CVO engine problems
Club Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 352
Likes: 78
From: South Carolina
My wife and I went to a dealer today, to take a test ride on a "touring" bike. Currently own a softail deuce. When I told the salesman about our findings here on the forum........and that I found a 2014 CVO in red that I fell in love with, the salesman told me that they just traded in a 14..........and lo and behold it was the red one.........it has a little over 11k miles on it. I did notice a lot of heat on my right leg where the exhaust goes down to the lower pipe that bends to the cat converter and pipe out the rear of the bike.........I was told that if the cat converter was taken out that that heat would not be as intense.........would everybody agree with that? (It makes sense to me).......also we noticed a lot of vibration with the bike idleing........with no load..........and my wife said that it felt like it shook a lot more than our deuce.........we were told that the 110 will do that. They did confirm that in 2014 when the bike first came out that they had problems with the radiator caps blowing off.......but that they resolved that problem with a higher pressure cap........now time to decide! Any thoughts?
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 219
Likes: 5
From: Ontario,Canada
Just purchased a 2014 CVO Softail Deluxe (Crimson Red) with 2000 miles on it the previous owner traded it in on a new CVO Limited. I absolutely love this bike great looks a real eye catcher. My buddy who is a Harley mechanic said not to worry about the 110 motor, look after it and you will not have a problem. Just ordered Screaming Eagle Canons for it and I assume I will need a tune? 95% of my riding is highway and probably will average 3000 miles a year.
Cruiser
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 100
Likes: 18
From: Calgary
I bought my 2015 Road Glide Ultra CVO new, maintain it meticulously, I don't baby it when I ride but don't abuse it either. 38,000 miles and it's in the shop for a new cylinder head. Front cylinder exhaust valve stuck open due to probably a bad guide. Covered under the extended warranty but still...
Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 133
Likes: 7
From: Toronto, Canada
Prairieshark - put some lifters in there at the same time.
Are they replacing the guides or giving you new heads? New quality brass guides is all that is needed. You change out the springs to beehives and also consider shaving the head for a little more compression if you're looking for a little more power
Are they replacing the guides or giving you new heads? New quality brass guides is all that is needed. You change out the springs to beehives and also consider shaving the head for a little more compression if you're looking for a little more power
Cruiser
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 100
Likes: 18
From: Calgary
JKM, the cylinder head is being replaced. I talked to the tech who's working on it about the lifters as I know there have been issues. He told me that as late as 2013 they were finding non-SE lifters in these engines, and they were problematic. He says they haven't seen that since and that mine are SE lifters and they have not been problematic. I considered everything you have suggested but I just can't afford it right now, too many other things on the go. I'm quite happy with the power output as it is, I just want it to be reliable. It crapped out on me 11 days into a 30 day ride. I do not want that to happen again.
Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 133
Likes: 7
From: Toronto, Canada
Prairie Shark, you should spent some time over on the CVOHarley board....the SE lifters have also been problematic. They are likely better than the old lifters, but they are still failing. The extra stain of the stock springs and the quick ramp of the 255 cam likely is a contributing factor. If under warranty, then at least you have protection if something happens. Once warranty is up, then you should definitely consider addressing this
4th Gear
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 8
Likes: 1
From: Laughlin, nv
Tuner Question
I heard there were some issues with the 07 and 08 that may have been resolved with a head change in 09. I hear others complain about lifter noise and other issues. I am hard of hearing and do not notice noise. I am an Iron Butt member and ride hard. I have ridden at a buck 10 many miles. Because I ride hard my dealer would leave the oil slightly below the full mark, otherwise it would seep out the air cleaner. The engine is stock, has cat removed (96 header) and Thunder Cone tips. It has been SERT tuned by Mikey in El Cajon, by far the best tuner IMHO. Mikey took 9 hrs and tuned at 10%, 20% 30% etc. SERT - Max Power = 96.55 Max Torque = 116.96. I get 42MPG cruising at 80. Drops below 40 at higher speeds.
I had no engine issues until 52K miles when I spun a bearing. Dealer rebuilt and installed the newer High Pressure oil pump. I am now at 92K miles and all is well. I attribute the success I have experienced to regular maintenance and I stick with SYN3 in all holes.
That said; I would not buy another 110 when the Milwaukee 8 is available. IMHO the condition of any used motorcycle is dependent on the care given by the previous owner. If the 2014 floats your boat and if you have confidence in the previous owner and its condition, go for it. But consider the fact that like you many others question the 110 reliability. So when you decide to trade up you'll likely take a financial hit. The 2018's are due out the 3rd week of August. Dealers continue to be dealing on 2017's. Consider the cost difference between the 2014 and a 2017/2018. Ride the 2014 and then a 2017 and you will likely not only see and feel the difference. But probably justify spending a bit more.
I hope this is helpful! Best wishes whatever you decide,
Bob
I had no engine issues until 52K miles when I spun a bearing. Dealer rebuilt and installed the newer High Pressure oil pump. I am now at 92K miles and all is well. I attribute the success I have experienced to regular maintenance and I stick with SYN3 in all holes.
That said; I would not buy another 110 when the Milwaukee 8 is available. IMHO the condition of any used motorcycle is dependent on the care given by the previous owner. If the 2014 floats your boat and if you have confidence in the previous owner and its condition, go for it. But consider the fact that like you many others question the 110 reliability. So when you decide to trade up you'll likely take a financial hit. The 2018's are due out the 3rd week of August. Dealers continue to be dealing on 2017's. Consider the cost difference between the 2014 and a 2017/2018. Ride the 2014 and then a 2017 and you will likely not only see and feel the difference. But probably justify spending a bit more.
I hope this is helpful! Best wishes whatever you decide,
Bob
Stage II
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: Lancaster, Ca
Whats extremely disappointing is that at one of the biggest motorcycle rallies in the United States that Harley doesn't introduce there new models like Indian & Yamaha do. With upwards of Five Hundred Thousand attendees it would be the perfect venue.... VERY disappointed with Harley!!!
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 705
Likes: 8
From: Titusville, FL
Performance Choppers
(619) 442-2500 · 444 El Cajon Blvd El Cajon, CA 9202
Mikey Colvin is IMHO the finest Tuner in America.
I lived in Park City Utah and rode to El Cajon to have Mikey tune my Harley and when I move to Florida and bought a CVO I rode it to El Cajon to have Mikey tune it.
Please say hi for me and my wife Sherryl if you see him.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 13,402
Likes: 941
From: Illinois
I had an 11 CVO RG Ultra and it has no issues for the 31K put on it. The 12 RG CVO has 9K on it and no issues. The 16 CVO RG Ultra has 5K with no issues. The 16 Low Rider S has 3K and no issues.
I think the problems still being talked about was the first year or two of what was first thought of as head gasket trouble but was finally identified as the rear cylinder liner was loosening and caused the gasket leaks. That was corrected long time ago.
Just like many say H-D's leak oil it was true decades ago and not now.
I think the problems still being talked about was the first year or two of what was first thought of as head gasket trouble but was finally identified as the rear cylinder liner was loosening and caused the gasket leaks. That was corrected long time ago.
Just like many say H-D's leak oil it was true decades ago and not now.