2021 Harley-Davidson Bagger and CVO Models Updated

Admin · January 20, 2021

The 2021 Harley Touring and CVO models feature new paint and graphic treatments, with the CVO Street Glide (shown) debuting an all-new audio system. (Harley-Davidson/)

We’ve already discussed the new model(s) from Harley’s 2021 virtual launch, but The Motor Company always tucks in new styling, graphics, and paint updates as well as tech upgrades into new-model-year releases, which we’ll get to here. With a total of 27 models in Milwaukee’s 2021 lineup, there’s a lot of ground to cover, though H-D focused the majority of the enhancements on the new Street Glide Special, Road Glide Special, and Road King Special models. The four 2021 CVO bikes also gained fresh styling, and feature the debut of the new H-D/Rockford Fosgate audio system on the CVO Street Glide and CVO Road Glide models. Let’s tackle the bagger swagger first.

The 2021 Street Glide Special gains a Daymaker LED headlamp and spoke-look cast wheels, and is available in Chrome or Dark styling options. (Harley-Davidson/)

For 2021 Harley’s trio of Milwaukee-Eight 114-powered, low-riding “hot-rod baggers” (or the “Special” models) get what H-D is calling “fresh swagger.” All the underpinnings remain the same, with the rock-solid touring chassis bracketed by dual bending valve internal technology in the fork, and a lowered rear suspension giving Special models a slammed stance (with a toolless single-knob preload adjustment).

The Road Glide Special and Street Glide Special gain a new two-tone paint option, a choice of either a blacked-out or chrome treatment, and the very cool Prodigy cast-aluminum wheels (19-inch front, 18-inch rear) are exclusive to all the Special models and feature an airy, steel-spoke look. All Special models are now equipped with the high-performance Ventilator air cleaner with a washable filter element, and a new engine guard that reshapes the lower edge.

The 2021 Road Glide Special can also be ordered in bright or dark finishes, and sports the same new side-fill tank and low-profile engine guard. (Harley-Davidson/)

On the 2021 Street Glide Special, the Chrome option means powertrain covers, the front end, handlebar, exhaust, tank console, and other details get brightwork, while the Prodigy wheels are finished in black with machined highlights. You can also choose a two-tone paint option (Gauntlet Gray Metallic/Vivid Black) for the first time, as well as a plethora of solid colors in either the Chrome or Dark treatments.

Related Content: 2021 Harley-Davidson Street Bob 114 First Look

This year the Street Glide Special also showcases a new lower-profile engine guard to underline the bike’s slammed stance, with a brighter Daymaker LED headlamp taking the lead for 2021. A sleeker center console sits atop the new 6-gallon fuel tank which now has side fuel fill, giving the Special an even lower profile and setting it apart from the standard Touring models.

The Boom! Box GTS infotainment system with touchscreen, navigation, and two-speaker audio (now with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility) returns for 2021 as well. Reflex linked braking with ABS comes standard, and Harley’s rider aid safety suite, Reflex Defensive Rider Systems (RDRS), is an option. MSRP for the 2021 Street Glide Special is $27,099 for the base model in Vivid Black, with added options topping out at $29,199 (not including RDRS).

New Billiard Teal paint, Prodigy wheels, new air cleaner cover, but no Daymaker for the Road Glide Special. (Harley-Davidson/)

As you’d expect, the 2021 Road Glide Special receives many of the same refinements as its Street Glide cousin with new Chrome or Dark styling options as well as a two-tone paint choice. You’ll also see the same new engine guard and center console riding on a new 6-gallon fuel tank with side fuel fill and the Prodigy wheels, standard ABS, security system, and Boom! Box GTS infotainment are all here too, with the RDRS safety enhancements also being an option. The 2021 Road Glide Special doesn’t add the Daymaker headlight however.

In Vivid Black, the 2021 Road Glide Special retails for $26,699 and goes up to $28,399, depending on paint and finishes.

The Road King Special adds a new Daymaker LED headlamp and low-profile engine guard, and can be had in this Deadwood Green color for 2021. (Harley-Davidson/)

The last in the trio is the 2021 Road King Special, which shares some of the new updates with its bigger Special bagger brethren, but skips the dark-versus-light color option, choosing instead to go all in on the blacked-out bits. The darkness extends to the powertrain covers, mufflers, headlamp nacelle, and fork, as well as many of the smaller components. Again, there’s a Daymaker LED headlamp, as well as the new engine guard, but the 6-gallon fuel tank remains unchanged (though it does get a new tank medallion). Prodigy wheels and the Ventilator air cleaner cover are also shared elements.

The lighter-duty Road King may not sport the touchscreen Boom! Box GTS infotainment system, but ABS, cruise, and security systems still are included as standard features, and you can choose from four color options, with the base model ringing in at $22,999 and going up to $23,999.

The 2021 CVO Street Glide is one of the two new-year bikes sporting the all-new H-D/Rockford Fosgate audio system. (Harley-Davidson/)

Harley-Davidson is bringing back all four 2020 models in its top-of-the line, limited CVO collection for 2021. The CVO Street Glide, CVO Road Glide, CVO Limited, and CVO Tri Glide return in relatively the same shape save for new paint options and styling features. As before, each rolls with the Milwaukee-Eight 117 V-twin engine exclusive to CVO models and comes standard with the suite of RDRS safety enhancements. Each 2021 CVO is shipped with a Boom! Audio 30K Bluetooth Helmet Headset to connect with the Boom! Box GTS infotainment and can fulfill the Apple CarPlay microphone requirement. For 2021 we also see the debut of an all-new audio system, dubbed Harley-Davidson Audio Powered by RockFord Fosgate, which appears on the CVO Street Glide and CVO Road Glide machines.

Harley-Davidson Audio Powered by RockFord Fosgate appears on both the 2021 CVO Street Glide and CVO Road Glide models. (Harley-Davidson/)

According to the release, the amplified Stage II three-way speakers are designed to deliver clear highs and midrange, and a beefy bass element. The speaker units are rated to handle up to 150 watts of power (each) for greater volume with less distortion at speed, while the separate amplifier is engineered to perform in harsh motorcycle environments and is low-profile enough to fit in the saddlebag. The single amplifier powers two sets of Stage II speakers, with a power rating of 100 watts per channel x 4 at 2 ohms.

The Rockford Fosgate Stage II three-way speakers fit in the saddlebag and the fairing, with the compact amplifier also set in the saddlebag. (Harley-Davidson/)

Making things easier is the fact that Rockford Fosgate already produces aftermarket audio systems for Harley, and it will join the Harley-Davidson Genuine Motor Parts & Accessories lineup for 2014-and-later Touring models equipped with a Boom! Box infotainment unit.

The 2021 CVO Road Glide rolls with Harley-Davidson Audio Powered by Rockford Fosgate Stage II three-way speakers stuffed in the fairing and saddlebags, powered by a 400-watt RMS amplifier. A 21-inch front wheel leads the way. (Harley-Davidson/)

In addition to the new audio, the CVO Road Glide rolls with a new wheel combo featuring a 21-inch front and 18-inch rear wheel (also featuring TPMS on a laced wheel) and a retuned front suspension for better handling and braking performance. A Dual Daymaker LED Headlamp appears on this CVO as well, and Harley also added a new LED console light, redesigned instrument faces, and swapped in standard-length saddlebags to replace extended-length bags from last year’s model. Fresh styling includes the new Kahuna Collection parts, a Fang front spoiler, and new paint options, of course.

It’s set to retail for $41,399.

The 2021 CVO Street Glide also features the new audio as well as a Daymaker headlight, but this one’s the Adaptive version. (Harley-Davidson/)

The 2021 CVO Street Glide likewise showcases the Rockford Fosgate audio, new LED console light and new instrument faces, along with Kahuna Collection heated components. You’ll also see a Daymaker Adaptive LED headlamp and new paint options this year. The CVO Street Glide will run $40,599.

The 2021 CVO Limited rolls with a Twin-Cooled M-8 117 powertrain, Daymaker headlight, and new paint options. (Harley-Davidson/)

The CVO Limited dresser returns for 2021 as well, featuring the same new console light, instrument faces, and Daymaker Adaptive headlamp. The Twin-Cooled Milwaukee-Eight 117 powertrain is bracketed by 19-inch front and 18-inch rear wheels, and new paint options are available as well. It’ll cost you $44,099.

Harley’s “super-premium” trike option for 2021 is the returning CVO Tri Glide, relatively unchanged for the new year. (Harley-Davidson/)

Bringing up the rear is the 2021 CVO Tri Glide, what H-D bills as a “super-premium trike that…offers distinctive style, powerful performance, and long-haul touring capability.”

The list of new bits for 2021 reads much the same, with new Instrument faces, Tomahawk Contrast Cut cast-aluminum wheels (both 18-inchers), Kahuna Collection pieces, a Daymaker headlamp, and LED fog lamps, tail/brake lamps, and signals, along with, you guessed it, new paint options. MSRP for the most expensive CVO model is $49,999.

Say so long to the FXDR 114, a victim of H-D’s cost-cutting Rewire plan. (Harley-Davidson/)

Harley-Davidson’s Rewire strategy was introduced back in April 2020 as a cost-saving measure with its big focus being on heavily trimming the product line and curtailing new-product launches. That’s evident in the 2021 lineup, as we’re seeing the absence of the FXDR 114, Low Rider, Breakout, Street Bob 107, Deluxe, Street 750, Street Rod, and Roadster models for this year—at least in the US market.

Also worth noting is the sight of just three Sportsters in the 2021 lineup—the Iron 883, the Iron 1200, and the Forty-Eight.

There will be just three Sportster models in the 2021 lineup for North America, including this Iron 1200 (the series has completely disappeared from the European lineup). (Harley-Davidson/)

The LiveWire? Sources say that model’s set for a 2021 launch later this year, but we’ll see. Next up for the company is the reveal of its highly anticipated Pan America 1250 adventure-touring model on February 22, as well as the full announcement of its Hardwire strategy. Stay tuned.

Next up for H-D is the launch for its long-waited adventure-touring rig, the Pan America, In February. (Harley-Davidson/)