2011 H-D CVO
Well it's that time of year once more, where the bikes that Harley-Davison and the editors around here all call the "top of the food chain," the Custom Vehicles Operations program (CVO) bike line, are rolled out. The CVO program was established in 1999 and for the past 11 years, the bikes have simply been getting better and better.
Most of you are familiar with the standard OE Harley lineup, but if you're not familiar with CVO bikes, these are the cream of the crop. The difference is that CVOs are a custom line of motorcycles built in limited production for customers who appreciate brilliant chrome, tons of power, exquisite paint, and the exclusivity of owning and riding a special motorcycle.
The new CVO bikes are announced before the standard OE lineup and are pulled out of the plant for a few lucky editors to get a sneak-peak. This year's CVO press launch has once again set the bar for what to expect from the Harley-Davidson Motor Company. It all started once we arrived at the Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort inside Incline Village in Nevada. After a brief rundown on the bikes and a hearty breakfast, we got to put in some riding miles so we could bring you our feelings about them and any new gadgets they may have in store.
For 2011, there are four CVO models offered, the FLHTCUSE Ultra Classic Electra Glide, the FLTRUSE Road Glide Ultra, the FLHXSE Street Glide, and the FLSTSE Softail Convertible. All the 2011 CVO models are powered by the fuel-injected 110ci Screamin' Eagle Twin Cam V-twin, only available from the factory in CVO models. The transmission features a helical-cut Fifth gear in the six-speed cruise drive transmissions. An anti-lock braking system (ABS) and cruise control are standard equipment on the CVOs. The bikes are backed by a two-year, unlimited-mileage warranty and will be limited to approximately 2,500-3,000 units each, or less for some models.