Unlike most firms, Harley-Davidson has actually hung on till 2026 to unveil its new bikes for this year. And a big part of the updates is the Harley-Davidson 2026 Street Glide and Road Glide range. In many ways, these are the best modern ‘Big Twin’ Harleys: they’re big, brash, bold touring tools, with massive Milwaukee-Eight V-twin engines, luxury fairings, extensive touring accessories and modern electronic aids.
They’re also good fun to ride, with enough power and handling to amuse. These are not your dad’s old Harley Electra Glides, as the saying goes. But you pay for it – these bikes *start* at almost £28k and go all the way up to almost £46k for the top-line special Street Glide CVO (Custom Vehicle Operations) model…
Both bikes come in standard versions with a new bigger 117 cubic-inch (1,917cc) version of the Milwaukee-Eight V-twin, which has four-valve heads and water-cooling. Power and torque are both up, to 106bhp and 177Nm. That’s a pretty poor power return from nearly two litres of course, but that’s the deal on an engine like this: low-revving torque is the order of the day…
Harley’s also shaved off some mass: the Street is 10.5kg lighter than before and the Road is 5.9kg lighter. New 10-spoke wheels and expanded touring accessories are also part of the 2026 updates.
The half-faired Street Glide Limited ‘bagger’ has a new fairing design, with a square headlamp and classic batwing fairing shape, taller windscreen and 12.3” TFT dash with extensive touring infotainment and navigation functions – nice. The Road Glide also gets a new fairing design, and taller screen.
Not fancy enough? Well there’s a couple of even tricker Street Glides: the CVO variant of the Street Glide comes with a bigger 121 CI (1,977cc) engine and higher compression, that makes 114bhp – and there’s the option of a HO (High Output) engine on the ST version. It’s got the same 1,977cc capacity, but has race-ready top end mods that make it suitable for the Bagger race series, and raise power to a healthy 127bhp@4,900rpm.
Interestingly, there are ECU-controlled time limits on the rev limiter: you can rev it to 5,900rpm, but after 25 seconds the computer brings the limit back down again to 4,750rpm. There’s also a 25 second speed limit of 120mph on the Road Glide ST and 110mph on the Street Glide ST.
That’s something we’ve never seen before on a bike: Harley says both time limits are designed for short bursts of aggressive riding on track, presumably to increase engine durability. The ST bikes also feature lowered final drive gearing for extra acceleration.
There are plenty of chassis upgrades on the CVO bikes too: the rear suspension features dual outboard Showa shock absorbers with remote reservoirs located between the rear fender and each saddlebag. That keeps the shock oil and gas separated to maintain shock performance under demanding conditions. Rear suspension travel is 3 inches (76 mm).
Meanwhile, the front suspension has inverted 47 mm Showa 1×1 forks with diamond-like carbon (DLC) coating treatment which improves durability and reduces friction. Front suspension travel is 4.6 inches (117 mm). Brakes are by Brembo with Performance dual Floating 320 mm rotors and radially mounted four-piston Brembo calipers.
The CVO bikes also have uprated electronics options, including cornering-sensitive linked ABS braking, cornering traction control, engine braking, hill start and tyre pressure monitoring, as well as five selectable Ride Modes.
These electronically control the performance characteristics of the motorcycle and the level of technology intervention, and are selected by the special MODE button to change the active ride mode, either while riding or when stopped.
Road Mode is for daily use, Sport Mode gives full power and the quickest throttle response, Rain Mode gives greater confidence when riding in the rain or when traction is otherwise limited and Custom Mode lets the rider create three custom ride modes with a set of performance characteristics to meet personal preference or for special situations.
Finally, Track Mode on the Road and Street Glide ST models is designed specifically for track day riding on a dry circuit/closed course. Want more? There’s also a Track Plus Mode which is intended for experienced riders on a dry track/closed course who want maximum control but still want a bit of a safety net from the electronics in the background.
In addition to the full-on power delivery of Track Mode, Track Plus Mode disables electronically linked braking entirely, giving full independent control of both brakes to the rider. The C-ABS setting gives even less anti-lock brake intervention, which permits a significantly higher level of rear wheel slip under braking or aggressive downshifts to further enhance rider control in a track setting.
The traction control is also set to its lowest level to maximize both straight line and cornering acceleration and put control in the rider’s throttle hand.
If you want extra luxury on your CVO Glide, then there are two new Limited variants with standard touring add-ons like heated seats (with even a heated backrest option), high performance Rockford Fosgate audio upgrade, all-LED lighting, integrated fog lamps, hard shell locking saddlebags, keyless ignition with remote locking luggage, and much more.
One thing you can’t say about Harley is that they are cheap. The Street Glide and Road Glide range starts at £27,745, with the Limited models at £29.995. The CVO Street and Road Glide ST models are from £41,495, and the CVO Street Glide Limited version is an extra £1k. Got a big bonus for xmas? Then the top-end CVO Street Glide is the one for you: a snip at £45,995. Visit your local dealer or head to www.harley-davidson.co.uk for more.
2026 HARLEY-DAVIDSON TECH HIGHLIGHTS
STANDARD STREET AND ROAD GLIDE
2026 Milwaukee-Eight VVT 117 Powertrain
More displacement, enhanced intake and exhaust flow, and variable valve timing (VVT) means the 2026 Milwaukee-Eight motor has 7.4% more torque and 14.0% more horsepower than the Twin Cooled Milwaukee-Eight 114 powertrain from 2024: 106bhp@4,600 RPM and 131ft lb (177Nm)@3,500rpm
New wheel design features ten spokes that split to 20 spokes at the rim. Cast aluminium wheels feature black inner spokes and contrasting bright machine-finished spoke edges and rims. 19-inch front and 18-inch rear.
New Streamliner Collection accessories include rider footboards, passenger footboards, brake pedal pad, and highway pegs. Inspired by the art-deco designs of the Streamliner era.
STREET GLIDE LIMITED
New Street Glide Fairing offers a classic Harley-Davidson “batwing” profile updated with evolved design and enhanced aerodynamic performance. Most riders will find that the combination of fairing, fairing lowers and air deflectors results in a significant improvement in overall aero comfort compared to the previous model.
Inner fairing incorporates a 12.3-inch colour touchscreen display, two audio speakers and a single media storage drawer located directly below the infotainment display screen, equipped with a USB-C connection point.
New clear touring windshield is approximately four inches taller than the standard Street Glide model windscreen and shaped to contribute to aero comfort and protection from the elements.
New weight Reduction of approximately 24 pounds (10.9 kg) compared to the 2024 Ultra Limited model
New styling: chrome or black trim in the following colour options: Dark Billiard Gray (base), Vivid Black, White Onyx Pearl, Iron Horse Metallic, Brilliant Red, New Olive Steel Metallic/Vivid Black, New Purple Abyss/Vivid Black.
STREET GLIDE CVO AND ST
The Milwaukee-Eight VVT 121 powertrain is exclusive to the CVO Street Glide, CVO Street Glide Limited and CVO Street Glide 3 Limited models and features optimised liquid-cooled cylinder heads, variable valve timing (VVT) with a high-performance camshaft, an efficient intake tract with four-litre airbox, a high-performance charging system and high-flow exhaust with 4.5-inch diameter mufflers.
MILWAUKEE-EIGHT VVT 121 ENGINE SPECS
Displacement: 121 cubic inches (1,977cc) Bore x Stroke: 4.075″ x 4.625″
Compression Ratio: 11.4:1 Torque: 138 ft-lb (187 Nm)@3,750rpm
Horsepower: 114bhp(85kW)@4,500rpm
STREET GLIDE AND ROAD GLIDE ST MODELS MILWAUKEE-EIGHT 121 HO
ENGINE SPECS
Displacement: 121 cubic inches (1,977cc) Bore x Stroke: 4.075″x4.625″
Compression Ratio: 11.4:1 Torque: 145ft lb (197 Nm)@4,000rpm
Horsepower: 127bhp(95kW)@4,900rpm
High-Performance Camshaft has the same lift and duration as the camshaft fitted to the Milwaukee-Eight VVT 121 engine, but its timing is changed to boost horsepower at the top of the RPM range. Tuned to produce peak horsepower, this engine is not equipped with variable valve timing (VVT).
High Performance Intake/Heavy Breather air cleaner is race-inspired intake engineered specifically for the Milwaukee-Eight 121 HO engine. This intake flows 26 percent more air than the Milwaukee Eight VVT 121 airbox to contribute to increased power output. Its tuned length is designed to maximize torque and horsepower.
It is shaped to minimize weight and to maximize rider leg clearance while producing an aggressive sound quality.
Elevated redline to 5,900rpm with a time limit at this engine speed of 25 seconds before calibration intervenes. Peak RPM with no intervention is elevated from 4,600 (Milwaukee-Eight VVT 121 engine) to 4750. The higher redline allows the rider to be very aggressive on the throttle.
Top speed is electronically limited to 120 mph (CVO Road Glide ST model) and 110 mph (CVO Street Glide ST model) for 25 seconds maximum, making these the fastest Grand American Touring motorcycles ever offered by Harley-Davidson. This speed is appropriate for special situations, such as a track day on a closed racecourse.
Screamin’ Eagle Extreme Flow Titanium Slip-On Mufflers feature oval-shaped lightweight titanium shells and forged carbon fibre end caps. The high-flow design unlocks engine performance while maintaining noise and emissions compliance. Exhaust tone and level are enhanced to produce an exhilarating sound, especially on acceleration.
Weight reduction achieved through use of alternate materials contributes to improved fuel economy, braking performance, and acceleration. Forged carbon fibre composite is used to form the front fender, seat cowl and tank console.
The oil pan is formed of light weight composite. Compact footboards are lighter than standard-size footboards. Wheel design and Performance Dual Floating front brake rotors are optimized to minimize unsprung weight.
CVO Road Glide ST weight in running order: 838 pounds (380 kg), 28 pounds (12.7 kg) lighter than the 2025 CVO Road Glide model.
CVO Street Glide ST weight in running order: 816 pounds (370 kg), 22 pounds (10.0 kg) lighter than the 2026 CVO Street Glide model.
ROAD GLIDE LIMITED
NEW Road Glide Fairing is designed to offer the rider exceptional aero comfort and dynamic style. Most riders will find that the combination of aero design and adjustable elements results in a significant improvement in overall aero comfort compared to previous Road Glide model fairing/windshield combinations.
The fairing is mounted directly to the motorcycle frame, making it independent of the steering and front suspension. This significantly reduces steering effort in tight manoeuvres at low speed, compared with a fork-mounted fairing, because the rider does not have to support the weight of the fairing through the handlebar. Inner fairing incorporates a 12.3-inch colour touchscreen display, two audio speakers and left- and right-side media storage compartments. The right compartment is equipped with a USB-C connection point.
New clear Touring Windshield is approximately four inches taller than the standard Road Glide.
New weight reduction of approximately 13 pounds (5.9 kg) compared to the 2024 Road Glide Limited model
New chrome or black trim in the following colour options: Dark Billiard Gray (base), Vivid Black, White Onyx Pearl, Iron Horse Metallic, Brilliant Red, New Olive Steel Metallic/Vivid Black, New Purple Abyss/Vivid Black.