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Visionary
Posts: 3006
San Antonio, TX | On Sunday,November 14 I went to Caliente Harley Davidson here in San Antonio.
Due to my own time limitations, I only had enough time to take three rides.
First, was the most Vision like ride they make....the CVO Road Glide with a cost of $35,999. It had the SE110 engine.
I was impressed with its wind protection, comfort, ride, power heated grips and seat. At highway speeds the wind was into the helmet enough that I was reaching for switch to raise the windshild. So, the major missing item that I use often on the Vision is the motorized windshield. I did have quite a reach to get to the kick stand...plus the seat height was very tall for my short legs.
Second was the Ultra Limited with a cost of $23,699. It was outfitted with the Twin Cam 103 engine.
Less wind protection at the knees and more buffeting in the helmet. No heated seat but it had headed grips. Notably less power then I did have quite a reach to get to the kick stand again...plus the seat height was very tall for my short legs.
Third, I rode the Tri Glide Ultra Classic with a cost of $30,499. It comes stock with the Twin Cam 103 engine.
Riding a trike really can twist up a brain. You have to watch a video and do figure eights in the parking lot before you are allowed to take it on the road. Good thing too. When you stop...do not put you feet down. Really, just try doing that right after riding many miles on a motorcycle.
I could not get my brain to turn it when I started my demo figure eights...You have to pull on the bar on the inside of the turn....not just lean on it. OK, I got that done...the brain is rewired....lets hit the road.
All in all it was a scary ride. The bumps in the road made the front end of the Tri Glide move all over the place. Taking turns flat instead of leaning is strange. Plus, reflectors used in lane markers let you know that you are wide...pull into you lane.
If I had to ride a trike I would....but I would not have one to ride for fun.
Ride Safe
Edited by radioteacher 2010-11-21 12:43 PM
(CVORoadGlide.jpg)
(UltraLimited.jpg)
(TriGlide.jpg)
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 CVORoadGlide.jpg (58KB - 0 downloads)
UltraLimited.jpg (58KB - 0 downloads)
TriGlide.jpg (54KB - 0 downloads)
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Cruiser
Posts: 273
Midlothian, Va. | I rode a Wing trike back in the summer and when I get too old for two wheels I'll just quite ridding. Was not fun to ride. |
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Visionary
Posts: 3204
Memphis | I'd like to ride a pre-'09 Road Glide and then a new one just to see how big the difference really is. Everybody that rides the new ones really likes them. A guy at work is looking at upgrading from an '08 RG to a new Road Glide Ultra (with the trunk) $23,699. Definitely the most Vision-like with the frame mounted fairing. |
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Tourer
Posts: 353
| How'd the power feel on the CVO Road Glide compared to your Vision? |
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Cruiser
Posts: 162
Northern NJ | Nice write-up.
We test rode a HD Trike last year it Americade. I'm man enough to admit it freaked me out completely! |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 1117
Northeast Ohio | I rode a CVO Road Glide 2 years ago at Daytona Bike Week. The one I rode only had a blade windshield and offered NO wind protection. It also didn't have the trunk back then and was orange and black. Couple that to 45 degrees and it made for a very cold ride. It felt pretty powerful, but not as much as my cammed VV.
Edited by ScoreBo 2010-11-21 6:09 PM
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Visionary
Posts: 3006
San Antonio, TX | I forgot to add that the Dealership was first class all the way. I love going to Caliente Harley Davidson...If I was to buy an HD I would have to give them a shot at the deal.
This CVO Road Glide had a taller windshield then I have seen on most. It came to about the level of my mouth.
It was cool enough to evaluate the wind protection of the windshield, fairing and lowers on this CVO as a system of wind protection. All I can say is it was really good. I really felt the difference when I took out the Ultra Limited.
The Ultra Limited was good everywhere except at the knees. Plus the buffeting at the helmet at highway speeds.
Power:
The SE 110 in the CVO was the first HD engine that I ever felt had the torque close to that of my 2008 Vision with S1L2 pipes (no cams). In a group ride it is hard to really play and be safe.
What I did was...While running at 50 to 55 mph I would down shift to 4th and open the throttle a bit quickly.....Really nice pull as expected....then I shifted in 5th at the same speeds and did the same throttle movement. This is where most HD's I have been on...pull very slooooooowly. Well not the SE 110. In 5th at 55mph it wanted to really run...not just make noise.
The two features that my brother has on his CVO Ultra that I am lustful for my Vision are the remote locks and a hydraulic clutch that has a much lighter pull. Man it is so slick just walking up to the bike and pressing a remote and it all unlocks. His clutch and these CVO clutches are smooth as butter. On my Vision I pull as hard or harder then a cable clutch......For the love of God tell me WHY?
I am not buying a CVO Road Glide since I already ride a bike that fits me better.
On the way out of the dealership I could really feel the difference...The lower seat, the windshield further away and the instruments on a nice line of site....I was a Vision Pilot again.....not just a rider. I do not have the words to describe it.....just ride a Vision to an HD demo and find out yourself on the way home.
P.S. I stalled the engine as I started to ride out of the parking slot....I just laughed it off....so did others but I did not care....I just thumbed the starter and rode away.
Ride Safe |
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Tourer
Posts: 395
Moravia, IA | 3 wheels takes a bit getting used to....one of the bikes in my small collection is a Ural sidecar rig.
3 wheels CAN be fun.....aint no reason to quit riding. I fire it up and go ride in 2 feet of snow, put around town before the plow trucks even get out.
How can that NOT be fun? |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 1117
Northeast Ohio | RT, I sent to victory that we need central locking like the BMW k1200lt. I am jealous when I ride with my buddy who has it. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 204
West Knoxville TN | Nice write up. Thanks. |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | Thanks for the review RT.
I'm afraid to test ride an HD because I might buuubwwwhaaaaa,haaaa,haaaaaa, haaaa, haaaa 
I kill myself sometimes....
Edited by varyder 2010-11-22 1:41 PM
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Visionary
Posts: 1308
Sand Rock, AL United States | I used to have a sidecar rig too. Hated driving it. One 3 wheeler I loved was the Spyder , the touring version . If I get to a point in my life that I can't handle 2 wheels , 3 is still better than 4 and at this point there would be only one choice for me, The Spyder RT |
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