Harley-Davidson CVO ELECTRA GLIDE ULTRA CLASSIC 1800 FLHTCUSE8 2013 — Specifications

How can one justify, in the age of hyper-tourers loaded with electronics, spending nearly forty thousand euros on a 430-kilo machine displaying a power output of 96 horsepower? The answer lies in the name itself: CVO. For Harley-Davidson, these three letters signify more than just a finish; it's a philosophy, a promise of exclusivity applied here to the ultimate flagship, the Electra Glide Ultra Classic. One doesn't buy a simple motorcycle, one acquires a piece of motorized legend, a concentrate of American craftsmanship where every bolt seems to tell a story.

Its heart beats to the rhythm of an 110 Twin Cam of 1803 cm3, a 45° V-twin engine whose long stroke and prodigious torque of 154.9 Nm define its character far more than its pure power. Forget stratospheric revs; here, the magic operates at low engine speeds, with that visceral surge and deep sound that vibrates the soul and the frame. This engine, coupled with a six-speed gearbox of legendary robustness, is not designed for top speeds, but to devour endless highways with sovereign nonchalance. Its speedometer may display 170 km/h at the top end, but its true cruising speed is that of absolute comfort.

For it is there that its domain truly lies. With complete equipment including an electric windscreen, integrated saddlebags, a high-end audio system, and pneumatic suspension, this tourer is a veritable launchpad on two wheels. The rider settles into an armchair, protected from the elements, rocked by the rumble of the big twin and the stability of a fully-loaded weight approaching half a ton. Maneuverability in the city or in mountain passes is obviously compromised by these 430 kg, but that is not the objective. This machine is made for the straight line, for road trips where the destination is less important than the feeling of being in control of an institution.

Faced with the competition, such as the ultra-technological Gold Wings or the BMW K 1600 with its overactive inline-six engine, the CVO Electra Glide fully embraces its relative obsolescence. Its double cradle frame, classic telescopic fork, and 300 mm dual-disc braking system appear simple, almost rudimentary. But that is precisely what appeals to its clientele: connoisseurs, brand purists for whom the authenticity of the V-Twin and the inimitable style take precedence over the specs sheet. It is a passionate choice, a tribute to the American road trip, far more than a rational purchase.

Ultimately, this CVO is a radical proposition. It superbly ignores the pursuit of performance to focus on the sensory experience and the status. It is aimed at the experienced globetrotter, collector, or loyal Harley rider, who seeks the ultimate expression of the traditional tourer, with all the prestige and limitations that entails. At this price, one might expect more technology, but one is actually paying for a piece of mythology, rolling and rumbling.