WE’LL take one with the lot please. The 2019 Harley-Davidson CVO Street Glide is the absolute pinnacle when it comes to ownership and ride experience – dripping in chrome, custom paint and exclusive bling, there is no compromise for this custom bagger.
CVO stands for Custom Vehicle Operations and the nomenclature is applied to a selected few models each year to create a very special family of supreme true limited edition Harley-Davidson bikes.
The ultimate in factory customisation, every detail and function on the 2019 Harley-Davidson CVO Street Glide has been designed to offer a sense of purpose and style.
From the red highlights on top of the motor heads that draw the eye, to the massive 117 Milwaukee Eight motor, and the way they’ve matched the highlights on the long stretched saddle bags, everything on this bike is designed to elevate the riders experience.
The 117 cubic inch power plant is the largest factory option offered by Harley-Davidson, delivering 1923cc and 166Nm – it’s definitely got plenty of mumbo when you twist the throttle.
That throttle response is smooth and crisp, and even with standard pipes has a nice rumble. Whether passing cars on the freeway or belting through the turns, it’s a solid performer that will happily cruise at the speed limit.
The factory fitted cruise control works a treat too, and handling is exceptional for such a large bike. With a dry weight of 385kg, the CVO is no heavy betty through the corners either, and offered real surprise on the back roads.
In fact, it has such a good center of gravity that it just, excuse the pun, glides through the corners almost gracefully. The balance is so rewarding that you acclimatise to the size of the bike quickly, making it easier to trust your ride, and push harder through corners.
Performance is excellent, from both a handling and power perspective, and let’s face it, and the bike looks great, especially in Charcoal Steel and Lightening Silver, one of the three exclusive paint schemes for the 2019 Harley-Davidson CVO Street Glide.
It’s also available in Black Forest and Wineberry, and Black Forest, and no matter which one you choose, the finish is sensational. Premium custom Talon wheels look tough and stylish in shadow chrome and match the paint beautifully.
Paired with stretched saddlebags and an exclusive low profile seat, the 2019 Harley-Davidson CVO Street Glide oozes custom bagger style, and has everything you would expect from a premium custom touring bike.
The user-friendly Boom Box GTS infotainment system is on board, boasting six speakers and three separate amplifiers. The sound system pumps, and even with a full-face helmet on riding at over 100km/h sound quality and sound levels were excellent.
The Boom Box GTS offers Bluetooth connectivity, satellite navigation, and its coolest feature, a wireless headset interface that allows the rider to communicate with the infotainment system, passenger and other riders.
Ergonomically, the controls are functional and aesthetically look great. Gone are the black controls traditionally found on most Harley-Davidson bikes, replaced with premium chrome bits – in fact it’s chrome as far as the eye can see.
From the outer rings on the gauges to the switch blocks and switches, and even the fuel cap, everything is stunning chrome. The custom look continues with heated hand grips that match the floor boards as well, along with the shift lever and rear brake pedal.
It’s the little details that combine exceptionally well to give the rider the feeling that this bike is custom, and truly something special. The true beauty of this bagger is its versatility though.
Designed as a premium touring bike, it’s just as at home down the pub or sitting outside a cafe. Short weekend rides are just as comfortable as long tours and thousands of kilometres of road trip.
In reality, if you’re prepared to pay the asking price, $53,495 ride away, you’re a serious Harley-Davidson enthusiast who wants it all. And while the ticket price might look expensive, you are ultimately buying a piece of Harley-Davidson royalty.
Our test bike was provided by Harley-Davidson Australia. To find out more about the 2019 Harley-Davidson CVO Street Glide, contact your local Harley-Davidson dealer. Pictures courtesy of Cameron Cooke Photography.
