2025 Harley-Davidson® Street Glide® Ultra vs 2025 Harley-Davidson® CVO™ Road Glide® ST — Which Touring Legend Fits Your Rides Around Fort Washington, MD?
Harley-Davidson® of Washington, DC - 2025 Harley-Davidson® Street Glide® Ultra vs 2025 Harley-Davidson® CVO™ Road Glide® ST — Which Touring Legend Fits Your Rides Around Fort Washington, MD?
For riders mapping out bigger adventures around Fort Washington, MD, a common question arises: which Harley-Davidson® Touring machine fits your miles and your style — the 2025 Harley-Davidson® Street Glide® Ultra or the 2025 Harley-Davidson® CVO™ Road Glide® ST? Both bring the latest in infotainment, aerodynamics, and Rider Safety Enhancements, but they express two distinct personalities. The Street Glide® Ultra leans into long-range comfort with a tall windshield, fairing lowers with adjustable vents, and a plush two-up seat, while the CVO™ Road Glide® ST delivers the strongest factory-installed powerplant ever in a Harley-Davidson® production bike and adds fully adjustable SHOWA® inverted forks to fine-tune handling. Understanding how these bikes differ in everyday use helps you choose the one that complements the routes you ride most and the way you like to ride them.
The Street Glide® Ultra’s Batwing fairing is optimized using CFD, wind-tunnel insight, and on-road testing to reduce helmet buffeting, and its King Tour-Pak® with passenger backrest and armrests elevates two-up comfort while expanding storage to a generous 4.9 cubic feet. Touring amenities integrate naturally with the 12.3-inch color TFT and Skyline™ OS, including voice-controlled navigation for easy, eyes-forward route changes. The CVO™ Road Glide® ST counters with a frame-mounted Sharknose fairing that keeps the steering light and precise in turbulent air, forged carbon fiber and titanium components that trim weight, and Rockford Fosgate Stage II audio for high-impact sound. Its Milwaukee-Eight® 121 High Output engine, Heavy Breather Intake, and higher rev limit deliver visceral acceleration, while Track and Track + modes unlock additional performance calibration for closed-course use. If your rides are about stringing together sweeping backroads with assertive pace, the CVO™ Road Glide® ST speaks your language.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What makes the Street Glide® Ultra a great choice for long-distance touring?
The combination of Batwing fairing aerodynamics, a tall windshield, fairing lowers with adjustable vents, and a supportive two-up comfort seat helps reduce fatigue and improve comfort across a full day on the highway. The King Tour-Pak® adds storage volume and passenger reassurance, while the Skyline™ OS display provides intuitive navigation and audio management.
How does the CVO™ Road Glide® ST differ in handling feel?
The frame-mounted Sharknose fairing stabilizes the bike at speed by isolating wind forces from the steering, and fully adjustable SHOWA® inverted forks let riders dial in compression, rebound, and preload. Weight-reducing elements like forged carbon fiber and cast aluminum wheels further quicken steering response.
Do both models include Rider Safety Enhancements?
Yes. Both bikes are equipped with Rider Safety Enhancements that include Cornering ABS and Cornering Traction Control, plus features like Vehicle Hold Control to assist when starting on a grade. These systems work with ride modes to help tailor response to conditions.
Is there a difference in infotainment capability?
Both use the 12.3-inch TFT with Skyline™ OS for navigation, ride modes, and system management. The CVO™ R oad Glide® ST adds integration with Rockford Fosgate Stage II audio and offers expanded ride modes, including Track and Track + for closed-course tuning.
How should I choose between these two Touring models?
Consider your primary use. If you prioritize two-up comfort, long-haul wind management, and maximum storage, the Street Glide® Ultra is the smart choice. If you want the most powerful production Harley-Davidson® engine, adjustable suspension, and sharper handling for spirited rides, the CVO™ Road Glide® ST is your performance bagger.
- Comfort focus: Tall windshield, fairing lowers, two-up comfort seat, and King Tour-Pak® favor long-distance ease.
- Performance focus: Milwaukee-Eight® 121 High Output, adjustable SHOWA® inverted forks, and lightweight components favor precision and speed.
- Infotainment core: Both use the 12.3-inch Skyline™ OS display for navigation, ride modes, and audio control.
- Safety systems: Cornering ABS and Traction Control assist in varied weather and road conditions.
Whether you’re planning weekend getaways or weekday escapes, the right Touring platform comes down to where the miles take you and how you want the bike to feel under you. The Street Glide® Ultra makes long horizons feel closer with a comfort-first design, while the CVO™ Road Glide® ST injects a dose of racetrack attitude into every on-ramp and sweep. Harley-Davidson® of Washington, DC provides knowledgeable guidance on both options, serving Fredericksburg, VA, Hughesville, MD, and Fort Washington, MD, with expert insight on features, fit, and function. Whichever direction you choose, the latest Touring lineup showcases Harley-Davidson® engineering at its finest, blending iconic presence with modern control, power, and technology so every ride becomes a memory worth repeating.