CVO doesn't go far enough
Novice
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: Oregon
I was thinking of up grading my 09,
but it just made more scens to buy the CVO
even if you could just get the big motor and hyd clutch and have the option to add everything after you get the bike. What i have been seeing a lot of dealer are selling parts at 20 to 30% discount, so it my make scens
but if you could go down a list and pick what you what and have Harley build it i think that would be good
it sounds like that may be what they are going to do. but we will have see what the cost comes out to.
but it just made more scens to buy the CVO
even if you could just get the big motor and hyd clutch and have the option to add everything after you get the bike. What i have been seeing a lot of dealer are selling parts at 20 to 30% discount, so it my make scensbut if you could go down a list and pick what you what and have Harley build it i think that would be good
it sounds like that may be what they are going to do. but we will have see what the cost comes out to.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 3,932
Likes: 882
From: SOON TO BE A SAFE AMERICA
When I purchased my 09 CVO Road Glide, I thought long and hard about maybe buying a basic Road Glide and building it up. Long story short, after adding all the parts that come w/ the CVO's (not including the 110" motor) the price tag came up to over $10K. And that's not including service work to install all. Now, to be honest, I really don't care for all the chrome, etc that's on the bike, but adding all the stuff that comes on the CVO's onto a stock Road Glide would end up coming up to more than $10K. And come trade-in time, no matter how much stuff you would add to the bike, they still will only give you a trade-in for a stock basic Road Glide.
The main reason I got the 09' CVO, was that I wanted a turn key bike.(well almost) The CVO's do bring in more money for a trade-in, but to be honest, this will most likely be the last bike I will purchase.
The 2000 CVO Road Glide was the first Hot Rod Bagger. And the 09' with the new frame was the last of the hand build CVO bikes. There are A LOT of negative talk about the CVO's being cookie cutters and not really a true custom. But for what's it's work, I really love this bike. As for limited Editions. The Yellow Road Glides were more limited then any of the other colors offered. They ONLY made
492 of them total.
Sure they could do more, but then the price would also be more.
To each their own.
YELLOWBIRD
The main reason I got the 09' CVO, was that I wanted a turn key bike.(well almost) The CVO's do bring in more money for a trade-in, but to be honest, this will most likely be the last bike I will purchase.
The 2000 CVO Road Glide was the first Hot Rod Bagger. And the 09' with the new frame was the last of the hand build CVO bikes. There are A LOT of negative talk about the CVO's being cookie cutters and not really a true custom. But for what's it's work, I really love this bike. As for limited Editions. The Yellow Road Glides were more limited then any of the other colors offered. They ONLY made
492 of them total.
Sure they could do more, but then the price would also be more.
To each their own.
YELLOWBIRD
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,907
Likes: 3
I don’t have a CVO; god knows I wished I had the money. But over time, my 08 Ultra Classic has everything plus then some than a CVO. I’ve sunk a ton of money into it. I know now, I have spent more money on this scooter, than if I had purchased the CVO. However, I have had a lot of fun working on this scooter and making it the bike she is today. I often look at the CVOs but I’m very happy with my Ultra and the way she has turned out. I only have a little more work and then the custom paint job and I will be done customizing her.
I think that the CVO Ultra is a nice, but I think that HD could offer more and add more to it. I mean for close to 40,000 grand for a bike you should be able to get exactly what you want, 120 instead of 110, paint, seat, stereo!! I mean there should be no options that might be needed or wanted that you can't get done that fall under a given price. I guess that's why there are custom bike shops??
Now some guys like to trick out their own bikes and that is what truly makes the bike yours, but having the company do it for you is one way of gettting it done; if you dont have time or are not a wrench. I like to work on my bike when Home, makes me feel good that I can do something mechanical, I'm an assistant principal at an international school, so I dont get an oppertunity to be around bikes or a shop that much.
I just got the 2010 FLHTK this past summer and I love it, it is my first harley, I was a goldwing rider for 15 years, I will never go back, but I wish I knew about this web site before buying my bike. I wish I could have ordered a 120R for the scoot and had it done. I settled for the 103 $$$$ reasons, just could not swing the payments. Tight budget!!!! I got a good deal as well from Boston harley. They gave me exactly what I looked up online in the blue book and a little more becuase the 93 was really tricked out. BUt for me Just knowing that HD has a motor out there bigger is like a tease for me, I need, I want, I need, I need. Some day. Off topic a little, sorrry. YEh, CVO really needs to create more options for the buyer!!!!
Now some guys like to trick out their own bikes and that is what truly makes the bike yours, but having the company do it for you is one way of gettting it done; if you dont have time or are not a wrench. I like to work on my bike when Home, makes me feel good that I can do something mechanical, I'm an assistant principal at an international school, so I dont get an oppertunity to be around bikes or a shop that much.
I just got the 2010 FLHTK this past summer and I love it, it is my first harley, I was a goldwing rider for 15 years, I will never go back, but I wish I knew about this web site before buying my bike. I wish I could have ordered a 120R for the scoot and had it done. I settled for the 103 $$$$ reasons, just could not swing the payments. Tight budget!!!! I got a good deal as well from Boston harley. They gave me exactly what I looked up online in the blue book and a little more becuase the 93 was really tricked out. BUt for me Just knowing that HD has a motor out there bigger is like a tease for me, I need, I want, I need, I need. Some day. Off topic a little, sorrry. YEh, CVO really needs to create more options for the buyer!!!!
Last edited by Timmy B; Jan 30, 2011 at 06:56 PM.
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 75
Likes: 1
From: the beach
It all comes down to $$$ both for Harley Davidson and the customer. Those who buy a CVO (me included) want the bling but are already making the decision up front whether or not to spend the extra $$$ as it is, vs. over time doing little by little yourself. Harley Davidson knows so many people will spend X amount more for a CVO at X amount of $$$ and don't want to add another 5 or 10 grand to the current CVO to have an outrageous bike(s) sitting in their showrooms collecting dust to just have to discount to move them.
I'm with those that said they like making it their own, the whole thing of owning a Harley is customizing it, just look at the HD catalog
it's IMHO they do it just right. On a similar note, I've always thought however, they should make an entire line of bikes styled after the early 1900's, even right down to making them looking decades old with paint and process (ever watch OCC?) but some old new looking and with todays powerful motors! Who would be onboard for that?
I'm with those that said they like making it their own, the whole thing of owning a Harley is customizing it, just look at the HD catalog
it's IMHO they do it just right. On a similar note, I've always thought however, they should make an entire line of bikes styled after the early 1900's, even right down to making them looking decades old with paint and process (ever watch OCC?) but some old new looking and with todays powerful motors! Who would be onboard for that?
Last edited by RidenChrome; Feb 6, 2011 at 10:47 AM.
Thread Starter
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Road Master
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,217
Likes: 4
ok... lots don't seem to understand the idea, so let me rephrase it.
Do something above & beyond the CVO. Call it whatever you like, but it would be a true made-to-order bike, and anything is possible. Cost wouldn't be an issue, so $75-100,000 or more for a bike could be a reality. Believe me, there are at least a couple guys out there who could swing this. Forget the HD chrome & accessories catalog; these customers wouldn't want to waste their time picking out various chrome bits & pieces.
Yes, the custom builders already satisfy this market, but I'm sure there are HD collectors and ultra rich who would buy a bike like this through HD, just because of the name and uniqueness.
And of course, the price would vary with the degree of specialized work. Someone with $40K to spend might just get a unique paint job & the chrome treatment, while someone with $50K would get handformed panels, etc., etc. And if a guy walked in with $200K, they would find a way to build him what he wanted. That's the way Porsche does it.
HD could definately keep 2-3 of these custom bike builders in house, sell literally a handful of these "ultra CVOs", and get a lot of press and exposure for free.
Do something above & beyond the CVO. Call it whatever you like, but it would be a true made-to-order bike, and anything is possible. Cost wouldn't be an issue, so $75-100,000 or more for a bike could be a reality. Believe me, there are at least a couple guys out there who could swing this. Forget the HD chrome & accessories catalog; these customers wouldn't want to waste their time picking out various chrome bits & pieces.
Yes, the custom builders already satisfy this market, but I'm sure there are HD collectors and ultra rich who would buy a bike like this through HD, just because of the name and uniqueness.
And of course, the price would vary with the degree of specialized work. Someone with $40K to spend might just get a unique paint job & the chrome treatment, while someone with $50K would get handformed panels, etc., etc. And if a guy walked in with $200K, they would find a way to build him what he wanted. That's the way Porsche does it.
HD could definately keep 2-3 of these custom bike builders in house, sell literally a handful of these "ultra CVOs", and get a lot of press and exposure for free.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 6,508
Likes: 169
From: WPB, FL
anyone else think harley doesn't really go far enough with their cvo department? Honestly, i think they have so much more potential to do some very creative and unique things, and they really just limit themselves.
When you think about it, the cvo is just a paint & chrome package, along with performance options. I don't believe they are limited production (harley will sell every one of them they can), nor are they truly unique. Hd seems content to leave any possible customizations to the dealer and customer. You can't even say your bike is "number xxx out of xxx", because they neither tell you how many are being produced of that model, nor tell you your cvo build number.
Some manufacturers, like porsche, have svo departments that will build a truly unique vehicle for the customer willing to pay. You choose the paint, interior colors, wheels, special body options... Whatever you can imagine. They truly go overboard for the customer.
Harley could definately "wow" both their premium buyers and the public by setting up a few talented guys in a shop somewhere and having them hand assemble bikes on an "as ordered" basis. I think the cost would be extremely small compared to the exposure generated.
There's some truly amazing independent shops out there that are building rolling art. Considering the options available to the buyer, how many do you think would be interested in a true factory 1-off custom?
When you think about it, the cvo is just a paint & chrome package, along with performance options. I don't believe they are limited production (harley will sell every one of them they can), nor are they truly unique. Hd seems content to leave any possible customizations to the dealer and customer. You can't even say your bike is "number xxx out of xxx", because they neither tell you how many are being produced of that model, nor tell you your cvo build number.
Some manufacturers, like porsche, have svo departments that will build a truly unique vehicle for the customer willing to pay. You choose the paint, interior colors, wheels, special body options... Whatever you can imagine. They truly go overboard for the customer.
Harley could definately "wow" both their premium buyers and the public by setting up a few talented guys in a shop somewhere and having them hand assemble bikes on an "as ordered" basis. I think the cost would be extremely small compared to the exposure generated.
There's some truly amazing independent shops out there that are building rolling art. Considering the options available to the buyer, how many do you think would be interested in a true factory 1-off custom?
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Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 173
Likes: 6
Harley-Davidson is a mass production company, not a boutique brand. The economics of your idea, ghost, don't make sense in the large scheme of things. Cost prohibitive. As it is, many, including me, feel the CVO offerings are over-priced.
I bought my CVO used!
I bought my CVO used!