The Harley-Davidson Road Glide Special and CVO
Harley-Davidson added the Road Glide CVO to the Harley-Davidson portfolio. In September 2019 it was still assumed that it would not come in the CVO version in 2020. The new one also has all the new HD assistance systems and HD Connect, such as the Street Glide CVO 2020. I always get questions about the differences between the Special and the CVO version.
The differences between the CVO and the Special 2020
The common added value of the CVO and Special models is the special paintwork. On the Special, the engine and exhaust system are black, the CVO has more chrome applications and the rocker arm housings are set off with a red stripe.
Harley-Davidson Road Glide CVO 2020
According to current information, it will only hit the road in the Sand Dune paint set. The Milwaukee-Eight V2 engine has 1,923ccm displacement and 105 hp.
The power can now be controlled even in the rain thanks to the electronic helpers. The Reflex Defensive braking system ensures that the Road Glide CVO comes to a safe stop again.
The abbreviation CVO stands for Custom Vehicle Operations . Strictly speaking, CVO types do not form an independent model family, as they can come from different series. Custom Vehicle Operations are dedicated design, engineering and assembly teams at Harley-Davidson factories dedicated to the design and manufacture of exquisite custom models.
With their limited production models, they take factory customization to the extreme every year. Tailor-made in-house accessory collections make the CVO bikes the most exclusive machines in the Harley-Davidson portfolio.
Many accessories are used on these machines for the first time before the company includes them in the official Parts & Accessories range. Thanks to the wide range of technical and visual refinements that characterize them, these motorcycles the bar in terms of high-end customization year after year.
Selected specialists assemble the CVO bikes in separate areas of the Harley-Davidson plants. CVO forms a “special unit” in production, whereby a single person is responsible for assembling a machine. Each employee produces around two machines per day - in many areas by hand. CVO bikes are manufactured at a total of five work stations, while the other Harley-Davidson models are manufactured at 15 to 25 stations, depending on the type.
Road Glide Special 2020
The Road Glide Special comes in 7 different colors in 2020. The real eye-catcher is the Eagle Eye special paintwork; the special edition paintwork can be ordered from €29,765. If you want to order the Road Glide in your own color choice, Harley-Davidson will make you a happy Road Glide Special owner with an individual paint set starting at €30,495.
On the Special, the engine is deep black, with a few subtle chrome emblems adorning the engine. The cockpit is in dark mode and equipped with the BOOM BOX GTS infotainment system. Their feature is a lot of black, handlebars, rims, engine, exhaust, everything is special.
The Special is delivered with the large-displacement 114cui engine (1868ccm), the power from the 114
The colors of the Road Glide Special 2020
The differences between the Road Glide CVO and the Special
Both have the Milwaukee-Eight engine installed, in the CVO it works with 117cui (1,923ccm) and in the Special with 114cui (1,868ccm). Anyone who opens the calculation will see a few points that speak in favor of the CVO. While the Special has a 19-inch rim at the front, the rim of the CVO measures 21 inches.
The 300 watt sound system has additional speakers in the side cases, the system is noticeably better than on the other tours below the CVO class. However, the speakers and their amplifier require additional space. Also included is the wireless “Boom! Audio 30k” Bluetooth helmet headset, basically the “Boom! Box GTS” infotainment system is powerful enough to convey the navigation announcements understandably in any situation, although it is much more convenient to place the announcements specifically on the helmet. It is possible to make various settings in the configuration of the Boom Box GTS.
The seat height of the CVO is 3cm lower than the Special and the CVO weighs approx. 18 kilos more when ready to ride. The last thing I noticed was that the seats on the CVO models are absolutely suitable for touring, which is also good on the Special, but the CVO looks better and has better support.
It's a question of money, both machines can look very good, but if you're thinking about pimping out a special, you should think carefully about it.
A good tip could also be a new model from last year, but the 2019 models do not have the new driver support and the new HD Connect system, which allows you to be in contact with the machine at any time via smartphone. This includes, among other things, the fuel level, the remaining range and the battery charge level. If someone tampers with the machine, there is a message on your cell phone and the tracking system shows you where it is.
Both models have bright Daymaker LED double headlights that do not require cornering lights, the enormous light output is one of the most noticeable of all Harley-Davidson models.
That was just a small overview of the differences between the two models, if you go into the details you will find a few more reasons for the CVO, but the Special is also a TOP device, I have been able to drive many thousands of kilometers with it, doing both Fun and that's what it's all about!
CVO Road Glide – Specifications and Price
| Engine Milwaukee-Eight 117cui / 1,923ccm displacement | |
| Torque 171Nm at 3,750 rpm 105 HP / x78 Kw @ 5450 rpm | |
| Tank capacity 22.7L Length 2,460mm Seat height, unloaded 680mm | |
| TIRES, FRONT BW 130/60B21 M/C63H | |
| REAR TIRE BW 180/55B18 M/C80H | |
| WEIGHT, READY TO DRIVE 405 kg | |
| Price from €40,995 |
Road Glide Special – Specifications and Price
| Engine Milwaukee-Eight 114cui / 1,868ccm displacement | |
| Torque 163Nm at 3,000 rpm 89 HP / x66 Kw @ 5020 rpm | |
| Tank capacity 22.7L Length 2,430mm Seat height, unloaded 695mm | |
| TIRES, FRONT 130/60B19 61H | |
| REAR TIRE BW 180/55B18 80H | |
| WEIGHT, READY TO DRIVE 387 kg | |
| Price from €28,995 |
Fast Johnnie Street Glide – Fast Johnnie Road Glide – Fast Johnnie Low Rider ST Enthusiast Collection
Continue reading "
