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2007 Harley-Davidson Custom Vehicles Operations: Special Ops Unit
Every professional athletic team and military division has a special elite force that sets themselves apart from others by offering a unique talent or service. NFL teams have their Special Teams unit and the military has Navy SEALs and Green Berets. Harley-Davidson is no stranger to this concept of elite units as they have their own division created specifically to produce limited, highly accessorized performance bikes with big motors, big tires and big paint all in an effort to create big fun. This is done under the moniker Custom Vehicles Operations (CVO).
 The first CVO Harley-Davidson the FXR2, was introduced 1999. Since then, we have seen CVO’s handy work on the Softail Deuce, Road King, Road Glide, VRSCE V-Rod, and the race only Screamin’ Eagle V-Rod Destroyer built with the goal of bringing grassroots drag racing to Harley-Davidson dealerships and riders.
New for 2007 are four models -- the Screamin’ Eagle Softail Deuce, Screamin’ Eagle Dyna, Screamin’ Eagle Road King, and Screamin’ Eagle Ultra Classic Electra Glide -- each with an all-new twin-cam 110 cubic-inch engine with a six-speed cruise drive transmission. In this world of big engines, horsepower is second to producing throaty growling torque which the 110 achieves a 13% increase over the Twin Cam 103. Surprisingly, with this increased torque, each model still produces a very smooth ride without rattling your teeth out. We had ample time to test this theory as we set sail on each model in picturesque Central California.
 In addition to each model being offered in three new vibrant color schemes, each comes loaded with additional options such as the “Tombstone” taillight, 18 inch front wheel and road-hugging radial tire, gold leaf flame paint scheme, custom leather seat with a matching stitched “flame” pattern found on the Screamin’ Eagle Road King. The Screamin’ Eagle Softail Springer includes “Revolver” wheels, brake and disc sprocket, a sleek new tri-bar LED taillight and tank integrated gauge pack. I would prefer to see these gauges higher in the line of sight to avoid having to take your eyes off the road to check vital signs. The optional Amarillo Gold with Candy Tangerine and Tribal Flame paint scheme, however, is one of the hottest schemes offered in this year’s CVO line up. The Screamin’ Eagle Dyna sets it off with a new rolled-back custom front fender, straight-cut mufflers with full-length chrome shields and a new chrome fuel gauge with hidden LED indicators, which can be difficult to see under certain lighting conditions. The big poppa of them all -- the Screamin’ Eagle Ultra Classic Electra Glide -- gets a power lock “Tour-Pak” and saddlebag system, dual-control heated seats, an adjustable floorboard, “Ironside” foot and hand controls, and satellite radio with an integrated navigation system. Cross country rides just got a lot easier.
 If purchasing a CVO model is a bit out of your price range (Screamin’ Eagle Softail Springer $24,995, Screamin’ Eagle Dyna $24,995, Screamin’ Eagle Road King $28, 495, and the Screamin’ Eagle Ultra Classic Electra Glide $33,495) and the mind-numbing variety of available accessories for your bike has you feeling left out, fear not. Harley- Davidson greatly improved their 896 page, full line catalog with an enhanced table of contents, improved navigation, and “how-to” material to help owners better understand the world of customizing, making their catalog more like an encyclopedia. Owners will also find “Rider Essential Packages” for those new to this limitless world of possibilities in creating a bike that reflects your individuality. Once again reiterating
There is certainly something to be said about riding a Harley. CVO’s mission of driving aspiration, exclusivity, style, performance and quality will keep aficionados motivated, engaged, and inspired. You can truly feel a sense of pride, power, and respect on a Harley as you cruise along your favorite roadways.
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