# Weeks Out From Buying CVO FatBob

[WFO75080]

3 Weeks out from buying!
I would really like some input from everyone Pro and Con about buying this bike.
Money is not the issue,......one guy told me no matter what I do I can't take a stock FatBob and make it a CVO FatBob and it would never be worth it even if I got close.
I did the math and it's not even close buying a stock bike and adding the extras,....but I would really like some opinions....
Colors too, I found plenty of MSRP dealers, can I do better in your opinion?
Let 'er rip.........

Thanks,

D

[Sullyboo]

I can not give you the answer you may want. My suggestion is to try the CVO forum.
http://www.cvoharley.com

[FLSTFI Dave]

In my opinon, if you are wanting the bigger engine, all the extra chrome, and sepecial paint, the CVO is the way to go.

I priced out doing up a Road Glide the way I wanted it, it was less expensive to get the CVO road glide, so that is what I got.

[arealinvestor]

Originally Posted by WFO75080

3 Weeks out from buying!
I would really like some input from everyone Pro and Con about buying this bike.
Money is not the issue,......one guy told me no matter what I do I can't take a stock FatBob and make it a CVO FatBob and it would never be worth it even if I got close.
I did the math and it's not even close buying a stock bike and adding the extras,....but I would really like some opinions....
Colors too, I found plenty of MSRP dealers, can I do better in your opinion?
Let 'er rip.........

Thanks,

D

Whats the difference in price between the two???You can't actually make the stock one a CVO,but you damn sure can take the stock one & make it faster then the 110 CVO!!!! It depends on what you want.The CVO might retain more value because it's a CVO bike.If you just have to do CVO then your mind is made up!! Me personally,I would enjoy doing a stocker's motor & whipping the pants of the CVO 110.Yes I think you can do better than MSRP!!!!

[hamyoo06]

The CVO Fat Bobs are awesome looking. Just saw two yesterday at the dealer. They had a red/orange with black and a blue with gray. I couldn't decide which looked better. And they have a suede-like seat (is it suede? I don't know). Wow. I really think they are the best-looking CVOs out right now.

[hoofnhog]

Why would you spend all that extra money to get a 110 that makes less than 80HP????? AND you know right off that the cylinder to liner junction on these CVO 110's is way under engineered and you will have premature head gasket failure with them... can't avoid it, can't fix it.....

I agree with some of those above, you can make a much stronger, more individual bike on your own for less $$$$...... If you want/like all that HD bolt on bling and don't mind payin' out the azz for it, than the CVO is your huckelberry........

Don't let the salesmen fool you about resale value... they lose more value on a percentage basis then the regular models do........

If it trips your trigger, by all means, spend away!!! ( I own a shyt ton of HD stock)

[davidceder]

Well we all have our opinions, that's for sure. I picked up a used 2009 CVO Fat Bob in the Black & Fire Quartz about a month ago. I was surprised to find one used with only 875 miles within driving distance of my home. Got a great deal. This is my first Harley. I currently have an 805cc Suzuki that my wife rides and a 2006 Yamaha Stratoliner. Wanted something a bit different from the Strat and wanted to be part of the Harley thing. I also wanted a bike that I could find umlimited accessories for. I waffled between a stock FB and the CVO. Being an instant gratification kind of guy and getting the deal I did, I grabbed the CVO.

Everything said in the replys is true. I think you need to figure out want you like/want and go for it. I have very limited electrical and mechanical skills so the CVO solved that problem for me. As far as the head gasket, there is indeed a class action lawsuit on the 07/08 engines. That same suit states that the 09's seem to be "better", whatever that means. I figured that an extended warranty could cover my butt on that issue. I have already made several changes to the bike. I put on heel rests, running light kit, recessed fuel guage/gas tank cap and RUSH mufflers. By the way I had the bike Dyno'd before & after the muffler change. Prior to the change I was running 81.26 HP and 98.51 Ft/Lbs with the RUSH's installed it went up to 85.93 and 108.01. A race tuner will do even more. Not bad for $300.00. The mufflers also moved my torque curve down into the 2500-3500 RPM range. Thats where we do most of our shifting.

If you want to chat a bit send me your phone number and we can make contact. My e-mail is info@djceder.com

David

[hoofnhog]

Originally Posted by davidceder

That same suit states that the 09's seem to be "better", whatever that means.

It means enough of them haven't gone to hell yet to make it worth while for the lawyers.....YET......

All HD did in the '09s is put the upgraded gaskets in,( their "fix" for the earlier ones).
The cylinder/liner connection is still the same.......seeing as how it is a heat induced problem, your FatBobby has a much better chance of staying under nuclear melt down then say an Ultra does....

The jump from your Rushes appears to be money well spent..(wanna run my measly 'ol 106 for slips?????)..enjoy your bike...best of luck with it.

[FLSTFI Dave]

Originally Posted by hoofnhog

It means enough of them haven't gone to hell yet to make it worth while for the lawyers.....YET......

All HD did in the '09s is put the upgraded gaskets in,( their "fix" for the earlier ones).
The cylinder/liner connection is still the same.......seeing as how it is a heat induced problem, your FatBobby has a much better chance of staying under nuclear melt down then say an Ultra does....

The jump from your Rushes appears to be money well spent..(wanna run my measly 'ol 106 for slips?????)..enjoy your bike...best of luck with it.

Best way to solve the heat issue is a good tuner or programer and to richen up the fuel mixture. These motors are way lean due to trying to meet EPA requirements.

[deuce04]

I spent a little over $1200 and I got over 90hp...just sayin

[ei5fk]

If you are going to be buying extras for the stock model go for the CVO

[Rickter]

While I beleive everyone on this thread speaks the truth, I have a CVO. Lower the temp with some fuel magmt, add pipes.

This gives you Low RPM torque, Big bore thunder, and a very sure footed bike.

"It is" all about what you're after. Very pleased with the Fat Bob so far.

[harris48cars]

Originally Posted by hoofnhog

Why would you spend all that extra money to get a 110 that makes less than 80HP????? AND you know right off that the cylinder to liner junction on these CVO 110's is way under engineered and you will have premature head gasket failure with them... can't avoid it, can't fix it.....

I agree with some of those above, you can make a much stronger, more individual bike on your own for less $$$$...... If you want/like all that HD bolt on bling and don't mind payin' out the azz for it, than the CVO is your huckelberry........

Don't let the salesmen fool you about resale value... they lose more value on a percentage basis then the regular models do........

If it trips your trigger, by all means, spend away!!! ( I own a shyt ton of HD stock)

I respectfully disagree. The CVO Fat Bob has bling that can't be equaled for the same money. Not even close. I've built 3 motorcycles and every one exceeded the cost of a CVO by far! One example was my 2002 RKC. No custom paint and no 110 engine and I still had $32,000 in it. I chromed everything but I never got it looking better than a SERK. Another $3000 for paint might have done it. Then I would have been at $35,000. Thats $7000 more than A SERK and I still don't have the SE engine. And I'm not the exception. I'm sure there are plenty of others who could tell you they exceeded the CVO price and without nearly the bling. As for the engine performance, I would agree that you could do better, particularly on a heavy SE touring bike. But on the light weight Fat Bob for example, the 110 more than handles it's own. And frankly you would have a diffucult time equaling the 110 performance without laying out $3000 (Yeah I know someone will come on here and say they made 100 hp for peanuts but I've been around and live in the real world). Lastly, put cams in the 110 and a good tune and I doubt $3000 will come up to the performance lavel of that engine.
Gary

[hoofnhog]

Originally Posted by harris48cars

I respectfully disagree. The CVO Fat Bob has bling that can't be equaled for the same money. Not even close. I've built 3 motorcycles and every one exceeded the cost of a CVO by far! One example was my 2002 RKC. No custom paint and no 110 engine and I still had $32,000 in it. I chromed everything but I never got it looking better than a SERK. Another $3000 for paint might have done it. Then I would have been at $35,000. Thats $7000 more than A SERK and I still don't have the SE engine. And I'm not the exception. I'm sure there are plenty of others who could tell you they exceeded the CVO price and without nearly the bling. As for the engine performance, I would agree that you could do better, particularly on a heavy SE touring bike. But on the light weight Fat Bob for example, the 110 more than handles it's own. And frankly you would have a diffucult time equaling the 110 performance without laying out $3000 (Yeah I know someone will come on here and say they made 100 hp for peanuts but I've been around and live in the real world). Lastly, put cams in the 110 and a good tune and I doubt $3000 will come up to the performance lavel of that engine.
Gary

I pretty much agree with what you have said..... If the bikes you have built came out in the $30k+ range, I have to assume you aren't doing a lot of your own labor. That helps with the cost, all I'm buying is parts. But cost differences shouldn't be the big reason to stay away from the CVO bikes..... my big problem with them is that they are a production bike that you had no influence over how it looks and it sure isn't "unique" or "your bike" when you see one just like it at every watering hole you pull into.

And there is no way around the fact that you are stuck with a motor that has some serious design problems that are not going to go away,(well, your rear head gasket will go away...),..... plus a good one makes a lousy 80HP and gets spanked by every 95 build out there....

I just don't see how you can even consider the CVO's, unless all you want to do is write a check and be able to tell everyone you have a "custom" bike.

[WFO75080]

Originally Posted by hoofnhog

I pretty much agree with what you have said..... If the bikes you have built came out in the $30k+ range, I have to assume you aren't doing a lot of your own labor. That helps with the cost, all I'm buying is parts. But cost differences shouldn't be the big reason to stay away from the CVO bikes..... my big problem with them is that they are a production bike that you had no influence over how it looks and it sure isn't "unique" or "your bike" when you see one just like it at every watering hole you pull into.

And there is no way around the fact that you are stuck with a motor that has some serious design problems that are not going to go away,(well, your rear head gasket will go away...),..... plus a good one makes a lousy 80HP and gets spanked by every 95 build out there....

I just don't see how you can even consider the CVO's, unless all you want to do is write a check and be able to tell everyone you have a "custom" bike.

Dam,....... and I just wrote the check. LOL!!!
All I can say is that I'm old and have waited a long time to buy something like this. I can do all the work on any bike, but when I saw the yellow in person it was a done deal!
Now my big question is "WHICH" programmer since I'm changing pipes.

D