This morning at the Progressive International Motorcycle Show – the largest indoor consumer motorcycle show in the U.S – Harley-Davidson is unveiling the Blackline, a new Harley-Davidson Dark Softail model.
The Motor Factory describes it as lean, bared to the bone, with visual elements of the original bobber movement combined with the raw, hand-hewn style embraced by today’s young builders.
Bobbed rear fender over a slim 144 mm tire to emphasize a hartail look, black trimmings to go with the Dark Theme. Compact headlight and speedometer are tucked low into the wide FX front end. Lowest two-up seat ever offered by Harley with the new Split Drag™ handlebar that bolts right to the top triple-clamp.
Rugged, aggressive and tailored for the young bikers with a price set accordingly. USA suggested MSRP is $15,499. (54 miles highway. 35 miles city). The Softail Blackline is being shipped today January 21 to continental U.S. dealers.
Non US dealers will receive the new model based on normal shipping time to their region. (video after the jump)
I would like to say something nice and positive – but its just a big boring disappointment
Still trend-humping Harley?
why can’t you build a modern, well engineered bike that takes your industrial legacy into account?
Nope just keep pumping lifestyle accessories as your buyer pool shrinks…
Please Willie G.
There are retirement homes in Florida with room.
It looks a lot better than the new Victory High-Fender.
can i get it with the Victory engine?
yawn
If H-D makes their seats any lower we’re gonna be riding Dan Gurney Alligators soon.
Looks ok, doesn’t need much to make it look really good. Change the bars, put on mid controls (I’ll never understand forward controls, but that’s just me I guess), clean up the rear end and maybe change the pipes. Nice clean looking bike. Though for the 15,500US or worse the probable 17500 or 18000 they’ll want for it here in Canada doesn’t really equal the whole “young biker” market they’re trying to hit.
I don’t know guys …. compared to the new Victory the HD has the looks hands down AND the price point. I personally think this is the first good move, and commercial, the Motor Company has made in a long while.
OMG … did I just say something positive about Harley …. I need to increase my medication I suppose!
Over & Out,
Jeff
Holy gawd, it’s the ghost of “Dark Custom” ! Or how about this? “Bad Brad rides again!” HD didn’t need to waste more money on another goofy campaign. They already have a hit; the Nightster has quietly –and with only word of mouth, become the new generation’s first real street bike of choice.
But no. Instead of supporting that, they blow a wad on this sons-of-medicority, x-gen garbage.
I look so “uncaged” in my Great Gazoo helmet.
That is the first time that I have seen a new Harley motor with black cylinders and natural heads, making it seem like it is an older bike. I have done the same thing to my Evo ( plus I put pan covers on the heads)
I don’t know guys ….. compared to the new Victory I believe this bike has the looks AND Price Point going for it. This could be the best move and commercial the Motor Company has made in a long while!
OMG … did I just say something positive about Harley ???? I must need to increase my medication!
Over & Out,
Jeff
New model? It’s just another Softail silly. How about the next New model actually be something new other than just a new paint job? It looks nice and all, but they truly have no idea who their target market is or what they can afford.
And a bike for “Younger Bikers”…that starts at $15,499????….it’s no wonder the kids all ride Jap bikes or Shovelheads these days. Does Harley have any idea what young riders are willing to spend on a motorcycle? If you want to bring younger riders in, bring back the $3999 entry model and get them hooked on the culture and TORQUE! Pricing them out of the sale helps no one!
The sad thing is that we all actually want Harley to do well and succeed in this younger rider market. They are just missing the boat and digging their own grave. What will become of Harley when the baby boomers are gone?
Lose the rear seat, lower the rear and install pipes that don’t look like they came off the VRod and you have a good start. I like how it “sort of” looks like a hard tail.
If they want to grab the bobber generation, make a hard tail
alright I am buying one… I always wanted to be cool and finally I can be. This means I will be accepted and apparently good at darts.
Ebass….. HAHAHA…. years ago I got passed by Dan G riding up Ortega Highway…. he blew by us like we were standing still. I still want one!
Those actors really look bad ass in this one! I wonder if any of them use the money they got paid to buy a bike?
Some one finally looked at the sales figures or the demo and said hey “we have to replace or fire sales for the night train and the bad boy buyers”
Small step in the right direction. Looks & price.
Pfffffffft
Oh, sorry, breaking wind not breaking news.
Mike
Go get HD! Keep makin bikes that we can take all the useless parts off of and make cool with our own! That’s the only way they are gonna stay alive is to build solid base bike that the new generation can individualize! after all thats where the chopper culture came from! “CHOPPING”
Finally Harley got one right. Is it perfect – nothing is ever going to be perfect for everyone. But it is clean and uncluttered – a good start on a nice looking platform. A bike that many could live with and that can be made “perfect” down the road, without taking out a second mortgage. Harley doesn’t need to build only for the $3999.00 and the $25,999.00 and up customer. There’s room in the middle and if the dealers have some wiggle room on the prices I think many will find this to be in their budget. At this price point many will be able to ride stock for a while and then afford to personalize it, either on their own or by having the dealer add or change some items or by having it done by a full on customization professional, depending on their own skill level and desired final product. My comments echo those of shadetreekyle and a few others.
I, for one, am happy to see Harley move away from the flat/satin/denim paint and the cover everything with skulls mentality. If you like that look, fine – there are many bikes in that vein still available, but I like that Harley has gotten back to basics, back to their roots.
same old crap,just different color . you would think all the money harley has the could hire some guys that think out of the box . back to the drawing board..
I REALLY would like to stay positive.. this is USA Harley ! But…………………….
…….gosh darn, looks like the last umpteen-bikes Harley made.. Nothing new. It is what it is, the new buyers, that have to have a Harley will probably buy. The thing that get me is this, Harley SHOULD be looking for new ‘younger’ buyers, good for them… But lets look at this for one second as only a ‘social’ out look. Not a ‘have to have a Harley’ out look. Young buys are smart with out a wad of cash. They are going to go shop, go look, go learn, go talk with people, there friends.. You can go get a Honda that looks about the same for about $6500-$7000.. That is a new buyer that wants to ride. And ‘they’ think it looks about the same. And then they can afford it and buy parts and gear with a few extra bucks they save.. I bring this up because we have this conversation with customers all the time. I understand its a Harley, I personally would like a Harley more, But when attracting new buys that are not in the Bizz or give a rats ass if it says “HARLEY” there is a big price difference and to the unknowing not much else.
IMOP, if you where to erase the companies names from all manufactures, and we looked at the economic situation, quality, innovativeness, Etc The Japanese have done wonders and have done a damn good job, the Europeans have done good too but pretty expensive across the board, We “Harley’ seams to have done the very least, and some of the most expensive across the board.
I’m all about tradition, I like Harley, but when the HELL are they going to get at least a few bikes up to par with the world? If im still riding on 50 years, am I going to go to Harley and see 99% of the bikes look as they do today……… probably, that’s cuz its “tradition”………….. and its cheaper to sit on your ass and over charge for a old (technology) bike……..
When they restructure, and become relevant (other than “tradition”) Ill be 100% on board, and be the proud Harley supporter that is hiding somewhere in my soul !
Harley, PLEASE be a leader…. Please……. get with it……… GD…, F
Mike Greenwald: That was FUNNY !
At least it looks like a regular production motorcycle. I like the RETRO look of the early 80’s, brings me back to a less complicated time when GIANT HAIR was cool and video games were played in arcades!
this isnt anything real new to the line for harley. they see it this way most of the older people riding are on baggers.
so its the younger people that are on a soft tail but thats rediculess. i know a lot of older dudes that have two bikes one is usually a soft tail.
they tied to come out with some new versions in the past couple of years and some were great other sucked like the rocker. it was over done and over priced.
so now they want to catch a different market and thats not easy with the same old stuff.
so if you want to get some new riders then make the bike as fun as it can be and afordable as it can be and watch what will happen oh wait isnt that what the buel is for?
dont get me wrong i love my harley and yep its a bagger for me caus eim an older dude but dont try to blow smioke up my ass with the same old stuff.
I REALLY would like to stay positive.. this is USA Harley ! But…………………….
…….gosh darn, looks like the last umpteen-bikes Harley made.. Nothing new. It is what it is, the new buyers that have to have a Harley will probably buy. The things that get me is this, Harley SHOULD be looking for new ‘younger’ buyers. Good for them… But lets look at this for one second as only a ‘social’ out look. Not a ‘have to have a Harley’ out look. Young buys are smart with not a wad of cash. They are going to go shop, go look, go learn, go talk with people, there friends.. You can go get a Honda that looks about the same for about $6500-$7000.. That is a new buyer that wants to ride. And ‘they’ think it looks about the same. And then they can afford it and buy parts and gear with a few extra bucks they save.. I bring this up because we have this conversation with customers all the time. I understand its a Harley, I personally would like a Harley more, But when attracting new buys that are not in the Bizz or give a rats ass if it says “HARLEY” there is a big price difference and to the unknowing not much else.
IMOP, if you where to erase the companies names from all manufactures, and we looked at the economic situation, quality, innovativeness, Etc The Japanese have done wonders and have done a damn good job, the Europeans have done good too but pretty expensive across the board, We “Harley’ seams to have done the very least, and some of the most expensive across the board.
I’m all about tradition, I like Harley, but when the HELL are they going to get at least a few bikes up to par with the world? If im still riding on 50 years, am I going to go to Harley and see 99% of the bikes look as they do today……… probably, that’s cuz its “tradition”………….. and its cheaper to sit on your ass and over charge for a old (technology) bike……..
When they restructure, and become relevant (other than “tradition”) Ill be 100% on board and be the proud Harley supporter that is hiding somewhere in my soul !
Mike Greenwald: That was FUNNY !
Hell… I kinda like it. Streamline the seat a little more ‘cus I don’t think if flows well with the rest of the lines. Looks a little bulky, but probably comfortable.
Regardless of the fact it’s just a made over Softail, I have to admit I like that fact they’ve gone back to a skinny rear tyre (140 is perfect), and I do really like those handlebars. It’s not for me, especially at that price, but its as close I’ve seen them come to making a bike that I like.
Just looking at the profile picture again, where’s the seat post gone? There seems to be more air between the oil tank and rear cylinder than I remember on the Softail models?
looks to me like they just repacked the Softail Standard into the Night Train into this. Bottom line is, it isn’t the bikes that get the younger kids, it’s the people on them. If they see all 40 & 50 year olds riding Harleys or cruisers, well then they won’t get into Harleys.
The Young kids see skate boarders who turn to building their owns bikes & very few talk up HD….
As a 30 year old, I just sold my 2006 Lowrider for a down payment on a house. I’m not sure if I am considered a “young rider” by harley’s definition but I can tell you that I am not in the market for a rehashed 15K softail standard. I see myself buying a mid 90s FXR for 5k-8k. Thats the price point I am looking for, no sportster just a mid priced big twin. I’m ok with the fact that its not going to be prefect or have the latest and greatest fuel injection. Over time I will work the kinks out and make it my own. I think the iron is a great bike for the younger crowd, I wish they would make a cheaper big twin like the old plain jane superglide. I think the MoCo missed the target with this one.
To much money for a young market. Why when they can get a metric bike 2nd hand for a thrid of the price .
drop another grand to make it their own. VWA-LA……….BIG company out of touch.
Okay, Harley is looking at the very narrow, narrow front tire FX Softail market. The Night Train was discontinued at the end of the 2009 model year, the Softail Standard was discontinued several years ago, the narrow tire Springer was last seen in 2006, the Duece was discontinued in 2007, the Softail Custom was reintroduced in 2007 and was discontinued at the end of the 2010 model run. The Rocker is going away at the end of this year and it was a FX but had the 19″ front wheel instead of the traditional 21″. So that leaves no, nada, none FX style softails. (Did I miss one? Did I get the years right?) So to fill the gap, they didn’t spend a bunch of money in this economy, they took what they had and restyled it and called it a new model. They’ve been doing it for years and years and it seems to work. Remember the FXSTSB Bad Boy introduced in 1995-1997? It was just a FX Springer with more black out on it, a different seat, different bars, different paint job, and bam! new model. So I guess Harley keeps introducing and discontinuing models to keep things fresh. And at the same time, not spending a ton of money to do it. Pretty smart.
140 is the new 200
didn’t we all spend a damn fortune trying to get our Softails to fit a 180/200 because we hated the 140 stock rear tire. Looks like Harley just brought back the swingarm molding from the Evo based Softails.
Don’t get me wrong, I like the skinny rear tire look, it makes my hipster beard, cuffed jeans and my PBR look cool, but I will stick with my FAT 180 that I have CRAMMED into my swingarm
…. and yes, I guess that makes me the new generation geezer (secret….. all the “YOUNG” builders are hitting or passing 40 just like I am 🙂
Later!
Guess I’ll say the Victory High Ball has a much better price point and stand out of the crowd looks to boot, not to mention more power. It will be interesting to see which make/model sells more units by the end of the 2011.
Cyril keep your eyes on the figures for both models and report next December.
Steve from what i recall hearing does 6000 nite trains ?? a year sold, sound right?
dark custom my ass… Why discontinue the NIghtTrain and then keep telling us you have the dark custom. Why cant they look at the cool stuff guys are putting together with nothing more than bolt on parts and create something like that. Why is that so hard.
I don’t think it’s a bad looking bike, but why not buy a Dyna Wide Glide, it’s less expensive.
and one last thing….. what younger rider has 16K for a motorcycle? Now that the “finance your toys” days are gone….. I think the best thing Dark Custom could do is build a custom younger riders can afford. Seriously…. I only buy used cause I don’t really want to shell out that much coin for a bike I am going to have to drop another 5K into just to get it looking a little different/better.
But that is just my opinion….. I will close and say that I still don’t think HD gets it. Bring down the price and let the owner make it a custom. The day someone comes out with a a 10K chopper that is not lame, and support it…. that bike will rule in this market.
Hmmmmmmm. looks like someone found a room or discontinued parts and came up with this. Duece front end, nightster rear fender, Fatboy exhaust, V-rod rear seat, and what looks like a blem fuel tank. Hey at least its not a “all new Sportster model” again.
Sheridan, the seat post actually was never on the Softails from 2000 onward when they did a ground up redesign of the frame and swingarm. In it’s place they ran a tapered half round piece of pressed metal, and still do for most 2011 Softails. I suppose it is to maintain the “look” of a seat post as it has no function at all that I can see. Apparently the designers of the Blackline though it superfluous. Or maybe the bean counters said, “Hey, it we save thirty-cents on each bike by leaving it off, then we can save $xx this model year.” Your guess is as good as mine.
Although its really nothing new, I’m most dissapointed with the price point. Look at the Vic’s price. Yes I think ours (Harley’s that is ) is much better looking. But am I really to believe Polaris can beat HD on price point. The shear difference in the number of engines built between ALL Vics and just the Softail line suggests HD should be able to build their bike with considerably less expense than Vic. I can only conclude the MSRP difference is because HD will not accept a lower margin. Although they don’t mind cutting into the Dealers margins and demanding Dealers cater to their every whim. C;mon upper management. Give is something more than lame marketing slogans to work with. IMHO your 2k to high on your price point. Same with early VRod. Missed reasonable price point AND Dealers added 3-5k at that time and the bike was almost stillborn. Plenty of blame to go around there. Todays Muscle prices are much better. But, is it too late already for VRod? Where will the Blackline and Dark Customs in general be in 3 years. I sincerely hope I’m wrong,,,I hope it hits like Fatboy in 1990,,,but I just don’t see it. Pricing and marketing have GOT to get better. We have lost our way in these areas. Fixing things operationally will on go so far. Here’s hoping for the best.
I like the engine treatment, put a better looking rear fender on it and they probably have a winner.
Good to see HD returning to what they know, their “new” designs in recent years have been awful, (Rocker, Deuce, the umpteen Sportsters, & V-Rod).
I still think a Buell powered Softail Sportster is where HD should go. Low cost to produce, good power, they already have all the R&D to produce it (except the frame), and would be easily customized with the thousands of HD Softail style accessories.
My opinion anyway…
It’s a clean lookin’ scooter, I like the engine detail instead of the blacked-out stuff. Put a set of bags on it ‘an it’ll do just fine. The buy a new Harley and “OOUHH , You’re a BIKER!!” crap kinda gets to me, but I guess everybody’s gotta start sometime. I still believe you gotta build yer first one though. Maybe Harley ought to offer a “Bike in a Basket” in pieces so these guys can get what the “Biker” thing is all about. One time at Sturgis I got fed up ‘an had a black T-shirt made with big white letters that said “Did Ya Build It or Did Ya Buy It!! Kinda gettin’ to be a sourpuss in my old age. Wiz
I like it, simple and clean
Man, I gotta get me one of them. Then I’ll get lots of chicks, just like in the video……..
Looks like my 99 black FXDX. Great video, is Harley selling sex or motorcycles? ..Z
Not a bad looking bike but not a milestone either. I’m not going to be able to buy one, I’m in my fifties and not hip. I will stick with my ’91 FXR. I like the “new” rear tire size.
I’m an old guy and like the look alot. Sometimes less is better. It never ceases to amaze me that some people just can not hide their envy….they want to talk about the asian bikes and how much better they are than HD. Obviously they haven’t ridden a Harley in the last 20 years (or likely never).If they are so good why do all of them have HD “rip-offs”. They try to emulate every Harley model without success. They STILL look like plastic wanabes. I”ve ridden both since the early 70’s and while I enjoyed my hondas, kawis, and yams….none of them has ever came close to the “fun” factor and prestige riding Harleys do. I guess if “you have to ask”, you’ll never understand.
Very uncool,get your act together Harley and come up with something really new and not just another sawn off rear fender and a new paint sceme.
It’s a 15K HD which can be eclipsed and left in the dust by a MidUSA ultima for less money. Really guys. HD has too much invested in overhead to get real on prices. Just my 2 cts.
Geeez….will someone at HD get those black Krylon cans out of marketing…Those guys are clearly huffin’ it!
Wiz, i`m with you on the basket. My first HD was a basket case 1945 45`. Bought a manual and spent a lot of good hours in the garage.
I like the look “it has a smooth sexiness about it”, but don’t like the campaign “it feel gimmicky”.
Ah yes, lets take the same ‘ol bikes, paint ’em just a wee bit different and call it a new model. Typical Harley Davidson Corporation. I thought the V-Rod was going to be their appeal to younger bikers? Guess that hasn’t worked to well either.
Maybe Harley should actually bring a few guys in, like a Rowland Sands, or some Crotch Rocket guys from Roaring Toyz and actually design a bike that would appeal to a young biker crowd. Or, they could take a lesson from the Honda designers that designed the bagger that was posted last week here on Cyrils blog.
For starters put some muscle in the bike straight off the showroom floor. The 103 is a hell of a motor and horse power is one of the biggest things the “young crowd” is looking for. Offer it as a STANDARD on the bike rather than a complete dealer upgrade after the fact. How many young people do you know in this economy they can lay out 16k for a bike and put another 4 to 5 grand into it to upgrade their engine? Not many. In fact, offer the 103 as a factory option on all your bikes.
I was always told that “HD” stood for “Hundred Dollar”. I think a better cliche’ would be “Honestly Dissapointing”.
C’mon Willie G, Hire someone that actually knows what the younger crowd is looking for. You’ll be glad ya did!
I have been riding HD’s for over thirty years now. I hope to be riding them for another thirty. But the truth be told HD must attract the younger riders if they are to survive another thirty years. This bike here does represent the fact that HD has acknowleged the fact that they need to attract younger riders and is slowly moving in that direction. This is a good looking bike. The best part here is the advertising. I have been saying for years that in order to attract younger men you must do three things. (1) make a bike that has a new look. HD is a little short on that one but getting there. (2) build a bike that will perform at the level young men desire. Again HD is a little short there but they do offer a lot of engine upgrades that will get the younger rider there. (3) Ad the cool factor—convince them that young attractive women will be more likely to climb onto a HD than a Japanese bike. Young men want young women and HD is now using that fact to hype their bikes [ GOOD FOR HD IT IS ABOUT TIME ] This is a much better approach than the typical be a bad ass advertizing gimic. But remember HD is walking a very thin line when changing an American icon. On the one hand they HD must change to survive but the other side of the coin is most of their loyal customers that have been riding and more importantly BUYING HD’s bike for decades don’t want their bikes to change. Change is coming but don’t expect it to happen over night it will come slowly. Now all that having been said I like this bike and I like the fact that HD is starting to go after the younger riders.
Good Job HD.
It’s funny… they went back to the old HD air cleaner for Evo.
Just another softail with a different paintjob and 3 accessories from the HD catalog.
But the price seems a little bit better.
look it’s hard to improve/redesign the best motorcycle every year and come out with something that everyone likes, i’d like for you kno-nothing self-taught rocket sceintist with nothing to do/or a real life, do any better. i can’t believe some of the stupid crap that falls out of folks mouth. H-D’s are from long and proud timeline, that has design heritage/styling from 100 + yrs of tradition. yea the “new” models look like ones from a few years ago and a few decades ago to. you look at a H-D from a distance and you kno it’s a Harley, look at jap clone from a distance and you don’t kno who made it till you get close to it.
it’s about American tradition more then styling points you brainless wonders, and at least they’re trying to attract the younger crowd . i think the average owners age is around 44 yrs old, but i see more and more younger(early 20’s)folks making the investment for a higher end price bike that is an icon and a personallity statement on wheels.
look they try to but it hard to improve on something that works so i’ll just call out the stupid ones, Ian-get alife dude, mad river motor company – what kind of bikes do you sell or are you just using a knock off name to impress other idiots. Jeff Nicklus – if you never have anything good to say about H-D then why would you read this type article go back to reading Mad mag. JSDiamond – your research department is srewed up, wait no it’s just you, get facts before writing. Shadetreekyle – your name is self explanitory. Wiz – you must be a master machanic to build your first bike and everyone since. Kieth Stone – get on your honda rebel and shut the f–k up. Eric Maurer – Harley never put a 140 rear tire on a bike, 130- 150 no 140, and if you can’t spend more than 10k on a bike buy a XL, or a used bike. Big K – you just don’t get it do you, and if you say “get what” in response you’ll never understand the real world and i’m sorry for you.
there is hardly any “bascket cases” out there anymore for young folk to start out with thanks to the people who went around buying them up and sending them over sea’s in the 80’s/90’s. a harley has always cost about as much as a pick-up truck, until lately with the truck costing more now ,
The main reason H-D’s cost so much now is that UAW (United Auto Workers) has strong armed as meny US companys they could into paying outragous labor/benefit rates driving up cost and running some over seas, why do you think non- US companys locate in southern “right to work ” states. When unions was started they were a good concept and protected workers, but GREED,Orginized crime, the lust for power, ect. has turned them into strong-arming, oppressive, dictatorial, bullies that will terrorize any and all that don’t want them in thier workplace or crossing thier pickett line.
Most ya’ll here need to get your head out of your asses, stay of the internet, and join us here in the real world. Sorry for ramble on like that but idiots just piss me off.
Michael A. Spot Weems
owner – Spot’s Cycle :President – White Liners MC
How is this aimed at younger bikers? Looks like every other cruiser on the market
Someone PLEASE boot Willie G and the rest of the old farts out of H-D.
They’re still riding the Brooks Stevens train. The last innovative bike they built was the V-Rod. Where are all the liquid cooled engines? Where’s a REAL H-D cafe racer (not just a name)? Oh yeah, killing Buell and dumping MV Agusta were the two biggest mistakes you’ve made.
Another thought from the “old guy” above…I understand the “heritage, Classic” factor that Willie G. and the styling department hold onto. For those who don’t understand, that this IS one of the greatest reasons many of us buy Harleys. I think there are two factors involved here. A lot of us want to go out and ride a really nice looking/sounding motorcycle, which is also dead nuts reliable and confortable; and makes us feel good. The second is that most of the younger riders can’t afford the price of the “big bike” Harleys. As they get older and likely more affluent, the maturation process often leads them to the traditional American motorcycle. They are “over” the things that the Asian bikes offer and come to appreciate the tradition, workmanship, and culture that Harley ownership brings. I believe HD’s attempts to woo younger riders is good. Beside the V-Rod, Harley has introduced a terrific line of Sportster models that look really good and offer decent performance in every respect. They are fuel injected, rubber mounted and demonstrate respectable handling and power (compliments of Buell). My new Road King is a contemporary motorcycle. It is fuel injected, six speed tranny, 6 gallon tank (at 48/50 MPG), a new design frame and swingarm set up, ABS brakes, “fly by wire” throttle, cruise control, air assisted suspension and the best damm seat I’ve ever had on ANY bike, and I’ve owned five Asin bikes and five Harleys.
I Know Willie G. and executive management at Harley understand their target market and will continue to offer the “Traditional” bikes that got them to the top while continuing to improve them technologically. Expanding the line to draw in the “younger” buyer is not a contradition and can be accomplished over time without destroying 108 years of tradition. I feel confident that it will be accomplished.
Brad,
The V-Rod engine/chassy desended from H-D’s cafe racer, whitch was also a racing failer.
They (with the help of Porsch) designed and introduced a bike to compete with Jap and Euro superbikes in the Grand Prix style cercuit. The VR 1000 was the desination of it, and it looked like the V-Rod of now.
Don,t remember exactly how meny yrs they competed (8?), got some top 10’s, no podium finishes. The bike was under powered, they were trying to get about 165 hp out of it to be competive, but couldn’t quite reach that, it also suffered a string of mechanical failures. They finally pulled out of the series.
From a failure they took the design and modified it for the street, then introduced it as the V- Rod line of bikes. It was a very successful road bike and still is, and then when the NHRA lifted their band on H-D’s competing(H-d ruled the drag strip, mostly the sportster, until they were banded for drawing the wrong crowd) the V-Rod started to rule the strip, then the Buell came in and damn the sportster “motor” was once again winning on NHRA tracks.
From a failure to a great street bike and a dominating dragbike platform the VR linage is a success story over looked by most people
Hey Spot, I ain’t no Master mechanic, just a guy that couldn’t afford to pay others to do it. Got my first Harley out of a chicken coop for $250. bucks when I was 14 years old. After I put it together, it burst into flames at 60 mph! Had ta bail, Ouch! Rebuilt that old ’48 monster many times through the years. But it’s my efforts pulling me down the road, I gave it life ‘an it gives me my life! Wiz
Harley: 59hp, over $16k.
Victory: 97hp, under $14k
’nuff said.
wow, those marketing “retreads” from GM (FAIL) just don’t do anything right
I consider myself young at age 31, and I’ve never even considered anything but an HD. Any kid can afford an XL with a little hard work and sacrifice. And except for the vrsc’s, that 1200 is the fastest accelerating stock Harley. I for one appreciate how HD keeps using the same themes. They have a design that works. Most of their bikes will never truly go out of style like most others do every few years.
I bought a Blackline a few weeks ago… I love the thing! I’m customizing it to make it my own but I loved it at the dealers before I had done anything. I don’t get what everyone doesn’t like about it… I think it looks great. I’m 30 by the way and the girls in the ad didn’t make a shit to me… I get ass all the time. I wanted a cool bike to ride not get pussy. One more thing, fuck those Jap bikes… and the Japs. Maybe we have so many complaining assholes here because American guys have turned in to a bunch of pussy fags… I was a badass before I had a HD, come test me fuckholes.
Air cooled and push rods, got to love it. take youre wanabe look alike fuck stain bikes and shove them. Not gona sell out because of the price, get a real job you so you ride a real bike.