Durham isn’t only a college town or a stop on the way to Raleigh. It’s a place where tradition and innovation live side by side, where old tobacco warehouses now house tech startups, and where coffee shops sit across from barber shops that have been open for generations. It’s also a city that knows a thing or two about riding. From Sunday morning cruises to sunset rollouts on NC-751, local riders don’t just pass through. They belong here. And when a new machine hits the pavement, the Durham Riders take notice.
The 2025 Harley-Davidson® CVO™ Street Glide® is one of those bikes. It’s not subtle, and that’s exactly why it fits so well into the rhythm of Durham.
You can’t talk about the 2025 Harley-Davidson® CVO™ Street Glide® without acknowledging the attention it grabs, and not in a try-hard kind of way. It’s more like the bike knows it’s got “it” and doesn’t need to prove anything. The custom paint options, from Blue Steel to Poison Berry, seem designed to reflect the city’s artistic side. Riders rolling past Durham Central Park or parking outside Motorco Music Hall have noticed heads turning, and not just from other bikers.
Even the lighting is next-level. The integrated LED headlamp is part of the new visual signature. The fairing has been reshaped, smoothed, and optimized for wind deflection, making it feel less like an accessory and more like part of the frame.
The engine at the heart of the 2025 Harley-Davidson® CVO™ Street Glide® is the Milwaukee-Eight® VVT 121. Riders here in Durham who’ve had the chance to twist the throttle say the delivery is both immediate and consistent.
What makes the VVT 121 stand out is its flexibility. In the city, where traffic near Ninth Street or I-885 can get sticky, the engine stays composed. Once you break free onto stretches like NC-98 heading out toward Wake Forest, the torque wakes up and pulls with ease. That duality, calm in a crawl, commanding in a sprint, is a big part of what makes this engine feel refined rather than rowdy.
Long-time Durham riders know that comfort isn’t about how soft the seat feels for five minutes. It’s about how your back and shoulders feel after a couple of hours exploring Falls Lake or looping down to Jordan Lake for a lazy lakeside lunch. The 2025 Harley-Davidson® CVO™ Street Glide® comes prepped for comfort with its redesigned seating position, easy-reach handlebars, and adjustable rear suspension.
The 26.7-inch seat height is low enough to feel planted at stoplights, especially useful when maneuvering through crowded downtown intersections or when parking in tight quarters at events like Bull City Rumble.
The Skyline™ OS, running on the big 12.3-inch TFT display, might be the most talked-about upgrade on the 2025 Harley-Davidson® CVO™ Street Glide®. Riders in Durham who usually scoff at screens on bikes have changed their tune. Why? Because it’s practical.
The interface is simple, crisp, and legible, even in harsh sunlight. Navigation feels native, not like something tacked on. Riders can access Bluetooth® connectivity, music, calls, and vehicle diagnostics with minimal distraction. And paired with the Rockford Fosgate® Stage II audio system, the music actually cuts through even with your full-face helmet zipped and the wind pouring off the fairing.
The 2025 Harley-Davidson® CVO™ Street Glide® doesn’t just handle Durham’s streets well. It belongs here. The way it balances flash with function mirrors the city itself: innovative but grounded, bold but thoughtful.
Take it down Fayetteville Street during golden hour, and you’ll see how the paint catches every warm tone in the sky. Ride it out to Hillsborough for barbecue and watch how easily it turns into a conversation starter with strangers. It’s that type of bike. One that fits your life without needing to change who you are as a rider.
If you’re the kind of rider who wants a bike that looks like a custom build, rides like a dream, and still feels every bit like a Harley-Davidson®, then the 2025 Harley-Davidson® CVO™ Street Glide® is a serious contender.
It’s for those who ride hard and care deeply about their machines. For folks who tune in to their engine’s every rumble. For riders who appreciate attention to detail, not because it’s trendy, but because it shows respect for the ride.
Stop by Raging Bull Harley-Davidson® in Durham to schedule a test ride. Our team knows these bikes inside and out and can help you figure out if this one’s built for your kind of ride.
Don’t take anyone’s word for it. Ride it yourself. Let the Milwaukee-Eight® 121 do the talking. Let Durham be the proving ground. Let your next chapter begin right here.