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[Crusty]

Allrighty... for those who haven't heard my tale yet... I am in the AF, stationed in Japan. I made E-9, and got orders to Hawaii. So to combine my midlife crisis and celebrating making E-9, I decided to buy a SERG. Then my orders to Hawaii got cancelled, and my next base is unknown... I could stay here, or go... ?

I used to have a GL1800 (Goldwing), from 2002-2005. I got a pretty good case of the Iron Butt riding bug, and managed to put almost 100K miles on it before it lost its luster... so I sold it and bought my BMW 1150GS Adventure and enjoyed getting off the beaten path (if you are bored and have a bunch of hours to kill, you can read about my last adventure here: http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=356672 ).

But I admit (only here... I'll deny it elsewhere  ) that I have also always snuck peeks at HDs when no one is looking... lol Not like I have to tell y'all... but you just can't match the Harley lifestyle. I have talked a lot of (good-natured) crap to my HD riding buddies about never owning a bike I couldn't ride.

So... fast forward to today. I was supposed to fly to Seattle in 2 days to take delivery of my bike. I bought the bike from the Military Overseas Sales program, which resulted in a pretty good deal (would be a GREAT deal in a "normal" economy when CVOs were selling for well above retail) So I called the dealer the overseas sales folks had arranged to ship the bike to, to set up the delivery details... only to find out they didn't have me on their scope. He said usually the paperwork comes in a week or so before the bike, but he didn't even have that yet. 

I called the folks I dealt with locally, and they made some calls, and it turns out my financing contract never made it to the factory... so they never shipped the bike. And it was already after business hours to get any more info beyond that. So for all I know, since I was supposedly required to take delivery within 90 days of commiting to the bike, my deal could be shot and I've got to start all over...

Which leaves me pondering this... for those of you long time HD riders, why did you choose a CVO SERG? My initial thought would be because you wanted a bike that was already tricked out.. but given the continued modding of even the CVO bikes, I can see this is not the reason. Is it just the "cool factor" of having a CVO (even though it seems 1/2 the HD owners you discuss CVO with don't really know WTF you are talking about)? Is it because the combo of stuff they put on the bike is a very good head start to tricking it out?

I have done a fair amount of reading on this board, and have seen quite a few posts raving about how fantastic this bike is. It is really that much better than a "regular" HD? Seems like you could get a pretty good deal on an already hooked-up used bike for 2/3 the price of a new CVO. So, why CVO?

I do think this a one cool bike... and affording it isn't the issue... but not having even ever ridden a HD, I really have no frame of reference. Is jumping straight into a CVO a bad idea... should I have to "do my time" on a lesser model, so I really appreciate how great the CVO SERG is? 

Thanks for listening to me ramble! 

[miker]

"Lesser" models are fine to imho.. But there is a common trap of piling asspiles of money onto and into a stock floor model 96 inch bike.  It takes dicipline to buy a stock floor model and just ride it and enjoy it but it can be done.

A CVO only needs a bout half as much piles into or onto it...My current is an 09 cuse4 is my 2nd cvo bike, I like em better cause they have lots of geedunk and bling bling on em, there is room for more but it is adequate.  Performance mods are still plenty in opportunity as with the "lessers".

Enjoy! 

[Highjagger]

This SERG is the creme de la creme of the MoCos products , and to have this awesome scooter as a base pushes a lot worries out of my brain , for example the great 18" wheels - you don`t get them at any other model , the ABS the brembo , the frame-sharknose fairing - this wonderful 110cui engine - the oil cooler - and and and - you get more for your money in relation to the standard HDs - Allthough the damn fu...ing seat - the badly done electrical wires .......
This scooter is so awesome , you will not ask anymore about the why - when you have it under your asssssss , you just will have this smile in your face and will be proud of have made such a good decision to take this hell-machine .
believe it or not - you`ll love it .
 I enjoy every mile i ride on this eye-catcher with a never-ending-smile when pulling the throttle - fabolous 

[PR3VS56]

I wrestled with the same ideas & purchased a "regular" '09 Road Glide with ABS and full chrome lowers for $17,750.  Now I'm making it my own, and find that I'm buying all the same things CVO riders are buying -- such as new seat, bars, GPS, TTS Mastertune, mufflers, windshield, headlamp bulbs, garage door opener, heated grips, bitubo shocks, sound upgrades (amp/speakers) and ultimately (maybe/probably/most likely) a big engine upgrade.  In addition, I needed to upgrade a lot of things the CVO bikes already have -- such as chrome controls, footboards, highway pegs, shifter pegs, brake pedal, and that cool CVO headlamp bezel.  Plus, I wanted black. 

In short, I wanted to build my own CVO.  Do I share the same resale advantage?  No, but I'm $12,000 less out of pocket too (so far, counting the receipts).  We're all on the same frame. 

I also read a ton about the 110 and knew I wouldn't be satisfied.  So why pay extra for an engine I'm not going to use?  May as well ride the stock 96 until I'm ready to lay down the cash for a 117 (ballpark 125tq/125hp to the rear wheels).  And after that's all done, I'm miles ahead of the game considering I would have gone 117 with both bikes.

The CVO paint is stunning.  I went black.  I would have been happy with either. 

In short, it's your decision.  It really depends on what you want.  The CVO is a winner, but it needs a few things to make it a champion.  Either bike can be transformed into exactly what you want.  Just pick the best starting platform for your own personal end result.

Good luck!

[miker]

I forgot to mention,  keep all your stock stuff if you are going noncvo cause if you trade up it is a loss...The cvo vin helps a little with value but not much...PR3's way is just as good...if not a little more fun, just keep all your stuff thaat you took off to put on if you trade and then sell or resue the accesories to recoup a few schekels//best of luck which ever way you go..

[LarryB]

I wrestled with the same ideas & purchased a "regular" '09 Road Glide with ABS and full chrome lowers for $17,750.  Now I'm making it my own, and find that I'm buying all the same things CVO riders are buying -- such as new seat, bars, GPS, TTS Mastertune, mufflers, windshield, headlamp bulbs, garage door opener, heated grips, bitubo shocks, sound upgrades (amp/speakers) and ultimately (maybe/probably/most likely) a big engine upgrade.  In addition, I needed to upgrade a lot of things the CVO bikes already have -- such as chrome controls, footboards, highway pegs, shifter pegs, brake pedal, and that cool CVO headlamp bezel.  Plus, I wanted black. 

In short, I wanted to build my own CVO.  Do I share the same resale advantage?  No, but I'm $12,000 less out of pocket too (so far, counting the receipts).  We're all on the same frame. 

I also read a ton about the 110 and knew I wouldn't be satisfied.  So why pay extra for an engine I'm not going to use?  May as well ride the stock 96 until I'm ready to lay down the cash for a 117 (ballpark 125tq/125hp to the rear wheels).  And after that's all done, I'm miles ahead of the game considering I would have gone 117 with both bikes.

The CVO paint is stunning.  I went black.  I would have been happy with either. 

In short, it's your decision.  It really depends on what you want.  The CVO is a winner, but it needs a few things to make it a champion.  Either bike can be transformed into exactly what you want.  Just pick the best starting platform for your own personal end result.

Good luck!

And the big thing, chicks dig the screamin' eagle.

[Smuuth]

Welcome to the HD fraternity!  I can only speak for myself as to why I bought a SERG, but I would be glad to share.  First, let me say I have been riding Harleys since 1960 and never had a new bike until 1998.  I had purchased used bikes and built several of my own over the years.  In 1998, I bought a Dyna Wide Glide brand new and then traded that in 5 years later on a 2003 100th Anniversary Road King.  On both of those bikes, I spent somewhere close to an additional $10,000 in added stuff after the purchase.

When I saw the SERG at the new bike introduction in Sturgis last year, I absolutely loved the styling.  The one they had there was the silver/grey and I was most impressed with all of the custom details included.  The chrome and paint on that bike was amazing, not to mention coming from the factory with the 110 inch motor.  After crunching some numbers, I figured I would have to spend far more than the difference between the MSRP for a stock FLTR and the FLTRSE3 to get the same level of customization.  I admit I was still not completely convinced that it was a good idea to spend that much money on a new bike, then a friend of mine who works at a local dealer in sales called me the first week in April.  She told me they had an orange and black SERG on which the sales deal had just fallen through.  I rode up to the dealership to look at it and fell in love with it.  A week later, I rode it home.  Yes, it is a lot of money, but what the hell, you only live once.

[HogBreath]

It's a better investment opportunity.

Chicks dig it

They've got the bigger engine

They've got a great seat.

They're cheaper than chroming out a standard bike

They're the best you can buy

Why did we buy these CVO's? I guess I'd just have to say....If I had to explain it....

[GregKhougaz]

Hey Crusty, 

          You only live once, if you can afford it, buy it. Life is to short.  If you ride hard or like the twisties.... you'll love the '09 SERG.  Had a built 04 RG and loved it.  The SERG is much better.  Very planted in the turns.  Try reading some of these threads...  Better, test an 09.  They'll let you ride the RG but probably not a SERG.  If you like the RG... you'll LOVE the SERG.   

http://www.cvoharley.com/smf/index.php?topic=35792.0

          Even a CVO, is not done.  You'll change / upgrade it.  Everyone does.  Here's mine:

http://www.cvoharley.com/smf/index.php?topic=31097.0  There are plenty of other examples. 

          While it is great to build out your own RG, you never get the $ out, except maybe for engine and tranny upgrades.  (They all have six speeds now).  The CVO bikes are separate models and thus the KBB or NADA values hold up better.  It's a lot of money....  It's a passion.  This board recently passed 8,000 members.  That says something.  Either way, you'll love the bike.  You will have to get used to the attention!  On a Wing or BMW, you're anonymous.  On a CVO, people want to talk to you.  Just the way it is.

GK

[Crusty]

OK, I'm sold! 

I suspected as much... but since there was a chance the deal might fall through, I had to ask.   

I got an email saying the bike would be at the dealer within 2 weeks, so it didn't matter anyway. Having gone from riding a Caddilac (GL1800) to a tank 1150 GS) I am confident I can adapt to any bike... and will agree the SERG is pretty f-ing cool!   

And it looks like my plan to try and stay in Japan is out, so I will likely be headed back to the States sometime this fall. The bad news part of that is, I'll pick up the bike on a Saturday, get to ride it until Wednesday, and then put it in storage until I come back to the States in the fall   

Appreicate all the feedback! I look forward to hooking up with y'all in person someday... first round's on me! 

[Highjagger]

^{I look forward to hooking up with y'all in person someday... first round's on me!} 


That`s a man`s word , and we`ll keep it in mind , HiHiHi

[miker]

Dont forget to put it on a battery tender, disarm the security or pull the battery, security system will drain it quick..

[Fired00d]

Dont forget to put it on a battery tender, disarm the security or pull the battery, security system will drain it quick..

Or he could just let one of us keep it we could keep the battery charged.

 
Ride Safe,
Fired00d
 

[Crusty]

Or he could just let one of us keep it we could keep the battery charged.

 
Ride Safe,
Fired00d
 

That's why I love you guys... always willing to lend a hand! 

How deep did they bury the battery? I know on my BMW I've got to pull the tank to get to it. 

I guess since worrying about brining it to Japan and complying with their strict inspection rules is no longer an issue, I should go ahead and have the dealer hook me up with some Fullsacs and see about scoring a non-cat pipe. And so it begins... lol

[Screamin]

How deep did they bury the battery?

Pull the seat and by the tank it's under a module which slides off. Not that bad to service.