Big engines, big fairings, big LED lights. They can only be the new 2024 Harley-Davidson tourers.
Harley-Davidson has dropped the covers on its new lineup of 2024 motorcycles, with new colours and big fairings headlining alongside an injection of new technology.
Harley says its three new 2024 motorcycle models usher in a new era of touring performance, technology, and design. On the face of it, that is pretty much the whole story. The new Street Glide and Road Glide models feature the new Milwaukee-Eight 117, and are more powerful, comfortable, and lighter, but they have been jam-packed with the latest technology, including a new infotainment system which is all wrapped up in a new visual design.
For those with deeper pockets and a flair for standing out, This year’s CVO Road Gide ST commemorates the 25th anniversary of Custom Vehicle Operations by taking hot rod bagger performance to the next level with racing-inspired high-performance suspension and brakes, and a potent new Milwaukee-Eight 121 High Output engine. With a low final drive ratio that all combines to produce the kind of acceleration and mid-range thrust aggressive riders adore.
Speaking on the new 2024 models, Harley-Davidson CEO Jochen Zeitz says the new bikes are an elevation of Harley’s previous offerings.
“These exciting new models represent a new era for Harley-Davidson, elevating every aspect of
performance, technology, comfort, and style,” Zeitz said. “Without question, these are the most enticing touring motorcycles ever offered by Harley-Davidson.”
Each of these 2024 models is scheduled to reach authorised Harley-Davidson dealerships in the NZ market from mid-March 2024 with pricing set to be announced closer to their release.
2024 Street Glide and Road Glide breakdown
For 2024, Harley’s Street Glide and Road Glide models are more powerful, lighter, and more dynamic than ever before, with the bikes getting all-new visual design elements to give the aesthetic a cohesive dynamic flow from the front fenders to the saddlebags.
Starting with the heart of the bikes, both score an updated Milwaukee-Eight 117 V-Twin engine features a new cooling system which further optimises thermal comfort for the rider and enhanced intake and exhaust flow to boost performance. Additionally, rear suspension travel is increased to 3-inches (76.2mm).
On top of this, Harley is introducing selectable Ride Modes to the Street and Road Glides with both getting four modes to tailor the ride to the situation. That comes in the form of a Road, Sport, Rain and Custom which electronically control the performance characteristics of the motorcycle.
Further electronics updates come in the Infotainment system, which is powered by Skyline OS and displayed on a large 12.3-inch TFT colour touchscreen which replaces all analogue instrumentation and most switches. While the loss of the old-school instrumentation is sure to make some riders shout their disapproval, new Street and Road Glide owners can drown them out thanks to a new 200-watt audio amplifier that powers a pair of fairing-mounted speakers.
Rounding out the redesign of the 2024 Road and Street Glide is a improved aerodynamics that enhance rider comfort and reduces subjective helmet buffeting at highway speed by an average of 60 per cent, according to Harley-Davidson. Additionally, a redesigned one-piece seat shape and padding materials offer a significant improvement in long-range comfort for most riders.
NEW CVO Road Glide ST
The new CVO Road Glide ST is in Harley’s own words, “the quickest, fastest, and most sophisticated performance bagger ever produced by Harley-Davidson.” It sure looks it!
With a massive 121 cubic inch (1982.83cc) High Output Milwaukee-Eight at its heart, a deep solo seat and six-inch riser paired with a Moto handlebar put the rider in an aggressive, upright position with West Coast custom style.
The CVO Road Glide ST will be offered in two premium paint choices: Golden White Pearl or Raven Metallic. A Screamin’ Eagle graphic on the fairing sides and fuel tank is inspired by the Screamin’ Eagle Harley-Davidson Factory motorcycles raced in the MotoAmerica Mission King of the Baggers series. As part of the 25th anniversary of Custom Vehicle Operations, the bikes also feature CVO 25th Anniversary graphics to celebrate a milestone.
The monstrous Milwaukee-Eight 121 High Output V-Twin engine is exclusive to the CVO Road Glide ST, and is tuned to produce 126 horsepower (94kW) and 193 Nm of torque – the most horsepower and torque ever from a factory-installed engine in a production Harley-Davidson motorcycle. A lower final drive ratio is selected to enhance acceleration performance in every gear.
Thanks to the use of alternate materials help reduce dry weight to 366 kg. These come inteh form of the mufflers having lightweight titanium shells and forged carbon fibre end caps; forged carbon fibre composite is used to form the front fender, seat cowl and tank console; the oil pan is formed of lightweight composite; and wheel design and wave-style front brake rotors are optimised to minimise unsprung weight.
All that grunt necessitates a need for control, and Harley has bestowed the CVO Road Glide ST with fully adjustable front and rear suspension. This comes in the form of SHOWA rear shocks with remote reservoirs out the back while in the front is an inverted 47mm SHOWA 1x1 fork.
Stopping comes courtesy of Brembo.
Like the new Road Glide and Street Glide, the CVO also gets ride modes, but also scores Track, Track Plus, and multiple Custom modes on top of the four base maps.
In the cockpit, the infotainment technology is powered by Skyline OS. A colour touchscreen
replaces all analogue instrumentation and most switches. A premium audio system features
a 500-watt amplifier and Harley-Davidson Audio powered by Rockford Fosgate Stage II
6.5-inch fairing speakers.
In 2023, the CVO Street Glide and CVO Road Glide models introduced a bold new design direction for the Harley-Davidson Grand American Touring platform, the extraordinary
performance of the Milwaukee-Eight VVT 121 powertrain and advanced suspension, and
infotainment technology powered by the exclusive Skyline OS. Both models reprise all of those features for 2024 along with new colour options.