Harley-Davidson CVO Limited ‘114’ test

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New 8-valve Milwaukee-Eight engine for this absolute top of the line from Harley

1870 cm3, approx. 100 horsepower, 166 N.m at 3250 rpm, 414 kilos dry, from 41,750 €

Do you really need 1870 cm3 to train at 90 km / h on the highways? The question may seem relevant from Europe, but in the States, nobody really asks.. The proof, in cars, they do not hesitate to stick V8s of 6200 cm3 (or even more, too), in crates, to drive at the same speed. Anyone who criticizes this state of affairs must first go for a ride in the USA: the notion of engine torque and "effortless cruising" is deeply rooted in the culture. The distances are enormous and we just want to cover them in the greatest comfort and with the least possible effort for the mechanics. Hence their own slogan: nothing replaces displacement, or nothing will ever be worth a large displacement! We remember that for a long time, a big Harley-Davidson was a 1200 cm3, but at the time, a very big Japanese, it was a 750. Then the displacement of the Big Twins evolved: 1340, 1450, 1580, 1690 for the current range and even 1800 (110 cubic inches) for CVOs, very high-end versions produced in limited quantities (often around 2,500 units worldwide) by the CVO department, Custom Vehicles Operations.

It was therefore in the logic of things: on the occasion of the new generation of Harley-Davidson engines, the Milwaukee-Eight, the "normal" 107 ci (1750 cm3) model thus doubles as a 114 ci version. (1870 cm3) intended for CVOs. And in passing, we see that the historic competitor, Indian, is overtaken, with its 1811 cm3 engines. The pissing furthest contest continues…

The CVO range is now made up of three models: the Softail Breakout, which uses the excellent 110 block. The two Touring models, the Street Glide and the Limited in this test thus inaugurate the 114 engine..

Top view

Discovery

Look no further: it is impossible to do more in the Harley-Davidson range today. Compared to a standard Ultra Limited, the CVO justifies its almost € 12,000 extra by not only the engine, but also the quality of the equipment and presentation. The paint is much more polished, deep and with glittery inserts. The care of the presentation is found in the dashboard, with more elaborate meter indexes, as well as the digital display of the mileage and other functions, among which we find a tire pressure indicator. The generous saddle features, like on luxury cars, pretty stitching. The wheels are chrome and there are also "highways" footrests on the sides, just to be even more relaxed on the handlebars. In addition, the American model can receive a CB, always useful to sow the sheriff who runs after you !

In short, Harley has completely let go, even if it means going a little too far. The faux wood on the console below the fuel filler hole is still a bit clogged, as is the colored plastic that generously covers the dashboard. But it is true that in American culture, car wrapping has always been a bit kitsch, especially seen in relation to the harshness of German cars. In short, it’s cultural.

To go from 107 to 114, the Milwaukee-Eight engine block, in its Twin-cooled version, was not satisfied with a small increase in piston stroke. First, because you don’t gain 120 cm3 like that, by snapping your fingers and then because, in the case of large tumbled twin cylinders, the balance, the inertia, the vibrations of the engine and its size do not. are not small parameters to take into account.

Harley-Davidson CVO Limited '114' engine

So when the 107 is a 100 x 111.1, the 114 is a 102 x 114.3 mm. And that’s not all: the bearings have been reinforced and to manage the additional torque, the multi-plate clutch has been reduced from 9 to 10 discs. On the other hand, the transmission ratios are identical. Unlike the 107, inscriptions "114" are housed on the cylinder heads of CVOs.

In the saddle

With 414 kilograms dry and over 431 with full tank, the CVO Limited could prove to be impressive. As with all machines of its kind, care should be taken to be careful when maneuvering at a standstill and not to heel on the handlebars, which could prove to be quite quickly fatal. On the contrary, the stability being excellent at low speed, you have to work the bike on the footrests and on the handlebars and keep it in balance by a few subtle movements of the pelvis. Once you figure this out, the monster becomes easy to handle !

Once in the saddle (760 mm high, but it is well dug), we appreciate, as on all Milwaukee-Eight engines, the narrower air filter allows to better hold the machine, with the knees better placed against the tank.

High-end obliges, the CVO delivers to its pilot a plethora of information! Fortunately, the ergonomics of the Harley-Davidson commodos are well thought out and it only takes a few manipulations to make everything familiar. Whether it is cruise control, audio management or GPS, everything is finally quite easy to understand.

Harley-Davidson CVO Limited '114' dashboard

Like the 107, the 114 Milwaukee-Eight also stands out for its absence of vibrations in the handlebars at idle and its extremely smooth gearbox. Finished the "klonk" to the passage of the first report !

In the city

As for the other models of this Milwaukee-Eight generation, the test of this CVO Limited was carried out in the United States: making the city there does not have the same meaning as with us, between the new towns and medieval towns, the perception and management of space is not the same.

Before confirming all this with a few laps of the ring road at rush hour (joy!), What we can say is that even in its 114 version, the Milwaukee-Eight is extremely flexible. This is not obvious, since we are talking about pistons of more than 930 cm3 each !

Commodos Harley-Davidson CVO Limited '114'

Thus, we can move very smoothly by shifting gears at very low speed, counting on the gearbox much smoother and quieter than before and on a large V2 capable of resuming at less than 1500 rpm in third without vibrations no hiccups and with a very smooth throttle and injection control. And all in a rather pleasant low growl without being too present for the neighborhood.

Harley-Davidson announces a reduction in heat emissions from the V2, which was nothing unnecessary in the city. Under the conditions of the test, we cannot be positive on this point..

Harley-Davidson CVO Limited '114' test

On motorways and main roads

Without a doubt, CVO Limited is made for that. With the generous fairing and the multiple vents and deflectors, the protection is imperative and the stability impeccable, which is obvious when you see the pace of taxiing in the USA! The Electra Glide and other Ultra Limited have always been a kind of must for cutting the road and this CVO Limited 114 continues the line in a beautiful way..

So what does this new 1870 cc engine bring? Compared to the previous generation of Twin Cam 110, Harley-Davidson announces pickups from 100 to 130 km / h in improvement of 12%. Difficult to be so precise without a measuring device, but what is obvious is that the response of this large engine is immediate, whatever the speed or the gear engaged..

Harley-Davidson CVO Limited '114 on departmental

On departmental

Here again, the CVO Limited is capable of good acceleration on intermediate gears, with a power which arrives constantly, in a rather linear way and without any noticeable peak, up to 5500 rpm. Acceleration which continues thanks to the new gearbox, faster and more precise in its handling.

And to say that is to neglect to talk about the soundtrack! By reducing mechanical noise, Harley-Davidson was able to work on the perception of the exhaust sound and it is clear that the 114 sounds just right, with serious intonations at low revs, fuller in the middle and a deep rattle when approaching. of the red zone. All this while having found the right balance between pleasure and responsibility: well done! We will have to see what happens with the French exhausts.

Harley-Davidson CVO Limited '114' test

At a pace that best suits such a vessel on the road, the 114 continues to reveal its qualities, including great flexibility. It is possible to stroll in fifth or sixth at around 1600 or 1700 rpm (barely 80 km / h in sixth) and restart the machine without effort or sluggishness. Likewise, on the small departmental roads, the relief does not require a downshift. In short, the CVO Limited is a real quiet force !

However, let us not forget its mass: more than 431 kilos with full, without crew or luggage (which can be very numerous!). We will therefore keep in mind that we must avoid rushing it, since ample suspension movements may then appear. Especially since the front axle, with the fork crown fairing fixed precisely on the fork, is quite heavy (and feels much more than on a Road Glide or even a Road King).

Harley-Davidson CVO Limited '114' on the road

Part-cycle

The CVO Limited has the new suspensions of the Touring range. At the front, a fork designed in collaboration with Showa, with two new valves for better oil circulation. At the rear, new shock absorbers make the appearance. The one on the right is classic; the one on the left offers a preload adjustment that offers up to 30% more adjustment range. Access is easy: two screws make it easy to remove the side case and then all you have to do is turn the dial, which has about twenty notches. There is no doubt that when the two suitcases, the top-case and the luggage rack are loaded, these attentions will seduce the pilot who will be able, more easily, to adjust the machine according to the circumstances. To illustrate the merits of this improvement, remember that previously the Harley Touring suspensions worked with inaccessible pneumatic adjustment and that in addition the pump was scantily sold as an option: as a result, few users drove with optimal settings. Harley-Davidson has therefore used common sense with this improvement..

Harley-Davidson CVO Limited '114' test

Brakes

The CVO Limited features coupled braking using three 320mm discs all pinched by 4-piston calipers. It is difficult to criticize the braking power and its dosability, once you are in tune with the philosophy of the machine. On the other hand, the high weight causes some mass transfers to the front during heavy braking. Nothing abnormal.

Comfort and duo

It’s simple: it’s a must. The heated grips (control by dial at the end of the left handlebars) are effective, the protection is royal, the suspensions are soft without being too soft. Velvet that encourages you to cut the road without ever stopping.

Consumption / autonomy

Harley-Davidson announces lower fuel consumption thanks to the Milwaukee-Eight’s dual ignition and better management of air intake flows. We were not able to measure consumption on this test, but the 22.7 gasoline in the tank easily guarantees 350 to 400 kilometers of autonomy. To be checked later, therefore.

Conclusion

The CVO Limited 114 is for those who want the best of Harley-Davidson. Aesthetic or demanding customers who only want the best in each area. The presentation and driving pleasure being faithful to the standards of the CVO range, nothing to say aside there.

So what does the 114 engine bring compared to the previous generation? More power, more recovery, more consistency in operation thanks to good linearity and a large stride. Not to mention the sound perfectly in line with the pedigree of the machine. Full box, then? You might think so, but to have also driven during this test on Limited non CVO with the 107 unit but equipped in Stage 1 (air filter and Screamin ‘Eagle exhausts), we cannot deny that there is in the 114 extra generosity, but we must admit that the step is not that high. Those who want the absolute will not hesitate; those who calculate can fall back, without losing much, on an Ultra Limited 107 a little liberated, because the engine character is very close, just like the performances and the pleasure..

Strong points

  • Royal comfort
  • Quality of presentation and painting
  • Top equipment
  • Sound quality
  • Engine 114 flexible, full, torquey
  • Luggage carrying capacity

Weak points

  • Heavy weight
  • Fairly heavy front axle
  • Tariff in high circles
  • Some elements of fittings a little fake (false wood on the tank)
  • Savings in consumption and better dispersion of engine heat to be confirmed during a test in France

The Harley-Davidson CVO Limited technical sheet

Test conditions

  • Itinerary: 300 kilometers of road in Washington State (USA) between Tacoma and Port Angeles
  • Motorcycle mileage: 2000 km
  • Problem encountered: the Harley in the States, a real treat! Even at 55 mph cruising

Competition: Indian Roadmaster, possibly Kawasaki VN 1700 Voyager

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