For decades, Harley-Davidson’s Custom Vehicle Operations (CVO) program focused on premium paint, luxury features, and exclusivity. That changed when Harley entered the King of the Baggers racing series.
Suddenly, performance was top of mind.
The result was two of the most exciting motorcycles Harley-Davidson has ever produced: the CVO ST and the ultra-exclusive CVO Road Glide RR. Both machines draw direct inspiration from Harley’s racing efforts and represent a significant departure from traditional touring motorcycles.
But while Harley has done an excellent job creating these performance-focused baggers, many owners quickly discover that the factory exhaust system remains a compromise.
The CVO ST: Race-Inspired Performance for the Street
The CVO Street Glide ST takes many of the lessons learned from Harley’s King of the Baggers race program and packages them into a motorcycle designed for real-world riding.
Powered by the Milwaukee-Eight 121 High Output engine, the ST features:
• Increased horsepower and torque over standard touring models
• Aggressive rider-focused ergonomics
• Premium suspension components
• Weight reduction measures
• Race-inspired styling
The result is one of the most engaging touring motorcycles Harley-Davidson has ever produced.
Yet, like every production motorcycle, the exhaust system must satisfy emissions, sound regulations, manufacturing constraints, packaging limitations, and cost targets.
Those requirements often conflict with maximum performance.
The CVO Road Glide RR: The Closest Thing to a Factory Race Bike
If the CVO ST is race-inspired, the CVO Road Glide RR is essentially Harley-Davidson’s interpretation of a street-legal King of the Baggers machine.
Built in extremely limited numbers, the RR features:
• A Screamin’ Eagle 131 cubic inch Milwaukee-Eight engine
• Race-derived suspension
• Extensive weight reduction
• Competition-inspired components throughout
• Premium performance upgrades rarely seen on production motorcycles
The RR represents the pinnacle of Harley-Davidson performance engineering.
Owners purchasing a motorcycle of this caliber typically aren’t interested in leaving performance on the table.
Why Engineered Exhaust is so Critical on High-Performance Milwaukee-Eight Engines
As displacement and horsepower increase, exhaust system design becomes increasingly important.
A properly engineered exhaust system does far more than simply reduce restriction.
Primary tube diameter, collector design, merge angles, overall length, and scavenging characteristics all influence:
• Torque production
• Horsepower output
• Throttle response
• Rideability
• Heat management
This becomes especially critical on engines such as the Milwaukee-Eight 121 HO and the Screamin’ Eagle 131, which move significantly more air than stock touring engines.
Many exhaust systems focus primarily on appearance or sound for the off the showroom floor bikes.
Performance motorcycles deserve more.
Why the Burns Stainless VsT and BbM are an Ideal Match
The Burns Stainless VsT (Velocity Scavenging Technology) and BbM (Burns Big Momma) exhausts - part of the NhB (No Holds Barred) Performance Line - were developed specifically for high-performance Harley-Davidson applications.
Rather than relying on conventional header designs, the NhB line incorporate Burns Stainless collector technology and race-proven exhaust engineering principles developed through decades of motorsports experience.
For CVO ST owners, the perfect choice is the VsT:
• Improved exhaust scavenging
• Excellent mid-range torque
• Strong top-end horsepower
• Reduced weight compared to many factory systems
• Premium stainless steel construction
For riders with the 121 High Output engine, the VsT falls directly into its sweet spot.
At Burns Stainless, we generally recommend the VsT for engines producing up to approximately 180 horsepower, making it an excellent choice for most CVO ST owners. The BbM is engineered to expand the power band on the big 131+ CVO RR bikes.
Built by Exhaust Engineers, Not Marketing Departments
Burns Stainless has spent decades designing exhaust systems for professional motorsports, aerospace projects, prototype vehicles, and high-performance applications.
The same engineering philosophy used to design race-winning exhaust systems is applied to every Harley-Davidson performance exhaust we build.
That means:
• Proper collector geometry
• Optimized flow characteristics
• High-quality stainless steel construction
• Real engineering rather than marketing claims
The result is an exhaust system that complements what Harley-Davidson’s engineers were trying to achieve with the CVO ST and CVO RR in the first place.
The Next Step for Harley’s Ultimate Performance Baggers
The CVO ST and CVO Road Glide RR represent a new chapter in Harley-Davidson performance. They are motorcycles designed for riders who appreciate power, handling, and engineering excellence.
For those riders, the exhaust system should be more than an accessory.
It should be a performance component.
The Burns Stainless NhB Racing Line was built with exactly that philosophy in mind.
Whether you’re carving canyon roads, chasing lap times at a track day, or simply looking to unlock the full potential of your Milwaukee-Eight engine, the VsT and BbM are the most effective upgrades available for Harley-Davidson’s modern performance baggers.
Photos or the red RR courtesy of Burns Stainless customer: David Martinez
