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[lrubio]

just to lighten the tension here ... l to am from the Disco era and loved the music and still listen to the oldies from time to time riding my B.E.A. utiful Carbon Crystal CVO Street Glide ... lol

HaHa, thanks 15CVOSG

[EAGLE1]

HaHa, thanks 15CVOSG

I don't doubt a word you said, actually makes a lot of sense but I know they sold every UV and Hard Candy in my neck of the woods before they hit the floor, funny how the demographics are so different, also its kind of interesting that I heard they will be doing even more hard candy colors for 2016, if it was such a flop why are they doing 3 hard candy colors in 2016?? In any event I wasn't trying to get into a pissin match over this and I don't take offense to it either, there has always been a huge attraction to black bikes, it looks like the MoCo just underestimated how large it was. Its great that each of us is able to get exactly what we want, Ride Free Brother 

[dean77]

Interesting debate.... but it all comes down to what you like. I could have bought any of the colors but the hard candy just popped for me. Looks awesome in the sun and still has an awesome look at night or under the clouds. Was at Bike Week in Laconia yesterday and the number of fellow bikers that commented on how awesome the bike looked was incredible! But the only opinion that really matters is mine as I spent the money and its what I like. I also couldn't justify, in my mind anyway, spending 36K on a bike and it just blending in with most other bikes. But that's just me. Same as I could never see myself buying a Ferrari in black... Just doesn't do it for me.

[ultrarider123]

I'd go with the Carbon Crystal with the phantom flames.  Nothing against the Hard Candy for those that like it (not my cup of tea) but I've seen both....the CC would be my choice...

Good luck on the decision.

[Nicky Pass]

All you have to do is have the dealer pull both of them outside and then see which one calls to you.  You're lucky the dealer has both so you can pick one or the other.

[smkymtnboy]

I'd go with the Carbon Crystal with the phantom flames.  Nothing against the Hard Candy for those that like it (not my cup of tea) but I've seen both....the CC would be my choice...

Good luck on the decision.

will ginger be looking for a new home ?

[15CVOSG]

don't get me wrong... l did like "Liberace" ... just was too much bling for me...others love it... one dealer had 3 HC's and one Carbon ... 2 HC's sold back to back ... another dealer had one HC and one Carbon and again the HC sold ....so yes, there are those that will lean to the HC's ...

[Puma]

I was alive when disco was also alive, but I was really young and consider it before my time. On top of that, I think that music just sucked. After saying that, I would still definitely take the Hard Candy over the Carbon. That color is just too subtle and quiet for my taste.

[lrubio]

I was alive when disco was also alive, but I was really young and consider it before my time. On top of that, I think that music just sucked. After saying that, I would still definitely take the Hard Candy over the Carbon. That color is just too subtle and quiet for my taste.

Hey Puma, is that your RK in the picture? Just wondering . . .

[ZVO]

You actually answered a question of mine: I was wondering what age demographic was buying these bikes. Here is the reality of the 2015 CVO SG lineup:
In Southern California three local dealers had CVO Street Glides in stock (probably more, but these are the three I frequent): Pomona Valley had the UV Blue from August to May, they couldn’t sell it. They had two Carbon Crystals that corporate redesignated from Hard Candy, both Carbons sold before they hit the floor (one of those was mine). But they still couldn’t move that UV. Overwhelmed by customers who wanted the Carbon Crystal, the boys at Pomona Valley convinced the Sweetwater dealer in National City near the border to trade his Carbon Crystal for their UV. Of course, Pomona had the Carbon Crystal sold in advance so it never hit Pomona’s floor. I don’t know if Sweetwater sold the UV.

Quaid in Loma Linda had a UV bike in stock from August to May. I don’t know whether it sold. A Hard Candy scheduled for delivery in April was switched to a Carbon Crystal. Before I bought my Carbon, they were trying to convince me to buy this Hard Candy. Quaid happily sold that Carbon Crystal before arrival. I’m not sure whether that UV is still sitting on their floor.

Riverside has the UV and Hard Candy in stock neither of these colors is selling in this area. These are beautiful bikes, but finding buyers for them in beautiful sunny Southern California is tough. They did receive three Carbon Crystal bikes and all sold around their legitimate sibling bikes. Who knew being a “bastard child” was so profitable?

The Carbon Crystal seems to appeal to a broader demographic. In fact, there are at least two members on this site who purchased Hard Candy bikes who suffered from buyers’ remorse. One actually bought a Carbon Crystal after buying a Hard Candy that he found to be too much for his liking. Member 15CVOSG: http://www.cvoharley.com/smf/index.php?topic=99844.315.

For similar reasons, member ZVO is searching for a Carbon Crystal owner willing to swap tins with his Hard Candy: http://www.cvoharley.com/smf/index.php?topic=100043.msg1319411#msg1319411

The Carbon Crystal replaced bikes on dealers’ delivery sheets at these three dealerships. There would be no logical business reason for this to have occurred if the four original 2015’s were selling. Corporate introduced this “bastard child” bike to sooth their dealers’ anger over the difficult to sell CVO SG’s. The dealers I personally talked with were mad as hell about their markets’ reaction to these original bikes.

I’ve read many speculative comments about the introduction of the Carbon Crystal as the solution to the paint and quality issues. I’m sure the majority of potential buyers didn’t know any of that existed, and I assure you those issues continued with the Carbon Crystal. The Carbon Crystal wasn’t intended to solve paint or quality issues, it was brought into this market to sell inventory. The production switch to the Carbon Crystal was a reaction to market conditions. It was the result of the 2012’s success and was a reaction that worked. The dealers in this region were able to move the Carbon Crystal inventory like they did in the good old days. Corporate adapted by painting the tins for existing inventory with a color scheme the market wanted. Times have changed and your age demographic (mine too) no longer drives market forces. We may have more disposable income, but the group behind us spends more and wants a different look, so to remain profitable business is going to give THEM what they want just the way they did for us at that age.

As for other’s comparisons to the 2015 having similar ghost flames as the 2012, that is an accurate comparison, the flames are very similar and the tank badges are exactly alike. The coveted HD logos on our clothes, helmets, motorcycles, etc. are also exactly alike. Does that make them dated? No, that’s brand recognition and it sells, similar to how the 2012 sold and the Carbon Crystal sells with real tank badges.

You may not like my analysis and I’m certain anyone else who owns one of these bikes will take offense to it. However, I’ve read and kept mostly silent over comments about the bike I own. Everyone has the right to express their opinion and this is mine. I don’t dislike the other four models, they’re just not right for me and obviously they didn’t sell to the degree corporate wanted. It’s not the first time HD introduced a mid-production alternative and it’s not because they just wanted to do something different, that’s too expensive. It was a necessity. Dealers were pleasantly caught by surprise when the bikes scheduled for delivery (the same bikes they couldn’t sell) were suddenly changed to Carbon Crystal. Yes, they did finish the delivery of several of the colors after a delay but I personally observed Hard Candy, UV and Starfire Black bikes changed on three dealers’ delivery sheets to Carbon Crystal. The dealer’s names and cities are listed above, call them if you doubt me.

I’m also from the ‘70’s and I don’t like disco, never did.

nk badges.
I like to ride, the Mercury for me does not allow me to do that. I am planning a trip to Alaska and the last thing I want is to draw attention to my bike everywhere I go. The bike is too loud color wise.

The Mercury is a great color, I love it but for my preference I want the black.
I actually purchased a set of carbon crystal and am in the process of converting my Mercury to Black.
I will have nice chrome controls, engine guard and forks. My engine will be granite my primary chrome. It's the bike of my dreams.

[ultrarider123]

will ginger be looking for a new home ?

no sir......she's safe and sound right where she is....

[Jbbrown73]

A friend of mine who has a hard candy refers to it as his 1970's bass boat.

[15CVOSG]

nk badges.
I like to ride, the Mercury for me does not allow me to do that. I am planning a trip to Alaska and the last thing I want is to draw attention to my bike everywhere I go. The bike is too loud color wise.

The Mercury is a great color, I love it but for my preference I want the black.
I actually purchased a set of carbon crystal and am in the process of converting my Mercury to Black.
I will have nice chrome controls, engine guard and forks. My engine will be granite my primary chrome. It's the bike of my dreams.

ZVO, sounds sweet ... can't wait to see pic's of the end product of your bike ..... when will you be getting it back??

[ZVO]

ZVO, sounds sweet ... can't wait to see pic's of the end product of your bike ..... when will you be getting it back??

I'm doing it myself! The only part I need help with is exchanging the gas tank assembly you bleed a special tool my dealer charges me 30 minutes of labor to do it.

[EAGLE1]

just to lighten the tension here ... l to am from the Disco era and loved the music and still listen to the oldies from time to time riding my B.E.A. utiful Carbon Crystal CVO Street Glide ... lol

15CVOSG, just wondering if you have a "Carbon Copy" why are you showing a Hard Candy in your avatar