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First Ride: 2011 Harley-Davidson CVO models

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Fri, 26 Nov 2010 11:59:00 EST

Filed under: Motorcycle, New Car Reviews

Appealing to the Senses, Not the Sensibilities

2011 Harley-Davidson CVO Ultra Classic Electra Glide - Click above for high-res image gallery

Harley-Davidson isn't exactly known for innovation. While the majority of players in the motorcycle world tend to push the envelope of performance and technology, The Motor Company has historically taken a different approach to its lineup of heavyweight motorcycles. In place of traction control and electronically adjustable suspension setups, H-D focuses on chrome, paint, tradition and... more chrome.

Nowhere is that strategy more evident than the yearly crop of models from its Custom Vehicle Operations (CVO) unit, which has proven to be a rather successful way to entice buyers into its highest priced wares. As such, we shouldn't expect any major adjustments to the basic way of thinking that's proven itself time and time again from the brain-trust in Milwaukee.

That said, there are some meaningful updates for the 2011 model year that we were interested in seeing and hearing, so we saddled ourselves up on each of the four new CVO bikes in beautiful Lake Tahoe for some good ol' fashioned riding impressions. Kick back, throw on your very best leather chaps and read on, Harley fans.

Gallery: 2011 Harley-Davidson CVO Ultra Classic Electra Glide

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First Ride: 2011 Harley-Davidson CVO models originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 26 Nov 2010 11:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2010 Harley-Davidson CVO Ultra Classic Electra Glide goes Dark

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 18:58:00 EST

Filed under: Motorcycle, Design/Style, Luxury

2010 CVO Ultra Classic Electra Glide - Click above for high-res image gallery

Every year, Harley-Davidson breaks out the good ol' Accessories Catalog to bedeck a few of its most desirable models in a veritable smorgasbord of chrome, leather and outlandish paint schemes. See here, here, here and here for photo evidence of this undeniable fact. For 2010, though, The Motor Company is taking a darker approach to its highest-end model, the CVO Ultra Classic Electra Glide.

H-D slathers the dark on its new CVO model, with the whole Gloss Black Rumble Collection making its appearance on the Glide. In total, the Crimson Mist Black / Dark Slate (with flame graphics, naturally) motorcycle comes with approximately 185 unique black parts, components and accessories, which join a black and chrome Screamin' Eagle Twin Cam 110 engine (that's 1803cc and 115 pound-feet of torque, H-D's biggest and most powerful factory V-twin) and a six-speed Cruise Drive transmission to complete the nearly chromeless motif.

Harley's whole bag of techno tricks are also featured on the CVO Ultra, including a 160-watt CD/AM/FM/WB/MP3 Advanced Audio System by Harman-Kardon, CB and intercom, passenger audio with controls, cruise control and standard XM Radio. Finally, the HD-specific Garmin Road Tech zūmo 660 GPS unit with touch-screen display tells you where to point the handlebars.

Want one? Harley-Davidson only plans to build 999 CVO Ultra Classic Electra Glide in 2010, each with a base price of $36,499, which makes this the most expensive model in Harley's entire lineup this year. Check out our high-res image gallery below and click past the break for the complete press release.

Gallery: 2010 CVO Ultra Classic Electra Glide

[Source: Harley-Davidson]

Continue reading 2010 Harley-Davidson CVO Ultra Classic Electra Glide goes Dark

2010 Harley-Davidson CVO Ultra Classic Electra Glide goes Dark originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 25 Jan 2010 18:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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First Ride: 2009 Harley-Davidson CVO models

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 12:07:00 EST

Filed under: First Drives, Motorcycle

Click above for high-res image of the Harely-Davidson CVO models

There is no doubting that Harley-Davidson motorcycles have stood the test of time. Though sales of both mainstream and higher-end models from The Motor Company are down, Harley-Davidson has seen fit to continue its line of factory custom models. Custom Vehicle Operations offers complete models featuring Screaming Eagle parts.

HD has no problems selling its entire allotment of CVO SE bikes each year despite their high cost of entry, so we surmise that folks looking for full custom bikes complete with Harley-Davidson warranties must have fairly deep pockets. Surely then, these machines had better be quite different from their more standard countarparts. Let's take a closer look.

Gallery: First Ride: 2009 HD CVO Fat Bob

Continue reading First Ride: 2009 Harley-Davidson CVO models

First Ride: 2009 Harley-Davidson CVO models originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 27 Jul 2008 12:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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