2014–2015 · Cruiser · Buyer's Guide
Factory Custom, No Apologies
This is Harley's factory-custom read on the Softail, built around the air-cooled Screamin' Eagle 110 V-twin. That 1801 cc engine puts down 90 hp and a thick 105 lb-ft, tuned for lazy roll-on grunt rather than revs. CVO status means the finish sits a level above the standard line: deep custom paint, chrome laid on heavy, and detachable pieces that let it swing between light tourer and stripped hot rod. A 6-speed box and belt final drive round it out. In its class it reads as pure boulevard theater, a bike whose first job is presence.
It rides the way it looks: low, long, and unhurried, happiest rolling through town or down a two-lane at a relaxed clip. The hidden rear suspension keeps that clean hardtail silhouette but pays for it in travel, so broken pavement comes through firm and the lean angle runs out early if you push the pace. At 769 lb it wants respect at walking speed. Vet the history, too. These engines can wear lifters and cam shoes, and there's a clutch master cylinder recall worth confirming. Buy it for the character, not the spec sheet.
Spec sheets don't ride bikes, but they set the baseline.
| Power | 90 hp (67 kW) |
|---|---|
| Torque | 105 lb-ft (143 Nm) |
| Displacement | 1801 cc |
| Engine | 45° V-twin |
| Cooling | Air-cooled |
| Gearbox | 6-speed |
| Final drive | Belt |
| Front brake | 300 mm |
| Front tire | 130/90B16 |
| Rear tire | MU85B16 77H |
| Seat height | 26.2 in (665 mm) |
| Wet weight | 769 lb (349 kg) |
| Fuel capacity | 5.0 gal (18.9 L) |
| Top speed | 106 mph (170 km/h) |
Equipment check
Chassis
Lighting
Safety
Swing a leg over and the 26.2-inch seat drops you into the bike rather than onto it: feet forward, bars back, weight settled deep between your hips. Fire it up and the whole frame talks to you, a slow, heavy shuffle at idle that you feel in the tank and pegs before you really hear it. Roll on and the twin sends a steady pulse up through the saddle, the sort of vibration that reads as liveliness instead of harshness. The exhaust note is deep and unmistakable at a cruise. Your hands sit relaxed, chrome catching light in your peripheral vision the whole way. Once you're up to highway speed it settles and tracks straight and calm, feeling every bit as substantial as it looks. This is a bike you wear, not just steer.
Hydraulic clutch master cylinder seal failure (RECALL)
The master cylinder primary cup can tear, causing the clutch to lose its ability to stay disengaged. This can lead to unintentional creep and low-speed tip-overs.
Premature lifter and cam shoe wear
Owners report lifter failures around 5,000 miles and accelerated cam shoe wear between 10,000 and 25,000 miles. Early models had an inner cam bearing issue, which was reportedly fixed before 2014, but lifter problems persist.
Cruise control sensor failure
Single report of cruise control sensor malfunction requiring replacement.
Where this Harley-Davidson CVO Softail Deluxe FLSTNSE pulls ahead of — or falls behind — its rivals on the numbers, and the typical bike in its class on character.
Power
Torque
Displacement
Wet weight
Seat height
Forget spec-sheet bragging. Here's who the CVO Softail Deluxe FLSTNSE is actually built for.
If Sturgis and Daytona are on your calendar and you want sound, presence, and brand identity under you, this is squarely your bike. It's built to be seen and heard on the boulevard.
Made for A1A — Florida Atlantic Coast · Black Hills / Sturgis Rally Hub · Daytona Main Street / Bike Week
For small-town runs and historic two-lanes at an easy pace, the retro lines fit the mood. Keep the days shorter, though; the firm ride and low clearance don't love long, rough stretches.
Made for Acadia National Park · Austin / Handbuilt Motorcycle Show · Blue Ridge Parkway
Big cross-country days two-up aren't its strong suit. Short suspension travel and a 5.0-gal tank mean frequent stops and a firm ride, so treat it as a weekend statement rather than a true long-hauler.
Made for Beartooth Highway · Blue Ridge Parkway · Going-to-the-Sun Road