Harley-Davidson CVO Road Glide Limited Anniversary Edition (2023-on)

The CVO Road Glide Limited 120^th Anniversary is an impressive machine in terms of its ride quality. The plush saddle is low and on the move it’s all easily manageable, and you feel smugly regal above and beyond not just any other two-wheeler, but any four-wheeler as well, that this most excessive of motorcycles comes into its own and (kind of) makes sense.

As a touring motorcycle it’s OK, especially on Interstates. As a dynamic motorcycle subject to conventional parameters, it’s irrelevant, although sweeping country roads through Californian wine country arouse more joy than most bikes can muster. It’s not going to break any records, but it was never intended to.

Bigger is always better, especially when it revolves around engines and the world of Harley Davidson. By gifting the CVO Anni’ more cubes with the Twin Cooled 117ci (1928cc) engine (in place of the 114ci/1868cc version), power has been boosted to 105bhp (from 87) and torque has risen to 122lb.ft (from 118).

This means that the 2023 CVO Road Glide Limited Anniversary Edition certainly offers more shove from your right wrist when you twist the grip.

There’s no denying that this at the very highest end of the spectrum in terms of quality, which is reflected in its build quality as the CVO Road Glide Limited 120^th Anniversary is a seriously premium bit of kit, from any angle.

In terms of reliability, the modern Harleys tend to be fairly dependable minus a few odd niggles here and there, and we expect this to be no different.

So, is it really worth the £50,677 price tag? There are two answers, I’m afraid. On the one hand: objectively, dispassionately, sensibly, probably not. The standard Road Glide Limited starts at £28,995, over £21K less and, although I can see the extras you get, no-one really needs them. Besides, for the same money you could get a brace of Harleys and probably a sports car as well…

But the terms ‘objective, dispassionate or sensible’ shouldn’t apply here. Harley set out to build ‘The ultimate ride to the 120^th Homecoming’ and it’s done just that. It’s the ultimate Harley full dresser with so much spec I’ve struggled to list everything. It may be OTT, but it’s also the ultimate Harley, and that, to some – and it only needs to be some – is priceless.

The CVO Road Glide Limited 120^th Anniversary costs almost double what the standard Road Glide Limited will set you back, alongside other machinery such as Honda’s Gold Wing Tour DCT, which is almost £20,000 cheaper.

But then again, none of these models are truly comparable; Harley have opted to push the boat out with their CVO Road Glide Limited 120^th Anniversary in the most extreme way to celebrate a huge milestone, and if in turn created something truly luxurious and un-attainable for most.

A top spec 'Elite' version of Indian's Pursuit full dress tourer will only set you back £30k, pocket change compared the the Harley but nowhere near as opulent.

Now this is where the CVO Road Glide Limited 120^th Anniversary really earns its stripes. There really is just more of everything, and it gains some extra kudos by having a gold-plated console too. Yes, we said gold-plated.

Where some limited runs consist of the odd paint job and a few stickers, the 2023 CVO Road Glide Limited Anniversary Edition really does ooze a sense of exclusivity. From its ‘Tomahawk’ wheels and more luxurious Alcantara seats, to the uprated ‘Infotainment’ system or even the riding assists such as cornering ABS and traction, hill hold, it’s fair to say that every base has been covered.