Harley-Davidson has not yet officially confirmed the release of the CVO Street Glide 121, but the internet has been buzzing with speculation. Recently, genuine photos of the motorcycle have emerged via new certification filings in Australia. The pictures show a bike that is easily recognizable as a Street Glide but also features several new design elements compared to its predecessor.
One of the most striking changes is the substantially reworked batwing fairing, which now includes a squared-off “squircle-shaped” LED headlight rimmed with accent lighting and flanked by long strips of LED running lights extending into the mirror housings. The fairing’s lower edge also juts forward for a more aerodynamic look. The front fender design features a combination of traditional-style wire spokes with a cast or forged alloy rim that has raised sections where it meets the spokes, similar to BMW’s Cross Spoke wheels.
The CVO Street Glide also boasts a pair of large, floating brake discs, more commonly found on sportbikes, with radial-mount, four-piston Brembo calipers. The tank, seat, and side panels below it are also subtly reshaped, and the motorcycle has new, vertical taillights and redesigned exhausts with larger exits and a dark chrome finish. The bike’s vast display screen replaces conventional instruments and provides connectivity, navigation, multimedia control, and access to rider-adaptable settings. There are new, multifunction control pods on the bars, with a D-pad on the left-hand bar controls to operate the added tech.
The CVO Street Glide’s engine, denoted by “121” badges on the intake and clutch cover, has a capacity of around 1,983cc, which is slightly less than the current Stage III Screamin’ Eagle kit for the Milwaukee-Eight V-twin. However, the new engine is expected to include a variable valve timing system, giving the air-cooled Milwaukee-Eight a new weapon in the battle to beat emissions limits. The bike also features a large cooler, but it is unclear whether it is an oil-cooler or a radiator, making it the “Twin-Cooled” version of the engine.
Although the initial model is part of the high-end CVO range, it is expected that the new design elements and engine improvements will filter down to more mainstream bikes in the future. The CVO Street Glide is not the only motorcycle getting a substantial set of updates; Harley is also expected to launch a similarly updated CVO Road Glide later this year with the same new wheels and 121ci engine, as well as redesigned bodywork.
