To CVO or Not to CVO...
 

I sold my '09 FLHR that I loved and had poured $10K into over the years and a lot of miles. Just "thought" I was tired of Harley. I then sold my '16 Ducati Multistrada Enduro Touring (today), amazing technology, 160hp, super trick machine but truth is that it simply wasn't for me and the way I 'really' want to ride so I took my lumps financially and moved-on.

Now here I am realizing that I miss Harley bikes. I am not a 'lifestyle' guy around HD at all, they just feel right to me.

I have been thinking about a '19 Road Glide Special but when my favorite dealer's best deal came-in at $34K (after my $3K of stuff to get it like I want it), I decided to look at used. That, plus the horror stories around the '17 & '18 M8's has me spooked. I have never owned a CVO so wondering about them.

If I spent $18K - $24K or so, is it smart to stick to CVO for bang-for-the-buck? Assuming all well maintained and at least Stage 1 - Examples between:

1. '15 Road Glide Ultra CVO (24K miles at a dealer) for $24K
2. '15 Road Glide Special (2,300 miles) for $20K (private party)
3. '17 Road Glide Special $22K with ~$5K in the right mods (private party) - worried about that M8 sumping
4. '11 Road Glide Ultra CVO (25K miles at a dealer) for $17

In other words, are the CVOs the 'best' move in used bikes from your perspective? Yes, those are not the same bikes, but you get the idea..."To CVO or not to CVO"?

There are s**tload of great bikes out there and I am wondering if I should narrow to look at only CVOs...I'll spend up to $25K. Opinions?

I've owned a lot of Harleys over the years and the last one which I still have is my first CVO. It's something you can't explain until you own one yourself. Go for the CVO!

That's what I ended up doing. Used 07 SERK with 7200 miles on it for 16k. in 2012. Only issues, out side of normal wear and tear and what I caused personally, has been zero. I've got 35k miles on it now and I would'nt trade that bike for anything.

What is the difference between cvo and non cvo ? I thought it was just paint and chrome . I am not being an asshole , but i really do not understand the difference. Just looking to be informed of the difference .

Sent you a CVO lead...

Excellent!

I say go for the CVO! But, get one that's older than '14

Hopefully you have been doing research on the CVO 110s..a few notes

1. Good thing is the depreciation has been taken by someone else.
2. The lifters are prone to failing, to the point of most CVOers replacing as a maintenance item every 20K; I would get an ESP plan, from Jim at Boardtracker (discountESP.com)
3. Probably would replace with S&S lifters or Fueling....
4. enjoy that nice low mileage CVO!!!

go for the 15 CVO. Out here in SO Cal there are a lot of 2017 new CVO's on the showroom floor. All M8's don't sump. 27,000 mile and running great.

I'm just cramming now on CVO learning. Why do you say prior to 2014 (including '14?)?