Harley-Davidson CVO 105th Anniversary FLHTCUSE3 Screamin' Eagle Ultra Classic Electra Glide
Ολο αυτο που διαβασατε ειναι το ονομα της νεας harhaley davidson
Πηγη: www.motorcyclists-online.com
Only Harley-Davidson can produce a motorcycle named by 84 characters! The 2008 Harley CVO Ultra in the 105th Anniversary paint scheme is something very special. We tested the saddle of the flagship tourer on US motorways.
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All Harley-Davidson Tourers and VRSCs come with the ABS option in 2008. The Motor Company has remained sceptical to ABS for a long time, but Bill Davidson himself told me at the launch that he is now hooked. The Harley-Davidson Police models have featured ABS for a while, but now Harley has launched a highly sophisticated un-linked ABS system developed exclusively for Harley-Davidson.
Where are those damn ABS rings I wondered whilst bending over to inspect the front wheel? I needed some expert advice and asked if Bill Davidson would mind telling me all about the new ABS system.
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I could see Mr. Davidsons eyes brighten behind his glasses when I asked him. This is big news for the Motor Company and rather than just hiring a few experts to implement an existing ABS system on its models Harley demanded a new system. Harley-Davidsons ABS system is covertly mounted within the wheel hubs so that any Harley-Davidson with ABS still looks exactly the same as it always did. Harley-Davidson refused to accept that they had to attach an ugly metal ring next to its brake discs.
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Innovation is motivated by several factors in Harley-Davidson and the bi-effect of the clean looking front wheel is according to Bill Davidson a much lighter ABS system than dictated by convention. Small magnets are in place within the wheel hubs that measure all the extensive data needed to operate the ABS system efficiently. The data is fed into a brand new ECU unit that also takes care of the fly-by-wire throttle! I never thought I’d mention neither ABS nor Fly-by-wire in an article written about Harley-Davidson as I have only tried it myself on a Yamaha R6, R1, Suzuki GSX-R1000 and Aprilia SL750 Shiver yet. Then Harley-Davidson launches it that plans its strategies 10 years at a time! I bend over in the dust in awe for the boldness of this move! Like fuel injection, fly-by-wire will soon be the norm on all motorcycles.
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I take a seat in the big and comfortable seat of the Ultra. But not before admiring the limited edition Crystal Copper/Black Onyx 105th anniversary paint job with real gold-leaf pinstripes. I just couldn’t take my eyes off the Ultra and Road King where the Ultra is just more to describe it in one word. The Ultra Classic Electra Glide is one hell of an impressive sight even to experienced motor journalists. This is a celebration in every aspect of the word. Engineering, finish, technical finesse and comfort all in one. Harley-Davidson will make a maximum of 1050 of the 105th Ann CVO Springer, but probably a few less than that of the big expensive Touring models. (For 2008 the 105th anniversary paint scheme stretches also outside of the CVO {Custom Vehicle Operations} label into two Sportsters, three Softails, two Tourers and one Dyna but without the special two-tone paint with gold-leaf.
Impressed as I am by the flawless exterior, I am not less impressed by the features and interior you can see from the rider’s seat. The features that are standard on the CVO Ultra Classic Electra Glide are just everything that can be thrown at a Touring motorcycle. Built in navigation system, Harman-Kardon 160-watt stereo/radio, cruise control and heated seats to mention some. There is a lot of different buttons though and after a days riding I still don’t know my way around all of them. Not as intuitive and simple as they could be and the Electra has not got an adjustable windscreen.
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On the motorway it’s evident that there’s something special between my legs powering this grandest of tourers. The new Twin Cam 110 (1803cc) is powering all the CVO models and in the Ultra it is absolutely perfect. A full 156Nm (@3.000rpm) of torque is unleashed from the word go and with a broiler like the CVO Ultra, that weighs more than 20 kilos more even than the standard Ultra Classic Electra Glide, it is needed. The claimed dry-weight is 391.9kg and in running order that equates to a busty 409kg. Add a rider and some luggage and you are a full half metric tonne rolling down the highway! The reason it is so heavy is due to all the extra equipment that is standard and you do get a thumping 1803cc V-twin lump thrown in rather than the standard 1583cc engine.
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But it’s just on the motorway we are and it all feels great. At speed I preferred to cruise at 70mph rather than 55, but that’s just the nature of the beast of a V-twin engine. The 110 is truly addictive, but never more suitable than in the Ultra. It’s just right and when we do hit a red light entering town I can easily open the throttle and get rolling. Not at any time during the test did I experience anything with the electronic throttle that made me think of it. The 110 is such an exciting engine if you want it to be and it effectively teased me down from the 6th overdrive gear into the torque rush of third a few times. However, the power is there also in 6th and the torque makes sure that passing endless lines of SUV’s and pick-up trucks the size of European lorries is a breeze. The front end of the Ultra some times didn’t feel as extravagant as the good CVO looks would suggest. I am not sure whether this is caused by that little fly-screen (ehrm) attached to the fork or what. I didn’t like those movements on the motorway regardless of cause.
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I got the chance to test the Ultra’s ABS brakes on some gravel. Brembo makes the callipers where power is applied using the anti-spin only when needed. I admit I was a bit apprehensive before applying full force on the front only on the gravel. No way would I have been able to rescue half a metric tonne stranding on the gravel like a whale coming on shore. -So I did test the rear first before testing the front alone. I was relieved straight away, the CVO Ultra Glide felt just like any other ABS bike I have ever ridden. Some pulses feedbacks that the ABS is in operation and I stop safely on the gravel. Neat.
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I quite like the fact that the ABS system including sensors and ECU unit is hidden in the wheel hubs and under the seat respectively. The fact that they are separated is also appealing as it gives me an element of control even with ABS. After riding the CVO Ultra I am not sure whether I would want such a big and heavy touring bike without ABS. That’s how good the Harley-Davidson ABS system is.
On a twisty section on an A road I was surprised by how well the big Tourer handled sharp bends. Having swapped between the different CVO’s all day I’d say the Ultra is the best handling bike out of the CVO’s we rode. With a 22.7 litre new fuel capacity you can cover some ground too.
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Conclusion
Oh so desirable but oh so out of my league at $35.490! The ultimate Harley-Davidson flagship model is not on offer for just anyone that’s for sure. If you are one of the few that is lucky enough to get hold of a 105th limited edition CVO Ultra you can expect it to keep its value probably another 105 years though. Every conceivable feature is added and the hand-built quality of the CVO finish is to die for. -Shame about the front end for the riding part and a complicated button system for operating it all. The ABS brakes fronted by Brembo are absolutely a great improvement in the safety department and the ride-by-wire throttle made no fuss about itself and that is as it should be. The 105th CVO Ultra is the ultimate touring dream bike
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