I swear that if you had asked me 2 years ago I would have told you that the Mother Factory would probably release, sooner or later, a Softail Bobber. It was so evident. Not only because the retro trend was in full swing, but because nothing screams more Harley than a Bobber. For example, sketch a bobber. Show it to anyone you want anywhere in the world, even to non-bikers, and ask which brand it can be? Harley will almost always come up. The new Softail model, inspired by early Knuckles and Pans, was announced at the Harley-Davidson Winter Dealer Meeting in San Antonio. With the retro look of a Springer front end and other post-war era bobber styling cues like a sprung solo seat (2 positions),half-round rider floor boards, gloss black round air cleaner cover and chopped front fender, the Softail Cross Bones rides with a black and polished Twin Cam 96B power train, 6-speed Cruise Drive transmission,and a Softail suspension.The FLSTSB Cross Bones is available in premium custom graphics with wicked striping and paint featuring new Dark Blue Pearl, Dark Blue Denim,as well as Vivid Black, Black Denim, Olive Pearl and Pewter Denim. MSRP starting at $16,795. Harley-Davidson Dark Custom
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Remove the Harley name on the gas tank, and it’s a 10,000 bike. Build your own bobber for cheaper.
Right you are, Patrick !
Besides : a duck tail fender on a bobber ???
And how about that oversized engine ?! As far as I remember, the only real bobber is a knuckel bobber.
Thanks but no, thanks.
Geronimo : Thanks man !, I thought I was the only person that has a problem with that rear fender !.
That rear fender blows!!!
Interesting that they did not use the rear fender from the Rocker or Rocker C. Seems to me that would have flowed better with the styling.
I think they did a good job. It was about time. As far as the fender one could change it. That fender back in the day was highly used. I bought my first HD in 65 and have not only watched the changes I did my own work. A bobber is any bike you cut up and chopped down. Be it a BSA, Triumph or what ever. A knuckle was a bonus. Still is.
Chrome all that springer, air cleaner cover, headlight and ape hangers.Change the fender. Put on some alloys, a king queen seat with a tall sissy bar, shed that ugly denim paint and you’ve got an old school winner.
Yikes… Doesn’t Harley do focus groups anymore? Can’t believe that back fender would have made it past many people….. And yeah, the “blacker than black” thing is getting a bit tired……
A million times better than that pig ugly Rocker.
Harley does nothing from scratch, and that fender–shared by all of the so-called “bobtail” models–is the only sheetmetal they have to wrap a 200mm tire, besides the Fat Boy fender, and that would look really queer.Taken all together, it was a smart move on their part for 2008, considering how bizarre and undesirable the Rocker models are.
Well in IL there is a big buzz about the Rocker, everyone I’ve talked to in person says it looks great I haven’t seen it yet but I’m looking forward to it. Did anyone know the Cross Bones bike was even in design, if so is there a pro-street chopper in the works because thats what I’ve heard. This bike isn’t my style but with a few tweeks it might be awesome and last time I checked rear fenders are keep and simple to replace. Just my thoughts.
I’m sorry,buy that Nike is just flat out bad. Styling is bad, the stance bad, the riding position is way too high and you’ll feel like a dumb @$$ for paying that much for it.
just got one in vivid black-a beaut to look at and ride-added 14″ black apes and a tall and wrapped pipes-happy a kid with this fun ride-nimble and sports like on the road. have an 06 deluxe thats become a part time ride since i got the crossbones- cant express how sweet this baby rides and feels
this is by far the biggest sleep within the last five years of development. the bike is awesome…just a few minor tweaks..and this bike is a total grand slam. congrats harley.
Got one myself handles great gets a lot of great comments.Gonna tweak it a little bitseat saddle bags and pipes.Have fun in the sun.
You all must be a bunch of young spoiled,whining,self-centered,instant gratifacation young punks.C’omon man,this bike is “bad ass & bitchin.Screw the fender!I remember riding on Indians & Harlys as a kid!Awesome machines.This bike is for old guys like me who remember when America was a Hell of a good country.Why don’t you all watch Easy Rider for a little education?I got a Cross Bones in my garage,fresh off the floor,& I’m here to tell you,it’s one HELL of a ride.God bless America!!
I love this bike! I get compliments all the time. If you don’t like the fender, don’t buy it! Also, for all you guys into chrome, save it for your 69 camaro…Back in Black!
Just brought my new Cross Bones home! WOW! Traded in my Ultra Classic, what a difference. Love this bike!! You guys who can’t afford a Harley stop whining!
I just test drove the crossbones and loved every mile I rode.I’m going to wait for the 09 so I can get my night rod paid off. I cant see how you can not like this thing.Its oldschool and badass
The name says it all.
I just sold my 87 Softail Custom (with 18″ apes) for 10 grand, just to make room in my garage for my new Crossbones. I’ve waited a lifetime for a stock bike like this. I’ve been building my Harleys for 36 years from scratch (I’m 54). I can finally walk into the Harley showroom and buy exactly what I would have built, if I could. “Indian Larry lives on”, through Willie G.
I bought the OD Green model. I was thinking 1942 WLA Liberator when I laid eyes on this bike. I had to have it. I traded in my 11 month old OD Green Nighster for this bike. The Nightster proved to be too small for me anyway. The Nightster, decked out, was one Wiked Kool looking bike.
On the CrossBones, I have added the pillion and half moon rear floor boards. I wrapped the heat sheilds(black), rather than remove them, and the chrome rear foot boards give it some contrast. Just like too much chrome, there’s also too much black out there… I will add the sissy bar, but rather than move the rear signal indicators, I will modify the bar bracket to fit around the indicators. I have added a couple of Willie skulls here and there for effect, and I will replace the handlebars with something that shoots up and then drops back down, or dog-bone and broomstick it. The rear fender doesn’t really fit, but I haven’t seen a bobbed one yet that I’m happy with. The rear on the Nighster is really something. Interesting how it was created. I may have to fabricate a fender of my own. I prefer the dull green, as on the Nightster, but the ladies like this gloss and pinstriping, I’ve noticed. Other than the minor details,
I Love This Bike !!
I would like to fabricate a setup for a spring rear seat, as a WLC had, but this might be hard to get used to looking at…