Comments on: New 2009 CVO Softail Springer

By: Dave

Dave — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 21:13:00 +0000

I am also an owner of an 09 springer cvo. I admit it took a little time to adjust to this bike. After a couple of weeks of riding I have to say I would not go back to my old rice burner or sportster. Non stop compliments as well as a bike that when learned to ride handles great !. The only complaint is that I get a fine mist of oil from the screaming eagle Air filter connection. It sprays against the oil tank cover. I have had the gasket replaced and still find a mild mist. Has anyone else had this problem ?

By: Ron Bolen

Ron Bolen — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 17:16:07 +0000

I’m 61 years old and have ridden all kinds of bikes. I own 3 Harleys and love them all. Electra-Glide, Sporster, and 07 CVO 110 inch Softail Springer. All three are different in ride and performance. Springer handles best of all and countless people compliment the looks of the bike. If you want a motorcycle get a Harley. If you just need to bitch about something , get a Honda!

By: Don M

Don M — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 21:44:26 +0000

I have a 2009 cvo fat bob love it runs good i also have a 2009 v max runs like a bat out of hell and handles great
both are great to ride i get a diffrent reaction from each bike of corse the fat bob sure gets a lot of attention
i just purchased a 2009 cvo springer love the bike just not a big springer fan to each his own i love the front
end of the fat bob can i take the springer front end off and put the fat bob front end in its place and use the
springer front wheel on the fat bob front end and duel breaks my harley is hard to stop compaired to the v max

By: Jeffrey P

Jeffrey P — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 17:21:52 +0000

I’ve owned nothing but metrics the 30 years – primarily Hondas & Yamahas. Let’s face it – Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki and Kawasaki ALL make incredible bikes. Historically, Harley-Davidson has been recognized as the manufacturer that lacks contemporary design and produces heavy bikes with leaky engines. As an owner of an ‘09 CVO Springer (green on black) I feel that it’s time to defend Harley-Davidson. My cruiser is by far the best-looking bike I’ve ever owned, handles great, and hauls butt! I won best bike over OCC & Jessie James customs. No, it doesn’t handle as well as my old CBR 929RR crotch rocket, but I am thrilled over how this twin handles the winding scenic backroads of Northwest Arkansas. I have owned two other HD’s – a Sportster and Wide Glide, and loved riding them as well. The CVO Springer isn’t made for everyone, but think about it – what bike is? All I’m saying is that I stepped out of my biking comfort zone for the first time since I was a teen-ager, and am proud to own a Harley, and to buy American!!

By: J Star in So Cal.

J Star in So Cal. — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 18:13:20 +0000

I just bought my first Harley. I bought a ‘09′ CVO Softail Springer. ( Cobalt Blue) I have had just about everything from rice rockets to a metric cruiser, but NOTHING has made me feel more bad assed than this bike has. It hauls ass, and handles fine. I get compliments everytime I ride. And it draws attention whenever I park it. Ego trip? Hell yeah!! It took me 45 years to get my first Harley, and I’m not looking back. I’m shopping for my Road Glide in a few months. If you don’t like what a company stands for, Harley, Yamaha, whoever it may be, that’s okay. Just don’t rags on other riders choices. We are all riders out there, Ride safe.

By: Regina

Regina — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 14:55:43 +0000

To answer an earlier question about the recall of the ‘09 Springers, yes there is a recall for the acorn nuts on the front brake area. They MAY loosen and come off. I don’t have the letter here in front of me so I don’t know word for word what the actual statements were as to what it would cause.
Husband just dropped his off to have the recall work done. If you own one you should get a letter in the mail from HD letting you know. He owns the yellow/orange.
True story,,,, heading home to Alabama, we trailered both our bikes, going down the interstate, this car comes up behind us pretty fast, starts to pass, SLOWS and drifts back ,,, just to look at the Springer!!! Guy driving the car rolls his window down and yells out, “Great looking bike…. wanna sell it?”

By: Phillip

Phillip — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 20:47:03 +0000

Yes it does help. The dealer just called me again. They really want me to get that bike. The front brake does not stop the bike very well and I really love the saddle bags on my Roadking. My bike is flawess and I just put the heavy breather on it and a windshield and is has the detacable sissy bar. The CVO they are going to put a 2 in to 1 pipe(719.95) on and the thudermax (899.95) and at this dealership thay sell a lifetime service contract it cost around 1500 or so. Any time you bike has to have the regular service, it’s paid for including parts i.e. oil,filters etc. They will include that and the sissy bar/rack and fits this bike
They want my bike and 16,400
09Springer Black and Green with pipes, lifetime service and back rest/rack
06 RoadKing Custom Black Cherry, HD Seat, Windshield, Vance & Hines Slipons, V&H Fuel Pack, Detacable back rest, Heavy breather

By: Hog Wild

Hog Wild — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 20:14:18 +0000

Phillip I think the dealer can do a little better. When you factor in the freight..etc for the Springer your looking at about $28,000 which means the dealer is giving you $13K for yours. Assuming your RoadKing is flawless you should be able to get about $1500 more on a trade. The CVO’s hold their value even better than the other Harley Models. I traded in an 08 CVO Dyna for the 09 Springer and the Dyna only depreciated about $1,400 on the trade. The only issue with the CVO’s is there’s not a lot of folks with the $$$$ out there to move them quickly. Hope this helps.

By: Phillip

Phillip — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 15:09:25 +0000

I’ve been looking at a 2009 CVO Springer. I now have a 06 Roadking custom with 4000 miles. (no comments about the lack of miles please, I was involved in an accident) It has vance & Hines basic slip ons and the fuel pack. The dealer wants to give me the Springer for my bike and 15000. Is this a good deal? What do you figure the Springer will be worth in 2011?

By: Hog Wild

Hog Wild — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 02:28:27 +0000

Everyone rides what they like or if they can’t at least they ride what they can afford. I’ve been lucky enough to be in a family that has owned a Harley Dealership since the 1940’s so I’ve had them all. I also have had jap sport bikes and love them too. Everyone needs to go their own way. That’s what riding and ownership is all about. But no group hugs! And no more H-D oil leaks all over the floor thanks to canning AMF. Yes I’ve now shown my age.

By: DarkEagle

DarkEagle — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 12:27:39 +0000

I own a 2009 Screaming Eagle Softail Springer in the Black Diamond with Emerald Ice & metal grind flames.

I get more compliments from non-Harley riders & non-bikers that say it is one of the best Harley’s they have seen. Very nice combo of power, chrome, paint, & style, and the ride is the perfect experience for me.

All the speed & acceleration in the world might be fine for some riders, but not for some of us who like to enjoy the ride at a safer speed. Not to say there are times you need to blow out the carbon to get that rush, or need that extra HP for passing or pulling up a hill or thru a mountain pass, any Harley does just fine.

There are many markets out there for bikers & riders, I commend HD for staying with what makes them HD, with plenty of alternatives for others with the Sporties, V-Rod, & Buell. How can they be behind the other manufacturers when the others keep putting out models similiar to HD with many custom options? HD owners change their bike not only to improve performance but to make it unique as their own.

By: DAVID

DAVID — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 05:24:00 +0000

has anyone heard any recall for the 2009 springer softail

By: Cow

Cow — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 17:08:32 +0000

while HDs sales in the US has gone down 30 percent ,other bikes have lost 60 percent( japanese ones) this means that for every 100 bikes HD used to sell ,they are still seling 70, but for every 100 bikes japan used to sell the are selling 40……. so dont worry about HD closing plants……………who isnt?……….HD rocks……… just cant get enuff of HD!!

By: walker

walker — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 00:17:05 +0000

just bought an 09 springer. The back end, sweet! The front end, sweeter. I have had many jap bikes, still have one. They are fun, but nothing like a Harley! Ride on…

By: Hawk88bg

Hawk88bg — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 03:52:33 +0000

Right On Jay I,am 55 I Have Owned 11 HD All Big Twins Now I Own 2009 Screamin Eagle Springer Softail Green All Stock.I Didnt Have Too Touch It .Just Ride It. Bad Ass Ride. So FFFF You All.Hawk

By: jay

jay — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 01:22:53 +0000

Some of us ride … and some of just sits in front of a computer and writes about it. Big hat … no cattle.

jay

By: Big D

Big D — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 03:30:28 +0000

Quit hating and ride your bikes. i own an 09 springer and it handles great and hauls ass. I’m with wyndryder maybe its the riders not the bike. peace

By: cagallegos

cagallegos — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 16:47:23 +0000

Awesome bike…….End of Story!

By: wyndryder

wyndryder — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 21:39:24 +0000

Sorry my mistake 255 cams, and the last part was not for Stig.

By: wyndryder

wyndryder — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 21:10:58 +0000

Funny you should say that Stig, I put ape hangers on my 2007, plus a vance and hines pro pipe, 10 and a half to one pistons, roller gears in placed of the cam chain, 585 cams in place of the 225s and a screaming eagle cfi race tuner kit. I have the 200 and 21 on my on my machine and handling is not a problem, becuase I like to corner and go fast, maybe in your case its a rider problem, so quit blaming the motorcylce.

By: The Stig

The Stig — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 01:36:42 +0000

why so much hate ?
HD puts a 110 inch motor and 6spd tranny in a bike with a springer front end. It’s classic. All it needs is a good set of apehangers.

If you’re not living on the edge, you’re taking up too much space.

By: Dave B

Dave B — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 23:42:02 +0000

Brett,
If you don’t like Harley’s stuff, buy something else. They have made styling choices for 40 years that missed the mark more often than hitting it, hence the huge aftermarket for parts and upgrades. Complaining won’t fix that problem, we have 40 years of proof to that fact.
The reality is, they can’t please everybody, so they make choices (based on some criteria that only they understand), and we get what they give, take it or leave it. As long as Willie G. thinks the boat tail Super Glide and the V-Rod are styling masterpieces, don’t look for H-D to make many “finished” motorcycles… we in the custom shops and the private sector are stuck with the task.
I for one, am just fine with that.

By: Brett

Brett — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 14:17:41 +0000

as fans of the HD brand??? well I own an HD & the fact that in 2008, they still sacrifice performance & handling for “style” is ridiculous. They fact that everyone modifies their HD is proof enough that HD is not on the cutting edge of style. The fact they they keep putting out bikes with fads that ended 5 years before HD tried them also shows they are behind the times.

I am not an FTF guy, but HD really needs to quit trying to be edgy & cool. They have their line of bikes, now improve on them with things like better handling & better brakes. They put out all these 96 & 110 inch engines now & they are all dogs compared to the engines other companies put out.

The sales are falling. They are closing plants & laying off workers. Instead of trying to figure out what is “cool”, why not just make the best bikes on the road? How about instead of trying to get owners from changing their bikes to their own style, get Techs that know something about all the years, not just the last 5 & how about making the parts people want so instead of trying to keep them from going to other sources to get what they want for their bikes?

The more HD tries, the more they turn off their customers. They need to know that some people want to make their bike their own & that means more then a piece of chrome with a skull on it or a “paint set” for $3,000 with some flames on it.

The Nightster was a good idea & a nice bike. The rest of their new stuff is lacking.

By: Dave B.

Dave B. — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 03:56:11 +0000

Brett, I think the reason for no additional frame rake in this model may be due to position of the front axle in relation to the rake angle in the neck… you will notice the axle is a good 3 inches beyond the fork leg (stationary leg) in order to achieve proper trail figures. Basic frame geometry. As to handling and performance, we all know HD has historically chosen style over these attributes, it’s part of thier heritage and we as fans of the HD brand understand this, so we modify our bikes to achieve the type of handling, power, or appearance that we like.

By: Brett

Brett — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 22:38:03 +0000

I have to agree. 200 rear tire is fine, but going to 240??? Are they doing a 300 for 2010? Like I said, 200 is fine, but I never was into the huge rear wheel. Over 200 is just ridiculous.

& why is there so little rake on the softails when Harley puts a Springer on them? It looks like someone kicked the front end in a foot.

Harley should stick to their bikes & not worry about trying to do the custom trends. How about worrying about things like horsepower, better handling, better take off speed, better brakes??? I love when any of the magazines compare a Harley to a Jap bike & it’s always, well if you like Harley, then you know who you are & you won’t accept anything else, but if you don’t have that attitude & you want a bike that performs better, get the Jap bike.

No reason in 2008, Harley can’t be improving handling, performance & braking.

Jesse James once said, if it doesn’t make the bike go faster & stop faster, it isn’t needed. I agree with that.

By: burnout

burnout — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 22:17:32 +0000

most of us know that a rear tire track 6 times wider than the front is a bit ill handling. 240mm? man that stuff is SOOO 15 minutes ago! just for looks in my op. peace

By: saorijohn

saorijohn — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 18:04:03 +0000

It just seems to me to have used a softail with a more rigid front end. But hey, it’s a great looking bike and it isn’t always about handling and cornering ability.

By: Hot Rod

Hot Rod — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 13:43:13 +0000

Way to go harley. You are the trailing edge of the market as always. Custom? Looks the same as every other softail.

By: Asa

Asa — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 13:37:37 +0000

So why does it handle like a turd in a piss pot ? I have a 06 springer with a 200 rear and a 21 frount and it handles great -granted not like a busa or a R-1 but for a softail its good . Asa

By: saorijohn

saorijohn — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 12:17:42 +0000

Why build a springer CVO? All that engine in a bike that handles like a turd in a piss pot.