2009 Harley-Davidson CVO Road Glide Reviews

2009 Harley-Davidson CVO Road Glide

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First Reviewed August 24, 2009 Found in CVO, Harley-Davidson Motorcycle Reviews

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Each year the Harley-Davidson CVO team picked a few models from the main lineup, overhaul them, and then release them as premium editions that have a lot in common with their roots but plenty to stand out as well. While the Road Glide has been a member of the CVO lineup twice in past years it was last seen in dealer showrooms in 2000. After a nine year hiatus, the H-D management team decided that it was time for the Road Glide to once again have its turn in the spotlight. Here's some of the highlights.

As with most models in the touring lineup, the CVO Road Glide has arrived on the scene in 2009 with a newly redesigned frame. This new backbone is more adept as providing a smooth ride even with the the 110 cubic-inch Screamin' Eagle powerhouse settled in. New front fork and rear shocks also are integrated to add to the improved ride quality. The new Touring chassis also incorporates a new motor-mount system that reduces engine shake at idle, a new 2-1-2 exhaust system with a one-piece front exhaust shield, and a new 180 mm Dunlop Multi-Tread rear tire that offers longer tread life and 27 percent more luggage payload.

Where power is concerned, the CVO group showed little restraint in tuning out the Screamin’ Eagle Twin Cam 110 engine. This beast provides 110 cubic inches of American V-Twin muscle and is the largest engine offered by Harley-Davidson. Available only on CVO models, the Electronic Sequential Port Fuel Injection (ESPFI) Twin Cam 110 produces 115 ft. lbs. of torque at 4000 rpm and features electronic throttle control and a heavy-duty, self-adjusting clutch with hydraulic actuation. The motor itself is finished out in a CVO-only granite powdercoat topped with chrome covers, and features a new “110 Screamin’ Eagle” badge on the air cleaner cover insert. The engine breathes through a new air cleaner cover with an exposed Stage 1 Screamin’ Eagle element, and the exhaust is ported out through four-inch chrome touring mufflers with chrome billet end caps. A custom oil cooler has a chrome cover with the CVO logo.

With a firm foundation set in both the frame and powertrain, CVO engineers turned to adding layers of chrome and signature Harley-Davidson components. In order to cut down on the overall profile, composite skirts are added to the saddlebag bottoms and wrap over the exhaust pipe outlets. Instead of the traditional fender-mounted lights and signals typically found on the standard Road Glide, the CVO model get an integrated LED light system featuring stop, turn, and tail lights all-in-one. Due in part to a change in overall dimensions, the front fender has been lowered about ¾” through the use of a newly milled mounting bracket which allows the fender to cover a new 18” front wheel.

Rider comfort begins with a new low-profile, two-up seat with Buffalo inserts and a matching passenger backrest. The new Touring exhaust system creates more space between the passenger and the exhaust pipe, producing less heat. The new frame increases passenger leg room behind the calves by about 5/8 inch. Brembo brakes with ABS are standard equipment, as is cruise control, two-speaker AM/FM/WB/CD/MP3 Advanced Audio System by Harman /Kardon, and air-adjustable rear suspension.

A chrome tank console has a push-button fuel door and a new insert with the CVO logo. The hand and foot controls are from the Rumble Collection, with matching mirrors, saddlebag latches and passenger footpegs. Handlebars are internally wired for a clean look. A security system with smart siren, a CVO indoor cover and unique Harley-Davidson CVO gold ignition key with display box are included.

As CVO buyers tend to gravitate to extra chrome, designers made generous use of the plated metal on the CVO Road Glide starting with the chromed front end, chrome billet rear brake and shift levers, chrome switch housings and master cylinders. Chrome accents don’t stop there either but are incorporated throughout the entire machine in a generous yet refined manner.

Finally we come to the trademark styling element of the CVO Road Glide. Namely, the frame-mounted, aerodynamic fairing which, on this version of the motorcycle, gets a full custom treatment from CVO. The inner fairing panel is color-matched and carries gauges with spun-aluminum faces. The two-inch gauges are back-lit. The headlight area is revised with new trim that discards the clear headlight cover used on the regular-production Road Glide. New headlight lenses are hardened. The fairing is topped with a black, low-profile wind deflector and trim assembly.

Aproximately 3,000 examples of this Harley will roll off the York, PA assembly line in 2009 and they will be made available in three color combinations including Yellow Pearl with Charcoal Slate, Stardust Silver with Titanium Dust, and Electric Orange with Vivid Black.

Reviews of the 2009 Harley-Davidson CVO Road Glide are found below. Please write a review of your own if you have experience with this particular bike as others riders may be considering buying one and will be interested to know if it is worth the extra coin when all things are considered. Be sure to place your review in the proper place too as we have had a few instances of people leaving write-ups for the traditional ’09 Road Glide here by accident. Also, feel free to email photos of your bike to pictures@hdreviewspot.net and we’ll be sure to include them in the ’09 CVO Road Glide photo gallery.