The 2018 Harley-Davidson Street Glide CVO - An Intimate Review

With my immediate family, we have owned five Harley-Davidson motorcycles, and never been entirely happy with them - until now.

My previous model was bought with high hopes, soon dashed. It was a 2013 CVO Electra Glide, the last model prior to the release of the "Rushmore" updates. As a result, HD added every possible addition to the bike, (e.g heated grips and touring pegs) and this made it a fair buy. I also loved the 110 cubic inch motor, although it ran hot in warm weather. The major challenge was achieving smooth airflow behind (a much changed) screen.

But the new bike, a 2018 CVO Streetglide is an amazing step forward. The changes are small but many, and it is the addition of each that makes it a wonderful Harley Davidson to ride. They are:

1. The new engine, the M8, which will receive most of the HD Marketing attention. It was actually released last year, and depending on who you talk to, had some issues. I thought that they were real. The M8 has water or oil cooling and sounds almost "Japanese Like", but with the addition of pipes, mine sounds very Harley. I like the motor a lot. I have the 117 cubic inch version on the CVO, and the odd thing, is that is VERY under-tuned, despite the sheer volume, torque and apparent power. A lot can be done to this motor, at a price of course. One of the other big advantages of the new engine is improved fuel economy - to at least 450km if driven hard. But Harley Davidson, where is the LONG RANGE tank we all want as an extra!?
2. The rear suspension is changed and upgraded and is a substantial improvement. This not oonly positively affects the ride, but also the steering, which will now run for kilometres with no hands on the bars. If you dare.
3. The "Rushmore" air flow system was new to me but has been on the bike for four years, and makes a substantial improvement in comfort. This was a key change reason for me. I still needed a slightly higher screen than the standard one, and chose the 10 inch version with the slight kicker in it. (Bend at the top). A copy of the (very expensive) Clockworx screens in my view. There are also openable vents in the lowers, below knee level.
4. A MAJOR step forward for me, and the key reason I chose the 2018 model over the 2017 one, is that all the electrics and sound system now run via Bluetooth to a (Provided) head set from SENA. Nice move HD!
5. In addition, the larger color screen is good also, although the UI is not perfect and the GPS, while useful is a very basic model. If you like to use a large range of waypoints for example, it is not suitable. In another part of this is the sound system, which on the Streetglide is truly amazing. If you like sound, then this is the model. There is also a little pocket and USB connector for your mobile phone to charge and feed music. But it is TOO SMALL with a cover on a larger format iPhone - Please fix HD?
6. Harley have moved some of the controls, which is a bonus, but still has some way to go. The Cruise Control switch is now on the left which makes more sense, but high beam is still a thunb reach away, when is should be controlled by your left forefinger over the bar (by way of example).
7. The new bags are particularly good. Harley changed the opening latch a couple of models back, to one that can be actioned with one hand. and this has stayed and is much liked. In this new model there are two subtle change that I am particularly in favor of -
1. The removal bolts have levers on them, so you can remove the bags without tools
2. The clip to connect all the wiring inside the bag now has a plastic clamp and slide that makes removing the wiring inside the bag, super simple. This is a big plus too.
8. Nine speakers for sound - awesome. You can also play the radio, or music from you phone. I Am disappointed that the CB Radio is not included in the package for Australia, with the Australian VHF frequencies - so that I can listen to the truckies on the Hume Highway!
9. A new seat which is growing on me. The contrasting stitching looks super, but the overlapping pillion pad removes all options for a driver back-pad - unless you buy the "Transformer" back-pad from Kuryakyn. I like!
10. I had updated the lights on my previous bike to LED ones anyway, but the new headlight comes in LED format as standard. IT is good but not exceptional, but them I am fussy when it comes to kangaroos at night. The rear lights and indicators LOOk very cool, but are too small in my view. 
11. Unlike the previous model, touring pegs are not provided. So I added my own. What IS provided includes a nice kit and certificate, a bike cover and a couple of other things that just add to the overall value of a CVO. 
12. One thing that Harley has ALL OVER the competition is the quality of its paint and chrome. They are outstanding on this bike, as you would expect. 

 I would say I have had not issues with my bike at all, but it has only done 3600 kilometres. Overall, I will work on the engine breathing in time but otherwise this is a first class highway cruiser.

Is there Life after the Iron Butt Rally (IBR)?

December 2017 has arrived, and with it, application time for the 2019 Iron Butt Rally. And I have significant withdrawal symptoms.

After all this time, I still think about the Iron Butt Rally. It is a truly magical event, designed to test human beings to the end of their endurance, and to put motorcycles through absolute hell over 11 days and 11,000 miles. I know the latter very well having expended in excess of US$5000 on repairs to my bike in 2017. And 4000 of that was unplanned. It is now sold, and the new buyer has got a bike better than new. But I digress.

My original plan, and agreement with my family, was to enter just four rallies in the USA, two Butt Lites and two IBR's. This is done. I finished both Butt Lites and one IBR which on the odds, is a rather good overall result. To reduce the chance that I would "regress", I have sold both my bikes in the USA. But I do know that the American LDR community is so strong, that if I said "Can someone lend me a bike?" I would receive a rush of offers. But I digress 2!

Back in Australia I have two new-ish bikes, a Harley Davidson and a BMW. Both are excellent riders motorcycles. I had not expected much of the HD Street Glide CVO, but it is such a better bike than the five year old model that was traded on it, that it is actually a pleasure to ride - and ride well - and far. I have come to a couple of realizations since the 2017 IBR finished in July;

1. The financial, physical and emotional cost of riding in an IBR are huge and enduring for many months.
2. It is high-time I re-charged my GPS' and returned them from miles to kilometer units!
3. Most motorcycle club members (BMW or Harley) actually don't like to ride far - they are really interested in the primacy of a social connection, first and foremost.
4. I am more addicted than ever before, to riding to the wild places,
5. And most importantly, there are so many wonderful places still to ride - from a long weekend in Bright, Victoria (that I am really looking forward to, with friends in March 2018). to a longer ride with other friends to Lhasa in May 2018.

Now I may have your attention. 

This ride to Lhasa is a real challenge and may readers will have no idea what it means or where it is. The ride starts in SW China and travels to Shangri La (the real one, not that in the movies) then onto the Chinese Everest Base Camp and finally to the Capital city of Tibet, Lhasa. I have always wanted to go there. This is "The Forbidden Kingdom", a world of magic, a world of wild weather, a place of truly elevated places (above 5000m) and a place that requires very special visa's and approvals. 

And I cant wait!