2016 Street Glide Special vs CVO...?

[dwagent]

Hi folks--

I'm not a Harley owner (yet), so I don't know much about them...but I figure some of you might be able to help me out with some shopping advice.

I'm shopping for a 2016 Street Glide. I've been looking at the Street Glide Special and the CVO Street Glide, and as far as I can tell, the differences are that the CVO has the following differences/advantages:

1) Slightly lower center of gravity (but lower ground clearance)
2) Slightly lower seat
3) Slightly heavier (50 lbs)
4) Better audio system (bigger speakers)
and, of course,
5) Bigger, torque-ier engine

As far as I can tell (from the specs on the HD website), these are major differences, and even then, 1-4 are all pretty slight differences, and while they are "nice to haves", they don't seem to justify the higher price tag of the CVO.

The bigger engine is the "big ticket" difference, but the price difference is over $10K.

So my questions are:
1) Am I missing anything...? Are there any other things which are different between the two models?
2) If it all comes down to the engine...is the TC110 engine worth $10K over the TC103? I know it's all about opinions, but since I've never owned or ridden a Harley, what are your thoughts?

Also, any thoughts about maintenance for the two engines? The TC103 is air-cooled, the TC110 is twin-cooled...which one is more reliable or easier to maintain? I've also read some articles about the twin-cam engines having wear-n-tear problems in general...needing extra inspections and maintenance in order to keep them running...is this true?

Thanks a lot for all of your help.

 

[Designflaw]

I'm going to give a quick answer as I see it.
1. If you modify a CVO, it lowers the value.
2. 10-14,000 difference allows paint and engine improvement that's yours.

Enough said

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[Mojo]

dwagent- the CVO Boombox radio is different: Cirrus and Weather included and Boom ll speakers and amp w/headset too.

 

[dwagent]

I'm going to give a quick answer as I see it.
1. If you modify a CVO, it lowers the value.
2. 10-14,000 difference allows paint and engine improvement that's yours.

Enough said

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

Thanks...

When you say modify, do you mean with aftermarket parts or something...? And wouldn't that be true with any of the models, not just CVO?

So if $10-$14K gets you paint and engine...so you think it's worth it? How much better is the 110 motor?

Thanks again

 

[dwagent]

Ah, good to know...thanks!

 

[Designflaw]

Thanks...

When you say modify, do you mean with aftermarket parts or something...? And wouldn't that be true with any of the models, not just CVO?

So if $10-$14K gets you paint and engine...so you think it's worth it? How much better is the 110 motor?

Thanks again

7-8,000 gets you the 120, that alone leaves a lot for paint wheels etc.... this is just my opinion of course.

My understanding of a CVO is for resale, you can't change anything. Not seat, wheels, power, breather, etc...


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[Mandrew]

dwagent- the CVO Boombox radio is different: Cirrus and Weather included and Boom ll speakers and amp w/headset too.

Plus- lots more chrome and trim pieces (usually)
Nice wheels.
Beefier bar and grips.

The CVOs are nice bikes, but it's all about what you want. If you love it and can afford it- get it and ride it. If you're not totally in love with the bike, find something and make it your own. If you're getting any motorcycle as an investment for resale, then you'll probably be disappointed.

My previous ride was a cvo- I loved it and especially loved the power and torque of the engine. But, I was eventually ready for a change.... And I got a decent trade-in deal even though I changed the pipes, tune, and AC. Plus, there are a few nice performance mods you can do that don't change the looks, and don't adversely affect value. As far as changing the seat or whatever, you could just change it back.

 

[dwagent]

7-8,000 gets you the 120, that alone leaves a lot for paint wheels etc.... this is just my opinion of course.

My understanding of a CVO is for resale, you can't change anything. Not seat, wheels, power, breather, etc...


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OK, I think I get what you're saying now...so you're thinking that it might be better to get a Special, and just option it out the way I want it? Would it end up being cheaper just to get the CVO, though, or about the same?

Does the CVO ride any different than the Special, or is the torque from the bigger motor the only difference?

 

[dwagent]

Plus- lots more chrome and trim pieces (usually)
Nice wheels.
Beefier bar and grips.

The CVOs are nice bikes, but it's all about what you want. If you love it and can afford it- get it and ride it. If you're not totally in love with the bike, find something and make it your own. If you're getting any motorcycle as an investment for resale, then you'll probably be disappointed.

My previous ride was a cvo- I loved it and especially loved the power and torque of the engine. But, I was eventually ready for a change.... And I got a decent trade-in deal even though I changed the pipes, tune, and AC. Plus, there are a few nice performance mods you can do that don't change the looks, and don't adversely affect value. As far as changing the seat or whatever, you could just change it back.

That's pretty good advice, thanks. Not having owned a Harley before, though, I don't know if I love it or not I have to admit, I'm not sure I need the bigger motor...if it really makes a big difference, I'd like to get it...but if it doesn't, well...I don't want to spend that kind of money on something that looks good on paper, but doesn't really make a difference or that I won't get much use out of (this would be mostly for long-distance highway / interstate cruising, not cruising around town or daily commuting)...especially since, as you point out, bikes don't really appreciate in value.

I'm also not really in love with the radiators in the lower leg fairings...a small detail, but if the extra power isn't going to come in handy that much, then it might be the small detail that breaks the deal.

On the other hand, I like the extra chrome trim and the Stage 2 audio system (with the speakers in the saddle bags)...could I just add those parts to a Special, and save myself the $10K?

 

[shortguy]

IMO, if you are going to throw some extras at it, get the special. With the extra money you save, you can make the SGS quicker and more suited for you while saving some coin. Options are endless. I was a little upset I didn't get the CVO but at the end of the day, I am glad I ended up with the SGS.

 

[Mandrew]

On the other hand, I like the extra chrome trim and the Stage 2 audio system (with the speakers in the saddle bags)...could I just add those parts to a Special, and save myself the $10K?

If you're really after the chrome and speakers- Yes, you can get more chrome and an excellent audio system for less than 10K.

The 103 power is sufficient. If it isn't, there are options for that as well. What is your riding experience?

Have you tried renting a streetglide?

 

[danoday]

I'm going to give a quick answer as I see it.
1. If you modify a CVO, it lowers the value.
2. 10-14,000 difference allows paint and engine improvement that's yours.

Enough said

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DWAGENT,

Designflaw nailed it in my opinion, I think, if you are a new CVO buyer, price is not a concern, the heart wants what it wants, repaint & bigger fenders & bigger bags are also not a concern. If you plan to work on the bike, change parts, do upgrades, I would start a parts list, look at both bikes and see what you might change, then price it. CVO buyers buy CVO's and not because its the best value decision, they want the CVO.

 

[BillyBob]

If you can afford the cvo- get it.
You won't have to do anything to it except pipes and tuner and it will hold it value


Bill
www.Streetglide.com

 

[dwagent]

If you can afford the cvo- get it.
You won't have to do anything to it except pipes and tuner and it will hold it value


Bill
www.Streetglide.com

Thanks--so, any suggestions on how to get a good deal on one?

 

[dwagent]

So...I basically did this earlier this afternoon. I went to a HD dealer, and I asked to look at a CVO and an SGS, and I asked the sales guy to tell me the differences.

He said that the CVO has the bigger motor, plus the following: TPM (Tire Pressure Monitor), better rims, better pipes, upgraded intake, lighted handle switches, a headset connector, a better radio / speakers set up (4 3-way speakers, bigger amp, hidden antennae), better headlight, and full LED lighting package (bullet turn signals up front, integrated brake & turn signals on back fender), and a whole bunch of chrome and CVO badges that were too many to list. He also said it has special paint, and it was a limited production run (only 2500 CVOs made per model year).

He told me that he and someone in their parts department had already tried to (theoretically) turn a SGS into a CVO, and they came up with $48K...so the CVO was an awesome deal, he said. (to me, that's $12K over the $36K MSRP of the CVO, and $22K over the $26K MSRP of a SGS with upgraded paint).

I told him that I wasn't sure I wanted a CVO, and I wanted to take an SGS as close to a CVO as I could, so could he name all the add-on parts that I would need, and he came back with upgrading the stereo, hidden antennae, Daymaker headlight and LED lighting package...which he said would run $6K installed. This does NOT include upgraded rims (which he said were $1K each), upgraded pipes, upgraded intake, nor a bunch of chrome trim here and there...nor, of course, the TC110 engine.

Now the question is...is the bigger motor, the upgraded pipes/intake worth $4K? Plus there's the CVO "cool" factor, the limited production, the special paint/trim...not really easy to put a price on those things, they're worth something, but can't put numbers to it.

Although I know your point is that the sum is greater than the parts, I can't help but think about the parts...but I have to say, after learning more about what the CVO package includes, it's not as overpriced as I was thinking before...I mean, it's still a lot of money, but you are getting a lot more than just a bigger motor...

I am still putting together a list of parts that I would want to change up on an SGS, too...but the price is already coming within $2K or so of a CVO, and if that's where it's going, then I think I might just to go for it...

Still some thinking to do, but I appreciate the advice.



Also, thanks for your service!

 

[dwagent]

IMO, if you are going to throw some extras at it, get the special. With the extra money you save, you can make the SGS quicker and more suited for you while saving some coin. Options are endless. I was a little upset I didn't get the CVO but at the end of the day, I am glad I ended up with the SGS.

Thanks...I wasn't thinking of throwing too many extras on it, though, except to try and make it more like a CVO...do you still think it would be better to start with an SGS, or should I just go for the CVO?

What made the difference when you were deciding between an SGS and a CVO, did it mostly come down to value?

 

[dwagent]

If you're really after the chrome and speakers- Yes, you can get more chrome and an excellent audio system for less than 10K.

The 103 power is sufficient. If it isn't, there are options for that as well. What is your riding experience?

Have you tried renting a streetglide?

Yeah, I'm finding out that there is a crazy amount of customization options for HD...it's almost too much to sort through. I'm sure the TC103 has more than enough power/torque...but after doing a little more research at a local dealer, by the time I add up the upgrades to turn a SGS into a CVO, the prices actually come pretty close...but then there's the CVO "magic" that's indescribable, but closes the remaining gap.

Renting one is a great idea...I will definitely look into that, thanks!

 

[dwagent]

Thanks all for your ideas and suggestions...I'm still thinking about which way to go, but I'm already wondering about the next step, which is:

Thoughts on how to get a good deal on one of these things...?

I went to a dealer today, and checked out a CVO and an SGS.

He said the CVOs always sell for MSRP. He said they never work on the price, they always sell them at full sticker, there is always someone who wants one and will buy it. Come in, pick a color, pay your money, ride on out...that's how it works with a CVO. Is this true? Are there no deals on CVOs? He had a black one in the store, and he said any other color would be 2-3 weeks out.

On the SGSs, he said they had a little room on the price...a few hundred, maybe. What would be a good price on a stock 2016 SGS in Vivid Black...? Do they deal on the parts & labor? Any suggestions or advice on how to get the best deal?

There are other dealers in the area, but this is the closest one (service would be easier), and this dealership actually owns/operates several other dealerships, so it won't exactly be easy to shop around...

Anybody have experience buying from an out-of-state dealer and shipping it home? If it's a good idea, who are some dealers to call?

 

[scharrin]

I just added a Bad Dad front fender and CVO bags to my 2015. I have also added heated hand grips and a stage 1 upgrade with upgraded mustang seat and other do dads to the bike. I paid 20,500 for the SG and have added about 8 grand to it. Although not a CVO it is what I want and the stage 1 is plenty for myself for now.

 

[dwagent]

View attachment 8884
I just added a Bad Dad front fender and CVO bags to my 2015. I have also added heated hand grips and a stage 1 upgrade with upgraded mustang seat and other do dads to the bike. I paid 20,500 for the SG and have added about 8 grand to it. Although not a CVO it is what I want and the stage 1 is plenty for myself for now.

Thanks man. The front fender definitely catches your eye. When did you buy your 2015...in 2015, or as the 2016s were coming out?

A few other people have said that changing stuff on a CVO will drop it's value...is that true? I'm not thinking about performance parts, but...like, those heated grips sound like a great idea, and maybe some chrome around the mirrors or switches...stuff like that.