2014 C. V. O. Road king
Stage I
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Where's the Road King?
I had an opportunity to demo the 2013 Road King CVO last year and the 2014 Road King CVO just a few weeks ago. Just some thoughts.......
I really liked the color scheme from last year, especially with the lower fairings. It looked sharp. Felt comfortable riding and loved the speedo/tach.
2014....... What happened! The color was great. Exhaust sounded less HD and the handlebars were a little tall and wide for me.
Why did they not get rid of that windshield? Last year I rode with it closed (did not know any better) and got pummeled with wind. This year I opened it up but still had wind hitting me. I think a TRUE Road King should have the BIG windshield and also the running lights. That, in my opinion, helps define the Road King.
Can't wait to see how they butcher it in 2015.
Meanwhile I will keep looking for a clean used 2012 in Ember Red/ Merlot
I really liked the color scheme from last year, especially with the lower fairings. It looked sharp. Felt comfortable riding and loved the speedo/tach.
2014....... What happened! The color was great. Exhaust sounded less HD and the handlebars were a little tall and wide for me.
Why did they not get rid of that windshield? Last year I rode with it closed (did not know any better) and got pummeled with wind. This year I opened it up but still had wind hitting me. I think a TRUE Road King should have the BIG windshield and also the running lights. That, in my opinion, helps define the Road King.
Can't wait to see how they butcher it in 2015.
Meanwhile I will keep looking for a clean used 2012 in Ember Red/ Merlot
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 8,423
Likes: 2
From: Ellenwood, GA - The Ghetto Part
A salesman once tried to sell me & the wife a CVO Ultra I was looking at. His sales pitch? "But it's a rare bike". I told him that wasn't so as the only difference between one CVO Ultra & another on the showroom floor was the paint job. All the rest - grips, pegs, etc. - were the same all over. His response of course was "Well, you can change that out."
The wife who deals with budgets and stuff where she works and is very astute about these kind of things told him there was no way we'd pay that kind of money for a bike & had to buy more stuff to "make it our own".
I'd consider one if you could order it from factory as YOU want it. You like skulls? Then order one from factory loaded with all the skull items you want. That way you wouldn't have a bunch of excess parts laying around from where you removed them to put your skull pieces on.
But as stated, it's marketing and they make tons of money on the accessories.
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 503
Likes: 9
From: NM
I really don't get this whole theory that you shouldn't add any personal touches to a CVO because of the cost. A CVO is a special bike that is made for the masses that differentiates itself from a stock Harley by 1.Motor 2.Paint 3. Wheels. Those are the main thing that differentiate the model, but it does have custom parts on bike, just a matter if you like them or if you want to add more.
The main three changes that most do to bikes are bars, seat, and pipes. All three of these personal changes still come with a custom made one for the CVO bike that is made for the masses and not for personal taste. So no you don't "have" to upgrade those just if you want.
So nobody ever said you had to buy a single thing after you pay the heavy price tag for a CVO. People just want to add their own touch and/or have a preference for a little different. What's all the harp about adding a few personalizations? I am sure in a world where everyone was the same size and shape and same taste then no need to ever change up what the masses prefer and what MOCO produces for the masses.
I would say the bottom line on a CVO are the main top three. If you don't like those main 3 things or they don't mean enough and you want to go a different direction, then a pricey CVO is probably not the best option. If you just don't like the sound of pipes or the seat height or bar height....then that is not enough to negate buying a CVO. Those are easy changes to make your own style on something very personal.
I would not buy a Harley and say I am best fit for a factory model only. I buy my bike based on a variety of things and a CVO in many cases is a good start and in some cases even a finish product out of the factory for many.
The main three changes that most do to bikes are bars, seat, and pipes. All three of these personal changes still come with a custom made one for the CVO bike that is made for the masses and not for personal taste. So no you don't "have" to upgrade those just if you want.
So nobody ever said you had to buy a single thing after you pay the heavy price tag for a CVO. People just want to add their own touch and/or have a preference for a little different. What's all the harp about adding a few personalizations? I am sure in a world where everyone was the same size and shape and same taste then no need to ever change up what the masses prefer and what MOCO produces for the masses.
I would say the bottom line on a CVO are the main top three. If you don't like those main 3 things or they don't mean enough and you want to go a different direction, then a pricey CVO is probably not the best option. If you just don't like the sound of pipes or the seat height or bar height....then that is not enough to negate buying a CVO. Those are easy changes to make your own style on something very personal.
I would not buy a Harley and say I am best fit for a factory model only. I buy my bike based on a variety of things and a CVO in many cases is a good start and in some cases even a finish product out of the factory for many.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 3,078
Likes: 0
From: Iowa
I really don't get this whole theory that you shouldn't add any personal touches to a CVO because of the cost. A CVO is a special bike that is made for the masses that differentiates itself from a stock Harley by 1.Motor 2.Paint 3. Wheels. Those are the main thing that differentiate the model, but it does have custom parts on bike, just a matter if you like them or if you want to add more.
The main three changes that most do to bikes are bars, seat, and pipes. All three of these personal changes still come with a custom made one for the CVO bike that is made for the masses and not for personal taste. So no you don't "have" to upgrade those just if you want.
So nobody ever said you had to buy a single thing after you pay the heavy price tag for a CVO. People just want to add their own touch and/or have a preference for a little different. What's all the harp about adding a few personalizations? I am sure in a world where everyone was the same size and shape and same taste then no need to ever change up what the masses prefer and what MOCO produces for the masses.
I would say the bottom line on a CVO are the main top three. If you don't like those main 3 things or they don't mean enough and you want to go a different direction, then a pricey CVO is probably not the best option. If you just don't like the sound of pipes or the seat height or bar height....then that is not enough to negate buying a CVO. Those are easy changes to make your own style on something very personal.
I would not buy a Harley and say I am best fit for a factory model only. I buy my bike based on a variety of things and a CVO in many cases is a good start and in some cases even a finish product out of the factory for many.
The main three changes that most do to bikes are bars, seat, and pipes. All three of these personal changes still come with a custom made one for the CVO bike that is made for the masses and not for personal taste. So no you don't "have" to upgrade those just if you want.
So nobody ever said you had to buy a single thing after you pay the heavy price tag for a CVO. People just want to add their own touch and/or have a preference for a little different. What's all the harp about adding a few personalizations? I am sure in a world where everyone was the same size and shape and same taste then no need to ever change up what the masses prefer and what MOCO produces for the masses.
I would say the bottom line on a CVO are the main top three. If you don't like those main 3 things or they don't mean enough and you want to go a different direction, then a pricey CVO is probably not the best option. If you just don't like the sound of pipes or the seat height or bar height....then that is not enough to negate buying a CVO. Those are easy changes to make your own style on something very personal.
I would not buy a Harley and say I am best fit for a factory model only. I buy my bike based on a variety of things and a CVO in many cases is a good start and in some cases even a finish product out of the factory for many.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,636
Likes: 1,208
From: Ohio
I have to agree...a CVO is a pretty good starting point. You get a 110, custom paint, custom wheels, custom parts...nuff said. By the time most of us have made our bikes our own we have as much invested as a CVO anyway. And let's face it....how many folks spend a fortune on a Harley and it ends up being a butcher job. A lot of folks just don't have a good eye for design and they end up with something that isn't that desirable. JMHO.
Anyway, back to the CVO Road King...I am very tempted. I was planning on buying a used 2012 or 2013 Softail this winter to trick out for my around town cruiser. If I do, I will keep the FLHX for longer rides, 2-up and traveling. I am tempted to just get the CVO Road King instead and then sell the Streetglide after I put it back close to stock. What holds me back is I still dont think I would be satisfied without a Softail in the stable. I need to see the orange and black in person too.
Anyway, back to the CVO Road King...I am very tempted. I was planning on buying a used 2012 or 2013 Softail this winter to trick out for my around town cruiser. If I do, I will keep the FLHX for longer rides, 2-up and traveling. I am tempted to just get the CVO Road King instead and then sell the Streetglide after I put it back close to stock. What holds me back is I still dont think I would be satisfied without a Softail in the stable. I need to see the orange and black in person too.
Big Kahuna HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 32,562
Likes: 2,577
From: Shit Weather USA
Jesus Christ,they screwed the pooch with those taillights. I think I will go vomit now....
Last edited by Cowboy Rob; Sep 17, 2013 at 08:43 PM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 5,202
Likes: 792
From: Kansas City, Missouri
Congrats on the new bike. Nothings quite like a CVO. Enjoy the new bike.
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 155
Likes: 2
From:
Great looking bikes. I'm thinking my '04 RKC will be going down the road without me in the near future. Just too many upgrades on the new models to ignore. I was getting ready to pickup a used '09 or newer and swap out the motor with an S&S 124, but the new styling is likely pushing me to a 2014. I can always drop in the 124 later as the ultimate bolt on accessory.
Last edited by Red Road King; Sep 21, 2013 at 09:27 PM.
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