2013–2014 · Cruiser · Buyer's Guide
CVO Road King FLHRSE (FLHRSE)
Chrome, Thunder, Factory Custom
The Machine's Character
The CVO Road King is the factory-custom flagship of the Road King line, and everything about it points at presence. A 1801 cc air-cooled 45° V-twin makes 98 hp and a thick 118 lb-ft of torque, fed through a 6-speed box and a belt to the rear wheel. The CVO treatment brings exclusive paint, deep chrome almost everywhere your eye lands, and a premium audio system with speakers set into the lowers and the saddlebags. ABS comes standard. This is Harley building its own most loaded version of a classic, and the sheer metal count is the whole point.
On the road it carries its 822 lb like a machine built to sit at speed, with a low 27.4 in seat and a long 63.5 in wheelbase keeping it steady and unbothered once you are rolling. It rewards a rider who wants a statement they can live with for years, not a quick fling. The honest caveat is mass. At parking-lot pace and tight U-turns you feel every pound, and it asks for respect. Listen for a compensator knock at startup, and keep an eye on lifter health as the miles stack up.
Hard Numbers
Spec sheets don't ride bikes, but they set the baseline.
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| Power | 98 hp (73 kW) @ 5,010 rpm |
|---|---|
| Torque | 118 lb-ft (160 Nm) @ 3,750 rpm |
| Displacement | 1801 cc |
| Engine | 45° V-twinMotorcycles With V-Twin Engines → |
| Cooling | Air-cooled |
| Gearbox | 6-speed |
| Final drive | BeltMotorcycles With Belt Drive → |
| Fork | Telescopic |
| Front tire | 130/60B19 61H |
| Rear tire | 180/55B18 80H |
| Wheelbase | 63.5 in (1613 mm) |
| Seat height | 27.4 in (696 mm)Motorcycles With a Seat Height Under 30 Inches → |
| Wet weight | 822 lb (373 kg) |
| Fuel capacity | 6.0 gal (22.7 L) |
Equipment check
Chassis
- Manually Adjustable Rear Suspension Standard
- Cruise Control Motorcycles With Cruise Control → Standard
Comfort
- Luggage System Standard
Safety
- ABS Standard
Known issues
-
Saddlebag mounting receptacle recall (NHTSA 15V-427)
On certain 2014 model CVO Road Kings, the saddlebag mounting clips may not adequately secure the bags, potentially leading to bag detachment while riding. Dealers replaced the receptacles under a safety recall.
-
Valve lifter failure
The high-pressure valve springs in the 110 engine can cause premature lifter wear, leading to loss of oil pressure and potential cam damage. The 2013 model year received a lifter design update, but earlier 110 engines were prone to failures typically occurring between 10,000 and 25,000 miles.
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Compensator failure
The compensator can wear prematurely, causing a loud knocking noise on startup and potentially leading to starter damage — the compensator (crankshaft shock absorber) is a separate component from the primary chain tensioner.
The Numbers Compared
Compare the technical specifications of the Harley-Davidson CVO Road King FLHRSE with other bikes in its class.
Head-to-head: Harley-Davidson CVO Road King FLHRSE vs. its rivals
Power
Torque
Displacement
Wet weight
Seat height
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