BIKES4US

SANTA BARBARA — Harley-Davidsons come in such a wide variety of shapes and sizes it's sometimes tough to keep them all straight. But every year a thin slice of the Harley's meaty lineup scores the CVO treatment. Short for Custom Vehicles Operations, Harley's boutique CVO division is responsible for pushing the envelope on both styling and performance.

For 2009, Harley has created limited edition versions of the Fat Bob, Softail Springer, Road Glide and Ultra Classic Electra Glide. As with all CVOs from years past, some of the trick styling cues from this small stable of exclusive bikes might someday trickle down to the standard lineup. Not for the shy (or the short of cash), these bikes offer the ultimate expression of what Harley can do through innovative design, engineering and accessorizing. And yes, we had an awfully good time sampling each one on the fantastic roads near Santa Barbara. —Basem Wasef

The Specs

All 2009 CVOs are equipped with the largest stock engine Harley builds, a fuel-injected Screamin' Eagle Twin Cam 110 that's finished with a granite powder-coated texture and chrome covers. The 1800cc V-twin is hooked up to a 6-speed Cruise Drive transmission and a heavy-duty, hydraulically activated clutch. Also part of the package is a long list of accessories and heavily chromed parts, not to mention suspension tweaks and revised mechanical components.

At $25,299, the CVO Fat Bob is the most affordable of the CVO bunch. Obviously, with a Mustang GT­like price tag, this still ain't a cheap bike. It also happens to be the lowest-volume model, with only 2450 examples available for 2009. This custom Fat Bob features Harley's first use of 16-in. Fang wheels, which combine a black powder coat slotted center with a chrome rim. Sitting on lowered and retuned suspension, the CVO Fat Bob boasts plenty more flash, including a smoked LED tail/brake light assembly, a Heavy Breather engine intake with exposed filter and Harley's first-ever use of Alcantara on the saddle.

The $26,999 CVO Softail Springer's production will be limited to just 2500 units and combines a chromed, retro-looking sprung front end with an ultrafat 240mm rear tire. The Springer is equipped with the same Heavy Breather intake as the Fat Bob and wears a 130mm front tire and an improved four-piston brake caliper. You'll also get a real buffalo hide seat (!). Other cool details include the spun aluminum­faced instruments and a fully polished and chromed swing arm.

Next up the CVO totem pole is the $30,999 Road Glide, which will see a production of 3000 bikes. Arguably the boldest-looking of the 2009 CVOs, the Road Glide contradicts typical bagger stereotypes with its short windshield, saddlebag extenders and rakish profile. The Road Glide's massive frame-mounted fairing is color-matched front and back, and houses spun aluminum faces and a two-speaker Harman/Kardon stereo system. The Glide features Harley's new touring chassis, which is now robotically welded, and has a new motor mount system for smoother idling. A revised touring exhaust is also designed to offer more passenger space, and less heat.

The king of the CVO hill (and the most expensive Harley on the market) is the $35,499 CVO Ultra Classic Electra Glide. Available for 4200 well-heeled buyers, the Ultra wears the same revised touring frame and exhaust system as the Road Glide, plus a reinforced saddlebag mounting system (for greater payload capacity) and a new suspended seat that reduces fatigue and more effectively deflects heat. Power-locking saddlebags, air-adjustable rear suspension and Brembo-sourced antilock brakes are great for long rides, and a 160-watt Harman/Kardon stereo and an internally wired electronic throttle add unexpectedly modern touches to the bike.

The Ride

We spent a day riding these CVO models in the hills of the central California coast, and they behaved like more intense versions of their stock Harley-Davidson counterparts. Thrust from the 110-cu.-in. Screamin' Eagle engine is noticeably stronger, with an especially thumpy low-end wallop that's more satisfying than the off-the-shelf mills. Claimed torque figures range from 110 to 115 lb.-ft., depending on the bike. The rumbly exhaust snarl reminds us of what makes Harleys so special.

CVOs generally ride stiffer, thanks to their slammed suspensions and more aggressive wheel/tire setups. While that difference is less immediately perceptible on the touring-based Road Glide and Ultra models, it becomes more apparent with the Springer and Fat Bob cruisers.

Improvements to the CVO's riding characteristics are numerous. The Softail Springer's beefier 4-piston brakes require less lever effort, and the result is confidence-inspiring stopping power. The Fat Bob feels a bit heavier than the Springer, but its lower stance makes it more tossable, and its connectedness to the road lends a sportier personality. The biggest improvements, however, are found in the touring models. Their all-new frames (which will make their way into all 2009 Harley-Davidson touring bikes) feel stiffer and more sure-footed when the road gets twisty.

But while there are many bright spots in the CVO experience, there are a few niggling ergonomic issues, too. The CVO Fat Bob, for instance, only comes with forward controls. And that can get tiresome on long rides. We prefer the option of mid-mounted controls on the non-CVO version. The Road Glide feels a bit underdampened, and the Ultra exhibits a strange combination of too-far-forward footpegs, a too-far-back removable backrest and a windshield that would serve its purpose much more effectively if it were slightly taller. But for the most part, the 2009 CVO models are lively and entertaining to ride.

The Bottom Line

Harley's expensive CVO models certainly aren't for everyone. And that just might be the whole point. The ornate paint and complicated graphics are either stunningly attractive or dizzyingly overwhelming, depending on your personal style. And the intricacy of the chrome parts that adorn these bikes means they'll need much more attention when it comes time for cleaning. But to most Harley riders, that should actually add to the fun. If past CVO iterations are any indication, the 2009 models will sell out faster than you can say, "I wish I had put down my deposit."