2010 Harley-Davidson CVO Model Line-Up Preview

Imagine the future. Now, imagine that the
past has caught up to it and ‘The Past’ is covered head-to-toe in
shining chrome amour and wearing the most decadent war paint. Sandwiched
between a 1950 Panhead and a concept car from the SEMA show, you’re
standing in the middle, looking at a Harley-Davidson
CVO motorcycle.


Now imagine that example of chrome and fantasy parked on the golfing
greens of one the world’s poshest resorts. You’d expect to find
celebrities and dignitaries hob-nobbing with Willie G in a place like
this, but instead you've got me and the 2010 Harley-Davidson CVO model
launch.


Now in its 11th year, the mission of the Custom Vehicles Operation
program is to design and build limited-production, factory-custom
motorcycles for customers who appreciate brilliant chrome, exquisite
paint, thundering power and the exclusivity of owning and riding a very
special motorcycle.

As is typical for the original American iron builder, new CVO bikes
are announced before that of the standard OE lineup – apparently, those
CVO employees like winning races. Most often we’re treated to improved
favorites of the preceding year’s OE lineup, wrapped in that Custom
Vehicle Operation blanket of limited production runs, exclusive and
pioneering technologies and the freshest bling available from the
bar-and-shield parts and accessories catalog.


Model year 2010 is no different. Any possible new models from the
world’s most popular V-Twin builder won’t happen at this event. If
you’re wondering if Harley has anything to compare to the new
Victory models you just read about on Motorcycle.com,
you’ll have to wait for Kevin Duke’s report next week

As Harley’s test bed and incubator for P&A catalog items, Harley
presents a pile of new goodies to drool over today.



With all the market research and metal probing H-D marketing teams do
on rally-going riders and owners, they know a lot about the typical CVO
buyer and continue to create a club membership with lofty entry fees
and high expectations. With MSRPs sometimes reaching 50% higher than
standard-model retail prices, exclusivity and the exotic nature of the
CVO bikes has its price. CVO buyers like it that way, too, spending even
more money to further customize their otherwise premium factory-custom
motorcycles.


For 2010, the CVO team introduces two new models to the family: a
Softail Convertible and the Street Glide. Plus, two models return with
refreshed new faces: the Ultra Classic Electra Glide for its fifth year
and the Fat Bob for its second.

Culling from the massive Harley-Davidson Parts and Accessories
Catalog of past and future, each CVO is decked out with the best parts
that Harley builds, and then wrapped in three new CVO-exclusive paint
schemes.

Since all these new CVO models are built around Harley’s largest
powerplant to date, the familiar fuel-injected Screamin’ Eagle Twin Cam
110 (and 110B) V-Twin, we’ll focus on what amounts to cosmetic additions
and examples of H-D ingenuity and extravagance. Like the greens
surrounding our host hotel, Harley and the Ritz-Carlton know how to put
on a show.

2010 FXDFSE CVO Fat Bob
$25,299;
limited production of 1300 units

CVO Fat Bob in Cryptic Black with Hellfire Flames.

Returning for its second year at bat, the CVO Fat Bob continues to
impress with a collection of new model highlights and tough-looking
paint. With tommy gun 2-1-2 exhaust pipes and a Screamin’ Eagle Heavy
Breather high-flow intake scoop, the ‘Bob is looking for a fight.

Standing
stout on a pair of the 16-inch powder-coated and chrome-plated CVO Fang
wheels (new in 2009) wrapped with Dunlop blackwalls, the 130 front and
180 rear tires underpin a smooth-rolling machine that’s happy cruising
the boulevard as well as carving the canyons.

My favorite
is the Pewter and Sandstone.


For 2010, Harley added more proprietary plating techniques and paint
technologies to the Big Twin Dyna for a truly special looking
motorcycle. Possibly my all-time favorite looking saddle on any
motorcycle has got to be the rustic brown distressed-leather two-piece
convertible mono/duo saddle you’ll find on the bike. Couple that with
the Satin Pewter with Sandstorm Grind paint scheme, and Harley’s got one
great looking package. I couldn’t take my eyes off the bike.

Other specially painted surfaces and features have to be seen for
yourself, as my words won’t do this bike justice. The Fat Bob comes in
three custom colors: Cryptic Black with Hellfire Flames; Opal Blue with
Hellfire Flames; and the Pewter I’ve already mentioned. The 2010 CVO Fat
Bob has an MSRP of $25,299.


2010 FLHXSE CVO Street Glide
$30,999;
limited production of 3500 units

Candy Concord with Pale Gold Leaf Graphics.

The CVO Street Glide is an all-new model to the line and possibly the
best in the bunch. My pal Pete Brissette calls the standard Street
Glide “quite possibly my favorite Harley,” as it straddles the line
between the tough-guy cruisers and touring-manic FLs. After my first
ride on a Glide, I can’t argue.


The CVO version of the SG is equipped with a laundry list of features
like a Screamin’ Eagle Twin Cam 110 powertrain, a pair of blackened
18-inch, seven-spoke Agitator contrast-chrome wheels with matching
full-floating rotors, hand-adjustable rear shock preload, standard ABS
and cruise control, security alarm, electrifying paint and a 40-watt
Harmon/Kardon stereo system.


Packed with the same 6-speed Cruise drive you’ll find on all the CVO
models, the Street Glide is built on the same Touring chassis as
introduced in 2009 on the OE
Glide. The stiffened single-spar backbone frame and newly-designed
swingarm is a huge improvement, and Pete reported that the new chassis
is “very stable compared to the previous frame; no more vagueness or
flexi feeling. It instills confidence in the rider.”




Where the Street Glide lacks in storage when compared to the Ultra’s
Tour-Pak, the 2010 model grows a few liters in overall capacity with a
redesign of the saddlebags. An accessory for last year’s OE model
included a false extension to the bottom of the bag to extend the visual
appeal as low as possible but contained no extra carrying capacity. The
new bags do, so look for that on the 2011 models if you don’t pick up a
set from the P&A catalog before that – or buy the CVO Street Glide.
Included in the new bags are integrated stop/tail/turn lights.
Built where Harley once built my Sporty, York, PA, the 2010 CVO
Street Glide delivers with three more decadent paint schemes: Candy
Concord with Pale Gold Leaf Graphics; Spiced Rum with Gold Leaf
Graphics; and Tequila Sunrise with Pale Gold Leaf Graphics. The 2010 CVO
Street Glide has a suggested U.S. retail price of $30,999.

Click
here to check out a video preview of the CVO Street Glide.
2010 FLHTCUSE CVO Ultra
Classic Electra Glide
$35,999; limited
production of 3450 units

Burnt Amber/Hot Citrus with Flame graphic.

If you’re one of those riders with the time and money to ride all
over this great nation in high style and for weeks on end, you’re gonna
want to pile it all on the Ultra Electra Glide. I know I would.
As the CVO veteran in the line-up, the Ultra returns for it’s fifth
year on the bill with a focus on the tail end of the motorcycle.

The
Ultra is also built upon the same new Touring chassis as the CVO Street
Glide, rolling on Harley’s Roulette wheels – 17-inch front, 16-inch
rear – with the same 130/180 Dunlops you’ll find on the Fat Bob.

In addition to the standard CVO color-matching frame and swingarm,
the Ultra comes with a color-matched and LED-equipped Tour-Pak with
integrated brake and tail lights and a push-button LED on the underside
for illuminating down into the saddlebags. Switching from an
incandescent bulb taillight to LED lighting not only offers brighter
lights but also frees up storage capacity within the Tour-Pak. Another
upgrade is the change from Powerlet-type 12-volt sockets to
cigarette-lighter-style outlets. Fender filler strips and engine guard
fairing lowers also match the paint scheme of the inner fairing
assembly.





Pumping out of that gauge-packed dash is an 80-watt Harmon/Kardon
Advanced audio system with CB, intercom and navigation systems.
Increasing two-up comfort and tourability, the Ultra now sports an
adjustable rider backrest and a two-way adjustable (up/down, in/out)
lumbar support in the passenger backrest for making the miles more
comfortable for everyone aboard.

The Ultra’s color palette also delivers in three mouth watering
schemes: Scarlet red Pearl/Dark Slate with Flame graphic; Riptide
Blue/Titanium Dust with Flame graphic; and Burnt Amber/Hot Citrus with
Flame graphic. Boy that’s a mouthful!

The 2010 CVO Ultra has an MSRP of $35,999. An accessory wheel option
includes a chrome, profile laced aluminum wheel for $500.
2010 FLSTSE CVO Softail
Convertible
$27,799; limited production
of 2500 units

Inferno Orange with Vivid Black and Silver Braze Graphics.

All-new for the CVO family is the two-bikes-in-one Softail
Convertible. Replacing the CVO Softail Springer of 2009, the FL-based
Convertible is built to offer both cruising good looks as well as
comfortable light-touring abilities with a set of detachable creature
comforts. The detachable kit includes a compact fairing with
color-matched paint and smoke windscreen, leather-covered saddlebags
with buffalo-hide inserts, and a leather passenger pillion and backrest,
both with matching buffalo-hide inserts. All parts are quickly
removable without tools to transform the Convertible from a touring bike
into a stripped down boulevard cruiser. See
the Softail video for a real-time demonstration.
Packed into the tubular steel frame is a rigid-mounted and
counter-balanced version of Harley’s biggest powertrain available, the
Twin Cam 110B. The counter-balanced motor produces a claimed 110 ft-lbs
at 3000 rpm versus the 115 ft-lbs found on the TC110 found in the other
CVO models for 2010.

During Motorcycle.com’s 2009
Luxury Touring Shootout, we found out the 2009 TC110 pumps out 75
hp at 5,100 rpm and 88 ft-lbs at 3,800 rpm to the rear wheel. That’s
just enough for propelling these steel horses around the world’s
highways and byways, but who wouldn’t want more?

Stripped
down and looking good, the Softail Convertible can pull double duty.


Simplifying the handlebar and dash for double duty as fashionable
cruiser or travel roadster, the Convertible includes a new combo digital
speedo with analog tachometer embedded into the two-piece chrome and
color-matched tank console.

The Softail’s hidden suspension and 200mm rear offers more duplicity
in cruiser fat-tire looks without compromising the steering ability and
touring comfort. With a pair of 18-inch Chrome Stinger cast aluminum
wheels wrapped in Dunlop radials (all other CVO’s roll on bias-ply
tires), the Convertible is slammed down another inch from it’s 2009 OEM
configuration to rank as Harley’s lowest saddled bike at 24.4 inches.
The Convertible shares front fenders with the Fat Bob, exposing more
of both those great looking wheels, but the new tire-hugging rear fender
includes a new light bar with stop/turn/tail lights

The Softail Convertible in CVO form, comes in three color schemes:
Inferno Orange with Vivid Black and Silver Braze Graphics; Abyss Blue
with Sapphire and Silver Braze Graphics; and Crimson Red Sunglo with
Autumn Haze and Black Candy Grind.
Double trouble or twice the fun, anyway you name it, the CVO Softail
Convertible gets the job done is high style. The 2010 CVO Softail
convertible retails for $27,999.


For the past 10 years, the CVO teams have been bringing us the best
of the Harley with their parts-catalog azimuths. And while a CVO model
is priced much higher than a standard OE version, they deliver plenty of
value for that dollar when you add up the cost of building your own CVO
parallel atop an OE model.

Always one for showing off and wanting the golden goose, there’s no
doubt you’ll be wanting to get your fringed-fingered gloves on one of
next year’s bikes ASAP. With both old and new blood in the 2010 CVO
line-up, finding a favorite shouldn’t be hard to do. Shipping in a
myriad of electric rainbow colors like spiced rum, crimson red sunglo
and tequila sunrise, you’re sure to stand out in any crowd.

Hardcore riders will dig the Fat Bob with its tough guy looks.
Leaders of the pack will surely gravitate towards the Street Glide.
Mack-daddies are gonna strut their stuff on the Ultra. And the man on
the streets, the guy getting the job done for the rest of us, is gonna
love the Softail Convertible. Work or play, there’s something for
everyone in this year’s CVO line-up.

The Stud's Duds
Harley’s
Sun Shield Modular helmet and the FXRG perforated leather jacket
complete the Softail Convertible package like open-face sandwiches at
the topless beach.


The Stud’s Duds returns again with the addition of a new FXRG leather
mesh jacket and an HD-branded flip helmet. The convertible nature of
the HJC-constructed Sun shield modular helmet plays a similar double
duty role – comfortable both in the city or on the highway. The
additional in-shield sun visor eliminated the need for carrying extra
shields for day and night riding conditions.
This Harley-branded helmet proved to be much lighter and better
balanced than my Fulmer flip helmet. Riding with the jawbar in the
upright position doesn’t cause my head to wanna fall forward with the
displaced weight, nor does it catch wind like a sail when trolling
around town. In the full-face configuration, the channeling ventilation
is rather remarkable, as cooling airflow is readily apparent. The simple
looking, closeable venting system works.

The SunShield Modular helmet comes in a stylish black color (ever
hear of it?) and retails for $325 (P/N 98211-10VM).
The jacket you see in the photography for this event is the FXRG
perforated leather jacket with Cordura mesh-backed and reflective piped
leather for strength and safety. It is equipped with CE-approved body
amour in the shoulders, back and elbow, and comfort and versatility are
enhanced with a removable kidney belt and removable Gore-Tex Windstopper
liner.
The diamond plate-like ventilation holes keep your entire torso cool
while riding, and the heat- and sun-deflecting leather treatment
reflects away the sun’s rays and helps to keep you cool when you’re
stopped. Soft and comfortable, the FXRG jacket retails for $625
(98521-09VM)

Short Course Recap
Model	Street Glide	Softail Convertible	Ultra	Fat Bob
Built	York, PA	York, PA	York, PA	Kansas City, MO
MSRP Base	$30,999	$27,999	$35,999	$25,299
Production Run	3500	2500	3450	1300
Class	Touring	Touring/Cruiser	Touring	Cruiser
Features, Standard	ABS/Cruise/Alarm/ESPFI	ESPFI/ Alarm	ABS/Cruise/Alarm/ESPFI	ESPFI/ Alarm
History	All-new for CVO	All-new for CVO	CVO Elder at 6 years	2nd year CVO

Related Reading
2009
Harley-Davidson CVO Models Review - The best of Harley-Davidson
2008
Harley-Davidson CVO Models - Paint, Chrome and Technology
Luxury
Touring Shootout