2025 CVO Road Glide vs CVO Street Glide – Which Luxury Tourer Fits Your Style?
Last updated May 30, 2025 • Written for riders in Prince George, Richmond & beyond
1 | Why CVO® Is the Pinnacle of Harley-Davidson Touring
Custom Vehicle Operations™ (CVO) bikes roll straight from the York, PA plant dripping in factory paint schemes, premium audio and the most powerful Milwaukee-Eight® engine available. For 2025 the program distills down to two fully-reimagined baggers—the CVO Road Glide and the CVO Street Glide. Both share the new 121 cubic-inch VVT powerhouse, but their personalities diverge the moment you glance at the fairings.
- Factory-level finish: sand-cut engine fins, smoked Combo Cast Laced wheels and two-tone Scala H-D paint you simply can’t replicate with aftermarket tins.
- One-and-done warranty: keep the 2-year unlimited-mile factory coverage intact—no need to piece upgrades from multiple vendors.
- Rider-focused tech: Skyline™ OS infotainment, 12.3″ TFT, Cornering Rider Safety Enhancements—all standard.
2 | Road Glide vs Street Glide: Quick-Look Specs
| CVO Road Glide | CVO Street Glide | |
|---|---|---|
| Fairing | Shark-Nose fixed | Batwing fork-mounted |
| Engine | Milwaukee-Eight® 121 VVT (1,977 cc) – 127 hp • 145 ft-lb | |
| Dry Weight | 825 lb | 833 lb |
| Seat Height (laden) | 26.7″ | 26.1″ |
| Audio Power | 500 W – 4 speakers | 500 W – 4 speakers |
| MSRP* | $44,499 – View In Stock | $44,499 – View In Stock |
*MSRP excludes freight & surcharge fees. Inventory links reflect actual Colonial Harley-Davidson units at time of publishing—update IDs if stock changes.
3 | Milwaukee-Eight 121 VVT: Torque You Can Feel
Harley-Davidson’s biggest production Touring powerplant adds Variable Valve Timing for a flatter torque curve: 145 ft-lb peaks at just 3,500 rpm, while 127 horsepower keeps pulling well past 5,500 rpm. A single counter-balancer smooths vibes at idle, but distinctive cadence remains.
- Cooling: liquid-cooled heads & oil-cooled cylinders help the 121 keep temps manageable in RVA summer traffic.
- Compression: 11.4:1, up from 10.5:1 on last-gen 117 CVOs.
- Exhaust note: brushed stainless shotgun pipes, Euro 5 compliant—upgrade to Screamin’ Eagle® Street Cannon slip-ons without voiding warranty.
4 | Aerodynamics & Wind Management
CVO Road Glide: the frame-mounted shark-nose keeps steering ultra-stable at highway speeds. A new splitstream vent and 1.25″ taller windshield than 2024 further reduce buffeting.
CVO Street Glide: the reinvented batwing fairing integrates a recessed LED signature lamp and triple-duct ventilation. The fork-mounted design adds flickability at slower speeds, favoring riders who weave urban streets before open interstate.
5 | Infotainment & Rider-Aid Tech
5.1 Skyline OS & 12.3-Inch TFT
The panoramic touch display replaces all analog gauges. Swipe left for nav, right for Bluetooth media, or toggle three customizable ride modes: Road, Sport and Rain.
5.2 Rockford Fosgate Stage II Audio
- 500-watt amp powers 6×9″ saddlebag lids + 6.5″ fairing speakers
- Auto-volume speed compensation and Harley’s new “Concert Boost” EQ profile
5.3 Cornering Rider Safety Enhancements (C-RSE)
Includes Cornering ABS, Drag-Torque Slip Control, Vehicle Hold Control and Tire Pressure Monitoring—features lifted from Pan America™ ADV bikes.
6 | Ergonomics & Passenger Comfort
| Road Glide | Street Glide | |
|---|---|---|
| Seat Height (laden) | 26.7″ | 26.1″ (lower reach for 5’6″ riders) |
| Handlebar Reach | 6.5″ Pull-Back Riser | Low-profile 4.5″ Riser |
| Floorboards | Extended 1″ forward & outward vs 2023 CVO | |
| Passenger Backrest | Standard King-Tour-Pak® | Optional fixed sissy-bar only |
Verdict: If your pillion demands plush support, the Road Glide’s Tour-Pak wins. Solo riders under 5’8″ may prefer the slightly lower Street Glide saddle.
7 | True Cost to Own (5-Year Projection)
| CVO Road Glide | CVO Street Glide | |
|---|---|---|
| Base MSRP | $44,499 | $44,499 |
| Freight & Surcharge | $1,295 | |
| Typical Payment* | $643/mo • 84 mos • 8.89 % APR • 15 % down | Same |
| Insurance (full cov.) | $118/mo | $122/mo (higher claim data) |
| Service Plan | $1,899 H-D® Planned Maintenance (5 yrs / 25 k mi) | |
| Five-Year Depreciation | 27 % | 28 % |
*Sample payment via H-D Financial Services on approved credit—update figures during quoting.
8 | Ride Reports Around Virginia
Blue Ridge Parkway, Milepost 60-90: testers noted the Road Glide’s fixed fairing held a steadier line in crosswinds, while the Street Glide felt more agile on tight switchbacks near Peaks of Otter Lodge.
I-95 Express Lanes, Richmond → D.C.: both bikes’ adaptive cruise control (new for 2025) handled 45-to-70 mph speed swings, but riders found wind buffeting slightly higher on the Street Glide at 75+ mph.
9 | Popular CVO Upgrades (Under $1,500 Each)
- Screamin’ Eagle Heavy Breather Elite – $549 • Adds 5-hp mid-range gain.
- Heated Hammock Seat – $799 • Dual-zone heat plus built-in adjustable lumbar.
- Fang Front Spoiler – $899 • Reduces front-end lift at highway speed (Road Glide only).
- Lighted Saddlebag Lid Rails – $449 • Extra rear signature lighting for night visibility.
10 | Test-Ride & Buy at Colonial Harley-Davidson
- Book Online: colonialhd.com/test-ride — choose Road Glide CVO or Street Glide CVO.
- Arrive with endorsement & gear. Helmets & jackets available if needed.
- Ride our 8-mile loop: includes I-95 on-ramp, rural twisties & city stop-and-go.
- On-site trade-in appraisal in 20 min — just bring your title.
- Finance & ride home same day. Paperwork averages 90 minutes.
11 | People Also Ask — Quick Answers
What is the difference between CVO Road Glide and CVO Street Glide?
The Road Glide uses a frame-mounted shark-nose fairing for wind stability, while the Street Glide’s fork-mounted batwing adds lower seat height and easier low-speed maneuvering. Both share the 121 VVT engine and 500-watt audio.
Which 2025 CVO is better for long-distance highway touring?
The CVO Road Glide’s fixed fairing and Tour-Pak passenger backrest make it the mile-eater of choice for most riders.
How much does the 2025 CVO Road Glide cost?
$44,499 base MSRP, plus freight and surcharge.
Is adaptive cruise control standard on 2025 CVO models?
Yes. Both the CVO Road Glide and CVO Street Glide include H-D Adaptive Ride Cruise with radar-based following distance.
12 | Frequently Asked Questions
Do CVO models hold value better than standard Touring bikes?
Historically, CVO resale outperforms standard Specials by 4-6 percentage points after five years due to limited production numbers and factory custom paint.
Can I remove the Tour-Pak on a CVO Road Glide?
Yes, the King-Tour-Pak uses a One-Touch quick-detach system—convert to stripped bagger in 2 minutes.
Are the paint schemes really hand-applied?
CVO paint uses hand-masked graphics and each panel passes a multi-stage clear-coat process at the York, PA facility. Final inspection includes color-match under daylight lamps.
Will Stage II cams void my factory warranty?
Screamin’ Eagle Stage II Torque or Power kits installed by an authorized dealer retain full factory coverage under the Harley-Davidson Parts & Accessories Limited Warranty.
13 | Key Takeaways
- Choose CVO Road Glide for ultimate wind stability, Tour-Pak comfort and a slightly taller seat.
- Choose CVO Street Glide if you prefer a lower saddle, traditional batwing style and sharper urban handling.
- Both boast the new VVT 121 engine, 500-watt audio and Skyline OS—decide with a back-to-back ride at Colonial Harley-Davidson.
