To CVO or not? : V-Twin Forum: Harley Davidson Forums

Papa Agnis · 07-16-2009, 01:32 PM

Hi - I've been running a Softail Deluxe for just over 4 years and I've decided to trade in for an Ultra Glide. What I can't decide is whether or not to go for the CVO (if a model is offered for 2010). The main reason that I'm considering the CVO is that over the last 4 years I've spent a bit of time and money on my softail and, call me lazy, I'm not that interested in going through the upgrades route again on a new bike. But, I do want something a bit more powerful, and with a few more extras than standard. I just want to take it out of the dealers and ride it. I hope that makes sense!
So - is the CVO value for money, and am I getting what I'm paying for?

berserker · 07-16-2009, 01:47 PM

IMO take the extra money and customize the bike. If you want more power aftermarket will blow away factory EPA build. They you can have your own bike and update what you want.

The downside is you may not be able to finance the extras. 2 years ago I put $1600 in extras in the loan. Not sure now. Plus its nice to have the bike and think about it.

So if you got cash or low interest credit card, I say build a real custom bike, not something from the factory. IMO

BigMike · 07-16-2009, 01:50 PM

If you plan to add a lot of chrome, go with the CVO.

If you don't like engines that leak oil, don't buy a CVO.

berserker · 07-16-2009, 01:57 PM

IMO get a used bike out of warranty and cheaper. Then tear the engine apart and repaint. If you want throw differant set of gears in the primary and chrome the inner primary. Put a set of Progressive shocks on. Then get a Corbin or whatever you like. Now you got a custom bike.

aka_matt · 07-16-2009, 03:03 PM

CVO's have custom paint that u can't get on a regular model, plus every chrome option they offer, along with the 110" motor... its over $15k in extras if u bought seperately, so add $15k+ to the $23-25K of an ultra, plus the labor to do it if u can't urself, and its worth the $35k...

BigMike · 07-16-2009, 03:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aka_matt

CVO's have custom paint that u can't get on a regular model, plus every chrome option they offer, along with the 110" motor... its over $15k in extras if u bought seperately, so add $15k+ to the $23-25K of an ultra, plus the labor to do it if u can't urself, and its worth the $35k...

And they give you a 110" motor that leaks oil at the base of the rear cylinder.

1949shoebox · 07-16-2009, 04:16 PM

buy the loaded ultra, strip it down to basically a street glide , sell the extra parts from it it and use that cash to go KUSTOM!!!!!!!!

berserker · 07-16-2009, 05:11 PM

The CVO is EPA complient factory motor. You would probably do better with aftermarket 103". I would rather have custom paint, and not something off the shelf too.

You can swap out chrome do dads yourself. Need to pay for paint, and maybe engine work.

Hillside · 07-17-2009, 07:10 AM

..................and trust me, those CVO's ARE NOT a powerhouse either, but once their shortcomings are addressed, they can really run.

Scott

Knighty-Knight · 07-17-2009, 07:48 AM

You aren't getting what you pay for whatsoever.
You don't really avoid the upgrade part of things because the CVO packages have problems that NEED to be addressed.

It may be 15k in extras if you bought everything separately from the factory, but what are you really getting? It certainly isn't custom, unique, or up to snuff as far as performance. Do you think they are cool enough to part with your hard earned cash for a cookie cutter snow flake? That pretty much negates the snow flake aspect of it doesnt it? *Smile*

I would buy an ultra if you wanted extras, a stripped down one to be sure, and then I would save a significant amount of money making the thing truely fast, and cool to MY standards.

Just my 2ccs

arealinvestor · 07-17-2009, 07:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Papa Agnis

Hi - I've been running a Softail Deluxe for just over 4 years and I've decided to trade in for an Ultra Glide. What I can't decide is whether or not to go for the CVO (if a model is offered for 2010). The main reason that I'm considering the CVO is that over the last 4 years I've spent a bit of time and money on my softail and, call me lazy, I'm not that interested in going through the upgrades route again on a new bike. But, I do want something a bit more powerful, and with a few more extras than standard. I just want to take it out of the dealers and ride it. I hope that makes sense!
So - is the CVO value for money, and am I getting what I'm paying for?

IMHOP I'd say don't do it.Although you don't want too,Take the extra money & build better power.You could pay all that extra money & be disappointed with CVO 110 performance.Futhermore,you could have problems with out of round cylinders & gaskets leaks.All that money for those problems???You could take the additional money(approx $10,000) & build a hot rodding 124ci!!!

arealinvestor · 07-17-2009, 08:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hillside

..................and trust me, those CVO's ARE NOT a powerhouse either, but once their shortcomings are addressed, they can really run.

Scott

Boy, you couldn't have said it better!!!

Bryant · 07-17-2009, 03:31 PM

For me, it was best to buy the CVO Road Glide. I had a 2008 Road Glide that I didn't put a lot of money into but I did add some nice stuff and noticed the amount of money I spent creeping up toward 24K even before I started engine work. If I had decided to add a hot rod engine, paint work, and some other stuff, I would have been over 31K, which is the cost of the CVO Road Glide I purchased.

I agree, a person could build a nice sweet running touring bike for less or even more than a CVO would cost, but it will never be a CVO, which means something to some folks. To me, being a CVO doesn't really mean that much but I love Road Glides and when this thing came out in my color (Silver), it didn't matter. Additionally, the many changes made in 2009 also played a role for me and yes the 2009 plattform and other stuff makes for a great motorcycle.

So, the decision is up to you. My 2009 CVO Road Glide was it for me. My engine does not leak, after removing the cat converter and baffles, the bike goes like the wind. I can be north of 130MPH Very quick but I didn't buy this thing for speed, I bought it for touring and cruising and thus far, it has been flawless.

Good luck with your decision.

fourstar · 08-02-2009, 10:45 PM

I bought an 09 CVO Ultra and I am very happy with it. IMHO it is less than you would spend to do the same to a stock Ultra, the upgrades are covered under the warranty, and you don't have to throw away a bunch of perfectly good stock parts when you upgrade. I'd do it again in a heartbeat.

Unca Mike · 08-03-2009, 05:09 AM

Out here in California '09 SE Ultras have been going for $35,000 out the door. With the 2010's just about to come out I'd bet you could pic up an '09 for $2-3k less. It's those oil leaking rear cylinders that would bug me. Spend all that money and have to put up with that mess.....? Maybe the 2010's have fixed that problem. Anyway, your original purchase price could easily go up another $3000 to get it running real good. Then there's the chunk of money added on for a British sale. Might be an expensive little fantasy machine but only you would know if it's worth all that money to you. One thing to consider is the Harley chrome stuff is much better quality than the Chinese and Korean aftermarket crapola. Also if and when you sell it the CVO label will mean something to some people for sure which will get you a better price.

Personally I wouldn't go the CVO route and I'd modify the lesser model but I'm fairly hip as a builder. What your case is I don't know but if you're not really into the building aspects of a custom I'd say there's nothing at all wrong with starting out with a stock or slightly modified SE Ultra. And there are some pretty ones available too. Just gotta have a fat wallet.