First Ride | 2012 Harley-Davidson CVO Road Glide Custom

That sucking sound in your investment portfolio may be an all-too-familiar happening these days, but it hasn?t stopped conspicuous consumption in some parts of the motorcycle industry. Apparently, there?s a certain percentage of the population that is still raking it in; affluent folks who, coincidentally, represent Harley?s target demographic for its CVO machines. In Harley parlance, they?re the Alpha customer.

By Motor Company definition, CVOs represent the pinnacle of Harley-Davidson craftsmanship. What started 13 years ago as a showcase for H-D?s ever-swelling Parts and Accessories catalog has grown into a full-fledged, self-contained entity within the company, a boutique division overseen by Willie G himself. The jewels coming out of this factory-custom workshop are layered in show-quality paint, accented with graphics and topped with exclusive components more common to one-off customs. Boasting a lofty price point and available in limited numbers, CVOs bask in an aura of exclusivity, and as such, are likely to be coveted by riders with deep pockets and plenty of discretionary income.

If you?re more of a Beta type though, the 30K + price tag of the latest CVOs can trigger a fearful attack of acid reflux?unless they?re parked at a four-star resort in California?s Napa Valley. Which, thankfully, is where we got our first taste of Harley?s four new CVO motorcycles for 2012.

The CVOs are lavished with...�

��read full caption

The CVOs are lavished with glorious color schemes and wicked graphics, like these ghost flames on the Maple Metallic model.

This year, the exquisitely-appointed machines take inspiration from the hot bagger segment; you?ll find some kind of luggage on all four 2012 models, from the new CVO Road Glide Custom to the Softail Convertible, Street Glide and Ultra Classic Electra Glide. Three models are carryovers from last year, with the Road Glide Custom being the sole new addition to the line.

Another denominator common to all 2012 CVOs is the largest displacement production engine Harley offers, the Twin Cam 110. The big pushrod-operated mill has a healthy four-inch bore and pistons working within a 4.38-inch stroke; we?ve heard output numbers of 122 lb-ft of torque at 3750 rpm. Power is dispensed to Harley?s proprietary 6-speed Cruise Drive Transmission and fuel is metered through an Electronic Sequential Port Fuel Injection system. All 2012 CVOs get a two-year, unlimited mileage warranty.

After the unveiling and tech briefing, we had about 24 hours and 180 miles to sample the machines through a variety of asphalt, from kinky mountain switchbacks and rolling sweepers to full-tilt superslab.

Hot Rod Bagger: 2012 CVO Road Glide Custom

As the newest member of the CVO family, it?s only natural that the Road Glide Custom got the coolest colors of the 2012 group. Like its main-line cousin, a street influence leads the way on the Road Glide Custom, with a performance-oriented high-flow air cleaner, and a trio of subtle color schemes (Harley calls them ?sinister?). Harley?s Screamin? Eagle Heavy Breather Intake and chrome dual exhaust with four-inch touring mufflers spice up this CVO, and those graphics nail the custom look without resorting to over-the-top flash, emphasizing a subtle aesthetic enhanced by stylized skulls instead of gaudy badging.

Settling into the nicely padded, 27.5-inch tall two-piece custom saddle (with removable pillion), I found exceptionally roomy ergos all around, as my feet plopped onto the forward-mounted floorboards. Tilting slightly to reach the bars, I also noticed that the frame-mounted shark-nose takes up a fair amount of space up front. Some riders prefer that frame-mounted unit for its lighter-effort steering, but it throws me off a bit.

As cockpits go, the Road Glide?s arrangement is a home run. With a blacked-out backdrop, the clean layout showcases small round speedo and tach gauges and cleverly integrated new speakers. The color-matched console with its back-lit CVO emblem adds a touch of class. Complementing it all is a new black, internally wired handlebar with matching black hand controls, topped by a new smoked Wind Splitter screen.

Source: http://www.motorcyclecruiser.com/features/1112_crup_2012_harley_davidson_cvo_road_glide_custom/index.html

motorcycles bikes bikers harley harley davidson