Harley-Davidson CVO 1800 SOFTAIL CONVERTIBLE FLSTSE 2011 — Specifications

So, the Harley-Davidson CVO Softail Convertible, is a machine that poses a simple but fundamental question: can you really have two motorcycles in one? That's the gamble of this machine, a kind of mechanical role-playing game where the same frame must embody the roles of a hard-core custom and an equipped touring bike. With its 342 kilograms all fueled up, it’s not lightweight, but that’s the weight of its ambitions. The concept is seductive: a compact fairing and leather saddlebags, designed to be fitted and removed without tools, allow you to switch from a tourer to a solo cruiser in a few minutes. It's practical, but it's also a test. Does the motorcycle's identity remain consistent in this transformation?

Technically, it is based on the familiar Softail platform, with its 45° V-twin engine of 1803 cc. The figures are typically Harley: 96 horsepower, which is not staggering, but a torque of 128.5 Nm from 2500 rpm, the signature of an engine that prefers low-end thrust to a crazy rush. This engine, coupled with a six-speed gearbox and a belt drive, offers a constant propulsion feel, ideal for long straight roads or wide turns, but it will never be the weapon of a track rider. The announced top speed of 170 km/h fits well with its universe: that of travel, not extreme performance.

The touring equipment is well thought out. The smoked windshield, the saddlebags, and even the audio system revised in 2011 with its 89 mm speakers and 20 W amplifier per channel, are housed in a redesigned fork. They make this Harley a motorcycle capable of eating up miles with a certain comfort. But when these elements are removed, the transformation is radical. A streamlined look is revealed, dominated by vibrant paint and sparkling chrome. The wide rear fender, the two-piece chrome tank console, the digital meters, all take on a different dimension, more aesthetic, more exhibitionist. It is here that the motorcycle speaks to a different audience, those who want a custom for urban posing or stylish rides.

The problem, in my opinion, is that this duality is not without cost, both literally and figuratively. At 31,000 euros, it is a significant investment. And on the road, the weight remains a constant factor, whatever costume is worn. The suspension, with a 38 mm fork and lateral shock absorbers, is designed for stability and a certain comfort, but it does not mask the mass of the machine. Compared to other touring customs, it offers a unique flexibility, but it perhaps sacrifices specialization. A BMW R 1200 C of the time, or even some Indians, had a more defined identity, either touring or cruiser.

In conclusion, this CVO Softail Convertible is an interesting proposition for the rider who refuses to choose. It is made for those who want to be able, on the same day, to set off on a multi-hour road trip and then, in the evening, present themselves in town on a streamlined and chrome machine. However, it requires a certain adherence to the Harley philosophy: the priority given to aesthetics, feeling, and modular lifestyle rather than pure technical efficiency. It is a motorcycle for enthusiasts, collectors, or those who consider their two-wheeled vehicle as a variable geometry accessory of life, not simply a means of transport.