.3-inch anti-glare color TFT touchscreen, running Harley’s custom Skyline OS, covers the entire dashboard. It also has a six-axis IMU, which provides assistance features like ride modes, cornering-enabled traction control, drag torque slip control, and ABS.
The audio system features a 500-watt RMS amplifier that powers the Rockford Fosgate Stage II speakers (two in the fairing, two in the saddlebags). With Automatic Volume Control, it adjusts the volume based on speed. This way, it cancels out wind noise while touring without getting deafening at idle. The CVO treatment doesn’t end there. Handcrafted custom paint, featuring hand-laid stripes and specialized clear coats, ensures the extra cost shows visually. The CVO also features a switchable signature accent lighting sequence that activates when you approach the bike with the key fob.
The CVO Street Glide Limited Isn’t Easy On The Pocket, Though
All in all, the CVO Street Glide Limited will undoubtedly strain your budget. There’s no easy way of putting it. With a staggering MSRP of $51,999, you get everything needed from a touring motorcycle and more. Competition-wise, the Indian Pursuit Elite costs $7,000 less, and the segment-renowned Honda Gold Wing Tour Airbag DCT costs even less. For raw performance per dollar, the CVO also ranks third. Practically speaking, you have the answer.
However, those opting for the CVO know practicality doesn’t matter here. Just as Japanese makers have perfected reliability, Harley-Davidson has mastered delivering pure emotion, heritage, and ultimate status. Additionally, the CVO variant is a walking work of art. With custom paintwork and premium tech, its value won’t depreciate like that of standard motorcycles. Although the heavy price tag may initially feel like a financial stretch, it ultimately convinces you that you’ve chosen the absolute pinnacle of what Harley-Davidson can create.
Source: Harley-Davidson USA
