2025 Harley-Davidson® CVO Road Glide ST 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?
3.1 Shared Architecture
- 4.075-in bore x 4.625-in stroke (1,977 cc)
- Variable valve timing on both cams
- High-flow intake tract & 4.0-in velocity stacks
3.2 RR-Specific Upgrades
- 2 mm larger throttle bodies
- Titanium intake valves, sodium-filled exhaust valves
- 11.7:1 compression (ST runs 11.4:1)
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.
4. Chassis, Suspension & Brakes
Harley retained the Touring backbone frame but swapped every consumable for race-grade bits:
- Showa BFF43 43 mm inverted fork, fully adjustable
- Showa BFRC remote-reservoir shocks, remote preload
- Brembo Stylema radial monoblocks + 320 mm floating rotors
- Machined 18-lb forged wheels shave 7 lb unsprung vs stock
5. First-Ride Impressions – Street, Track & I-95 Touring
5.1 Urban & Back-Road Feel
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
| 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 now
Schedule 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.
