Hi all;
I took delivery of my 12 CVO SESG (ruby red)
and as part of that deal traded in my beloved 09 CVO SERG (orange/black). Even though I live in MA, I did the deal in southern NJ which is where I used to live. Local dealer didn't have any CVO's and the one in NJ did. So this past Friday I did the 550 mile round trip. 275 on the SERG down there and then 275 back home on the SESG. About 10 hours saddle time. I thought that I would take the time to comment on the new SESG but also compare it a bit to the SERG since I think that there are a lot of us that would find that useful.
For some background, the 09 SERG had minor but many mods to it including V&H Power Duals w Fullsac 2.25 baffles and the TTS from Steve at Fullsac, Hawg Wired 300 amp w 6.5 Arc Audio speakers in 4 holes, Corbin Solo seat. You will see later why I point these out later.
Ride down was uneventful. Upon getting to the dealer I saw the new ride in the distance. I was drawn to it in a sea of bikes. The color is really a beaut and pops in the sunlight. I have not seen the Citrus in person, but I have heard that that color is also amazing. Did the paperwork and stuff and got going.
Now the ride home. I sit on the bike and lift it up. I immediately notice that it feels a lot lighter then my SERG in the front. I never realized or would have thought that. OK, the fairing is a lot bigger, but I wouldn't have thought it would make a noticeable difference. As soon as I take off I love the way it handles at low speed. The lighter front end really helps in low speed. I get onto the high way and am concerned with breaking her in properly. I ride nice for 10 miles or so. Then I wind her out in 2nd, 3rd and 4th and move on. Its now broken in (my words, no one else's). The seat is good but not very comfy. After 5 hours my arse was killing me. Never had an issue with the Corbin, so ordered one yesterday. In addition, I had a sharp pain in middle of my back so I am not sure if it was the seat, no backrest or the bars. Time will tell.
Lets talk Music. I love music, loud and clear. The SESG, as we most know has 8 speakers. A big difference in the SERG and SESG is the distance between the rider and the inner fairing. Therefore the speakers are a lot closer. This doesn't make the quality of the sound any better, but it does take less power to get the music to your ears. At speed, the wind has more dead space to drown out the sound on the SERG. So, even with a full face helmet on, I heard the music very well. I would say the Boom speakers are solid everyday speakers. They lack the fullness and separation of the very good aftermarket speakers that I have heard. For most the Boom system will be good enough. I don't say that easily. The HD speakers are a 1 ohm set, where most aftermarket are 4 or 8 ohm. The point being that it is not a simple replacement of the speakers. If it were, I would swap them out in a nano sec.
Exhaust – like most I hemmed and hawed about what to do. Was very happy with the Fullsac setup, I just wanted something different. Went with the V&H Powerduals again, but added in the V&H Hi Output muff's. First they are 4 1/2 inches out back versus 4" for stock. They look great. Chrome is really shiny and seems very high quality. Compared to the Fullsac's??? Well, first there is a deeper rumble at idle. When you get on them they are very loud. Even at speed in 5th gear they are very loud. Too loud, not sure yet. I think they offer a quiet baffle that I may look into. They are much louder that the Fullsacs, but with a richer deeper sound throughout the band.
Handling – as I said in the beginning, the front end is much lighter. At slow speed around town and thru the twisties I have gone through in past few days, SESG seems more nimble to me and more easily toss able. I know that this is subjective, so just my perspective. I never had problems leaning the SERG, its just different. I seemed to muscle the SERG and with the SESG, it just goes. What about on the highway, yes good question. There is a difference between a fairing that is frame mounted vs a fairing that is attached to the front end. SERG had a Corbin and a Clearview shield. SESG still has stock seat and stock shield which is 6 1/2". I am 5'9" in case anyone is interested. On the SESG you get better wind protection on the hands just due to the shape of the fairing. I did not install the fork baffle or the air deflectors, yet. There is a lot more wind in the pocket behind the fairing. However, I dod not think that it adversely affected the handling. Cool night, doing 70 or so passing trucks, cars, deer. Ride was perfectly stable, and I loved it. I will change shield and put some other wind protection on, but not concerned. Another way to look at it, is when you got a blast of wind while on the SERG, the bike moved. On the SESG, the front end moved. I don't think either is better or worse, just different.
Tid Bits – I installed the Zumo on the fairing. Much better placement than on the bars. It is in a much better spot and you only need to glance at it since it is now eye level. I also added the LED Motolights. Good color light and broader pattern than the standard. Well, I hope that this helps someone in their quest for the perfect ride. Be safe all.
Ted
Author
Topic: Out with the old and in with the new (SERG to SESG) (Read 2257 times)