Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/1205265
VOLUME 57 ISSUE 4 JANUARY 28, 2020 P87 With just a bare fender behind the seat, there's nowhere to put anything (goods or hu- man) without consulting H-D's legendary accessory catalog. From there, windshields and passenger accommodations, luggage and lighting; all manner of practical things are possible, while slowly stripping away the pure, singular outlaw bike that is the Low Rider S. IN PRAISE OF ACRONYMS RDRS (Reflex Defensive Rider Systems) is Harley-Davidson's new suite of electronic rider aids that are standard on the high-end CVO models and LiveWire, and optional on most Touring family models. RDRS is an amalgamation of four sub-systems, each with their own acronym. C-ELB (Cor- nering Enhanced Electronic Linked Braking) balances braking front to rear for added stability, even while cornering. C-TCS (Cornering Enhanced Traction Control System) is designed to limit wheelspin under acceleration, and has settings for rain and standard, as well as the ability to dis- able it. VHC (Vehicle Hold Control) holds brake pressure to ensure the bike doesn't roll when it shouldn't, such as on a hill. DSCS (Drag-Torque Slip Control System) is to control excessive engine braking that can cause slippage on wet or otherwise traction-compro- mised surfaces. CUSTOM VEHICLE OPERATIONS TURNS 21 Twenty-one-years of in-house cus- toms. New accessories (available via their catalog), bigger engines and bold design ideas, or sometimes just the best version of a given bike with a spare-no-expense attitude. Harley-Davidson's Custom Vehicle Operations (CVO) division is a lot like in-house brands from luxury carmak- ers, like Mercedes' AMG, with limited runs of exclusive vehicles. This year, as in most of the last two decades, all CVO models come loaded with features, some for com- fort/convenience and performance, but mostly for looks. Powered by the liquid-cooled Milwaukee-Eight 117 (the biggest, most powerful engine H-D makes), with upgraded suspension, infotainment systems, LED lighting everywhere (including illuminated switches), power locking luggage, heated seats, 30w bluetooth headset, custom wheels, side covers, controls, etc. Basically, they're loaded. The adaptive LED Daymaker headlights are perhaps the most exciting thing here, as they sense lean angle to help illuminate around corners. Returning this year are the popular CVO Limited and CVO Street Glide. CVO Limited is the ultimate custom touring rig, emphasis on both custom and touring. Based on the Ultra Limited, it's the same solid handling, comfortable heavy tourer, but with slightly better power delivery and suspension components. It's a great rig for a cross country jaunt, but you'd be right to worry about keeping all of that shiny chrome looking good on a hard ride through the elements. The CVO Street Glide is the made-for-fun version of the Limited. Stripped of the top box, 70 pounds lighter, with the same big engine and twice as much stereo wattage (600w vs 300w on the other CVO models); it's ready to party. Another rider asked why I didn't just use the 30w headset. Or at least I think that's what he asked as I turned the volume up and rode away. With consider- ably less weight and just as much horsepower, this is the CVO that easily makes the most sense, carving corners like a bike 2/3's it's size. A New CVO TriGlide brings the luxo-level treatment to H-D's trike lineup for the first time. Billed by Har- ley as the Ultimate Trike, it brings all of the same amenities and accesso- ries to the table, albeit with and extra wheel and another 300+ pounds. The CVO Street Glide bumps up with a huge 900w stereo system and 117-inch engine.