2026 Harley-Davidson CVO Street Glide ST Review
Harley-Davidson first introduced the Street Glide in 2002, adding the ST trim 20 years later in 2022. Stripping unnecessary weight, they dropped in the Milwaukee-Eight 117 motor with a heavy breathing air intake along with some added bits and bobs to sweeten the deal. Several years and many miles of racing R&D gathered from King of the Baggers race bikes, the CVO Street Glide ST dials up the volume even further by adding a bigger, higher output engine, race-derived suspension, and an even wider array of upgraded features. Carbon details, exclusive paint options, and a fully adjustable suspension setup, along with upgraded brakes and infotainment, create a premium-feeling, race-bred motorcycle with an impressive performance prowess that commands attention.
What’s New:
New for 2026, the Street Glide ST receives the Custom Vehicle Operations (CVO) treatment. Top of the food chain CVO models are now well-known for offering the biggest engines in the lineup, along with glorious custom paint options, premium components and sound systems. This CVO is no different. Rather than the 117, or even the traditional 121 powerplant, the ST receives the Milwaukee-Eight 121 High Output V-twin. The 1,977 cc motor delivers 127 hp and 145 lb-ft of torque, most notably offering a meatier powerband and a higher redline of 5,900 rpm.
In addition to the High Output engine, the ST adds race-oriented suspension tuning, forged carbon accents, and an advanced electronics package, including eight ride modes. Harley offers limited paint options and a red tinted windscreen, reinforcing the CVO-exclusive appearance.
Styling / Aesthetics / Design: 9
Whichever direction you approach from, the CVO Street Glide ST is immediately recognizable as something special, even from a distance. Cutting a familiar silhouette, it’s impossible not to notice the red tinted windscreen, forged titanium mufflers, rear remote suspension reservoirs, the exclusive, premium paint and engine accents, or the gargantuan air intake emblazoned with 121 High Output.
Available in either Inferno Gray or Electric Coast blue colorways, the CVO Street Glide ST is only offered with the black trim package which forgoes the boatloads of chrome with a more menacing look that’s also easier to clean.
Powertrain / Engine / Performance / Acceleration: 9
The ST gets a High Output version of The Motor Company’s Milwaukee-Eight 121 V-twin. Displacing 1,977 cc, the motor produces 127 hp at 4,900 rpm and 145 lb-ft of torque at 4,000 rpm. Tuned for more top end pull, it gets a higher 5,900 rpm redline (up from 4,600). The bike will allow you to hover around the redline for roughly 25 seconds before intervening.
Whether getting up to highway speeds, pulling out to pass or simply rolling back the throttle for fun, your right hand is rewarded with strong, torquey acceleration. It eagerly and effortlessly builds. It feels like it has plenty of pop left in it, until you hit the rev limiter, at which point the engine cuts power. You’ve got to keep an eye on the tachometer until you become accustomed to the ideal shift points.
It’s a beautiful motor that’s well suited to comfortable touring but never feels wanting for power, even in the standard ride mode. Selecting Sport mode amps up the urgency for an even sharper acceleration experience.
Chassis / Suspension / Handling / Ride Characteristics: 9
Matching the race-derived motor, Harley has sharpened the suspension and handling with the integration of a Showa suspension setup, consisting of a 49 mm inverted fork up front and remote-reservoir rear shocks in the rear. The fully adjustable system offers 4.6 in of travel fore and 3.0 aft.
The ST’s size and heft by no means reside within sport touring territory, but I frequently found myself riding it more enthusiastically than I would a traditional Street Glide for no other reason than it felt like it’s what the bike wanted. Suspension feels more composed and planted, while still soaking up bumps and road irregularities. The adjustability allows for fine-tuning based on the rider’s weight, riding conditions, and preferences.
The bike’s 816 lb wet weight is very evident as you pull it off the side stand and operate at slow speeds, but the mass dissipates once underway and its Dunlop tires (front: 130/60B19, rear: 180/55B18) are surprisingly happy to lean into the curves. The clutch lever requires a long reach, but rewards with precise and predictable operation.
Brakes / Stopping / Brake Performance: 8
Bringing a performance-oriented bagger of this size down from speed is no short order, so thankfully the brakes have also been beefed up. The ST gets dual 320 mm floating discs with four-piston radial-mount calipers up front, with a single 300 mm disc mated to a four-piston caliper in the rear. Both are linked with a cornering enhanced electronically linked braking system for added balance and stability. Track Plus mode allows for the system to be disconnected if you prefer.
I typically avoid testing the full braking capability of a motorcycle anywhere other than the racetrack, but a fellow motorist’s actions required me to make an exception with the ST in order to avoid a very likely collision. Thankfully, the bike responded with acuity and confidence rather than instability or excitement.
Rider Position / Ergonomics / Comfort: 8
Those coming from the traditional Street Glide will recognize a familiar rider triangle but with subtle differences. The handlebars are wider and set higher for a more assertive position. While the Street Glide features a more supple and subtle seating setup, the ST boasts a wide, sculpted and ribbed solo seat keeps the rider locked in place during spirited acceleration. It requires a slightly wider stance to balance the bike. The billet aluminum grips are heated, but the ST’s seat is not. The solo setup does make it less practical, but the lockable 2.42 cu-ft saddle bags are more than big enough for a weekend trip for one.
The fork-mounted batwing fairing and red tinted windscreen provide adequate wind protection while the floorboards allow you to change up your leg position to avoid discomfort on long rides.
Features / Technology / Safety: 7
The ST features a 12.3 in TFT screen in the place of traditional gauges. A handgrip-mounted toggle switch allows the rider to scroll through systems and prioritize various pieces of information. The system incorporates navigation, Bluetooth connectivity, and audio provided by Rockford Fosgate. A large tray is located just below the screen that’s big enough for the key fob, a money clip, and a smartphone which can be charged via an integrated cable.
It packs a suite of safety equipment that includes cornering ABS and traction control, vehicle hold control, drag-torque slip control, and a tire pressure monitoring system, along with eight different ride modes that include two for the track and other customizable options to match conditions and preference.
Leaning into its performance-oriented persona, the ST strips some amenities for the sake of weight saving – including saddlebag mounted speakers, adaptive cruise control, and blind spot detection.
Unlike a BMW touring bike where you feel inundated and overwhelmed with technology and complicated controls, the CVO Street Glide ST integrates systems and functions seamlessly. My only concern would be that if the screen fails, you’d be unable to access any of the bike’s functions. This only came to mind once I noticed that the startup screen shows the bike in neutral regardless of whether it is in gear or not. A small but curious glitch.
Range / Fuel Economy / Energy Efficiency: 6
Given its 816 lb curb weight and 1,977 cc Milwaukee-Eight 121 High Output powerplant featuring two track modes, I don’t think anyone will be surprised to discover that the ST is not the most fuel-efficient touring model on the market. Its main priority is performance.
Harley claims an estimated 44 mpg. With a 6 gal fuel tank, that offers an expected range of 264 miles which isn’t too far off from my own experience. I averaged 42.1 mpg over the course of roughly 500 miles. My time with the ST included city, highway, and two-lane blacktop that combined some twisties and wide-open stretches. While I spent time in each of the various riding modes, Sport mode was used most.
Value Proposition: 7
As the old saying goes, you’ve got to pay to play. At $44,999, the CVO Street Glide ST is unquestionably a premium purchase that will be far out of reach for all but a few fortunate buyers. However, the price starts to make sense when you crunch the numbers and look at the amount of content offered. It’s not your run-of-the-mill V-twin bagger. It’s not really like anything else in the Harley stable, or anything else on the road. It’s also worth noting that the 2025 CVO Road Glide RR racing replica had an MSRP of $131,000, which puts the ST’s sticker price into perspective. It’s not a race bike, but it certainly shares some DNA.
It doesn’t just look different from the stock Street Glide, it feels different in virtually every way. A spirited, torquey motor, upgraded suspension, hardware and brakes, along with exclusive paint finishes and carbon touches, make it a very special beast indeed. The bike most likely to be cross shopped with the CVO Street Glide ST is the Indian Challenger PowerPlus 112 Elite Edition. Boasting slightly less displacement but comparable on power (126 hp and 133 lb-ft of torque), the range-topping Indian starts at $39,999. It weighs more, and features a smaller, more dated infotainment system, but includes an adjustable windscreen, a heated seat, blind spot detection and rear collision warning.
Conclusion
The 2026 Harley-Davidson CVO Street Glide ST takes the traditional Street Glide formula and turns up the dial with more edge, urgency, and attitude in every regard. It’s High Output V-twin is complemented with upgraded suspension and braking components, as well as hardware and accents that make it distinctive to both look at and ride. It’s a more athletic motorcycle with an undeniably more premium feel. It’s demeanor and price tag won’t be for everyone, but it offers a lot of substance for someone who has the interest and means.
Specifications and Pricing:
| Starting MSRP | $44,999 |
| As-tested MSRP | $44,999 *At the time of publication |
| Engine | Liquid-cooled 45-degree V-twin |
| Displacement | 121 ci, 1,977 cc |
| Horsepower | 127 hp @ 4,900 rpm |
| Torque | 145 lb.-ft. @ 4,000 rpm |
| Transmission | Six-speed manual |
| Final Drive | Belt drive |
| Dry Weight | 800 lb. |
| Seat Height | 27.5 in. |
| Fuel Capacity | 6 gal |
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Dustin Woods
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