Harley-Davidson CVO (for Custom Vehicle Operations) motorcycles are a family of models created by Harley-Davidson for the factory custom market. For every model year since the program's inception in 1999, Harley-Davidson has chosen a small selection of its mass-produced motorcycle models and created limited-edition customizations of those platforms with larger-displacement engines, costlier paint designs, and additional accessories not found on the mainstream models.[1] Special features for the CVO lineup have included performance upgrades from Harley's "Screamin' Eagle" branded parts, hand-painted pinstripes, ostrich leather on seats and trunks, gold leaf incorporated in the paint, and electronic accessories like GPS navigation systems and iPod music players.
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CVO models are produced in Harley-Davidson's York, Pennsylvania plant, where touring and Softail models are also manufactured. In each model year, CVO models feature larger-displacement engines than the mainstream models, and these larger-displacement engines make their way into the normal "big twin" line within a few years when CVO models are again upgraded. Accessories created for these customized units are sometimes offered in the Harley-Davidson accessory catalog for all models in later years, but badging and paint are kept exclusively for CVO model owners, and cannot be replaced without providing proof of ownership to the ordering dealer.
2007 CVO models introduced the 110 inch Twin Cam motor in all models (the Softail used the 110B counterbalanced version).
In 2009, Harley-Davidson dropped the "Screamin' Eagle" name from its CVO models and began to refer to them as simply "CVO."
Although CVO models carry a higher manufacturer's suggested retail price than the models from which they are derived and than the competing touring and cruiser motorcycles with which they compete, reviewers generally note that the price is a good value for the customizations they buy:
Depending on the model, a CVO cruiser can easily crest $32,000. But CVO customers willingly accept what otherwise would make many riders spew a mouthful of American pilsner in disbelief the second a CVO’s price tag was revealed. However, the seasoned Harley CVO owner is perhaps wiser than their spendy ways indicate, for hidden in a CVO’s price is surprising value when it comes to a custom-style bike... straightaway we have to spend $10,500 just to begin turning a vanilla SG into something of a CVO. But remember that the CVO paint is exclusive to CVO, and done primarily by hand, so obtaining equivalent custom paint would easily push past $5300. Factor in the CVO Street Glide’s premium sound system with six very loud speakers, up-spec chrome wheels with style-matching brake rotors, custom-style seat with unique stitching, an entire package of stylish chrome accented components, ABS as standard, security system with alarm, and the CVO’s additional $13Gs starts looking a like deal if you’re hot for a top-shelf Harley.
The program targets what Harley-Davidson calls its "Alpha Customer," one who is brand loyal and who prides themselves on riding the best The Motor Company has to offer. They're a person who realizes if they went out and sourced a higher performance engine, got their stock bike custom painted, and decked it out in as much chrome as a CVO they'd be footing an even bigger bill than the list price of a CVO.