2016 Street Glide Special vs CVO...?

[dwagent]

That one guy has people at each store trying to make that dealership the best.
CVO price haggling depends on the market you're in. While I'm not familiar with Chicago, there are dealerships who will negotiate a little on the price (or extra goodies.) Even if they don't negotiate, don't let them charge over MSRP. If you wait until the 2017s are rolling out, dealers tend to be more willing to give big deals on their 2016 inventory.
For example, two years ago (just as 2015s came out) I negotiated a deal for a 2014 road king cvo almost 3k under MSRP... I had to really work at it- they didn't just offer that up- and then I changed my mind..... Anyway- it is possible depending on time, location, and dealer inventory to negotiate a price under MSRP for a CVO.

Lastly, check out seedealercost.com. That gives you a great idea of your negotiating room. Obviously the dealer needs to make money, but you'll know if they are making 1k or 7k off of you.

Well..timing is a factor, here, so unfortunately, I can't wait until the 2017's come out.

But thanks for the seedealercost.com tip. So is the idea to negotiate up from invoice, like with a car? For a car, I've heard that 5-10% is a fair markup to offer a dealer...same goes here, too?

 

[Dean]

When I bought my 2014 Sgs I did some research. You are obviously wanting upgrades and the dealer is more likely to include those into the price rather than discount the bike. So my bike was snickered at 23000 and change. I got 1500 dollars worth of accessories included, payed only what HD says the shipping costs.. Around 600 bucks, and assembly around 500 bucks. I also got a free helmet and 400 dollars in in store credit, 5 t shirts, and 20 percent off any additional accessories I bought at the time of purchase. So make a list of everything you want and get it at the beginning. Unless you want to pay more.


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[Designflaw]

Thanks. That's the main thing I'm asking myself...how much customization do I want to do? (in my case, it would be pay the dealer to do, because I don't have the tools or the know-how). I *WOULD* like to add some things like heated seats and grips, but otherwise, I don't think I would mess with too much, so maybe it would be better to go with the CVO and have it all done already.

The point about resale value is interesting, too.

Okay guy, I've watched all of your posts and most of your comments, and at this point from your feelings I believe you should just buy the CVO. you're not necessarily a customizer but you have things you want and as such CVO is the bike for you. so I would need to bend on my original comments about the value of a dollar in making your own because I don't believe that is your intent. You have things you want in a bike and it sounds like the CVO will give you what you want.

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[JimmyD]

Buy the cvo and customize it the way you want. It has too many stock option that are very expensive that you don't want to have to pay for.
Engine
Stereo
Remote locking bags to add this on special you have to change entire wiring harness
I have added lots of parts to mine and spent a tone of money. I would start with cvo if done again.

 

[us1]

Keep in mind if you bought a SGS and want to convert to CVO, you will pay for items twice. The items on the SGS you paid for when you purchased the SGS (wheels, fenders, seats, etc....) then turned around and removed those and bought new items to clone a CVO. Whereas a CVO comes with those items. Which explains why to clone a CVO cost more than just buying it, plus you'd still have a SGS when it comes to trade in.

 

[dwagent]

Okay guy, I've watched all of your posts and most of your comments, and at this point from your feelings I believe you should just buy the CVO. you're not necessarily a customizer but you have things you want and as such CVO is the bike for you. so I would need to bend on my original comments about the value of a dollar in making your own because I don't believe that is your intent. You have things you want in a bike and it sounds like the CVO will give you what you want.

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I mean...you're right, if I got the CVO, the only things that I think I would change would be to add heated seats and grips. And once it's set up, I probably won't change or add much to it ever again.

But with everyone talking about saving money by rolling your own...I mean, I like saving money...as much as the next guy, maybe more.

If it comes down to a $1-2K difference, it'd be a no brainer, but it's looking like I might be able to build an SGS the way I want for almost $5K less...that's why I'm still kicking it around.

 

[dwagent]

Keep in mind if you bought a SGS and want to convert to CVO, you will pay for items twice. The items on the SGS you paid for when you purchased the SGS (wheels, fenders, seats, etc....) then turned around and removed those and bought new items to clone a CVO. Whereas a CVO comes with those items. Which explains why to clone a CVO cost more than just buying it, plus you'd still have a SGS when it comes to trade in.

This is true. So CVOs hold their value at trade-in better than SGSs?

 

[Klmack]

farmboy- I think that's PERFECTLY stated. Most of us are on this blog because we don't have a CVO and are into making our bikes into OUR BIKES! The CVO's are sweet bikes, just not my style. The cost difference between a CVO and a Special is about a whopping $12k. That's a lot of play room for personalization. Oh yeah- if you are newish to this blog and you just got that sweet, brand new bone stock Street Glide home and think it's 'perfect', give it time.

 

[BillyBob]

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!

But you still don't have a CVO- and it won't
Hold its value


Bill
www.Streetglide.com

 

[scharrin]

So I will through in my 02. worth, I purchased a Superior Blue 2015 street glide, for 21,000 out the door with a 20,000 mile service agreement which includes Oil changes every 2500 until 20,0000, set of tires, and brakes and pick up and delivery if needed. I looked at the CVO also but could not justify the price in my own head. I have put all the things so far that I liked about the CVO on my bike, CVO bags, Heated Grips, Bad Dad front slammed front fender, D&D Headers and V&H Exhaust and Air Cleaner with a Thunder Max Auto Tuner. Mustang Seats, and many other little things that make it mine.

In short, I have spent an additional 6-7 grand and still fall well under the cost of a CVO which I can continue to make more individual and "mine"

Get what you want or afford.

 

[scharrin]

If you ride your bike it will not "hold" its value....only if you let it sit in the garage for a few years..you wont loose as much...never and I say never buy a bike to "hold" its value

Yea, I purchased a 2015, May 15, 2015...and just rolled 13,000 miles on the bike...so mine is loosing value every day...but then again I enjoy it every day too

 

[BluesBelly]

Let's see here, a guy drops $40k (neighborhood OTD number) on a CVO. Winds up with paint like every CVO, accessories like every CVO, and just another run of the mill CVO. Have fun!
Here's a little story to make my point;
Quite a few years ago wife and I were at the first Arizona Bike Week. Met another rider who lives in AZ but with Minnesota plates and rode with him for the day. Fast forward 1 1/2 years. Wife and I are in Minnesota at our favorite watering hole w Black Betty parked out front. The same guy from Arizona walks in and says "Hey man, recognized your bike". Had a nice visit.
Point is; I'd rather buy a stock bike and make it mine. Much more pride and satisfaction. My bike is an extension of me! Not another like it!

Blues

 

[LarryD]

I like the CVO but I completely agree, although they're cool, there all the same. I'd much rather buy a brand new stock bike and make it my own, which I did. To be very honest I could've bought a CVO and had 15K left over when compared to what's in mine, but that's ok because it's mine and I built it. First picture was when I bought her new, second is three years in the making.

 

[AngelAir]

I don't believe the "holds its value" line. Sure it's worth more on resale but you paid more up front. That 2500 number sounds good but in reality some CVO's come the same more than just one year. That fact they aren't limited to one production year runs the number produced up.
I bought my 15 SGS in Aug. 2015. I didn't get a great deal but I got what I wanted, when I wanted it.I haven't touched the motor...yet, but I have done a ton of other stuff to it. I've got $34K (or more) in my bike but it's unique, and what I want.

 

[Mojo]

Angelair- Its a beaut! I am with you one making it your own and the whole individuality thing. A Harley to me is like an expensive canvas just waiting to be painted in your colors!

 

[16FLHXS]

Another option would be to look into what the dealership has for "magnet" bikes, by this i mean dealerships will build a few one off bikes with a mix of parts usually pretty badass just to get people coming in to see it.
A local dealer to me had a SGS with a "storm trooper" scheme (black and white) the bike was already customized, with a price near a CVO but you would be hard pressed to find a similar bike i bet, and the work is already done, all you do is ride it!

 

[2016HDCVO]

When I got my CVO I was told that you couldn't buy the parts to make a SGS into a CVO without having a CVO vin number. Is that the case or could you get everything aftermarket?

 

[GlideLife]

When I got my CVO I was told that you couldn't buy the parts to make a SGS into a CVO without having a CVO vin number. Is that the case or could you get everything aftermarket?

I'm not certain how things are NOW, with the MoCo and their CVO's.
I had a 2001 carbed CVO Dyna Wide Glide 2 (first CVO to be manufactured at the "then CVO only York, PA. plant"), that I bought ((#2 of 1,457 made)) as a retirement present to myself back in Nov. 2000 (actually took delivery)... I had paid cash for it when we ordered it in March of 2000.

When I retired in July of 1999 & wanted a new Harley (always wanted one but couldn't afford them), the owner of the Harley dealer in my assigned patrol zone suggested to me that I wait awhile, if I could, as there was a SPECIAL surprise model coming out the following Sept. ...that's all he would tell me. He said it would be a great retirement present that I would be very proud to own. He called me in January after waiting over a year and riding my YAMAHA Star, and showed me pre production pics in Jan. 2000. I waited again after seeing the factory photos (this time 9 months), and he got me the 2nd one produced. The first went to a well known late night TV host. It was My First Harley. After a couple of my buds saw it, they tried to purchase the 25 carat gold leaf FLAME graphics set from SEVERAL different dealers. Could not get the hand applied graphics unless the ordering Dealer's had a verifiable CVO V.I.N., and the registered owner had to sign documents. I, of course refused to help them cheat the system with my NEW CVO.
Here's a pic after I got her back home. Spent 2 weeks at my buddy's shop taking the 131" motor and Baker 6 spd out (that I put in her in 2009) Put the orig. 88" (now built to 95 inch with a Mikuni 42 mm flat slide carb, SE 258's, re-ported SE HTCC heads and all the SE goodies (lifters, pushrods, valve springs, etc. and dyno'd at 109/111). The 131 was simply a timebomb! ...re-built it 3 times after going BOOM! At MOROSO drag strip.


I sold "Scarlet" at a well known auction in June of 2015 as I was preparing to buy my Street Glide. Made more at auction than the $24K I paid for her in Nov, 2000. A collector bought her. He had been looking for a perfect example of this model for 5 years. I gave him every stock OEM part I had taken off of her.

Here's a short video taken the day I got her home after removing the 131 and 6 speed tranny, and putting the original 88" / 95" back in her, along with the OEM 5 speed tranny. Way more fun and very reliable, but she was basically a "First Harley" trophy that I only rode to bike shows and bike nights. She served me well, though.
I still have the framed Dealer Poster of my CVO model that the late Phil Peterson of Petersons Harley Davidson of Miami gave me after they had sold their last allotted one. It's hanging on the wall in my home office. The caption on the poster reads ,"CARS HAVE TO BE ON FIRE AND UPSIDE DOWN TO GET THIS MUCH ATTENTION"

http://youtu.be/NstSAxCLn0s

 

[dwagent]

Great looking bike! That red and the flames are definitely eye-catching...or more like eye-popping!

I'm not certain how things are NOW, with the MoCo and their CVO's.
I had a 2001 carbed CVO Dyna Wide Glide 2 (first CVO to be manufactured at the "then CVO only York, PA. plant"), that I bought ((#2 of 1,457 made)) as a retirement present to myself back in Nov. 2000 (actually took delivery)... I had paid cash for it when we ordered it in March of 2000.

When I retired in July of 1999 & wanted a new Harley (always wanted one but couldn't afford them), the owner of the Harley dealer in my assigned patrol zone suggested to me that I wait awhile, if I could, as there was a SPECIAL surprise model coming out the following Sept. ...that's all he would tell me. He said it would be a great retirement present that I would be very proud to own. He called me in January after waiting over a year and riding my YAMAHA Star, and showed me pre production pics in Jan. 2000. I waited again after seeing the factory photos (this time 9 months), and he got me the 2nd one produced. The first went to a well known late night TV host. It was My First Harley. After a couple of my buds saw it, they tried to purchase the 25 carat gold leaf FLAME graphics set from SEVERAL different dealers. Could not get the hand applied graphics unless the ordering Dealer's had a verifiable CVO V.I.N., and the registered owner had to sign documents. I, of course refused to help them cheat the system with my NEW CVO.
Here's a pic after I got her back home. Spent 2 weeks at my buddy's shop taking the 131" motor and Baker 6 spd out (that I put in her in 2009) Put the orig. 88" (now built to 95 inch with a Mikuni 42 mm flat slide carb, SE 258's, re-ported SE HTCC heads and all the SE goodies (lifters, pushrods, valve springs, etc. and dyno'd at 109/111). The 131 was simply a timebomb! ...re-built it 3 times after going BOOM! At MOROSO drag strip.
View attachment 9359

I sold "Scarlet" at a well known auction in June of 2015 as I was preparing to buy my Street Glide. Made more at auction than the $24K I paid for her in Nov, 2000. A collector bought her. He had been looking for a perfect example of this model for 5 years. I gave him every stock OEM part I had taken off of her.

Here's a short video taken the day I got her home after removing the 131 and 6 speed tranny, and putting the original 88" / 95" back in her, along with the OEM 5 speed tranny. Way more fun and very reliable, but she was basically a "First Harley" trophy that I only rode to bike shows and bike nights. She served me well, though.
I still have the framed Dealer Poster of my CVO model that the late Phil Peterson of Petersons Harley Davidson of Miami gave me after they had sold their last allotted one. It's hanging on the wall in my home office. The caption on the poster reads ,"CARS HAVE TO BE ON FIRE AND UPSIDE DOWN TO GET THIS MUCH ATTENTION"

http://youtu.be/NstSAxCLn0s

 

[dwagent]

When I got my CVO I was told that you couldn't buy the parts to make a SGS into a CVO without having a CVO vin number. Is that the case or could you get everything aftermarket?

I was told (just a couple of days ago) that some CVO parts can NOT be obtained any where else or any way else except through HD, directly, through a dealer, and the dealer has to submit the VIN and proof of ownership. There is a lot of CVO-grade stuff that you CAN get aftermarket, but not everything...I don't have a complete list of unobtainable things, though...but it definitely includes CVO badges and trim, some of the accessories (you get a special gold-plated key for a CVO bike, for example, and a all-season cover, etc...nothing NECESSARY, but little things that add to the "ownership experience").