Across the board for all the touring models (CVO and OE bikes), Harley has some major changes, such as a redesigned frame/swingarm and motor mount system, 180mm rear tire with Multi-Tread design, retuned suspension system, and new exhaust routing. The new frame features 50-percent fewer parts and an increased carrying capacity, and the swingarm is wider and longer. The biggest things we noticed from the overall changes to the frame and swingarm were the bikes were agile yet tracked in line from front to rear with very little feedback from the rear section. We'll have more info on this when we report on the OE '09 lineup in an upcoming issue.
This past June, we had the opportunity to head up the California coast to the beautiful town of Santa Barbara to check out Harley-Davidson's '09 Custom Vehicle Operations (CVO) models. If you're not familiar with the CVO line, it's basically the best of the best of what Harley has to offer. Rolling off the showroom floor with a CVO bike is like driving off the lot with a fully loaded Corvette; there isn't much more you can do to "upgrade." The bikes come chromed fender to fender, drenched in custom paint schemes, and packed with hopped-up motors.
Some of the benefits of owning a CVO bike are exclusivity (only a limited number of each model is produced), the bikes are outfitted with H-D's latest technology and innovations, and in some cases these models are used to launch new P&A collections. So what does that mean to the consumer? Unlike owning a black Road King, you will very rarely come across another person who has a bike like yours, and most likely your bike will sport parts and accessories that your friends won't be able to get for their bikes for several months.
For '09 the CVO program has four models available from three families: a Dyna, a Softail, and two touring bikes. While each model has its own unique appearance and characteristics, there are a couple commonalities between all the models. All the CVO bikes feature a Screamin' Eagle 110ci Twin Cam engine with granite powdercoat and SE badging, a six-speed Cruise Drive transmission, and a heavy-duty self-adjusting hydraulic clutch.
The only thing better than getting to attend a press launch in Santa Barbara is getting to ride bikes along the glimmering coastline and rolling country hills. So let's start with the biggest news from the launch. HB