2026 Harley-Davidson® CVO™ Road Glide® ST near Greenville, SC

Red 2026 H-D® CVO™ Road Glide® ST ridden on an open highway with hills and blue sky in the background
The 2026 Harley-Davidson® CVO™ Road Glide® ST is engineered as a performance-focused touring motorcycle with measurable outputs across engine performance, chassis design, and integrated technology systems. This model uses a Milwaukee-Eight® 121 High Output engine paired with a six-speed drivetrain, supported by a rigid frame structure and adjustable suspension components. Its geometry, braking configuration, and electronic rider aids are designed to provide controlled handling and consistent power delivery. The integration of a large-format TFT display and Skyline™ OS introduces a centralized interface for navigation, vehicle data, and connectivity. 

Engine Output and Mechanical Configuration

The Milwaukee-Eight® 121 High Output engine has a displacement of 121 cubic inches or 1,977 cubic centimeters. It produces 127 horsepower at 4,900 rpm and 145 ft-lb of torque at 4,000 rpm. These values are achieved using a compression ratio of 11.4:1, which increases combustion efficiency and supports consistent power delivery across the operating range.

The engine uses a pushrod-operated overhead valve configuration with four valves per cylinder and hydraulic self-adjusting lifters. This design reduces maintenance requirements while maintaining valve timing accuracy. Bore and stroke measurements are 4.075 inches and 4.6 inches, respectively, supporting torque-focused performance characteristics.

Fuel delivery is managed through Electronic Sequential Port Fuel Injection, which meters fuel precisely based on engine load and throttle input. The intake system includes a fiberglass, washable air cleaner. Exhaust gases exit through a 2-1-2 dual exhaust system with tapered mufflers, which supports balanced airflow and exhaust scavenging.

Lubrication is handled by a pressurized dry-sump system, ensuring consistent oil circulation under varying operating conditions. This system separates oil storage from the crankcase, improving thermal management and engine reliability.

Drivetrain Structure and Gear Ratios

The drivetrain consists of a chain-driven primary system with a 34 to 46 ratio and a belt-driven final drive with a 30 to 68 ratio. This configuration provides durability and reduces maintenance compared to fully chain-driven systems.

The transmission is a six-speed Cruise Drive® unit with gear ratios designed to balance acceleration and highway efficiency. The overall ratios are 10.233 in first gear, 7.093 in second gear, 5.268 in third gear, 4.266 in fourth gear, 3.635 in fifth gear, and 3.067 in sixth gear. These ratios allow the engine to operate within its optimal torque band across a wide range of speeds.

The clutch is a mechanically actuated 10-plate wet clutch with Assist and Slip functionality. This system reduces clutch lever effort and limits rear-wheel instability during aggressive downshifts by controlling torque transfer.

Frame Construction and Dimensional Layout

The frame uses a mild steel tubular design with a two-piece stamped and welded backbone. Cast and forged junctions increase structural integrity, while twin downtubes provide support for the engine and front suspension. The rear frame section is bolt-on with forged fender supports, allowing for structural strength and serviceability.

The motorcycle has a total length of 94.9 inches, a width of 36.4 inches, and a height of 50.4 inches. The wheelbase measures 64 inches, contributing to stability during straight-line riding and at higher speeds. The rake angle is set at 26 degrees, with a fork angle of 29.25 degrees and a trail measurement of 6.7 inches. These values define the steering geometry and influence handling response.

Seat height is 27.5 inches when laden and 28.3 inches when unladen. Static ground clearance is measured at 5.1 inches. These dimensions support rider accessibility and maintain clearance during operation.

The motorcycle weighs 800 pounds as shipped and 838 pounds in running order. The gross vehicle weight rating is 1,360 pounds, with a front axle rating of 500 pounds and a rear axle rating of 927 pounds. These figures define load capacity and distribution.

Suspension Components and Travel

The front suspension consists of 47 mm inverted forks with adjustable preload, compression damping, and rebound damping. This adjustability allows the suspension to be tuned for varying rider preferences and road conditions. The rear suspension uses an emulsion shock system with the same adjustable parameters.

Front suspension travel is 4.6 inches, while rear travel is 3 inches. These values provide a balance between ride compliance and controlled handling. Optional Adaptive Ride Height suspension can modify seat height dynamically, improving rider reach during stops.

The swingarm is constructed from mild steel with a two-piece drawn and welded structure and forged junctions. This design supports rear-wheel alignment and contributes to overall chassis rigidity.

Wheels, Tires, and Lean Capabilities

The motorcycle is equipped with black, 7-spoke cast aluminum wheels. The front wheel measures 19 inches in diameter and 3.5 inches in width, while the rear wheel measures 18 inches in diameter and 5 inches in width. This combination supports stability and traction across varying road surfaces.

Tire specifications include a Dunlop® Harley-Davidson® Series D408F front tire sized at 130/60B19 and a D407T rear tire sized at 180 over 55B18. These tires are bias blackwall types designed for touring and performance use.

The motorcycle achieves a lean angle of 31 degrees on both the left and right sides. This measurement defines the maximum angle at which the motorcycle can be leaned during cornering without contacting components.

Braking Hardware and Control Systems

The braking system uses dual front disc brakes with 12.6-inch wave-style floating rotors and a single rear disc brake with an 11.8-inch rotor. The front brakes are equipped with 4-piston fixed radial-mounted calipers, while the rear uses a single axial-mounted caliper.

Anti-lock Braking System is standard and prevents wheel lockup during braking. Electronic Linked Braking distributes braking force between the front and rear wheels, improving stability and reducing stopping distance variability.

Electrical System and Lighting Configuration

The electrical system includes a sealed maintenance-free 12-volt battery rated at 28 amp-hours and 405 cold cranking amps. Charging is managed by a three-phase 58-amp system that provides up to 754 watts of output at 13 volts.

The starting system uses a 1.6 kilowatt electric starter with solenoid shift engagement. Lighting components include LED headlamps, tail and stop lamps, front signal lights, and rear turn signals. LED technology reduces power consumption and improves visibility.

Digital gauges are integrated into the display system, eliminating the need for separate analog instrumentation. A USB-C power outlet rated at 15 watts is located in the media storage compartment for device charging.

Infotainment Interface and Connectivity Features

The infotainment system operates on Skyline™ OS and is displayed on a 12.3-inch full-color TFT screen. This interface consolidates navigation, audio, and vehicle information into a single display.

Audio output is delivered through two 6.5-inch speakers mounted in the fairing, supported by 125 watts per channel. The system includes AM and FM radio functionality, along with support for media playback through USB connections.

Bluetooth® connectivity enables hands-free mobile phone operation and media streaming. Apple CarPlay® is supported in both wireless and wired formats. Navigation is integrated and includes traffic and weather updates when connected to a Wi-Fi hotspot.

The vehicle information screen displays data such as air temperature, oil pressure, and engine idle temperature management system status. Text-to-speech functionality supports system prompts and navigation guidance.

Fuel Capacity, Efficiency, and Fluid Systems

The fuel tank has a capacity of 6 gallons, with a reserve capacity of 1 gallon indicated by a warning light. Fuel economy is estimated at 44 miles per gallon under combined city and highway conditions.

Fluid capacities include 5 quarts of engine oil with filter, 1 quart for the transmission, 1.1 quarts for the primary chain case, and 0.82 quarts of coolant. These capacities ensure proper lubrication and thermal management across all systems.

Luggage capacity is rated at 2.42 cubic feet, providing storage for touring requirements without affecting weight distribution significantly.

Integrated Rider Safety Technologies

The motorcycle includes a range of electronic rider safety systems. These include Traction Control System, Drag-Torque Slip Control System, Vehicle Hold Control, and Tire Pressure Monitoring System. Each system functions to maintain stability and control during acceleration, deceleration, and stationary conditions.

Cornering-enhanced systems adjust performance based on lean angle. These include Cornering Enhanced Anti-lock Braking System, Cornering Enhanced Electronic Linked Braking, Cornering Enhanced Traction Control System, and Cornering Drag-Torque Slip Control System. These features modify braking and traction inputs during cornering to maintain stability.

Schedule a Test Ride at Timms Harley-Davidson®

Riders interested in examining the technical systems of the 2026 Harley-Davidson® CVO™ Road Glide® ST can arrange a detailed evaluation at Timms Harley-Davidson® near Greenville, SC. A test ride allows direct assessment of the Milwaukee-Eight® 121 High Output engine, including torque delivery and throttle response across all six gears. The suspension adjustability and braking systems can be experienced under controlled conditions to understand their operational characteristics. The infotainment interface and connectivity features can also be reviewed during operation to evaluate usability and display clarity. Contact our team to schedule a test ride and review how each specification performs during operation.