Within the car trade, many corporations are winding a few of their maximum high-performance inner combustion choices however are sending them out with a bang. Makers like Ram (TRX), Dodge (Challenger, Charger, Durango), Ford (Raptor and Mustang) are development their maximum potent internal-combustion-powered automobiles ever whilst plans for long run fashions stay unclear within the face of electrification of many fashions. Thankfully for functionality bike consumers the transfer to EVs is a little bit additional off than with their four-wheel opposite numbers.
King of the Baggers Racing Inspiration
Firms like Harley-Davidson are prepared to stay driving at the manufacturing unit hot-rod bandwagon, development special-edition bikes that get snapped up 12 months after 12 months. 2024 marks the twenty fifth anniversary of the Customized Car Operations line, and the brand new CVO Highway Go with the flow ST is for sure The Motor Corporate’s maximum ambitious, performance-oriented limited-edition mannequin so far. As a question of reality, Harley says that this mannequin was once encouraged and influenced immediately by way of the corporate’s involvement within the MotoAmerica Venture King of the Baggers Championship, which it says is the primary time that construction has long gone immediately from music to the showroom.
If by hook or by crook you haven’t noticed a King of the Baggers race in individual or on TV, do your self a want and test it out. Within the few quick years for the reason that class’s humble beginnings as a one-off exhibition race, the sequence has long gone from an enchanting novelty to an enormous business good fortune with impressive racing. However that wouldn’t were conceivable if it wasn’t for the virtually ridiculous functionality the machines are striking out. Harley’s manufacturing unit race workforce isn’t about to cite horsepower figures for its KOTB Highway Go with the flow racebikes, however the on-track performances talk for themselves. Closing 12 months, at Highway The usa as an example, Vance & Hines’ Hayden Gillim ran a 2:20.834 qualifying lap which was once best 2.6 seconds off of Stefano Mesa’s pole time in Supersport. The burden (620-pound minimal weight prohibit) and aerodynamic variations (stock-sized traveling fairing) are large in comparison to 600cc sportbikes, in order that offers us a sign of what sort of ludicrous horsepower those closely changed baggers are striking out.
The CVO Highway Go with the flow ST isn’t the one new Harley-Davidson bagger, as The Motor Corporate has simply taken the wraps off its 2024 Side road Go with the flow and Highway Go with the flow bikes. And whilst the ones machines have a bunch of updates, adjustments, and developments, this CVO ST takes the bottom Highway Go with the flow and ups the ante. The CVO model receives a novel engine, up-spec suspension, enhanced electronics, is a little bit lighter, and naturally options some distinctive touches that may best be discovered as usual on a CVO mannequin. H-D’s Leader Engineer Scott Nash says that this mannequin is a lot more about functionality than profiling.
Harley’s 121 Top Output Engine
CVO consumers have at all times sought after exclusivity, and the CVO ST delivers an distinctive engine that isn’t recently shared by way of another fashions in Harley’s lineup. For starters, the ST will get a 121ci engine (1,977cc), a displacement that was once first presented ultimate 12 months within the CVO fashions, alternatively, this model is named the 121 Top Output. While Harley’s different CVO Highway Go with the flow and Side road Go with the flow fashions function engines with VVT (variable valve timing) to expand the torque around the rev vary, the 121 HO is fascinated by most energy output with a high-performance camshaft and greater redline of five,900 rpm. Claimed output is 127 hp at 4,900 rpm and 145 lb.-ft. of top torque at 4,000 rpm. The usual VVT-equipped 121 produces a claimed 115 hp at 4,500 and 139 lb.-ft. at 3,000 rpm. Getting rid of the VVT machine from the 121 engine reduces weight by way of 2 kilos.
Some other alternate in comparison to the usual 121 VVT is a race-inspired consumption distinctive to the HO that flows 26 p.c extra air during the 58mm throttle frame, with the tract duration designed for optimum energy and torque on the expense of broader energy. On the reverse finish, a couple of Screamin’ Eagle Excessive Waft Titanium slip-on mufflers be offering the utmost airflow conceivable whilst final noise and emissions felony. The mufflers have titanium shells with cast carbon fiber finish caps for weight financial savings.
Like the usual 121, the HO stocks the similar up to date cylinder head design, the 11.4:1 compression ratio, and redesigned aluminum consumption manifold. The HO additionally stocks the liquid-cooled cylinder heads that flow into coolant across the exhaust valves with the waft trail cooling the extra enclosed rear cylinder first after which the entrance cylinder earlier than passing during the lower-front-frame-mounted warmth exchanger. With the intention to give the CVO Highway Go with the flow ST any other merit in functionality, the general pressure ratio has been decreased by way of lowering the output pulley from 32 to 30 enamel, for higher off-the-line acceleration. This could also be prone to counteract the lowered low-rpm output that got here with the removing of VVT.
How assured is Harley-Davidson that the CVO Highway Go with the flow ST is an actual functionality animal and now not only a flashy espresso store poser? The clicking match for the motorcycle was once held on the Las Vegas Motor Speedway’s outdoor highway path, with manufacturing unit Harley-Davidson riders Kyle Wyman and James Rispoli readily available to turn us the best way round. A couple of years in the past, in case you advised us we’d be attending a traveling bagger release at a racetrack, we’d have snickered and been extremely skeptical. However the KOTB sequence has modified perceptions. In fact, this Highway Go with the flow ST is a a ways cry from the manufacturing unit racebikes, however the truth that H-D has fascinated by each and every side of the motorcycle’s functionality from the engine to the chassis to digital rider aids proves that this CVO isn’t simply dunked in fancy paint and decorated with showy equipment.
2024 CVO Highway Go with the flow ST at the Observe
Our trackday wouldn’t simply contain straight-up lapping, however would additionally come with a gymkhana-style double U-turn at the again immediately to stay speeds at a cheap stage, whilst additionally highlighting the motorcycle’s slow-speed agility. However earlier than we headed out, we were given aware of the brand new rider aids. New to the Grand American Traveling vary this 12 months are selectable trip modes, that have pre-mapped settings for energy supply, engine-braking, cornering ABS, and cornering traction regulate. The usual modes are Highway, Game, and Rain, whilst the ST will get 4 customized modes (3 greater than the bottom Highway Go with the flow), after which two extra unique modes, together with Observe and Observe Plus. We’d get started out in Game within the first consultation after which growth to the 2 music choices.
Chasing Rispoli out of pit lane, it’s right away obtrusive—even in Game mode—that this engine is superior. Closing 12 months, once we examined the 117-equipped Breakout, we had a ball leaving stoplights and jumping off the road. The 121 HO, alternatively, is on a wholly other stage. It nonetheless has that low-end grunt that you are expecting from 145 lb.-ft. of torque, however how it assists in keeping revving towards redline is like not anything we’ve skilled on a manufacturing unit Harley Giant Dual.
After our “warmup” consultation, we converted to Observe mode, which has extra competitive throttle supply, unlinks the brakes rear to entrance (that means that in case you use the rear brake it received’t additionally turn on the entrance), reduces ABS intervention, and permits extra spin from the rear tire earlier than stepping in. Observe Plus takes it a step additional and gets rid of the related braking altogether, very much reduces ABS and lowest intervention from the traction regulate machine (which may also be switched off from a button at the left handlebar).
To be had engine functionality, in particular when accelerating onto a immediately, in reality made us want the ST had a quickshifter, because the motorcycle alternatives up pace like no manufacturing unit bagger earlier than it. Within the music modes, throttle supply is snappy and competitive and makes you admire the truth that there may be some TC observing your again, particularly bearing in mind that we have been driving at the motorcycle’s usual Dunlop Harley-Davidson Sequence bias-ply blackwall (130/60-19 entrance, 180/55-18 rear) tires.
At the ST, the modes are a great addition. For competitive driving, both in the street or at the music, Observe modes supply most commonly unchained functionality, however we’d additionally argue that those self same settings wouldn’t make for essentially the most stress-free time simply cruising down the side road. That’s why it’s great so that you could toggle the correct bar-mounted mode right into a extra street-oriented environment which supplies smoother, much less abrupt engine reaction. Having ridden the brand-new Side road Go with the flow (powered by way of a non-VVT 117ci engine) an afternoon later, we will hopefully say that the 121 HO is as just right because it will get with out ordering up a 131 or 135 crate motor. The 117 is a really nice usual engine with a large number of functionality portions to be had, however the 121 HO’s functionality is addicting. When you’re prepared to spend CVO cash, do it.
If straight-line functionality was once the ST’s best trick, that wouldn’t be the tip of the sector, however it would depart you in need of extra. Thankfully, this mannequin has gained an equivalent quantity of consideration to the chassis. It’s now not simply the suspension and braking parts which were upgraded; the Highway Go with the flow ST has long gone on a vitamin. The claimed rainy weight is 838 kilos, which is a couple of kilos lighter than the 2023 Highway Go with the flow ST, and 24 kilos lighter than the 2023 CVO Highway Go with the flow. A part of the load relief (and distinctive glance) right here comes from cast carbon fiber portions just like the tank console, entrance fender, seat cover, and exhaust finish caps. Those items don’t have a standard weave trend; random-sized items of carbon fiber subject matter are put right into a mould and impregnated with resin after which shaped underneath drive and cured. THis means permits thicker, strong portions to be temporarily made with out the hard work and value of laying up layer upon layer of woven carbon sheet material..
Dealing with and Suspension
Suspension is clearly a key to dealing with functionality, and Harley has given the ST an excellent bundle that comes with an inverted 47mm Showa 1×1 fork with Diamond-Like Carbon coating at the internal stanchions. The unit is absolutely adjustable with spring preload, compression, and rebound damping adjustment, and offers 4.6 inches of commute. Like the brand new base-model Highway Go with the flow, the CVO ST will get 50 p.c extra rear-wheel commute, now measuring 3 inches. The rear suspension could also be by way of Showa, with a couple of absolutely adjustable shocks that make the most of faraway reservoirs for higher functionality when they’re running onerous.
Make no mistake, an 838-pound bagger’s suspension is a large activity to control simply driving round the town or at the freeway, however including to the complexity is the will to provide the CVO ST high-performance dealing with attributes. Bombing out onto a racetrack—alternatively not likely this can be for the common purchaser—would no doubt be without equal take a look at, which was once obviously H-D’s intent. With regards to a manufacturing bagger with ahead foot controls, cornering clearance is at all times going to be the proscribing issue, however at the ST the to be had lean perspective when the downsized floorboard’s feelers scrape the asphalt is affordable. Grind too deep into the feelers and the exhaust’s stunning mufflers after which different onerous portions are subsequent in line, so a little bit of sympathy is so as.
From a suspension functionality point of view, the Showa devices each entrance and rear do a very good task of conserving the ST on line with excellent compression damping to regulate the suspension’s stroke when encountering bumps on target and the rebound damping conserving the massive motorcycle from wallowing or weaving on extension. The latter was once essentially the most spectacular, as we in reality anticipated that the motorcycle would battle staying composed, however that was once by no means the case.
Convenience and Ergonomics
Distinctive to the CVO ST is the Moto Bar and riser that units the handlebar 6 inches above the highest clamp and leaves the palms resting at a glad bend. In 90 p.c of driving eventualities, the bar is superb, it was once best when seeking to navigate the double gymkhana-style U-turns that the outdoor bar all of sudden feels in reality a ways away for this 5-foot-11 tester (as with maximum apes or tall bars).
Talking of the ones U-turns, they certainly equipped distinction to each and every different phase at the music. Sure, this ultraslow chicane was once a problem after braking from 95 mph, however it proved that the ST may gradual dance too. As for the brakes, up entrance are a couple of Brembo Monoblock, radial-mount four-piston calipers that pinch a couple of 320mm wave-style discs, whilst within the rear is any other four-piston Brembo and a 300mm disc. The toughest braking zone at the music was once keeping off the again immediately into the makeshift chicane. Scrubbing pace from just below 100 mph down to ten, was once by no means a topic. After more than one laps there was once an ever-so-slightly softer really feel on the entrance lever, however not anything that might ever lead you to consider that functionality was once being sacrificed. The lever itself has a slick and hidden span adjuster to assist atone for other hand sizes and or choice.
With out the risk to trip the CVO ST in the street, we will’t in reality talk to its long-range convenience, however our time within the saddle proved that the ergonomics and seat are bagger-comfortable. Legs are bent with ease, whilst the seat helps your decrease again and places you in a impartial place. Wind coverage from the revised higher fairing is alleged to scale back helmet buffeting by way of 60 p.c and airflow will also be fine-tuned with the adjustable air vanes above the data display screen. Not off course the air flowed over the helmet easily whilst the form of the higher fairing by no means obscured the view of the music forward.
CVO Highway Go with the flow Sprint and Infotainment
One of the vital absolute best perspectives from the saddle must be the brand new Skyline OS infotainment machine. The large 12.3-inch-wide full-color TFT show replaces all analog instrumentation (and the former 6.5-inch show) and has an anti-glare coating. The brilliant display screen gives more than one viewing choices together with a superbright high-contrast mode. The rider too can choose from 3 show choices together with Cruise, Game, or Excursion. The Excursion mode gives the biggest departure from the opposite two, and places the navigation map entrance and middle with the speedometer, gas gauge, and power place minimized off to the left of the display screen. In contrast to the usual Highway Go with the flow, the CVO ST comes with navigation incorporated (which is in a different way a $350 possibility).
Navigating the menus and monitors will also be achieved from the left-bar-mounted regulate pod, or you’ll make the most of the touchscreen serve as which matches really well with gloved palms and permits maximum options to be accessed at the fly. We discovered that the machine takes a couple of seconds to load upon switching the ignition on, however the menu group and good judgment is forged with only some quirks. Customers will be told their means across the machine temporarily. For homeowners in need of to make use of a smartphone for song and calls, you’ll both attach by the use of Bluetooth or plug into the to hand console cubby that still has a USB C lead inside of for charging and connection. Our best grievance this is that if you wish to make the most of Apple CarPlay and navigate from a third-party app, you additionally must have a helmet communicator (like a Sena or Cardo) tethered to the machine. Apple calls for voice regulate for the machine to paintings.
You’ll be able to both regulate your song by the use of the sprint and ship the audio to a helmet-mounted communicator, or you’ll blast the 500-watt Rockford Fosgate Degree II audio machine that includes a pair of 6.5-inch audio system within the fairing. Cruising round the town at city speeds or whilst desk bound supplies the most efficient sound, as if you hit freeway speeds (particularly with earplugs in) your song is all however faint background noise.
A part of the enchantment of a Harley-Davidson CVO mannequin is getting a factory-built motorcycle with a ton of particular options and finishes, whilst getting the newest and biggest powerplants to be had earlier than they trickle right down to the usual fashions. With regards to the CVO Highway Go with the flow ST, there’s no query that each one of the ones bins are checked. You get essentially the most tough manufacturing engine the corporate has ever introduced, high-performance suspension this is similarly at house even on a racetrack, and a large number of added options that you’d in most cases have to buy within the accent catalog. The motorcycle is to be had in two colours, Raven Metal or Golden White Pearl.
And whilst the CVO Highway Go with the flow ST isn’t the primary Harley geared toward on-track functionality, it’s no doubt the primary traveling bagger to in reality take a complete crack at it, and we’d have to mention it’s an enormous good fortune. There is not any query that that is the most efficient dealing with and maximum tough manufacturing Harley-Davidson bagger we’ve ever ridden. Exclusivity and excessive functionality doesn’t come affordable, however in terms of the CVO ST, you’ll make the argument that you simply get quite a lot of further functionality for its $42,999 asking value.
2024 Harley-Davidson CVO Highway Go with the flow ST Specifications
| MSRP: | $42,999 |
|---|---|
| Engine: | Liquid-cooled, 45-degree V-twin; 4 valves/cyl. |
| Displacement: | 1,977cc |
| Bore x Stroke: | 103.5 x 117.5mm |
| Compression Ratio: | 11.4:1 |
| Transmission/Ultimate Power: | 6-speed/belt |
| Claimed Horsepower: | 127 hp @ 4,900 rpm |
| Claimed Torque: | 145 lb.-ft. @ 4,000 rpm |
| Gas Machine: | Digital Sequential Port Gas Injection w/ 58mm throttle frame |
| Snatch: | Rainy, multiplate slipper/help |
| Body: | Metal tube w/ two-piece spine and bolt-on rear subframe |
| Entrance Suspension: | 47mm Showa inverted 1×1 fork, absolutely adjustable; 4.6 in. commute |
| Rear Suspension: | Dual Showa shocks w/ faraway reservoirs, absolutely adjustable; 3.0 in. commute |
| Entrance Brake: | Brembo 4-piston radial-mount calipers, floating 320mm discs w/ ABS |
| Rear Brake: | Brembo 4-piston caliper, 300mm disc w/ ABS |
| Wheels, Entrance/Rear: | Solid aluminum; 19 x 3.5 in. / 18 x 5 in. |
| Tires, Entrance/Rear: | Dunlop H-D Sequence bias blackwall; 130/60-19 / 180/55-18 |
| Rake/Path: | 26.0°/6.7 in. |
| Wheelbase: | 64.0 in. |
| Flooring Clearance: | 5.1 in. |
| Seat Peak: | 26.7 in. |
| Gas Capability: | 6.0 gal. |
| Claimed Rainy Weight: | 838 lb. |
| Touch: | harley-davidson.com |
Gearbox:
Helmet: AGV K5 S Mono
Jacket: Vanson Fashion B (customized)
Pant: Aether
Gloves: Alpinestars Celer V2
Boots: Alpinestars J-6 Water resistant
