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[HOGMIKE]

“Underwhelming”
IMHO

The 131 should be in the CVO

I’m glad I got my 19 batwing when I did and spent the $$$$ to get the power and ride quality where it should be without having to buy the new model and do it all over again!
 I’ve got about 50 k miles on this bike and smile every time we go riding.

[ultra13]

Yes, and its about time.  My 2015 was a good color but you had to look twice to know it was a CVO. These are obvious CVO, which is a good thing.

I agree Dave....When I pass a CVO I want to know it by the paint......

[Yellow09SERG]

The yellow would sure be tempting..... Maybe one will show up in a local dealer where I can see if it is the 09 yellow or somewhere close.

[SDCVO]

I was astonished to see that the orange and yellow paint jobs are extra cost.   That makes the CVO RG cost around US$56,000 in the UK.  I can't see how any person in their right mind would pay that for the quality and reliability that we've become too used to.  A Ford Mustang costs less here!

I pick a CVO over a Mustang every single time!

[Eqcons]

I pick a CVO over a Mustang every single time!

So would I, but that shows what a rip off the CVO is!

[YELLOWBIRD]

I pick a CVO over a Mustang every single time!

Not even Close!

The 09 FLTRSE3 is in a class all by itself.   



YB

[Billy]

still the same frame and suspension. i will wait Billy

[FLSTFI Dave]

still the same frame and suspension. i will wait Billy

How many more years is Harley going to try to squeeze out of that Frame, this is the 14th year for it.

[kevin_n]

I like the yellow and orange ones. The flames on the other ones look ok, want to see them in person. But I can’t believe they are having a $3,000 up charge for certain paint jobs.

[ultra13]

OK I have seen this mentioned a couple of times....I know the frame was changed in 08'. I rode to the 105th in Mill-town. Great event. So my point or question is..What more can you do to this frame? A frame is a frame right? To me the shocks are the comfort makers.

[Twolanerider]

OK I have seen this mentioned a couple of times....I know the frame was changed in 08'. I rode to the 105th in Mill-town. Great event. So my point or question is..What more can you do to this frame? A frame is a frame right? To me the shocks are the comfort makers.

You're asking for things that might be covered in master's classes in geometry, structural dynamics, and various types of suspension technologies.  For the purposes of all of us old fart riders, however, no; not all frames are the same.

Just a single tube (a "single cradle") frame is what most everything started with over a century ago.  Even most bicycles don't do this anymore.  Because they're flexible.  In ways that were not good.  Single cradles frames led to duplex frames.  That's two tubes going back with structural support in between.  Much less flexible.  And things have moved forward with varying types of triangulation and support from there.

The goal is to make frames stiffer (think FXR versus others of its day).  But you can go too far.  And none of that speaks to the geometry of the front wheel (angle, how how far forward, etc) or the triangulation/triangle that is a swingarm and how it is hung and supported/attached.

There is a lot going on underneath us.

[Billy]

I guess I should have said new frame with better suspension over all. Billy Just want a better ride without paying more to upgrade everything

[Twolanerider]

I guess I should have said new frame with better suspension over all. Billy Just want a better ride without paying more to upgrade everything

Got it.  And I lean the other way.  I've got the FXR2 that's old. And the old Road Glide that's old.  And the old Road King; that's also old.  They've all good suspension front and rear.  I don't ride them hard enough to outride the capabilities of even the old frames anymore.  So what I've got is good enough.  And they're all dialed in to me.  Other manufacturer's may not have levels of annoyance that I don't have patience for baked in to their modernization.  Harley too often has.  So I'm happy where I am. 

Only thing I would care to have that I'm missing is ABS.  If I wanted it that bad I could do that on the Road Glide or the Road King.  And I haven't.  So that probably speaks volumes to how much I really want it.

[FLSTFI Dave]

OK I have seen this mentioned a couple of times....I know the frame was changed in 08'. I rode to the 105th in Mill-town. Great event. So my point or question is..What more can you do to this frame? A frame is a frame right? To me the shocks are the comfort makers.

Not an engineer.  The frame is 14 years old.  The suspension technology is that old.  The amount of travel on the rear is not very much.  The ability to absorb harsh bumps is poor when compared to my 2021 Pan America, an 2021 Indian Challenger, a 2020 Gold Wing a 2020 BMW GTL or Bagger.  They all have more suspension travel than a touring bike by Harley in 2022.  The BMW, Goldwing and Pan America have electronics in the suspension and can change ride modes to adjust the suspension, firmer or softer.  Ride modes and change lots of other stuff.  These bikes also cost thousands less then a CVO. 

Harley needs a Frame for the touring bike that can accommodate modern motorcycle suspension and suspension adjustability especially at the 45K plus price point.

[HOGMIKE]

Not an engineer.  The frame is 14 years old.  The suspension technology is that old.  The amount of travel on the rear is not very much.  The ability to absorb harsh bumps is poor when compared to my 2021 Pan America, an 2021 Indian Challenger, a 2020 Gold Wing a 2020 BMW GTL or Bagger.  They all have more suspension travel than a touring bike by Harley in 2022.  The BMW, Goldwing and Pan America have electronics in the suspension and can change ride modes to adjust the suspension, firmer or softer.  Ride modes and change lots of other stuff.  These bikes also cost thousands less then a CVO. 

Harley needs a Frame for the touring bike that can accommodate modern motorcycle suspension and suspension adjustability especially at the 45K plus price point.

Harley has the technology and the parts to make a great touring bike.
I would expect to see the 131 engine in the CVO once they pay for CA CARB certification.

The new revolution engine makes good power, if they would make a touring bike 200 lbs lighter (like the bmw gtl) with decent suspension and keep the ergonomics the same as the current glide models THAT would be a nice bike!
I’ve ridden the new BMW’s. Very nice bike BUT, no “soul”.

Of course this would be a whole new bike and would probably be a departure from current design.
I’m pretty sure the designers are all over drawing future models.
I think Harley missed the boat with the V Rod platform with a touring model, that engine was a pretty nice design with good power and good potential. Friend of ours rode a V rod converted into a bagger, handling problems, didn’t end well. Project halted.

C’mon  Harley. Lighter, good suspension, modern power, good ergonomics, nice paint, comparable price point, good reliablity, etc.
Is that too much to ask?
Probably
JMHO