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Thoughts? 15 RGU CVO vs 18 RGU???

5K views 37 replies 22 participants last post by  Ohiobellboy 
#1 ·
I'm curious what advice anyone might have. I have a 13 RGU with 45k miles and had planned on trading next year for an 18 RGU. Local dealer has a 15 RGU CVO with 8k miles for $29.9k. Got my heart pumping. Never thought I'd have a CVO with all the whistles. Wife loves it. It's blue (the best color : )).

So, obviously this is the 110 vs new 107, which I like a lot. Mainly ride on short and long trips with wife, not a hot dog - but not dead either.

Assuming a decent deal on either, any advice on choosing between the two??? Thanks in advance!

Ron
 
#2 ·
I'm not a cvo guy, so I'd say better money spent on a 2018 107.
 
#3 ·
I always wanted a CVO. When the wife got tired of me trying to get the 11 RGU running perfect (I bought it used and it was a mess, who knew. I was lied to by a dealer) she told me trade it i . I was drooling over the Blue 15 CVO RGU leftover. So I ran the numbers. And at the end of the day. I couldn't find the right reason to spend that much money on a bike. I could afford it. But did I want that payment. I went with the RGS. I saved 15,000.00. And have it set up almost where I want it. It'll be a CVO for about 6k less. Minus the 110. Which is full of 103 internals anyway. Lifters, push rods etc...

I am glad I opted for the Special.

That bike is appealing. I know it. But that 107 is a better motor than the 110. And New is New. Only your ass has been on it. You know the bike inside and out. From day one. That's piece of mind there. 8k is low miles. But how was that 8k miles was put on it.

I'd go new. That's my .02...
 
#4 · (Edited)
Thats too much money for a 15 CVO...24-25 maybe if they give you enough for yours...of course with it being springtime..maybe too late for those prices...I love CVO paint..dont love the 110 and the lifter problems..maybe someday the stars will align...

Id vote leftover 17 RGU...oh wait that wasnt a choice..OK,..18 RGU...but its in your garage..gotta go with what moves you...

Good Luck!!!
 
#7 · (Edited)
I have a 2013 cvo roadglide. I paid $33,500 for it, probably added about $2k in mods (tourpack, etc).

my wife has a 2012 roadglide custom. with the mods that we've done to her bike, we have over $37k into it. and it doesn't have the better stereo, the rear fender with the frenched taillights, the painted inner fairing, the paint job, or the 110, etc. and at the end of the day, if we were to sell/trade, it would be worth whatever any other 2012 103 would be worth.
 
#6 ·
I "upgraded" to a 2015 CVO Road Glide Ultra last year. It's OK, but I won't do it again. Would rather customize an RGU to my taste or explore other options.
 
#8 ·
the CVO without a doubt. the kind of aftermarket money you'd spend to get another bike to the level of performance that the CVO achieves is astronomical. Besides the only opinion that really matters is yours...... you said something along the lines of you never thought you'd afford a CVO. That to me says you've always wanted one. give in go for broke and ride that CVO like you stole it. Just my not so humble opinion.
 
#10 ·
I've got the same bike you're looking at. My second sergu. I love all the extras you get on it that you don't even realize like the better brake lines for one thing. Everyone always points out the engine, paint, chrome, etc.
Now, with all that being said, I just talked to my service manager yesterday and he told me that Wes at CR sent him a prototype cam for the M8 107 engine. Decatted pipe, this cam tuned with a Maximus tuner it pulled 106hp and 124 tq. Will be available in a few weeks to the public. You looking for performance or a nice all around package? I'd think that CVO could be had a little cheaper with the M8 engine that is out.
 
#11 ·
Here are my thoughts, and some questions for you.

I wish Harley made the Tire Pressure Monitoring System available on all touring bikes. It is a safety feature that made a flat tire a non issue on other bikes I have owned.

A CVO is going to have a higher book value than a non CVO with $$$ in options and accessories.

If you are going to make all the changes to the 18 RGU that you can to make it as close to the CVO as possible you are going to spend a lot more money.

What is it you want out of a new bike?

Are there features that can only be had on the CVO that you really want?

Have you ridden both the 110 and the new M8?

Good luck with your decision.
 
#12 ·
Thanks everybody. All good comments. For basically the same money I feel like I'm choosing between my high school sweetheart I can be happy with forever and a supermodel in a bikini. I really like the paint. I compared the stats of the two last night, and the CVO does have some advantages I didn't know existed - even bigger gauges. I think all I'd add is a madstad, better pipes and try to find some adjustable pegs for my wife to augment the boards. She really likes that on the current ride and it looks like the HD ones won't fit this model.

Right now my thinking is w/ the new models coming out in 4 months I wait and see if they have an anniversary model that turns my head. If not, I can always shop for another CVO w/ even less miles. I'm about to turn 63 so what ever I get is likely to be our last ride. With 8k miles, that's low but is a decent chunk of the miles I'll put on one. I know they still have slack in their offer, but doubt they'll drop enough to make me sign.

We'll see what happens. Two great choices. Thanks again!
 
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#13 ·
You can get the mounting hardware off of a '14 CVO limited and the adjustable rear footpegs will fit. I've seen it in person where they changed the rear FB mounts between 14-15. I've seen the adjustable rear highway pegs on a 15+ because of the owner changing the hardware. Just more money you need to spend.
 
#14 ·
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#15 ·
Lots of good points in this thread.
I have a '15 FLTRUSE in the blue color scheme. I always told myself that I'd like to have a CVO sled, at least once. I can afford it, so why not?
Probably be paid off by the end of the year. But, resale isn't a factor for me when buying a motorcycle because I buy 'em to ride 'em.
That being said, I don't think it would have been any less expensive to have started with a '15 FLTR and built what is sitting in the garage now. Never priced everything out, just mental calculations tell me so. And, when it comes time to trade or sell, we all know how much all of the add-on customization dollars you recoup.
I'm curious to see the 2018 MY lineup to see if anything coaxes me off my current ride. Factory warranty expires at the end of summer, but have 3 more years with ESP.
We'll see...
 
#17 ·
A. Its your $$, who are we to tell you how to spend it and what makes you feel best
B. The '15 has the 110, yes but you have more options to build the motor that the 107 (as it is today)
C. The '18 has a better Suspension all day
D. The CVO wil ALWAYS hold better resale as those 3 letters are in the VIN
E. The cost of that CVO is INSANE but thats all part of the Bargaining process

At the end of the day, ride both and go with the one that puts the biggest smile on your face
 
#19 ·
Just traded our '16 RGU for a '15 CVO RGU. Why? She's gorgeous and she's "special".

We had our '16 RGU for about a year and did a bunch of upgrades. Great bike, without a doubt. I was getting ready to buy new footboards (front/rear), break pedal, shifter controls and a new seat. Also thinking about having some custom paint work done down the road a bit. $$$$ I decided to put towards the trade instead.

As others said the dealers prefer to take back a stock bike, so all the upgrades came off the '16. The dark smoked Freedom shield, Fuel Moto Stainless 2-1-2's and RCX 4.5's went right on the CVO. My TTS master tune, will get a second bike license so I can re-tune the CVO for the new exhaust system.

Most of the other items will be put up on craigslist in the next few days. Arlen Ness Big Sucker, Edge Cut Mirrors, grips, wheel caps, etc don't really go with all the chrome look of the CVO.

Now to the bike itself. Our RGU was vivid black and looked pretty bad-ass with the dark shield and Edge cut accessories, but the new bike.... Oh man she look awesome. The paint, chrome forks, chrome slicer wheels, that SE110 engine, outstanding seat, the list goes on and on.

Are CVO's worth it? Who knows.... Probably if you add up all the extras, but you only live once right? I doubt I'd ever feel I made a mistake moving up to the CVO.
 
#23 ·
I have the same bike, rode her off the lot brand new in march of 2015, she had like 11 miles on the odometer and I put about 7 of them on during the test ride. Paid of the CVO this february, am I glad I got it? sure, i've always wanted a CVO. Will I do it again? Never, right now I'm deciding if I should buy the extended warranty and keep it or wind up trading it in on a 2018 limited. I wont buy another CVO, nice bells and whistles but way to much coin IMO. One more thing that I don't really care for, everywhere I turn, I see the exact same color scheme CVO...... I put blacked out V&H pipes on mine but other than that, she looks like every other black n orange or what ever harley calls that color scheme..... My 2002 FLHTCUI ultra classic is built out to a 113 and looks original when ever i ride her into a parking lot where there are a lot of other bikes parked. I really fee like you loose that originality when you buy a new bike, especially when you buy a CVO..... just my opinion.

Thats a pic of her below when i picked her up from the dealer in March of 2015......
 
#24 ·
As you stated earlier, this might be your last bike. Personally I would wait for the 2018 model and go from there. Good luck.
 
#26 ·
Well.........I offered them $3500 below their offer. Was completely happy if they didn't take & stick with original plan for 18RGU.

Amazed me. They accepted & so did I. Awesome ride & I'm completely happy. Was wife's preference too. Out of town now. Anxious to get home & get my butt on it! : )

Ron
 
#27 ·
I wrecked 2011 fltru-with receipts the payout got a 2011 fltruse-i never take the tourpack off,our group uses the cb radio,with all the bells and whistles I love it.i had less to do to make it mine-cams, headers, handlebars,ext bags ext fender.lowered front and rear.been looking at 2015-2016 cvo-i have found 4 at around 28500.00-31000.00-with the 2017 model change the cvo will never be a better deal,chopper exchange has some great prices--go for it,you will not regret it
 
#28 ·
Gave them the check today. What a beautiful bike. Will pick up tomorrow after new Reinhart exhaust added.

Here are a couple of pics
 

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#33 ·
Well, had Reinharts installed, sounds much better. Found nail in rear tire day after I took possession. Dealer was great and put on new tire. Handlebars were too low for me and dealer said couldn't be raised. Googled and found a thread from another site and removed the pin, rolled handlebars forward - and feels great (I couldn't get the gauge cluster off - nothing to it once I saw how). Man, this is a great ride. I love the new M8's, but this one is great and gives me all of the upgrades I was looking for from my 13 RGU. I think right now is a unique time to purchase a good used CVO at a great price.

On a side note, as I sat at the dealer to discuss the tire they rolled out my old ride. Was hard to see it roll past me and go to the used bike for sale line. That was a great bike that we really enjoyed. Several great trips, Niagara Falls, Key West, Maine SW, 7k mile two week ride out west last year - it was a great bike.

Think we'll have many great rides on this thing!

Ron
 
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#37 ·
Thanks. Sometimes stuff just happens. Rode it to work today because the weather was great & I'm still in excited kid mode. Unbelievably a tractor trailer at work rolled away from the dock, crossed the drive, jumped the curb and hit my snazzy new ride. Just couldn't believe it. Driver says brakes failed but he also neglected to chock wheels.

Think it's mostly cosmetic but still hurts. Rode it to HD for them to assess damage. Trucking company should cover damage but BUMMER. Land vehicle Vehicle Motor vehicle Transport Car
Land vehicle Vehicle Motor vehicle Car Automotive tire



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#38 ·
Thanks. Sometimes stuff just happens. Rode it to work today because the weather was great & I'm still in excited kid mode. Unbelievably a tractor trailer at work rolled away from the dock, crossed the drive, jumped the curb and hit my snazzy new ride. Just couldn't believe it. Driver says brakes failed but he also neglected to chock wheels.

Think it's mostly cosmetic but still hurts. Rode it to HD for them to assess damage. Trucking company should cover damage but BUMMER. View attachment 308842 View attachment 308850


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DAMN! Not sure what I'd do in that situation other than open up a can of wupass!
 
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