Harley CVO Road Glide returns for 2020
Joining the Limited, Street Glide, and Tri Glide, the MY20 CVO Road Glide is the bagger member of the CVO family, identified by its cut-down fairing, hard panniers, 21-inch front wheel and low-slung back end.
Powered by the Milwaukee Eight 117 engine, the CVO Road Glide adds a bunch of new features for 2020, led by the Reflex Defensive Rider Systems (RDRS) that’s essentially a form of traction and stability control that matches engine performance during acceleration, deceleration and braking.
For the CVO Road Glide’s standard Boom! Box GTS infotainment system with Premium Boom! Audio, a wireless Boom! Audio 30K Bluetooth helmet headset is now standard. Using Mesh Intercom Network technology, the wireless headset can connect with up to 16 riders in private mode over a range of 8kms, with connection to what Harley calls a “near limitless” number of riders in public mode. Connection is automatic in public mode, too, eliminating lost group connections when someone goes out of range.
The wireless headset retains all the phone functionality, navigation prompts, radio and audio feeds, as well as the voice command functionality of a wired headset, while a Quick Charge feature enables up to five hours’ talk time from a 20-minute charge.
The Boom! Box GTS runs four Stage II bi-amped speakers, split between the fairing and the saddlebags, with 150 watts per channel from two separate 300-watt amps for 600 watts total power.
Control is via a 6.5-inch touchscreen that features Corning ‘Gorilla Glass’ for strength and maximum visibility, even in bright sun.
The Boom! Bos GTS is Apple CarPlay compatible, with advanced navigation functions and personalisation options. As well as the touchscreen, the infotainment system can also be operated by voice commands from the new wireless headset, or with traditional switchgear buttons.
New-for-2020 style features include Kahuna Collection heated grips, footboards, shifter pedals and muffler end caps. Accented with a red H-D Bar & Shield logo, these parts combine black mirror surfaces with black rubber inserts for grip and traction.
The two-piece fuel tank comes with a light-up CVO logo, while the standard Screamin’ Eagle ‘Heavy Breather’ air filter is finished in gloss black. The Heavy Breather is part of a high-performance intake system for the CVO Road Glide that’s matched to a high-performance camshaft on the CVO-exclusive Milwaukee Eight 117 to produce 168Nm of torque.
Carryover features for the 2020 model include the CVO Road Glide’s distinctive ‘Knockout’ 21-inch front and 18-inch rear wheels (with suspension re-tuned to suit), the ‘Fang’ lower front spoiler that’s exclusive to this model and the frame-mounted shark-nose fairing that’s wind-tunnel tested to be aerodynamically efficient and reduces head buffeting.
Daymaker LED headlights and moulded saddlebags with one-touch latches for easy opening also carry over for the 2020 model.
Where multiple colour options were offered in 2019 and previous years, the MY20 CVO Road Glide will be available in only one colour scheme – Premium Sand Dune. With a pearl topcoat and subtle graphics on the saddlebags, this mid-grey finish is accented with selected use of Smoked Satin Chrome, Gloss Black and Black Onyx finishes on the engine, exhaust, wheels and suspension.
Australian pricing for the 2020 CVO Road Glide is $55,995.
