If you are looking to impress your friends with a motorcycle and don’t want the hassle of doing it yourself, well have I got a bike for you! Harley-Davidson’s CVO Softail Convertible is a custom ride that I am sure will get you all kinds of looks. The nice thing about the bike is that it is all factory done so it is under warranty, which for me is well worth the $33,000 price tag.
Looking at the Convertible for the first time, I was a little intimidated as this is a big bike and I’m used to riding bikes half the size, so I just hoped I could handle it all. The “Ape-Hanger” handlebars seem to change the whole dynamic look of the bike, again something you have to get used to. It all harked back to the movie “Easy Rider” and the first custom motorcycles the world was exposed to.
What I really like about the bike was all the nice custom touches that Harley has added to it. The handgrips are chrome steel and rubber strips, which look impressive and the mirrors with the drilled risers. Nice little touches like internal wiring and tubes routed through the handlebars are impressive. Now if you like chrome, the Convertible has lots of it like the front forks, tank-mounted instruments, five spoke wheels, in addition to diverse little items.
If you were wondering what gives the Convertible its name, it’s the fact that the parts come off on the bike with the flick of a lever. This includes the windshield, saddlebags and sissy-bar/rear seat. Once everything is removed I have to say the bike takes on a whole new look. In one way, you’re ready for cruising around the city with a naked bike and when you’re ready to travel, you are prepared with all the extras.
Once on the way, it took a few minutes to get oriented with its size and handling characteristics, but the big Convertible was not all that bad to ride. I have to admit I wouldn’t be taking it into tight quarters very often as its size doesn’t make it very nimble, but with time I am sure one’s confidence will build and weaving in and out of traffic will become second nature.
Take note that the seat height is fairly low, so people with shorter legs like myself will find it easy to stop and balance the bike. While we are talking about seating, I found the Convertibles’ seat comfortable despite its rather custom look. I didn’t do more than 2-hours at a stretch, but when I got off the bike, my rear end didn’t feel too bad.
Harley-Davidson never gives the true horsepower of the bikes, but they do give the torque, which is the real measure of power off the line. The 110 Cu. In. (1.8L) V-twin cylinder pumps out an earth thumping 105lb.ft. of torque. Off the line, the Convertible is very quick and then tapers off as it climbs through the higher RPM’s.
I have to admit, as did my wife who is not a rider, that the Convertible was an attractive bike. I personally might not go for the high ape-hanger handlebars, but maybe when adjusted to my arm length, they might not be too bad. With its custom paint and attractive styling, the Convertible really does have curb appeal.
By Glen Konorowski