Touring bikes are highly varied globally, featuring ADV bikes and even motorcycles derived from sportbikes leaving their imprint. Although the U.S. has also joined this trend with the H-D Pan America 1250 model range Most "touring bikes," as they stand today, are characterized by their low-slung, comfortable, and ultra-luxe heavyweight designs. Essentially, these are land cruisers propelled by powerful large-displacement V-twins with weights exceeding 800 pounds.
So, the concept of fuel efficiency It goes completely out the window! However, these are tourers, correct? Therefore, they should be able to travel quite a long way before needing more fuel. Even with their massive nearly 2,000cc V-twin engine and generating around 140 pound-feet of torque, such powerful machines can still manage significant distances. Harley-Davidson A touring bicycle paves the path ahead, boasting an impressive travel distance exceeding 250 miles.
The information for this article was obtained directly from Harley-Davidson to ensure the latest and most precise details. In this piece, two motorcycles tie for having the highest driving range, so references to both cycles will be included when relevant.
The CVO Street Glide Has the Longest Ride Distance of Any American Touring Motorcycle.
Total Travel Distance: 270 Miles
Every motorcycle within the Harley-Davidson touring series have a sizable fuel tank with a capacity of 6 gallons And each bike boasts an MPG rating exceeding 40. However, the CVO Street Glide stands out with the top score. fuel economy rating of 45 miles per gallon Combine this feature with its 6-gallon fuel tank, and you get a luxury touring cruiser motorcycle capable of traveling up to 270 miles per tank of gas. This is impressive for a touring bike that exceeds 800 pounds in weight.
Nonetheless, the CVO Street Glide surpasses its high-end siblings in terms of power-to-weight ratio, which enhances overall performance and reduces strain on the engine. To put it another way, its robust V-twin (for more details see below) does not have to work as hard compared to its competitors. Milwaukee-Eights such as the 117) in driving heavy motorcycles.
The CVO Road Glide Also Offers The Same Range But...
Because of its additional mass, we think the Road Glide will exhibit reduced fuel efficiency when used in practical scenarios. The CVO Road Glide has a weight of 866 pounds, which is 28 pounds heavier than the CVO Street Glide. This could result in a slightly reduced cruising range. Although the change may be negligible, it’s an aspect worth considering due to the additional weight. Nevertheless, based on specifications, both the CVO Street Glide and Road Glide models claim to offer the “longest riding range amongst American touring motorcycles.”
Driven by the largest series-produced Harley V-twin engine available today.
Torque: 139 LB-FT
The most fuel-efficient CVO models, known as the Street Glide and Road Glide pair, are equipped with the Milwaukee-Eight 121 V-twin engine. This powerplant delivers 115 horsepower along with an impressive 139 pound-feet of torque, making the 121 variant on these motorcycles the least potent option available. The more powerful variant (121 High Output) featured on the CVO Road Glide ST generates 127 horsepower along with 145 pound-feet of torque. Nonetheless, when we see an increase in performance, the fuel economy decreases, resulting in the ST achieving only 44 MPG.
One key reason for the impressive fuel efficiency figures from this massive 1,977cc V-twin engine is its use of advanced technology such as Variable Valve Timing. This mechanism adjusts the camshaft timing dynamically within a span of up to 40 degrees of crankshaft rotation. Consequently, this leads to an enhancement in fuel economy by about 3-5 percent compared to comparable Harley-Davidson tourers equipped with the slightly smaller Milwaukee-Eight 117 engines.
Significant Characteristics of the Milwaukee-Eight 121 V-Twin Engine
- 58 mm throttle bodies
- Variable Valve Timing (VVT)
- Compression Ratio of 11.4:1
- Liquid-cooled cylinder heads
- The initial high-performance phase shows peak power occurring at 4,500 revolutions per minute and maximum torque achieved at 3,000 revolutions per minute.
Engine Specs
The CVO Street Glide and Road Glide are luxurious touring motorcycles.
Priced at an equally luxurious Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP)
These tourers prioritize opulence, coziness, and advanced tech. Harley-Davidson hasn’t skimped on any aspects. thus the astonishingly high cost Smooth sailing on the highway is thanks to high-end components. The motor resides within a double-downtube steel frame paired with a detachable steel swingarm. Thick 47mm upside-down front forks along with adjustable twin shocks at the back assist in smoothing out rough patches.
The braking system consists of two 320 mm ventilated discs upfront and a fixed 300 mm disc at the back, managed by Brembo rotors for effective stopping power. One distinctive element found exclusively on the CVO Road Glide model is its combination cast-laced wheel design. This setup merges a vintage aesthetic with the practicality of tubeless tires.
The technology featured here is state-of-the-art, highlighted by a 12.3-inch TFT touch screen within the cockpit. The motorcycle’s interactive Skyline operating system includes capabilities such as phone integration, comprehensive GPS guidance, and various viewing options. Additionally, numerous convenience elements abound, including ample storage compartments throughout the vehicle. There is also an inconspicuously placed USB charger located inside a recessed area on the right side. Moreover, Harley-Davidson equips this model with a robust Rockford Fosgate Stage II sound system featuring speakers integrated into both the front panels and above the rear luggage containers, complemented by a substantial 500-watt amp. Furthermore, several auxiliary systems designed for rider assistance and protection enhance the overall experience; these encompass notable additions like...
- TPMS
- All-LED lights
- Cruise control
- Cornering ABS
- Hill-hold control
- Traction control
- Cornering linked brakes
- Cornering drag torque control
Hardware Specs
Leading American Touring Motorcycles with the Longest Distances
Harley-Davidson Dominates The Scene
Most high-end American-made touring motorcycles originate from two primary manufacturers: Harley-Davidson and Indian Motorcycles However, even though Indian’s lively and impressive lineup exists, Harley-Davidson continues to dominate the list for “motorcycles with the longest cruising range.” This predominance largely stems from Indian motorcycles not publicly disclosing their fuel efficiency figures. Therefore, our assessment must focus solely on the official information provided. The sole Indian motorcycle model whose details were accessible to us was the Roadmaster According to MCN, this vehicle boasts an estimated fuel efficiency of 43 miles per gallon with a fuel tank capacity of 5.5 gallons, providing a total travel distance of approximately 236.5 miles. In comparison, the H-D Road King Special offers a longer cruising range of 258 miles, placing it at the seventh position on the ranking list.
Following the CVO pair, four high-end Harley-Davidson touring motorcycles boast identical fuel economy and tank capacities (44 miles per gallon with a six-gallon tank). These models include the Street Glide, the Road Glide, and others. Street Glide Ultra , and even the CVO Road Glide ST share the same riding range of 264 miles. This group is remarkably varied. Road Glide ST packs the most powerful version of the 121 V-Twin The Street Glide Ultra has been designated as the official successor to the renowned Ultra Limited model for 2025. In contrast, both the Street Glide and Road Glide models are streamlined variants of their respective CVO counterparts, featuring an 117 cubic inch V-twin engine, with a notable price gap amounting to approximately $18,000 between them and their more luxurious siblings.