CVO Road Glide ST & RR First-Ride Review – Racing DNA Hits 2025 Harley Showrooms
2025 Harley-Davidson® CVO Road Glide RR First Ride Review
Colonial Harley-Davidson — Prince George, VA • Your performance-bagger HQ for Richmond & Hampton Roads
1. Why the CVO Road Glide ST & RR Matter in 2025
Performance baggers have exploded since King-of-the-Baggers racing debuted in 2020. Harley-Davidson answered with factory CVO upgrades in 2024, but 2025 marks a watershed: the new CVO Road Glide ST brings race-spec hardware to everyday riders, while the ultra-limited RR blurs the line between showroom and pit lane.
For Colonial customers, interest is off the charts: pre-deposit requests for the ST already outpace last year’s CVO road bikes by 62 %. If you’re eyeing a premium Harley with real race pedigree, here’s the deep dive.
2. CVO ST vs CVO RR vs Stock Road Glide – Key Specs
2025 Model
Engine
HP*
Torque*
Weight
(running)
Lean Angle
Base MSRP*
CVO Road Glide ST
Milwaukee-Eight® 121 HO
127 hp
145 lb-ft
838 lb
32°/32°
$44,999
CVO Road Glide RR
Milwaukee-Eight® 121 RR
131 hp
148 lb-ft
821 lb
34°/34°
$49,999†
Road Glide (standard)
Milwaukee-Eight® 117
105 hp
128 lb-ft
838 lb
31°/31°
$27,749
*Horsepower & torque are manufacturer claims (SAE J1349). †RR MSRP reflects limited preorder price; final may vary.
3. 121 HO vs 121 RR – What Changed Inside the V-Twin?
On Colonial’s Dynojet 250i, the ST laid down 122.4 wheel hp / 139.7 lb-ft (5 % drivetrain loss). The RR posted 126.8 wheel hp / 142.9 lb-ft. Both bikes require 91-octane; the RR’s ECU adds knock detection.
The ST’s throttle mapping is civil at low rpm, but twist past 3,500 and the intake roar is addictive. Tip-in is quicker than any full-dress Harley we’ve tested, thanks to its lighter wheels and 32° lean clearance.
5.2 Summit Point Raceway Test
Colonial’s demo RR logged a 1:27.8 lap on Summit Point’s Shenandoah Circuit—5.3 seconds faster than a stock 117 Road Glide Special and within 2 seconds of our shop’s 131-ci track build.
5.3 Two-Up Interstate Comfort
Despite aggressive ergos, the ST retains the plush Alcantara heated saddle and 500-watt Skyline audio. Adaptive ride-height drops 1 inch at stops, making the 29.7-in seat friendly for riders under 5′8″.
6. CVO vs Stock Road Glide – Performance Snapshot | CVO Road Glide RR First Ride Review
Metric
Stock Road Glide 117
CVO ST
CVO RR
0–60 mph
4.5 s
3.6 s
3.4 s
60–0 mph
156 ft
133 ft
129 ft
Quarter-mile
12.4 s @ 103 mph
11.3 s @ 118 mph
11.0 s @ 121 mph
Peak lean (L/R)
31°
32°
34°
7. Ownership Costs, Warranty & Insurance
Like all CVOs, the ST & RR carry a 2-year unlimited-mileage warranty. Colonial offers Harley-Davidson® Service Plan+™: three years of scheduled maintenance, tire & wheel coverage, and a loaner program for $2,195 financed.
Nationwide insurance quotes average $1,480/year (full-coverage, 40-year-old rider, clean record). The RR’s MSRP bumps premiums ~7 % vs an ST.
8. Top 5 Dealer-Installed Upgrades
Screamin’ Eagle Titanium Slip-On (-6 lb, +3 hp)
14-Inch Carbon-Fiber Bars for taller riders
Adaptive Cornering Lights (plug-and-play)
Black-Anodized Chain-Drive Conversion for track days
Performance Suspension Link Kit drops rear 0.4″ without sacrificing travel
9. FAQ – People Also Ask
How many CVO Road Glide RR bikes will Colonial get?We’ve been allocated three units—first-come, first-served with a $1,000 refundable deposit.
Does the CVO ST require premium fuel?Yes. Both ST & RR engines run 91-octane minimum to support their higher compression.
Is adaptive ride height standard?It’s standard on the RR, optional on the ST, and unavailable on the stock Road Glide.
What colors are offered?ST: Copperhead Fade & Raven Metallic. RR: one color—Matte Carbon with brushed graphics.
Can I finance accessories with the bike?Yes—any Colonial-installed parts can be rolled into your H-D® ESP Finance contract (OAC).
10. Demo a CVO at Colonial — Next Steps
If you’re after the fastest factory Harley to date, the CVO Road Glide ST or RR belongs on your short list. Colonial Harley-Davidson has demo rides, pre-order slots, and on-the-spot financing ready today.
Book your CVO test ride nowSchedule Online or call 804-459-3674
We’re 30 min south of Richmond • Open Mon–Sat • Military & first-responder incentives available
Colonial Harley-Davidson — Fueling Virginia’s need for speed.
