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[Aussie]

Paint was a big topic of discussion with the HD factory guys at MV. For me some of the more recent paint schemes offered have left a lot to be desired. I tried to explain it this way, I think a CVO should be readily identifiable from a least 50 yards away. If the color and scheme won't pass that test then it shouldn't be on a CVO.

Just my 2 cents....

The Faoctory guys said they heard us and would pass that up the chain.

+1

[cyco1450]

I would not buy a bike that didn't appeal to me. Before I bought my '11 SESG, I was going to buy a regular street glide and do all the customization myself.  However, you really can't build a cvo by individual parts for what it cost done by the MoCo.  In the end, I was attracted to the paint scheme (I still love it more than any other) and it was what pushed me to buy the cvo as made by the MoCo. I just think the current cvo brass needs a little more creativity.

[hdguy1]

Absolutely.

I wouldn't buy a bike if I didn't like the color.

Agreed !

[Indenial]

The color is all emotion.  And a lot of our decisions are emotional. As a result, I haven't found a color/combo I like better than the one I have, hence I don't have the desire for a new bike.  Should they come out with a 120 and a knock out color I may "want" to change.  But I surely don't "need" to.

[Keats]

Does a bear Sh*t in the woods?

[FLY-DOG]

In addition to all the farkle, the custom paint was what definitely drew me to the CVO. I couldn't have bought a standard model and dressed it up the same for less.  In fact it would cost more and depreciate more. Don't ask me how I know!! 

[RoadDawg]

Definitely for me. 

[ultrarider123]

Does paint selection influence your buying decision?

Great question and there have been some great answers.

Yes, paint has an influence on my buying decisions whether it has two, three or four wheels.  I knew I wanted a CVO but it's hard to justify the initial cost and that's after I have paid over $20K numerous times for Ultras.  I was interested in the "custom" factor for the CVO's and paint is a major factor CVO wise.
I considered owning a used '11 Krypto (I say used, it had 560 miles on it).  I could see this as one that would stand out but I also realized it may grow old to me.  December '11, I had the opportunity to purchase a new '12 Hot Citrus SESG that was not spoken for.  Again, it was a paint that I found interesting but would it last for my taste?  BTW, to this day the Hot Citrus is still a favorite color for me.  I've owned mainly Red or Black HD's over the years and when I saw the '12 Ruby SESG at SMHD March of '12 inside and outside the dealership, I was hooked.  So the paint in this case was the determining factor for my purchase.  It was a great color to wax.  The Royal Blue would make that color pop.

3.4 years later (this past July), it wasn't the paint that swayed me although I am very pleased with the Abyss Blue (dang Abyss paint is so dark it's near-bout black), it was the ride of the new RG that was the swaying factor.

I have a comment on Black bikes.  I've owned quite a few black HD's but the '89 Classic with the "batmobile" red/orange single stripe is still my favorite.  It can be done well and can be done in a way that the black on say a CVO stands out from the other black bikes....the 10.5 SEUC Crimson Mist comes to mind.  I had that bike as my desktop pic for quite a while.  Red bikes are in that same boat as Black.  If the color stands apart from the standard, it works no matter what it happens to be and it should be one of the swaying factors in a purchase.

[FLSTFI Dave]

My 09 SERG, the Silver/Titanium really grabbed me, very good design.

My 12 SERG White Gold Pearl / Starfire Black grabbed me more than any CVO prior and since.

My 13 SERK Diamond Dust / Obsidian is nice, but not a real head turner, and it looks best on the King, way to dark on the Ultra.  The paint quality and depth along with sparkle is much better than the 15.

My 15 SERGU Abyss Blue / Crushed Saphire I love the color but it's nothing special, and the design and graphics are lame for a CVO.  Just a rehash of the lame 11 SERGU paint.  And they did it again for 16.

In my opinion the CVO Road Glide ultras, 2011, 2015, and 2016 have the lest amount of effort by Harley in making them look good.  The graphics suck compared to the limiteds.  The design is not all that either when you compare to the previous CVO road glides.  Certainly not worthy of a 40K bike, not much better than the plane old 16 Road Glide Ultra.

That said I still bought one because I wanted all the other stuff.  This one will most likely be traded for a 17.

[68 XLCH]

Beside the color, it was the chrome.

Chrome wheels and the chrome front end.

Different cvo colors and HD then either goes with black front end, handle bars, controls etc

So the color grabbed me and the fact that it also was chromed out, handle bars, front end, controls etc. did it for me.

[03Lightningrocks]

Beside the color, it was the chrome.

Chrome wheels and the chrome front end.

Different cvo colors and HD then either goes with black front end, handle bars, controls etc

So the color grabbed me and the fact that it also was chromed out, handle bars, front end, controls etc. did it for me.

I liked reading this. It was all the chrome that grabbed me as well.

[bigchuck]

I bought a 2015 because I didn't care for the 2016 colors. Nothing against you 2016 owners. It's all personal preference.

[agedwards63]

Like I told a friend if you buy a CVO the 3 words you say the most will be "Why Thank You" and it will mainly be because someone just complimented the paint job

[Para Bellum]

Back when I bought my '07 CVO Softail Springer, the paint was one of the primary factors, since the CVO paint then was waaay ahead of non-CVO.  Recently, though, MoCo has made big improvements to non-CVO paint jobs.  It's unfortunate that the '15 and '16 SERGUs have not shown much imagination when compared to the '09, '11 and '12 CVO RGs.

The other big factor was the 14 CI upgrade from 96" to 110".  The 7 CI difference now is less compelling.

[RoadDawg]

Like I told a friend if you buy a CVO the 3 words you say the most will be "Why Thank You" and it will mainly be because someone just complimented the paint job

+2 Yes, the paint and then the wheels. The paint is what grabbed me when I saw the Breakout in an online photo. I ordered it physically unseen that same day hoping the photo did it justice. When I took delivery I was ecstatic. A photo can't pick up all the true detail, especially in the sunlight. People are drooling over the bike everywhere I go. I expected some positive comments but it's been quite something when I bring it out. Makes me happy that the bike brings a smile to so many who see it.