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Considering going to a CVO - Opinions?

9K views 53 replies 40 participants last post by  Radioactive 
#1 ·
I have been looking around and fell in love with the maple CVO RG, there is a couple coming in to a few local dealers around and I am waivering on slapping down a deposit, I love my Ultra but just dont seem to have the time to do the touring I had planned on, now with the news I am going to be a pop pop, its looks less likely touring is in my near future, so the tough decision is do I sell the Ultra and go for the CVO? Any opinions (or arm twisting) would be helpful.
 
#2 ·
They are both touring machines. One just has a bigger engine, more bling and is minus a tour pack. If the tour pack is all that bothering you, get the detachable hardware and take it off when you don't want/need it. If it's all the other eye-candy that you really want, well all I can say is the Maple is sweet so make a deposit!!! JMHO
 
#3 · (Edited)
Some questions only you can answer! :) You'll be fine either way though and as long as the $$$$ isn't an issue.....

I do see lots of CVOs around these days - so you aren't really getting the "unique factor" you used to have with a CVO. Think about a detachable kit for the trunk and some cutom paint and wheels maybe?
 
#4 ·
I was going to say what radioactive said ..

I no longer "tour" like I used to , but I ride every single day , weather permitting , and wouldn't think of anything else for a daily rider ..

I would love a CVO RG , but cant see the extra money , and mine is paid for

but in the end only you can say

JtB
 
#5 ·
You bought the Ultra over a custom right??? Well the CVO is nothing more than a custom with Harley's touches and a huge price tag.

They are damn nice and I love the skunk but you have a great bike and it's cheaper to get the detachable hardware than it is for the CVO.

Just my .02
 
#6 ·
Opnion?,...There like A-- -----!, So here is mine.

Custom Vehicle Operations.
Buy an Ultra, due to the Suspension set-up.
Buy sum 'Kik-Ass' wheels! (Aftermarket)
Buy 2 Hawg-Wired PSC 3004 Amps. (Dragos-Frank is the Best $)
Buy Saddlebag Lids - Speakers from Cycle Sounds,and paint to match whatever killer color you buy. Harley-Davidson does a GREAT Job w/colors.
Hook it all up and R-I-D-E-I-T!!!!
Then you will have 2 things on your bike that the CVO's Dont!

Unless you buy a CVO and do that to It!
 
#7 ·
I love my Ultra but just dont seem to have the time to do the touring I had planned on, now with the news I am going to be a pop pop, its looks less likely touring is in my near future, so the tough decision is do I sell the Ultra and go for the CVO? Any opinions (or arm twisting) would be helpful.
Either way with you being a new dad you'll have a bike in the garage you love and won't get to ride much. Save the money keep the ultra.......
 
#8 ·

For me, it was a no brainer. I didn't want all the bling that the CVO came with. Most of it I would have taken off anyway. For the same money as the base CVO, I got the RGU, upgraded to the 110", got the V&H pipes/slip ons, upgraded the intake, upgraded the tunes, and a bunch of other small details.

If I had gone with the CVO, I would have had to start spending more just to make it mine and would have probably ended up with a $40K bike before I was done.

I got the performance of the CVO (engine/pipes/intake), the tunes (Rokker Front/Rear/500w amp), and the touring capability of the Ultra all in one package. :D
 
#10 ·
Why not just add the quick detach hardware, new wheels, and a custom paint job to the ultra? Or substitute any of those with whatevr mods mean the most to you, i.e. engine work, bling, etc. That way you have a custom of your own and not one like all the others. But then again, the CVOs are pretty awesome. Either way, you get a custom shark.
 
#11 ·
You have to do what makes you happy, forget about us on the forum. If a CVO is what you want and $$$$ isn't an issue, go for it, otherwise take the cash, start saving for college for the little one, make the Ultra more to your liking.
 
#12 ·
If a CVO is what you want and $$$$ isn't an issue, go for it, otherwise take the cash, start saving for college for the little one, make the Ultra more to your liking.
The money isnt the issue, and they new addition to the family will be a grandchild, so im off the hook for the college responsibility there ( I hope).
I just know if I keep putting more $$$$$$ into the Ultra I am not sure where it will stop.
Love all the great responses, thanks guys!
 
#17 · (Edited)
I was just looking at a maple CVO last night... just admiring it. Very nice, but I am completely happy with my FLTRU.
I tour and I also just ride... as often as possible. The scoot does both quite well.

Only you can decide if you should take the loss on your current ride and spring for a CVO.

If it was me becoming a father... oh wait, that's a whole 'nother kettle of fish.

UPDATE: didn't read all the posts. So why would becoming a grandpa limit your availability to tour?
 
#18 ·
The best part of these bikes is that fact that you can customize them to your liking. I too like the looks and style of the CVOs but i cant afford one. I would up tweekin my bike to make it look more like one. Like others have said here, customize the one you have. Make it to your liking. After all, even if you do get a CVO youll still make it to your liking. My opinion is to keep the one you have and really make it "yours"
 
#19 ·
The removeable trunk sounds cool. I reason I bought a CVO Roadglide was, I'm replacing a 2009 Roadglide and I figured after I purchased a 2012 Roadglide, put a big bore kit and some extra's I'm going to have 30K in it anyway, I might as well buy a CVO. Plus after looking at 2009 CVO's with most of them asking around 29K, It would be a much better investment. Just my .02 cent worth.
JONNIEROCK
 
#20 ·
No regrets on my CVO, love it, knew going in that I wanted it, last Ultra I had a total investment of 32K - when it came time to trade I knew the next one would be the CVO, add ons are only valuable to the buyer not the dealer. The CVO holds the value for the extra's as they were factory.

Would like to say I did not add to it:eek: It didn't go that way - still made it mine!

You have to decide..........
 
#22 ·
There's obviously no right answer here... just opinion. Here's mine.

I can't justify the extra cost of a CVO. Don't get me wrong, they are gorgeous scoots.

I have an '11 RG Ultra. The base price last year was $23,059.
Also, last year there was a CVO RG Ultra with a base price of $35,999.
Just about a $13,000 difference.
Buying a CVO this year would mean getting a Custom and the added expense of a paint matched tour-pak too.

I'm not into all that chrome, so why pay for it?
Special paint? It's not really that unique.
The 110 power plant is nice, but I am completely happy with my 103.
Even if I had a CVO I would be changing headers, mufflers, intake - so that's a wash.
If I bought chrome wheels, those wouldn't be my first choice.
Trade value higher? Should be, the purchase price was considerably higher.

I have my Glide just about where I want it. Lots of black powder coating, different bars, lots of uniqueness... and didn't cost anywhere near that $13k delta. By the time I add the few things remaining on my list I won't have spent half of the difference to a CVO.

I've put about 30k on it so far in the 14 months I've had her.
 
#23 ·
A guy can waffle back and forth all day on the pros and cons..... I have found for myself that the drivetrain mods will be the same on either. Where it made a difference for me is the cosmetics, by the time I was done with the other scooters I was approaching CVO territory in price - on the CVO, mirrors, windscreen and a few little things and done!

Dirk
 
#24 ·
Well I just bought my RG Custom after seriously considering a CVO. I went and had Yaffe Bags, RC Componets 'Calypso" wheels, HHC Monkey Bars, and CFR Exaust. I love it it cause its all my style and tastes. My buddy went and bought a Cobalt CVO after I got mine and as beautiful as they are, there are thousands of them out in there. there is only one of mine! For me that individualism matters more to me. Kuddos to Harley for the CVO linup this year though! They are in my opinion the most beautiful bikes that Harley has ever made. I saw the new Maple colored one yesterday and it is just sick looking. Its all about what you want. If your just gonna get on it and ride then get you a CVO. If your like me and want to "tinker" then get the custom and customize it!
 
#28 ·
Louster hit it on the head. I bought a CVO and I have some regrets. Its a beautiful bike and it draws a crowd everywhere I go, but I didn't make it mine. They already have the stretched bags and fender, and ALL the chrome, and a big power plant. Theres not a whole lot more to do. I put apes on it today and plan on lowering it, and I put a detachable tour pack on.
If I had it to do again I would probably not get the CVO just because I like adding my personal touch.
 
#25 ·
CVOs are nice no doubt but for me I don't need all the bling. I'd rather spend that money on performance. If you are into all the chrome and would buy it anyways the CVO is actually not a bad deal. I know plenty of guys who have stock suspensions and motor but still spent over 10k on bling. They would have been better off getting a CVO as it holds it's value better. If you really want performance and handling sink the coin into your Ultra. It will cost you less in the end.
 
#26 ·
I have been looking around and fell in love with the maple CVO RG,
........ that would be a very easy thing to do.
........ it's not, but if it were me, i'd likely just detach the tour pak & add an 'X' fender fascia & ride the heck out of it.
... i'm sure you'll enjoy whichever direction you take.
 
#27 ·
I agree with louster. I went with the cvo because it was dressed up for me already so I don't have to do anything. Every now and then I will come across the girly bling that I have to have. My husband didn't because he likes to tear into things and make it the way he wants it to be. Crazy thing is he spent as much on his if not more to get it how he wants and my bike has more value to it. Of course the payments on mine are higher but I don't think he minds seeing it next to his every day:)
 
#30 ·
I should have done a poll!

I have had a bunch of bikes over the years and dumped countless $$$$$, I know I will spend a few bucks on pipes right out of the gate, and I wont say it will stop there................ I would be kidding myself, gonna give it some more thought - still a tough decision
 
#32 ·
In my opinion, NOTHING justifies the cost of a CVO and its $10k+ price markup. Not trade in value (still not gonna get 100% trade in for it), not the paint, not the wheels, not the motor, and definitely not the "upgraded" stereo. I saved for 5 months and came up with $10,917 to put down on one and went to go get it and just couldnt justify putting that much down on the "Skunk" and STILL owing what a RGC costs new! So instead, I took that $10k down payment and put it on a 2012 RGC Black Denim, paid the rest of the bike off, and have spent about $2700-3000 on upgrades that include Heavy Breather intake, cams, PC-V with autotune, Cobra true duals, CVO pipes with fullsac baffles, J&M Rokker amp and front speakers, Hells Foundry Dashlink Ipod tank console, Wild 1 Mini Apes, CB Windscreen, chrome hand grips, liners, etc. etc. etc. all at 20% discounts from surdyke.com and 80% bought on Ebay. I still plan on spending another $5k on custom 21/18 wheels, BOOM saddlebag speakers and lids, and possibly some aftermarket extended bags. I still will only have spent about $8k plus the price of a service manual ($48 @ surdyke) and still will have $2k left in my $10k budget that I set aside for upgrades in which im debating on whether I should go with port polish heads and FM 107 kit or maybe some more bling.

After all is said and done, I will have a paid off bike, better stereo, better wheels, a faster and more powerful scoot, and a bike that fits ME and MY style like a glove. And I have no plans on trading it anytime soon (at least not for 10 years) so the trade in and aftermarket parts value argument is a wash to me. Im not hating on the CVO RGs, they are BEAUTIFUL bikes, but in my opinion they scream "Look at me! I got one of the most expensive bikes HD makes! My bike is better than yours! Na Nanny Boo Boo!" until I turn my music up or walk away from yours on the highway and make you go spend even MORE money on a bike that you are still paying on and thats causing you to be a few paychecks away from homeless:eek:. Like I said earlier, this is just my opinion and this is the experience I have had with MOST, not all CVO owners (if the shoe fits wear it) and am GLAD I didnt join that club. But hey, its all on you bro, nobody is gonna knock the decision you make, just nothing but congrats. However, you did request a little "arm twisting" and right now im twisting your arm:D. Take that extra $10k and spend it on the one you got that you like already. In my opinion, CVO is just not worth it.
 
#34 ·
In my opinion, NOTHING justifies the cost of a CVO and its $10k+ price markup. Not trade in value.

After all is said and done, I will have a paid off bike, better stereo, better wheels, a faster and more powerful scoot, and a bike that fits ME and MY style like a glove. And I have no plans on trading it anytime soon (at least not for 10 years) so the trade in and aftermarket parts value argument is a wash to me. Im not hating on the CVO RGs, they are BEAUTIFUL bikes, but in my opinion they scream "Look at me! I got one of the most expensive bikes HD makes! My bike is better than yours! Na Nanny Boo Boo!" until I turn my music up or walk away from yours on the highway and make you go spend even MORE money on a bike that you are still paying on and thats causing you to be a few paychecks away from homeless:eek:. Like I said earlier, this is just my opinion and this is the experience I have had with MOST, not all CVO owners (if the shoe fits wear it) and am GLAD I didnt join that club. But hey, its all on you bro, nobody is gonna knock the decision you make, just nothing but congrats. However, you did request a little "arm twisting" and right now im twisting your arm:D. Take that extra $10k and spend it on the one you got that you like already. In my opinion, CVO is just not worth it.
Lets see, I have had my 12 CVO Roadglide since Dec. I made exactly one payment on it, the purchase price! NO LOAN.

Trade is important to me, I get ride of a bike before it hits 50K miles. That is I usually have the bike less than 36 months.

On trade you get almost nothing for what you add to a bike. So I get a higher % of total money invested back by going CVO.\

Most CVO owners I know, own their bikes, not the bank. A good friend has a 11 FLTRSUSE, 38,000 miles on it and an 12 FLTRXSE with 10,000 miles on it. Owns both, the ultra is it long trip bike, mostly stock with cams and pipes. The FLTRXSE with 1ooo miles on it he did 10.7 pistons, head work, balance work, cams, injectors and HPI throtle body. 134 torque SAE:D Promise he will not miss a house payment or any other bill, he just took the whole summer off to ride:eek:


I respect your opinion and understand why you have it.

My wife and I currently have 3 CVO's and honestly I'm not sure I could buy a non CVO Harley in the future. For us, all the extras they come with are worth it. We have had many stock HD's and like most everyone spend thousands to personalize. I had thought the same as you for many years but once we got the first CVO...that was it for us. JMO
I agree fully. I have almost 40 K in my 03 Fatboy. I was offered 12K in trade on it for the 12 FLTRXSE. The fatboy has 38, 765 miles on it. I was given more than double that for my 09 CVO Road Glide that had 41,971 miles on it when I traded it. I only had 34700 in it counting all my add ons like tour pack, sound system and such.

For a bike I plan to ride my usuall average of 18K a year, CVO is the only way to go.

For a truely custom bike, I do not paln to sell or keep at least ten years, I build my on like the fatboy.:D
 
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