First Look: 2025 Harley-Davidson Road Glide CVO RR
Some of the new bikes we write about here are super-practical, useful, sensible buys. Some of the new bikes we write about here are much less so. But there aren’t many as extreme as this one – the 2025 Harley-Davidson CVO Road Glide RR (or to give it the logical easy-to-remember factory code name, the FLTRXRRSE). It’s a factory-built replica of Harley’s King of the Baggers AMA race bike, and is probably the most outlandish thing ever to come out of the factory gates.
2025 Harley-Davidson Road Glide CVO RR
First things first: the name. ‘CVO’ stands for Custom Vehicle Operations, and is the sort of ‘special projects’ division in the Milwaukee factory. ‘Road Glide’ is the firm’s current mid-touring option, with a half fairing and hard panniers, but no top box, which of course makes it a ‘bagger’. And ‘RR’ is the same hallowed twinning of consonants which has graced hot bikes for decades: Honda CBR900 RR, Kawasaki ZX-10RR, Triumph Speed Triple RR.
The initials stand for Race Replica, usually (though we’ve not seen many Speed Triple RRs lined up at a race meeting). And they’re completely appropriate here, for a replica of the factory race bike which competes for Harley in the AMA race series.
2025 Harley-Davidson Road Glide CVO RR
And what a replica. The CVO RR looks amazing, and the closer you look, the madder it gets. The engine is a highly-tuned version of the Milwaukee-Eight OHV single-cam engine, with four-valve heads and water-cooling, bored out to 2,147cc or 131 cubic inches as those jolly colonials like to say. It’s had a massive engine tune, with no holds barred, as you need to do when you start with such a low-tuned unit.
It’s got 2mm bigger Inconel valves, an enormous 68mm throttle body, race camshaft, billet clutch, special six-speed transmission, and loads more. The result is 153bhp peak power at 5,750rpm and 150 ft lb of torque at 4,750rpm: pretty wild figures and close to something like a Triumph Rocket 3 (180bhp and 166ft lb).
2025 Harley-Davidson Road Glide CVO RR
The chassis is an enigma. Obviously, it’s absolutely dripping in premium race kit: Öhlins FGR253 USD fully adjustable forks matched to remote reservoir twin rear shocks, and a one-off machined billet aluminium swingarm. That is a project in itself: a 100kg lump of T6061 aluminium gets machined down to a 12kg super-stiff swingarm, replacing the stock steel part. The suspension is set up to raise the whole bike by 50mm, increasing ground clearance and sharpening the steering.
Brakes are from Brembo’s top shelf: GP4-RX nickel-plated four-piston radial mount superbike calipers, with T-drive 320mm discs and race master cylinder. The nature of the bike means it also needs a big back brake, and there’s a four-piston Brembo there too, and a 300mm disc.
2025 Harley-Davidson Road Glide CVO RR
Now, normally if I’ve spoken about brakes like that, I’d expect to mention some sweet forged aluminium or carbon-fibre wheels and 17-inch race tyres next. But weirdly, the CVO Road Glide RR comes with standard wheels and tyres: a 19-inch front with a 130/60 tyre and an 18-inch rear wearing a 180/55 section hoop. Both tyres are standard Harley-specific touring fitments by Dunlop: D408/407, and you have to wonder what they’ll make of the power and torque on offer here…
2025 Harley-Davidson Road Glide CVO RR
The final set of race upgrades centre around weight loss, so the bodywork is all carbon fibre, footpegs and ancillary chassis components are aluminium, and the engine cases are all lightened billet alloy parts. The firm says it’s saved around 22kg with these mods, as well as the billet swingarm, and the titanium Akrapovic exhaust which saves 4.5kg on its own.
But the all-up wet weight is still astonishing: 356kg ready to ride. Part of that is down to all the road kit left on there we imagine: the CVO RR keeps the road bike’s audio kit, with speakers in the fairing, as well as the massive LCD display and all the lights, horn, charging kit and battery used on Harley’s street bikes. It also comes with a full set of rider aids: cornering ABS and traction, electronically-linked brakes, brake hill hold, tyre pressure monitoring, and a load of rider modes, including Track and Track Plus modes, which cuts the linked braking and gives minimal traction control.
2025 Harley-Davidson Road Glide CVO RR
The final astonishing figure is of course the price: $110,000 in the US (which is the only market where it’s officially available) which works out to about £85k at the moment. Just 131 will be built, one for each cubic inch in the engine, so you’ll need to be quick if you need one. More info on the 2025 Harley-Davidson Road Glide CVO RR (FLTRXRRSE to its friends) here: www.harley-davidson.com
2025 Harley-Davidson Road Glide CVO RR (FLTRXRRSE)Tech features
ENGINE
Screamin’ Eagle Stage IV CNC ported cylinder heads feature fully CNC machined combustion chambers and ports. Intake (42mm) and exhaust (34mm) valves are 2mm larger than standard Milwaukee-Eight valves for enhanced flow. Exhaust valves are fatigue-resistant Inconel. Multi-angle valve seats are fully blended to the ports and combustion chamber. The cylinder heads are liquid-cooled.
The high-performance SE8-550 Camshaft with 0.550-inch valve lift offers increased flow at high RPM for maximum horsepower.
A new race-inspired intake features a 68mm throttle body and a matching aluminium intake manifold to contribute to increased power output. The manifold is CNC machined to precisely match the intake ports for the smoothest possible air flow and shaped to minimize weight and to offer extra rider leg clearance. The engine breathes through a washable Screamin’ Eagle High Flow air filter.
These Screamin’ Eagle internal components contribute to durability under extreme duty: Screamin’ Eagle high-capacity valve lifters, Screamin’ Eagle high-performance valve springs, Screamin’ Eagle high-capacity inner camshaft bearing, and a Screamin’ Eagle high volume oil pump. The 6.8 grams/second fuel injectors ensure adequate fuel flow at high RPM.
A 30-tooth (30T) output sprocket provides a lower final drive ratio than the standard Road Glide model 32-tooth sprocket (2.27:1 with 30T vs. 2.13:1 with 32T) to boost acceleration performance in every gear.
The new Billet Clutch Basket designed by Harley-Davidson Factory Racing is machined from U.S.-sourced high-strength 7075 aluminium with a MIL-SPEC anodized finish. It is designed with precision tolerances to reduce wear and lost motion from friction disk chatter.
New billet aluminium powertrain covers reduce weight and have the same machined finish as covers on the Factory Race Team race bikes. The primary cover is shaped to provide additional lean angle and features added cooling fins.
The new Akrapovič designed for Harley-Davidson Factory Racing Full Titanium Exhaust features lightweight titanium 2-into-1 header pipes, carbon fibre exhaust shields and titanium muffler shells with titanium fibre end caps. This exhaust system is more than 10 pounds lighter than a standard Milwaukee-Eight exhaust. The high-flow design unlocks engine performance while maintaining noise and 50-state emissions compliance. Exhaust tone and level are enhanced to produce an exhilarating sound, especially on acceleration.
A new Screamin’ Eagle Racing King 6 Transmission has been battle-tested on Factory Race Team motorcycles and engineered for smooth shifting performance and durability. Key features include modified back-cut angles on the shift dogs to improve gear engagement and gears and shafts shot peened for strength.
2025 Harley-Davidson Road Glide CVO RR
CHASSIS
Inverted 43mm Öhlins FGR 253 Hypersport Superbike forks were developed in partnership between Öhlins and Harley-Davidson Factory Racing to offer no-compromise front suspension performance for confidence-inspiring handling. Rebound/compression damping is adjustable. Pre-load adjustment may be used to set suspension height for rider weight and desired vehicle attitude. Micro-polished inner tubes reduce friction for smooth performance, while pressurized TTX25 cartridge technology maintains damping at higher frequency to improve control, noticed by the rider as improved tire contact feel. Billet aluminium triple clamps are designed to maximize the performance of the Öhlins FGR 253 fork and use race-proven geometry combined with enhanced strength-to-weight ratio.
Dual outboard Screamin’ Eagle Öhlins Remote Reservoir shock absorbers feature the same technology developed for the race-prepared Harley-Davidson Factory Racing Road Glide bikes. Rebound/compression damping is adjustable. Pre-load adjustment may be used to set suspension height for rider weight and desired vehicle attitude. Total shock length of 14 inches (375mm) is adjustable on the rear eye +8/-2 mm. Remote reservoirs exposed between the rear fender and each saddlebag keep the shock oil and gas separated to maintain shock performance under demanding conditions.
Front and rear suspension is designed to raise the motorcycle ride height by 2 inches which contributes to an increase in lean angle to facilitate aggressive cornering. Lean angle is 36 degrees right and 35 degrees left, an increase of 3 degrees left and right compared to the CVO Road Glide ST model.
A new billet aluminium swingarm designed for Harley-Davidson Factory Team race motorcycles using advanced computer-aided engineering techniques including topology optimization is 10 percent stiffer and 10 percent lighter than the steel Road Glide model swingarm to contribute to precise handling in dynamic situations. The swingarm is CNC machined from a 220-pound billet of 6061 aluminium to a state-of-the-art 18-pound performance part.
2025 Harley-Davidson Road Glide CVO RR
Premium Braking Components
Brembo braking components provide outstanding braking feel and performance for added rider confidence.
Brembo GP4-RX CNC front calipers combine unrivalled stability with near-MotoGP levels of braking performance. The 2-piece calipers are machined from a solid block of billet aluminium, delivering outstanding strength and tighter machining tolerances. Brake pads slide within the caliper body on special guides machined directly into the caliper body, eliminating pad pins. The GP4-RX features a nickel-plated finish adapted from MotoGP which enables enhanced heat dissipation. The hydraulic system has been painstakingly optimized with four 32mm-diameter pistons for increased braking power, consistent performance and optimized feel. The front brake hand lever is adjustable for reach to best match rider hand size or preference.
Brembo T-Drive front rotors have the same fixing concepts used by the Harley-Davidson Factory Race Team motorcycles. Brembo’s patented T-drive system was developed for the highest level of racing at WSBK and utilizes a fully floating action in both radial and axial directions to transfer torque more efficiently between the contact area of the rotor and carrier and optimized weight reduction. These revolutionary 320 mm rotors have an increased thickness (5.5 mm) and a premium stainless steel braking surface.
The single rear brake features a four-piston Brembo caliper. The rear brake rotor diameter is 300mm.
2025 Harley-Davidson Road Glide CVO RR
Weight Reduction
The CVO Road Glide RR model has an as shipped weight of 750 pounds, 50 pounds less that the CVO Road Glide ST model.
Mufflers and exhaust headers are formed of lightweight titanium. Exhaust shields are lightweight carbon fibre.
Lightweight woven carbon fibre composite is used to form the front and rear fenders, side covers, tank console, fork nacelle, and radiator shroud. Further enhancing durability, an industry first carbon fibre and Kevlar layup is used on the front faring, saddlebags, and lids.
Billet aluminium foot peg mid controls replace traditional footboards.
Lightweight billet aluminium powertrain covers replace standard cast covers.
A lightweight billet aluminium swingarm replaces the standard steel swingarm.
Lightweight Brembo T-Drive front brake rotors replace standard brake rotors.
2025 Harley-Davidson Road Glide CVO RR
Rider Aids
Cornering Electronically Linked Brakes (C-ELB)
Cornering Traction Control (C-TCS) with modes
Cornering Drag Torque Slip Control (C-DSCS)
Vehicle Hold Control (VHC)
Tire Pressure Monitoring (TPMS)
Ride Modes
The CVO Road Glide RR model features selectable Ride Modes that electronically control the performance characteristics of the motorcycle and the level of technology intervention. Each Ride Mode consists of a specific combination of power delivery, engine braking, Cornering Antilock Braking System (C-ABS) and Cornering Traction Control System (C-TCS) settings.
Road Mode: Intended for daily use, Road Mode delivers balanced performance. This mode offers less-aggressive throttle response and less mid-range engine power than Sport Mode, with a balanced level of C-ABS and C-TCS intervention.
Sport Mode: In Sport Mode the rider can experience the full performance potential of the motorcycle in a direct and precise manner, with full power and the quickest throttle response. C-TCS is set to a lower level of intervention, and engine braking is increased.
Rain Mode: This mode is designed to give the rider greater confidence when riding in the rain or when traction is otherwise compromised. Throttle response and power output are programmed to significantly restrain the rate of acceleration, engine braking is limited, and the highest levels of C-ABS and C-TCS intervention are selected.
Four Custom Modes: Within each Custom Mode the customer may use the touch screen to select their combined preference of engine torque delivery characteristics, engine braking, throttle response, and C-TCS and C-ABS intervention, within specific ranges.
Track Mode: Designed specifically for “track day” riding on a dry track/closed course, this mode was developed with input from Harley-Davidson Factory Team racer Kyle Wyman with the desired throttle mapping for best feel of torque delivery in a racetrack environment. This gives the rider smooth, repeatable throttle response on corner exits. Full power performance is on tap. Rear-to-front electronically linked braking is disabled to allow independent rear trail braking capability and consistent front lever feel. C-ABS and C-TCS intervention are set to a reduced level of intervention to allow greater rider control.
Track Plus Mode: This mode is intended for experienced riders who want maximum control on a dry track/closed course with benefits of Rider Safety Enhancements working in the background. In addition to the specially tuned power delivery of Track Mode, Track Plus Mode disables electronically linked braking entirely, giving full independent control of both brakes to the rider. The C-ABS setting has an even further reduced level of intervention which permits a significantly higher level of rear wheel slip under braking or aggressive downshifts to further enhance rider control in a track setting. The C-TCS intervention is set to its lowest level to maximize both straight line and cornering acceleration and put control in the rider’s throttle hand.
