The 2026 Harley-Davidson CVO Road Glide ST takes the traditional American bagger formula and pushes it in a much more performance-focused direction. Instead of concentrating purely on long-distance touring comfort, Harley-Davidson has equipped the CVO Road Glide ST with a high-output Milwaukee-Eight 121 engine, adjustable suspension, aggressive rider ergonomics, premium braking hardware and selectable ride modes.
The result is a CVO bagger designed to bring more performance and sharper handling to the Road Glide platform.
A Performance-Focused Road Glide
The 2026 CVO Road Glide ST is powered by Harley-Davidson’s Milwaukee-Eight 121 High Output engine. In the U.S.-specification model, the engine produces a claimed 127 horsepower at 4,900 rpm and 145 lb-ft of torque at 4,000 rpm. The engine has a 121-cubic-inch displacement, an 11.4:1 compression ratio and electronic sequential port fuel injection.
Harley-Davidson has paired the engine with a Heavy Breather intake and performance-oriented exhaust hardware, giving the ST a more aggressive character than a conventional touring-focused Road Glide.
For riders who want the sound, torque and presence of a large American V-twin but also want a more sporting personality, this engine is one of the defining features of the motorcycle.
Sharper Chassis and Suspension
One of the biggest differences between the CVO Road Glide ST and a conventional touring bagger is its chassis setup.
The motorcycle features an inverted front fork with adjustable preload, compression damping and rebound damping. The rear suspension also provides adjustable preload, compression damping and rebound damping.
That level of adjustment gives riders more opportunity to tailor the motorcycle to their riding style, road conditions and load.
The ST also gets a more aggressive riding position, with a moto-style handlebar and six-inch risers. Harley-Davidson combines this setup with Switchback Collection components and seven-spoke cast-aluminum wheels to emphasize the motorcycle’s performance-oriented character.
Brembo Brakes and Performance Hardware
The CVO Road Glide ST is not simply a styling package.
At the front, Harley-Davidson fits dual four-piston radial-mounted calipers and dual floating wave-style rotors. The rear uses a single axial-mounted brake caliper and fixed rotor.
The braking hardware is important on a motorcycle weighing 838 pounds in running order in U.S. specification. The ST’s performance equipment is therefore designed around managing both its substantial mass and its higher-output engine.
Track and Track+ Ride Modes
The electronics are another major part of the CVO Road Glide ST’s identity.
Harley-Davidson offers eight selectable ride modes, including Road, Rain, Sport, Track, Track+ and three Custom settings.
The inclusion of Track and Track+ modes makes the ST unusual among large touring motorcycles. These modes allow the rider to alter the motorcycle’s electronic behavior for more performance-oriented riding.
The bike also incorporates rider-safety technologies including cornering ABS and traction-control functionality.
Aggressive Road Glide Styling
The familiar Road Glide Sharknose fairing remains one of the motorcycle’s most recognizable design elements, but the CVO Road Glide ST adds several performance-inspired details.
The front fender, tank console and rear seat cowl use forged carbon fiber, combining a distinctive appearance with weight-saving potential.
The motorcycle is offered in three exclusive colorways: Citrus Heat Re-Entry, Inferno Gray and Electric Coast. The Citrus Heat Re-Entry version receives a particularly aggressive graphic treatment across the fairing and tank.
A red-tinted windshield and Performance Red accents further emphasize the ST’s sporting personality.
Road Glide ST Dimensions and Specifications
The 2026 CVO Road Glide ST measures 94.9 inches in length, with a 64-inch wheelbase and a 26.7-inch laden seat height. Ground clearance is listed at 5.1 inches.
The motorcycle uses a 130/60B19 front tire and a 180/55B18 rear tire. Fuel capacity is 6 gallons, while luggage capacity is listed at 2.42 cubic feet.
For markets using metric specifications, Harley-Davidson’s APAC specification lists the engine at 1,977 cc, with 193 Nm of torque, a 22.7-liter fuel tank and a 380 kg running-order weight.
Skyline OS Technology
The CVO Road Glide ST is not all about mechanical performance.
The motorcycle comes with Harley-Davidson’s Skyline OS infotainment system and a 12.3-inch full-color TFT display. The system integrates the motorcycle’s digital gauges and infotainment functions into a large central display.
This gives the Road Glide ST a modern cockpit while retaining the physical presence and traditional styling expected from a CVO Harley-Davidson.
What Makes the CVO Road Glide ST Different?
The important point about the 2026 CVO Road Glide ST is that Harley-Davidson has not simply added cosmetic upgrades to a touring motorcycle.
The combination of the Milwaukee-Eight 121 High Output engine, adjustable suspension, radial front brakes, lightweight forged-carbon components, aggressive ergonomics and Track-oriented ride modes gives the motorcycle a distinct performance focus.Read also install-royal-enfield-clutch-plates
It remains a large bagger with substantial weight and touring capability, but its equipment is aimed at riders who want something more aggressive than a traditional Grand American Touring motorcycle.
Final Thoughts
The 2026 Harley-Davidson CVO Road Glide ST represents a sharper interpretation of the CVO bagger.
Its 121 High Output engine provides substantial performance, while the adjustable suspension and upgraded braking hardware address the chassis side of the equation. The forged-carbon components, moto-style handlebar and aggressive graphics reinforce the same message visually.
With Track and Track+ ride modes, Skyline OS technology and a premium CVO finish, the Road Glide ST combines Harley-Davidson’s traditional bagger identity with a much stronger performance emphasis.
For riders interested in a factory-built American touring motorcycle that places greater emphasis on performance and aggressive road riding, the 2026 CVO Road Glide ST is one of Harley-Davidson’s most performance-oriented Road Glide variants yet.