Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[1abastarsmda]

I was at a dealer yesterday and ran into an old friend.  He told me he was thinking about buying this nice Fat Boy there, but they wanted way too much for it.  I asked his if it was a SE and he told me it's gray with a custom paint job.  We walked over for him to show it to me.  Immediately, I saw that it was an 05 SE Fat Boy.  It has 6000 miles on it and they were asking $19,000, so I assume they also have some room to move on it.  Anyway, he started pointing out to me all the add-ons:  the custom paint job - stock, the chrome hand controls - stock, the SS cables - stock, the chrome floorboards - stock, the 103" engine - stock...and on and on...stock, stock, stock.  He didn't get it at all.  He kept telling me that Harleys don't come with this stuff and I kept telling him that this was a SE and they are more money and they come with all this "stuff".  From what I noticed on the bike, it was bone stock all the way, but do you think I could get through to him?  Not a chance.  He took me over to meet the friends he was there with, and started right back in talking to them about how many upgrades someone put into that bike and proceeded to start making guesses as to what local painter did the custom paint job.  I got very annoyed and left the dealer altogether.

The point is that this isn't the first time by a long shot.  I have had so many people look at my bike, complement it, and start asking me about all the upgrades.  When I tell them it's a Screamin Eagle, it's like I'm in parenthesis and they don't hear me.  I tell them that it's pretty much stock, for the most part, the way it sits.  Right back to asking me who did the paint job?  Who did the 110" build on my bike?  and many more.  I guess I just never realized that most people, even Harley owners, don't have any clue what CVO is or what SE is.  To them, it means I put SE mufflers on my bike.  Maybe I just live in an area with a bunch of yoyo's running around

[Buy early]

I tell non-HD folks that CVO is to Harley what Acura is to Honda or Lexus is to Toyota, an elevated member of the brand. It isn't exactly right but they get the concept. Different motor, fancier features, same manufacturer.

[RickC]

I tell non-HD folks that CVO is to Harley what Acura is to Honda or Lexus is to Toyota, an elevated member of the brand. It isn't exactly right but they get the concept. Different motor, fancier features, same manufacturer.

That the kind of analogy I've been using. It seems to click with most people.

[naitram]

most dealers dont know what CVO is..... I dont expect the average person to know what it is

[porthole]

I usually get "is that the Fire bike" 

[grandpadoc]

I know what you mean. The first one I saw back in 2000 was SERG and couldn't figure out why anyone would trick out a bike like that and then sell it with only a few miles on it. From that point on the image of that bike in the showroom was burned in my mind and instead of buying a new RG two years ago I searched the net for "that" bike and scored one with only 6K on it. I bet its still happening in the showrooms today with the 09 CVO's, they really stand out and create a awareness for the brand.  Doc

[RJ749]

Have to agree with Neal on the CVO issue.

Since the MoCo doesn't promote it much many don't have any idea what it is.

Similar to more obscure things on many automobiles.  What's a 930110 Porsche for example?  What's a Porsche Turbo?  Most know the second answer but the answer is the same for both questions, just the numeric nomenclature is used by enthusiasts the same way we use CVO nomenclature.

The average guy just doesn't have the reference library we do

[RioGlide]

Average IQ is 100.

Half are higher.

Half are lower.

Usually it's apparent pretty rapidly which side of the line most people are on.

Not picking on your long lost friend there, maybe he just didn't get a full night's sleep or something.

But yes, there are many out there who don't "get" the concept of a factory custom called a CVO or a Screamin' Eagle series of models.

[GregKhougaz]

$.02

I'm very grateful, esp. in these times that I can own an SE.  Many can't even afford a bike let alone an HD, let alone an SE.  People who can barely afford a bike are not likely to spend time learning about CVO's that cost like ours do.  Often, people have no idea what my bike is.  That's fine.  I ride it for me, not to impress anyone.  When someone asks about my bike, I'm proud to respond but I always ask to see theirs and talk about their bike.  You can learn something from everyone. 

Those of us here obviously like to be knowledgeable about bikes or we would not be here.  I've learned many things here.  Was I ignorant before?  (Don't answer!)  Heck, I bet Einstein knew nothing about bikes.   

The average guy just doesn't have the reference library we do

[Highjagger]

most dealers dont know what CVO is..... I dont expect the average person to know what it is

Imagine that , unbelievable .

[1abastarsmda]

One of the other things is that I don't think there are enough CVO's sitting in showrooms long enough for people to even see them there and to get familiar with them.

[2018_FLTRXSE]

in '00 my buddy ordered and recieved an O/B SERG before the dealership started speculating and subsequently jacking the prices on SE's here.

I had NO IDEA what it was back then... but it didnt take long to figure out. I wanted one but they were always a little out of reach.

People that aske me about mine ask who did the taillights, the motor, the paint are SHOCKED when I tell them the bike comes out of the HD crate JUST LIKE YOU SEE IT (add refelctors)

I tell them the CVO is what to HD is what a SVT (Cobra) is to Ford's Mustang

[Gone Fishin']

Ha ha ha. Do they know CVO? Well for the most part in Europe they barely know Harley. They do not know if its a 1986 or 2009 bike, or about the different models, and engines, and, and, and. I leave it to the Moco to advertise the brand, and to the dealers to explain the models. And I am really happy the way it is.

Ride safely,
Louis

[woode]

One of the other things is that I don't think there are enough CVO's sitting in showrooms long enough for people to even see them there and to get familiar with them.

I agree with you on this one...  When I first brought up the subject of a CVO Ultra to my dealer, he gave me a head's up that one was coming in March (this was November).  He warned me that they are usually sold before they hit the showroom floor.  I'll vouch for that comment, because I know for a fact that they have received and sold four of them since December, and only one of them spent a few days on display.  The others I only saw in service being prepped for the buyers.  When they do sit around for a while, they are definitely attention grabbers and draw lots of attention.

Ed

[RickC]

The situation is the same with the SEUC and SERG here with several dealers. They almost never sit on the showroom floor. So, many people never see them.

The day I picked up my 09 SERG, the dealer rolled it out in front of the building about 2:45pm. I had to be on a conference call at 3:00 and didn't get off the phone until after 4. Every person that walked into or out of the dealer slowed or stopped to look at my bike. Several made comments to me or asked, "Is that your bike?" It definitely gets attention.

A couple weeks ago, when I rode in to drop it off for service, the SM told me everyone in the store watched as I rode by the front windows on my way to the service bay.

I don't know about you guys, but I love the attention.