| | | | Road Test : 2008 Harley-Davidson CVO 105th Anniversary FLHTCUSE3 Screamin' Eagle Ultra Classic Electra Glide-Long name for Harley's first ABS assisted Tourer for consumers |  Written: 08/08/2007 : 09:56. Read 23197 times (59/day). | Only Harley-Davidson can produce a motorcycle named by 84 characters! The 2008 Harley CVO Ultra in the 105th Anniversary paint scheme is something very special. We tested the saddle of the flagship tourer on US motorways.
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Where are those damn ABS rings I wondered whilst bending over to inspect the front wheel? I needed some expert advice and asked if Bill Davidson would mind telling me all about the new ABS system.
I could see Mr. Davidsons eyes brighten behind his glasses when I asked him. This is big news for the Motor Company and rather than just hiring a few experts to implement an existing ABS system on its models Harley demanded a new system. 
Innovation is motivated by several factors in Harley-Davidson and the bi-effect of the clean looking front wheel is according to Bill Davidson a much lighter ABS system than dictated by convention. Small magnets are in place within the wheel hubs that measure all the extensive data needed to operate the ABS system efficiently. The data is fed into a brand new ECU unit that also takes care of the fly-by-wire throttle! I never thought I’d mention neither ABS nor Fly-by-wire in an article written about Harley-Davidson as I have only tried it myself on a Yamaha R6, R1, Suzuki GSX-R1000 and Aprilia SL750 Shiver yet. Then Harley-Davidson launches it that plans its strategies 10 years at a time! I bend over in the dust in awe for the boldness of this move! Like fuel injection, fly-by-wire will soon be the norm on all motorcycles.
I take a seat in the big and comfortable seat of the Ultra.  
Impressed as I am by the flawless exterior, I am not less impressed by the features and interior you can see from the rider’s seat. The features that are standard on the CVO Ultra Classic Electra Glide are just everything that can be thrown at a Touring motorcycle. Built in navigation system, Harman-Kardon 160-watt stereo/radio, cruise control and heated seats to mention some. There is a lot of different buttons though and after a days riding I still don’t know my way around all of them. 
On the motorway it’s evident that there’s something special between my legs powering this grandest of tourers. The new Twin Cam 110 (1803cc) is powering all the CVO models and in the Ultra it is absolutely perfect. A full 156Nm (@3.000rpm) of torque is unleashed from the word go and with a broiler like the CVO Ultra, that weighs more than 20 kilos more even than the standard Ultra Classic Electra Glide, it is needed. The claimed dry-weight is 391.9kg and in running order that equates to a busty 409kg. Add a rider and some luggage and you are a full half metric tonne rolling down the highway! The reason it is so heavy is due to all the extra equipment that is standard and you do get a thumping 1803cc V-twin lump thrown in rather than the standard 1583cc engine.
But it’s just on the motorway we are and it all feels great.  
I got the chance to test the Ultra’s ABS brakes on some gravel. Brembo makes the callipers where power is applied using the anti-spin only when needed.  
I quite like the fact that the ABS system including sensors and ECU unit is hidden in the wheel hubs and under the seat respectively. The fact that they are separated is also appealing as it gives me an element of control even with ABS. After riding the CVO Ultra I am not sure whether I would want such a big and heavy touring bike without ABS. That’s how good the Harley-Davidson ABS system is.
On a twisty section on an A road I was surprised by how well the big Tourer handled sharp bends. Having swapped between the different CVO’s all day I’d say the Ultra is the best handling bike out of the CVO’s we rode. With a 22.7 litre new fuel capacity you can cover some ground too.
Conclusion
Oh so desirable but oh so out of my league at $35.490! The ultimate Harley-Davidson flagship model is not on offer for just anyone that’s for sure. If you are one of the few that is lucky enough to get hold of a 105th limited edition CVO Ultra you can expect it to keep its value probably another 105 years though. Every conceivable feature is added and the hand-built quality of the CVO finish is to die for. -Shame about the front end for the riding part and a complicated button system for operating it all. The ABS brakes fronted by Brembo are absolutely a great improvement in the safety department and the ride-by-wire throttle made no fuss about itself and that is as it should be. The 105th CVO Ultra is the ultimate touring dream bike.
+
Stonking Twin Cam 110 engine
CVO=perfect finish
Highly collectable
Great brakes
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CVO for CEO’s
Front end buffeting on the motorway
DIMENSIONS :
Length : 2478.3 mm
Seat Height :
Laden : 729 mm
Unladen : 750.8 mm
Ground Clearance : 124.5 mm
Rake Steering Head/Trail : 26° / 157.48 mm
Wheelbase : 1612.9 mm
Fuel Capacity : 22.7 L
Oil Capacity : 3.8 L
Weight :
Dry Weight : 391.9 kg
Running Order : 409.1 kg
POWERTRAIN
Engine : Air-cooled, Twin Cam 110®
Displacement : 1803 cm³
Bore x Stroke : 101.6 mm x 113.3 mm
Engine Torque : 156 nm @ 3000 rpm
Fuel System : Electronic Sequential Port Fuel Injection (ESPFI)
Compression Ratio : 9.3:1
Primary Drive : Chain, 34/46 ratio
Gear Ratio (overall) :
1st : 9.312
2nd : 6.421
3rd : 4.774
4th : 3.926
5th : 3.279
6th : 2.790
WHEELS/TIRES :
Wheels :
Front : Chrome, 9-spoke Cast Aluminum
Rear : Chrome, 9-spoke Cast Aluminum
Tire Size :
Front : D402F NW MT90B16 72H
Rear : D402 NW MU85B16 77H
ELECTRICAL :
Instruments : Custom tank-mounted, spun aluminium, metal-faced electronic speedometer/tachometer; Odometer; Voltmeter; Time-of-day clock; Dual resettable tripmeter
Indicator Lamps : High beam, neutral, low oil pressure, engine diagnostics, turn signals, security system (optional), 6-speed, low fuel warnings, cruise control, battery.
CHASSIS :
Brakes : 4-piston front and 4-piston torque-free floating rear caliper
Lean Angle (per SAEJ1168) : 30.0° / 32.0°
Exhaust System : Chrome, Touring cross-over duals
COLOR OPTIONS:
105th Anniversary Crystal Copper/Black Onyx; Canyon Copper/Stardust Silver; White Frost/Silver Mist
PRICING:
Two-tone $34,995
Serialized 105th Anniversary Package $35,490
Electronic Sequential Port Fuel Injection (ESPFI) Standard
Security System Option Standard
California Emissions $200
Freight $270
ABS Standard
Cruise Control Standard
2008 CVO family tree where all four are available in limited edition 105th anniversary paint.
FXSTSSE2 Screamin’ Eagle® Softail® Springer®
FLHTCUSE3 Screamin’ Eagle® Ultra Classic™ Electra Glide®
FLHRSE4 Screamin’ Eagle® Road King®
FXDSE2 Screamin’ Eagle® Dyna®
Words: Tor Sagen/Photography: Paul Barshon
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