Harley-Davidson FLSTSE CVO Softail Convertible 2011 — Specifications

Can a motorcycle truly have two souls? With the 2011 FLSTSE CVO Softail Convertible, Harley-Davidson boldly attempted to merge grand touring and pure custom styling into a single chassis. Here we have a machine that weighs in at 343 kilograms (756 lbs) fully fueled, a substantial mass that immediately announces its road-going character. Yet, the concept is seductive: thanks to a compact fairing and quickly removable leather saddlebags, tool-free, the machine transforms. In a few minutes, the touring liner gives way to a sleek cruiser, with a solo seat that highlights its vibrant paintwork and chrome trim. This is the true game of this Softail, an assumed duality that prevents it from being confined to a single role.

Under the nearly 20-liter (5.3 gallon) tank beats the large Twin Cam 110 V-Twin engine with 1802 cm3 (110 cubic inches), an architecture that remains Milwaukee’s indelible signature. With 96 horsepower and 149 Nm (110 lb-ft) of torque available from 3000 rpm, it’s not about the excess of raw numbers, but about the control of a smooth and authoritative propulsion, typical of large Harleys. Top speed is around 170 km/h (106 mph), which is sufficient to eat up the highway, but it is especially at relaxed speeds that this engine thrives, accompanied by a deep sound that is part of the package. The six-speed transmission and belt drive ensure a certain mechanical serenity. For the frame, Harley remains faithful to its Softail architecture, with this rear suspension hidden that gives this characteristic line of rigidity, even if, on paper, comfort does not reach that of a Gold Wing or an Indian Chieftain.

Where the CVO shows its claws is in the equipment and finish. The 2011 edition brings notable improvements, particularly to the dashboard with a new chrome tank console and integrated digital meters. The audio also receives an update with 89 mm speakers and a 20W amplifier per channel, powered by a dedicated iPod Nano housed in a protective pouch. It’s detail, care, but it’s also what is expected of a CVO edition, the brand’s high-end range. The leather finishes, particularly the buffalo leather inserts on the saddlebags and seat, contribute to this luxurious and raw atmosphere. For braking, we remain with a single disc at the front and rear, a choice that may seem light for a motorcycle of this size, probably prioritizing aesthetics over pure efficiency.

On the handlebars, you quickly understand the target audience: the Harley touring rider who refuses to make concessions on style. The position is classic, the 665 mm (26.2 inch) high seat is accessible, but the weight is felt at low speed. It is clearly not made for tight urban traffic; its element is the open road, the long straightaways where its torque and relative comfort shine. For a price of around 31,000 euros at the time, you were buying above all a mechanical work of art with two facets, much more than a performance machine. Facing a Moto Guzzi California or a Honda Valkyrie, it doesn’t play in the same league; it sells an experience, an identity, and this unique ability to change personality with a flick of the wrist. This is its greatest asset, and perhaps its only real argument against competitors who are often more versatile and technical.