2025 Harley-Davidson® CVO™ Road Glide® ST Decoded for Portsmouth Riders with Real Questions in Mind
If you’ve been roaming around Portsmouth, VA lately and caught a glimpse of something low, sleek, and absolutely mean carving its way along the Elizabeth River or slipping out toward the backroads, chances are good you just met the 2025 Harley-Davidson® CVO™ Road Glide® ST. This isn’t your average bagger. It’s a machine that feels like it was pulled straight out of Harley-Davidson®’s race paddock and dropped right onto city streets—with all the rumble, tech, and attitude intact.
So we rounded up the kinds of questions Portsmouth riders are actually asking—nothing too technical, nothing showroom-scripted—just the real stuff. Let’s dive in and break this beast down, one question at a time.
Q: What makes this thing so different from the usual Harley-Davidson® Road Glide®?
If the traditional Harley-Davidson® Road Glide® is built for long-haul comfort, the 2025 Harley-Davidson® CVO™ Road Glide® ST feels like its rowdy cousin who spends weekends at the track. It’s inspired by Harley-Davidson®’s MotoAmerica® King of the Baggers race bikes, which means it's designed with performance at the center of everything. You’re getting lightweight forged carbon fiber in key areas, a solo seat shaped to keep you locked in during hard pulls, and a Milwaukee-Eight® 121 High Output engine that throws down 127 horsepower and 145 ft-lb of torque. It’s tuned for riders who want to feel every twist of the throttle, every lean into the corner, and every rumble from those titanium pipes.
Q: Can it actually handle everyday roads in and around Portsmouth?
That’s the surprising part—yes, it absolutely can. Despite all that track DNA, the 2025 Harley-Davidson® CVO™ Road Glide® ST plays well on regular streets, too. The fully adjustable SHOWA® suspension up front and out back makes a noticeable difference on everything from cobbled stretches in Olde Towne to the occasional pothole that sneaks up near Victory Boulevard. You can tweak it to feel plush for a weekend cruise or dial it in tighter when you want more bite in your handling. It’s not just about comfort—it’s about control. That solo seat? Feels like it hugs you into the bike, especially useful when making tight turns through town traffic.
Q: How’s the ride for someone who wants tech without a learning curve?
Let’s just say it’s got brains to match the brawn—but you don’t need a degree in electronics to use it. The centerpiece is a 12.3-inch touchscreen display running the Skyline™ OS. It gives you everything at a glance—ride modes, navigation with traffic and weather overlays, media controls, and safety system settings. If you’re heading out to the coast or just want to avoid tunnel congestion, it’s all right there, easy to swipe through even with gloves on. The interface feels familiar, not fiddly, and lets you stay focused on the road instead of fumbling with buttons.
Q: What kind of safety backup does it offer for a city rider?
Harley-Davidson® really packed this one with smart tech to keep you confident in the saddle, especially when Portsmouth traffic gets unpredictable. Cornering-enhanced systems take into account lean angle when you brake or accelerate, which helps the bike stay composed through turns and during sudden changes in grip—like when you hit that slick patch near the ferry docks. There's also Vehicle Hold Control, which holds your brake steady on an incline until you're ready to move, making hill starts a breeze without any awkward rollbacks. Tire pressure monitoring, linked braking, and drag-torque slip control round out the package. It's all there to work quietly in the background, but it shows up when you need it.
Q: So, does the carbon fiber really make a difference or is it just eye candy?
Here’s the deal—it looks incredible, but it’s functional, too. The forged carbon fiber front fender isn't only about aesthetics. It trims weight from the front end, which helps the bike steer more responsively. That lighter feel becomes obvious when you’re pushing it into curves or maneuvering through tighter city corners. Plus, it gives the bike a unique texture and finish that’s unlike anything else on the road. It says this bike means business—without shouting.
Q: What's the rumble like compared to other Harley-Davidson® models?
The moment you fire it up, you’ll hear the difference. Those titanium mufflers give the exhaust a deep, aggressive rumble that’s unmistakable—but they also boost airflow, so you’re getting both a mean rumble and max performance. Around town, it rumbles with a purposeful rumble, and when you twist it open, it absolutely makes it presence heard. There’s no fake drama here—just real Harley-Davidson® thunder tuned with a racer’s ear.
Q: Does it still feel like a Harley-Davidson® when you’re cruising slow?
That’s the beauty of it. Even with all its racing DNA, it still carries that unmistakable Harley-Davidson® character. The engine still pulses with a familiar rhythm, and the seating position keeps you grounded, not hunched over like a sportbike. You can cruise through High Street at a slow roll and still feel connected and relaxed. Then, if you get the itch to open it up on the open stretch toward Chesapeake, it’s more than ready to respond.
Q: Are the ride modes actually useful, or more of a gimmick?
They're genuinely useful. You’ve got eight ride modes total—some are more specialized, like Track and Track+ for aggressive, closed-course scenarios—but the everyday modes really help shape how the bike responds. For example, if it’s raining or the roads are slick, switching to Rain mode tones everything down for better control. If you're feeling confident, Sport mode gives you sharper throttle response and more dynamic performance. It’s like having a custom-tuned setup on demand, tailored to your day, your route, and your mood.
Q: How does it handle for bigger riders or those who like an aggressive stance?
Thanks to the tall risers and moto-style bars, it has a forward-leaning posture that feels athletic without being cramped. Bigger riders won’t feel boxed in, and the setup gives you leverage and responsiveness without putting pressure on your wrists. The mini floorboards are a nice touch—they offer plenty of foot support but keep lean angles open, so you’re not scraping when you're getting into corners. And with adjustable suspension, you can dial in preload and rebound to match your weight and riding style without breaking a sweat.
Q: Where can I take one for a spin around here?
That part’s easy. You’ll want to stop by Bayside Harley-Davidson® in Portsmouth, VA. They’ve got the 2025 Harley-Davidson® CVO™ Road Glide® ST ready for you to see, sit on, and—most importantly—ride. And nothing you read online will match the feeling of actually rolling that throttle back and hearing it come to life underneath you. It's the kind of ride that sells itself the moment your boots leave the ground.
The 2025 Harley-Davidson® CVO™ Road Glide® ST isn’t trying to be all things to all people. It’s built with intention—for riders who know the difference between power and noise, who appreciate the craft behind carbon fiber, and who want the edge of performance without giving up rideability. Around Portsmouth, where the scenery swings between waterline views and tight urban corners, this bike feels right at home.
The balance of innovation, style, and raw mechanical feel is something you don’t often see done this well. It’s not about being the fastest or the flashiest—it’s about riding something that feels purpose-built, thoughtfully tuned, and wildly enjoyable. Schedule a test ride today!