To CVO or not to CVO, that is the question

[pl390]

I was all set to buy a 2015 Limited yesterday, did my home work, rented one for 3 days when I was out west last spring, and got picked out my add on's and got (Close) to the deal I wanted. Then the sales manager said" I will make you a hell of a deal on this CVO". After taking it for a ride I out and going through it for an hour I put a deposit on it.

  Now I am having 2nd thought mostly because of the color, I know it sound stupid. It is the Red silver combo and it really looks good, but it is not Harley black. So if there is any one that has a CVO, is it really worth the extra money?

I feel like if I get the CVO I am just selling out to the yuppies.
   ( nooffence to the CVO owners out there)

[robertg]

If you are going to put $10,000.00 of accessories on your Limited, you might as well buy a CVO. At least you get some of it back when you sell it. As far as it being worth the extra money the answer is no, but that applies to all Harleys.

[calif phil]

Go for the CVO

[02roadcling]

No way! CVO's are a dumb investment.
You still need to address everything from the suspension to exhaust and a good dyno tune (think tuning device added). Probably need a different seat, bars, etc. Why spend all of that money plus more and you still get a fugly paint scheme instead of black? After you are done spending $40,000 some fat guy like me with a little modified engine leaves you in dust anyway! Give the MOCO the least amount of money possible.

   cling

[Admiral Akbar]

I feel like if I get the CVO I am just selling out to the yuppies.
   ( nooffence to the CVO owners out there)

If you are getting a real deal on the extra bolt-ons and paint and you like them, go for it..  You just beat out the yuppies cuz they paid full price.. For me, there really isn't anything I desire on a CVO tho..  I'm not too fond of chromed aluminum.

[PoorUB]

You have to remember it is the same frame, same suspension, a bump in engine size and a bunch of useless chrome and fancy paint. I don't see the point of a CVO, but then I just ride the darned thing. My current ride with probably have 100,000 miles on it when I get rid of it. I don't think a CVO with 100,000 miles, stone chips and beat up paint is worth much more then a Limited in the same condition.

Now on the other hand if you are going to put 3,000 miles a year on it and trade it in for another CVO in a couple years it might work out!

[koko3052]

If you want it....get it! Only you are paying for it & who gives a rat's azz what somebody else thinks of it.

[JC 92FXRS]

If you want it….get it! Only you are paying for it & who gives a rat's azz what somebody else thinks of it.

what koko said...
Besides, Vivid Black harleys are over represented anyway 
Cheers, jeff

[biglew55]

When I was planning my 2015 FLHTK purchase, I actually itemized everything on the CVO Limited so that I knew what I was paying for.  For me, it came down to two questions; Do I like the extra chrome add-ons, and; Do I like the paint.  For me, I didn't like the paint enough to justify the extra $.  Some others don't like chrome, it's a very individual decision. 

Excel is your friend.  Especially if you're financing.

[ThumperDeuce]

They don't release the paint codes on the CVO's so if you ever need any painting done ...

[freddie_ray]

It's really up to the buyer on which model you choose, my pal in Phoenix only buys/rides the CVO. When I retired in 2012 I was really close and I mean really close to buying a brand new CVO, because I'm thinking that this will be the last new Harley that I buy. After some heartfelt thinking I decided that I can't justify spending over 40 grand on a motorcycle. I got the FLHTK Ultra Limited and I never looked back, I love this bike. to each his own, you are gonna have to clean all that chrome. So ride on. Oh yeah It's Black

Freddie_ray

[Hybredhog]

  just remember SE's also has a bastard size 18" rear tire. I had a couple calls this summer for a new one, and the GODS (HD are the only place to get a direct replacement, and I'm not sure what's on the front. But in my world, if I couldn't find a new tire while your out on a major trip due to road hazards, ect..., your screwed.

[dirty jim]

I'D LOVE FOR SOME BORED PARTS GUY TO SIT DOWN ONE DAY AND TAKE EVERY CVO PART AND SUBTRACT THE STANDARD PART COST. THAT WOULD A TRUER VALUE FOR THE CVO'S. I MEAN IF YOU GO TO THE DEALER TO GET ACCESSORIES PUT ON, YOU GET YOUR TAKE OFF'S BACK, RIGHT? I'M NOT A HATER, SOME OF THE CVO'S ARE BEAUTIFUL... TO ME, BUT WAY PRICEY.

[jwalker793]

As a CVO owner, I can share my experience. I think Harley does an overall nice job with the product. It's not perfect but it's good. I ended up doing many aftermarket mods to my bike to achieve a certain level of performance and I have no regrets. I wasn't focused on expense but outcome. It is out of the price range for many riders so views will vary accordingly. Trying to economically justify any expensive "toy" is tough and I think a waste of time. Get it because you like it and want it if you have the money to buy it.

[speed limit]

CVOs are nice but not for me aside the 110 what are you really getting for your money chrome add on`s and a paint job you admitidly don`t like save your cash and get what YOU like not what he`s selling

[PoorUB]

I'D LOVE FOR SOME BORED PARTS GUY TO SIT DOWN ONE DAY AND TAKE EVERY CVO PART AND SUBTRACT THE STANDARD PART COST. THAT WOULD A TRUER VALUE FOR THE CVO'S. I MEAN IF YOU GO TO THE DEALER TO GET ACCESSORIES PUT ON, YOU GET YOUR TAKE OFF'S BACK, RIGHT? I'M NOT A HATER, SOME OF THE CVO'S ARE BEAUTIFUL... TO ME, BUT WAY PRICEY.

If you were to build a CVO it would be more money than buying one off the floor.
The CVO is a great deal if you want all the chrome and paint. Not such a great deal is you really don't care what the bike looks like because you will just ride it to death any way.

[sharkoilfield]

Ride with plenty of people on CVO's and this is what I notice:
They all ride far and long no problem; not garage jewlrey
They are very wealthy
They can't be bothered to waste time in the accessory swamp
They are riders more than tinkerers...
They can earn more in the same time than paid service costs

[sfmichael]

As a CVO owner, I can share my experience. I think Harley does an overall nice job with the product. It's not perfect but it's good. I ended up doing many aftermarket mods to my bike to achieve a certain level of performance and I have no regrets. I wasn't focused on expense but outcome. It is out of the price range for many riders so views will vary accordingly. Trying to economically justify any expensive "toy" is tough and I think a waste of time. Get it because you like it and want it if you have the money to buy it.

there it is 


I'd have a new Street Glide CVO if I could justify it - they are Sharp!

I'll likely buy a new plain Jane and should probably have my head examined for even doing that... 

[98fxstc]

whatever floats your boat

I have an 09 SE Fatbob
I liked the idea of the 110 motor
(but the engines in the SE bikes dont have a lot of SE parts in them)
you pay for the 110 motor and the chrome accessories
If you're not into bling , maybe think elsewhere

I took the CVO paintset off mine and stored it.
Got a good deal on an immaculate vivid black paintset from a guy who upgraded a stock bike with a HD bling paintset
I've taken a lot of the chrome off
I've done the bottom end and the top end , I've got a good (black) bike with a bit of grunt

Might have done just as well doing up a stock bike

[76shuvlinoff]

 I explained my la

........... As far as it being worth the extra money the answer is no, but that applies to all Harleys.

and trucks and car and boats and houses etc etc etc.

If you want it....get it! Only you are paying for it & who gives a rat's azz what somebody else thinks of it.

^ 1st Winner.

I self-justified my last too-damn-expensive selfish purchase with this : When what you want and what you need are so far apart there really is no compromise, get what the hell you want and grin about it.
All the bills are being paid right? Family has shelter, food, and clothing right? You're not going to live forever right?  I usually ask advice but the bottom line is when someone else is paying my bills they can have final input on how I spend my money.

Good luck!

[Snuff™]

Nothing like buying something (an item that you settle for) and regret not buying something you really wanted!
I did this only once (my first new car), and have not made that mistake since.  If you can't afford it now, just wait and save for the day you can afford it.
For the past 30 years my Harleys have never been chromed out, but this latest one is a nice looking bike ('13 CVO Ultra).
...and I don't regret the purchase!

[dirty jim]

I'D LOVE FOR SOME BORED PARTS GUY TO SIT DOWN ONE DAY AND TAKE EVERY CVO PART AND SUBTRACT THE STANDARD PART COST. THAT WOULD A TRUER VALUE FOR THE CVO'S. I MEAN IF YOU GO TO THE DEALER TO GET ACCESSORIES PUT ON, YOU GET YOUR TAKE OFF'S BACK, RIGHT? I'M NOT A HATER, SOME OF THE CVO'S ARE BEAUTIFUL... TO ME, BUT WAY PRICEY.

If you were to build a CVO it would be more money than buying one off the floor.
The CVO is a great deal if you want all the chrome and paint. Not such a great deal is you really don't care what the bike looks like because you will just ride it to death any way.

YES, I'LL AGREE WITH THAT. BUT, WHEN THE FACTORY DOES IT YOU'RE ALREADY PAYING FOR ASSEMBLY, STANDARD OR CVO. SO WHAT'S THE COST DIFFERENCE BETWEEN, SAY A STANDARD FOOTBOARD AND THE CHROMED CVO FOOTBOARD? TO "ME" THAT'S WHAT EXRA A CVO SHOULD COST. I THINK THEY'RE CHARGING JUST A LITTLE MORE. BUT, I'VE BEEN WRONG BEFORE.

[Sunny Jim]

So what would a beautifully kept 2012 ultra CVO in dark blue, gold and silver  be worth in the US? Original with approx 27000 miles.
Just ask in'

[Kingspoke]

So what would a beautifully kept 2012 ultra CVO in dark blue, gold and silver  be worth in the US? Original with approx 27000 miles.
Just ask in'

I love my CVO, and if I were to buy another Harley, it would be a CVO.  I love the 110 motor and the special engine finish.  I appreciate all of the extras on the bike right off the floor.    I also put some Chubby 577's as well as additional LED's, etc.  This is the best bike I've owned, and I love all the xtras like removable GPS, Ipod, bag liners & carry out liners, CVO cover, built in garage door opener,  chrome everywhere, custom heated grips, hammock heated seat, painted inner fairing with leather brim, and the paint is outstanding imo.

All Harley's need pipes & tuner, imo.  Mine puts out 98hp/118tq with just Dragula and tune, and doesn't run hot like my 2011 FLHTK did.  All paints can be computer matched to my knowledge.  Also Bushtec and other companies routinely copy the Harley Davidson CVO paint schemes, so I don't think it will be a major problem to have a repaint done.

I've seen this bike on Cycletrader from $22,995 to $34,995.  I would expect a dealer would only give 20-24K on a trade in, but that depends on what part of the country you live in and how motivated the dealer is.  $34,995 is of course a ridiculous asking price by a dealer, as I paid 35K for mine, new.  So I would lose 33-35% on a trade in after owning the bike for 3 years.  All Harley's are personal investments, and not financial investments (unless it is a collectors vintage bike). 

[mike jesse]

I really like my CVO RK. paint is nice, yes it can be matched no problem.
Chrome is nice, not to much mind you.

Overall Harley does a good job on it.

If you like it and can afford it why not?

Screw the haters.