The Most Powerful American Touring Bike In 2025
The touring segment in America has truly evolved in recent times. There was a time when all everyone cared about was large fairings, endless torque surge, and mighty road presence. But today, many of us want performance and sportiness in the mix, too. Not many large American tourers meet that brief but one does and it comes from Harley-Davidson. And no, it is not the Pan America 1250. We’re sticking to authentic mile-munching touring bikes here.
The Harley-Davidson CVO Road Glide RR Is The Most Powerful American Touring Bike In 2025
Back when the Milwaukee-Eight 121 engine debuted, we were mighty impressed with the 115 horsepower on offer in the CVO Road Glide and Street Glide. But it was considerably short on its arch-rival, the 122-HP Indian Challenger. Then Harley-Davidson announced the CVO Road Glide ST, armed with a High Output version of the Milwaukee-Eight 121 engine. Unsurprisingly, that blew the competition out of the water, becoming the most powerful American bagger on sale. But in 2025, H-D has truly outdone itself with the CVO Road Glide RR.
It employs the Screamin’ Eagle 131 engine that promises 153 horsepower and a scarcely believable 150 pound-feet of torque. While the engine is special as it is, the output is due to several special internal changes. Stage IV ported cylinders, high-performance SE8-550 Camshaft, race-inspired intake, new billet clutch basket, and a Screamin’ Eagle Racing King 6 transmission are all present here, in addition to an Akrapovic exhaust system.
| Engine | 2,147cc, V-twin (Screamin’ Eagle 131) |
| Power | 153 HP @ 5,750 RPM |
| Torque | 150 LB-FT @ 4,750 RPM |
| Transmission | Screamin’ Eagle King six-speed |
High-Quality Underpinnings Ensure The CVO Road Glide RR Is Ready For The Track
The engine will make the headlines here. But the underpinnings are what enthusiasts will drool over. While the chassis remains an identical double-cradle unit, it now joins hands with a new billet swingarm machined from a 220-pound billet of 6061 aluminum. Likewise, the suspension comprises 43 mm Ohlins FGR 523 Hypersport forks and Screamin’ Eagle Ohlins remote reservoir shock absorbers. What about brakes, you ask? They comprise Brembo GP4-RX CNC front calipers for MotoGP levels of braking prowess. These are plonked onto special wheels, which reduce unsprung mass.
Speaking of mass, weight reduction is prevalent elsewhere, too. The front fairing, saddlebags, and lids are carved out of carbon fiber and kevlar, whereas the fenders, side covers, tank console, fork nacelle, and radiator shroud have lightweight woven carbon fiber composite construction. All that bodywork has a gorgeous paint livery with race-derived graphics in Harley-Davidson Orange. Simply beautiful is what we’ll call it.
