CVO Fatbob
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 770
Likes: 3
From: Maryland
Based on a conversation I had with an HD rep at bike week, the yellow SE Fat Bob hasn't been selling well. They had the new orange bike that became available January. It's on the website, and I'll post up some pics once I get a chance to dig through all my pictures.
Tourer
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 351
Likes: 0
I knew I wanted a Fat Bob with some power, so I considered the CVO Fat Bob. A few things turned me off, though.
First, none of the paint jobs really reflected my own taste. Also, there were still things that I would want to replace on the bike. I've never been inpressed with Harley saddles, so I would end up changing to a Corbin saddle. It's likely I'd also replace the exhaust to a 3rd party brand. That would incur some different labor.
My dealer folks where telling me that the CVO didn't have as much kick and performance as I could get by modifying a stock bike to a tuned-up 103" engine. So far, I'm kind of agreeing with them. For more than $10K less than the CVO bike, I have the machine I want and it's all under warranty.
If you want to just buy a shiny statement bike with more kick than stock, the CVO can do it for you. I just decided that it wasn't quite what I wanted and not worth the price. Your mileage may vary.
First, none of the paint jobs really reflected my own taste. Also, there were still things that I would want to replace on the bike. I've never been inpressed with Harley saddles, so I would end up changing to a Corbin saddle. It's likely I'd also replace the exhaust to a 3rd party brand. That would incur some different labor.
My dealer folks where telling me that the CVO didn't have as much kick and performance as I could get by modifying a stock bike to a tuned-up 103" engine. So far, I'm kind of agreeing with them. For more than $10K less than the CVO bike, I have the machine I want and it's all under warranty.
If you want to just buy a shiny statement bike with more kick than stock, the CVO can do it for you. I just decided that it wasn't quite what I wanted and not worth the price. Your mileage may vary.
Road Captain
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 523
Likes: 0
From: Owasso, OK
I think a lot of the markup on CVO bikes comes from how they are made. From what I understand each one is essentially hand assembled by a team of 2 or 3 guys. CVO bikes are not produced on the same assembly line with the regular bikes. Also, the CVO paint is not done in-house. Harley has two outside sources that they subcontract the paint work to.
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,579
Likes: 0
From: N.C.
End of the day... You buy that bike and looking at the pics i can already see **** i would want to change.. So if i were to spend that much i would want somthing built that i wouldnt change a thing.. Instead i spent 10K less which gives me 10k to make the bike of my dreams 
(I guess it will be my mutt)
(I guess it will be my mutt)
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,909
Likes: 6
From: Livingston, Texas
Go to a couple dealers web site and sign up with them and make sure they will send you info on Demo rides. Go and test ride the bikes. I've ridden the regular Fat Bob and the Se Fat Bob, I like both of them. I like the Fat Bob tires and they handle the road and ride smooth. Don't like bigger tires like 19" or 21 " on a bike for the ride.
I would probaly buy the regular Fat Bob and change the wheels and pipe and build the motor myself for less than the SE fat bob.
I would probaly buy the regular Fat Bob and change the wheels and pipe and build the motor myself for less than the SE fat bob.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,780
Likes: 9,042
From: Monroe, NC
The sales guy's response to me laughing out loud at the price:
"Well, they ARE chrome"....
Last edited by Dooley; Mar 8, 2009 at 08:35 PM.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,789
Likes: 9
From: Double Oak, Texas
I got to ride the CVO fat bob 3 different times over at bikeweek.Some observations: I think its a little overdone with the chrome and add-ons,but the paint is absolutely gorgious.The motor pulls like a freight train-i got into a few roll ons with a guy testing a dyna low rider. he was in front and as we went around the corner we hit it and I slowly pulled by him every time.Not quite enough to justify $10,000 more IMO.The clutch starts engaging immeadiately as you start to let it out,on my bike it has a bit to go before engaging.Its got a good sound to the exhaust,regular fatbobs have got to be the quietest harleys made.The big sucker air cleaner is not as abtrusive as it looks.I thought it would stick out much more.And for my final and most bothersome observation.....The front brakes worked much better than my fatbob-WHY? are they not the same brakes???
The brakes felt just the same to me on both bikes..... you should get yours checked pronto. For all the hoopla about the 110" engine it was not the least bit impressive to me. With the standard Fat Bob, I did not expect much from the 96" motor, but was pleasantly surprised with its available thrust. I like what my Harley dealer did with mine transforming it into its' present state of tune.
I suspect with about $2500-5K additional dumped into the CVO engine it would be much more impressive as well.
I don't much care for the "bedazzled" effect of the CVO Fat Bob, but the paint colors ARE spectacular. They DO have a presence.
Last edited by Centerline; Mar 8, 2009 at 08:43 PM. Reason: sp
Advanced
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 75
Likes: 0
From:
I agree. I rode one of those back to back with a V-Rod at last years HD's model test rides. The Dyna was much prettier and felt like it had nearly the same amount of thrust as the V-Rod.