Harley-Davidson Would Release 2 New 2012 Models. The Sportster Seventy Two And The Softail Slim.

I don’t publish rumors, but will (almost) always publish leaked information. Problem is that when this leak seems to come from Harley-Davidson headquarters it’s evidently impossible to get anyone to confirm in writing my information. But pictures just began to circulate on the web…During its February Winter Dealers Meeting, Harley-Davidson would announce 2 new 2012 models (instead of one usually unveiled at this time of the year.)

 The first one would be called the Sportster Seventy Two – either a 883 or 1200 cc – It would take inspiration from the 70’s choppers with mild ape hangers, forward controls, lots of chrome and metallic paint. The second model would be a new Softail called Softail Slim, a “true” Bobber based on the Fat Boy platform. flat black paint, old school details all over, wheels with black painted spokes, cat-eye style gas tank dash, half-moon floorboards, hollywood style handlebars. Both models would be officially announced beginning of 2nd week of February. To follow…

32 Responses to “Harley-Davidson Would Release 2 New 2012 Models. The Sportster Seventy Two And The Softail Slim.”


  1. 1 Jason Jan 31st, 2012 at 10:55 am

    If confirmed, looks to me that these 2 new models are going to be hot sellers. Exactly what people want to ride today.

  2. 2 Woody Jan 31st, 2012 at 11:16 am

    Interesting thought process on the Sportster, if true. Apes & forward controls would take the “sport” out of Sportster IMHO and just make it a mini-Dyna. Don’t know if that’s good or bad, folks will vote with their wallets and I’m glad to see them trying new stuff with old platforms, though. Always a cost-efficient way to experiment.

  3. 3 Matt Jan 31st, 2012 at 11:21 am

    Hmm. The picture on the left makes me wonder if the bike should have low rider shocks included and the picture on the right makes me wonder why Russell Michell isn’t standing next to it.

  4. 4 CafeSportyTC Jan 31st, 2012 at 11:35 am

    I love the Cafe look but if the sportster looks like above then it definately will look like some of the custom Ironhead’s of the time. I love it.

  5. 5 Brett Jan 31st, 2012 at 12:09 pm

    I think the point with the Sportster being, when many build their chopper or custom bike, they go with a Sportster or Sportster size bike frame.

    I guess my only thing is, HD is usually a few years behind the trend. They wait to make sure people like something before they build it. It was like when they started putting 200 tires on the back of their bikes. The fad was over.

    HD should take some risks & get people who can try to start the trend, not jump on one.

    That being said, from what I can see of them, both bikes look great…but I’d like to see more pictures & the full bike.

  6. 6 Anti-Harley Jan 31st, 2012 at 1:08 pm

    Which is the CAMEL model? Harley can hump both models. Not impressed.

  7. 7 morpion Jan 31st, 2012 at 3:48 pm

    wake up victory

  8. 8 Trainiac Jan 31st, 2012 at 3:58 pm

    Re-skinned junk. 50’s technology was dated in the 60’s, maybe H-D can push this crap on people in India where reliability is measured in days but nowhere else.

  9. 9 Mike W. Jan 31st, 2012 at 5:14 pm

    Not to inpressed. Looks like an 03 sporty with a set of mini apes. Other a mess’d up Fatboy with dirt bike bars on it. Both a mear $75.00. Upgrade

  10. 10 viz Jan 31st, 2012 at 5:35 pm

    Ha i get it

    Fatboy Slim, So original. NOT!!!

  11. 11 rob Jan 31st, 2012 at 6:00 pm

    Remember years ago the FLHS; if H-D released a stripped down flh,they would sell as many as they could build……..

  12. 12 Fridge Jan 31st, 2012 at 6:00 pm

    The Sporty looks decent, the Softail looks like another version of the fatboy. They need to bring out another softail with wide glide front end and 21″ tire…They’re all starting to look the same now, not impressed

  13. 13 rob Jan 31st, 2012 at 6:03 pm

    Why would they introduce a new sporty model when you can custom build what YOU want from the factory? Has anyone at H-D taken any marketing courses lately?

  14. 14 Mauler Jan 31st, 2012 at 6:19 pm

    Have a skinny, chromed out 70’s like Sporty with the apes could be pretty cool, I’ll have to see more pictures. The Softail Slim doesn’t do much for me, especially if its just a Fat Bob/Boy with skinny tires then I’m not interested at all. We’ll see!

  15. 15 colemanfu Jan 31st, 2012 at 6:51 pm

    We still on flat black bike? Leave it to HD to be just a bit behind. Not sayin a word about the heavy flake.

  16. 16 BobS Jan 31st, 2012 at 8:09 pm

    I hope they sell so many bikes they have to add another shift to the plant, but neither Harley nor Victory will see me doing cartwheels over “new” models consisting of nothing more than a different color paint and different handlebars! That’s a 2012 Sportster and a 2012 Softail, period.

  17. 17 Seymour Jan 31st, 2012 at 8:56 pm

    I think the world really IS going to end in 2012, that’s why Harley and Victory come up with these uninspired ideas and why Hollywood just re-hashes old movies instead of coming up with new ideas. I mean, why bother?

  18. 18 Matt Olsen Jan 31st, 2012 at 10:17 pm

    Good Job Guys

  19. 19 Nobody Feb 1st, 2012 at 1:01 am

    Lackluster. They could have done w/ out the ‘Slim’ and it would have been a better move to make a Cafe styled sporty since that’ll be the next big trend for the 20-30 crowd with access to money.

  20. 20 Richard Upright Feb 1st, 2012 at 3:33 am

    Ho-hum; do we really need another blacked-out denim paint pseudo-bobber from the MoCo? Wake me when it’s 2013!

  21. 21 Wiz Feb 1st, 2012 at 6:52 am

    I figured there would be a bunch of Harley bashing when I first saw this post. I just built a Sportster for my daughter last year ‘an guess what… it’s just like their “new” model! I put baby apes, forward controls, lowered the ass end, saddlebags, bitch stick [sissy bar is some place in San Francisco ya go fer sum gay action, if that trips yer trigger. Personally, I don’t care what Elton John ‘an them other clowns rationalize ‘n justify, it just AIN’T RIGHT!!!] Oh, I digress, luggage rack, ‘an blue bling accent lights. Groovy little Sporty!! Sumbody at H-D has the same ideas as me. I’ll be darned!! Wiz

  22. 22 Kevin K Feb 1st, 2012 at 7:30 am

    It’s nice that they are at least exploring more options with thier new models. If I wanted a flat black fat boy, I would buy a used one and make it the way I wanted. ( 6 speed, engine upgrade and pipes, etc.) I am sure the sporty will sell, since the new riders and people who are upgrading will like this bike.Can’t wait to see the pictures. Victory has nothing to worry about.Really hoping the new Indians will be well made and cool looking. Is it really necessary to blast the indians and others all the time? Are all you guys perfect, and pure white and rocket scientists? I have some opinions too, but do not need to write them all down. Just saying. Peace

  23. 23 Brett Feb 1st, 2012 at 7:36 am

    Bit of Reality…when Polaris releases their profits…it isn’t from Victory bikes they are doing as well as they are. Victory, just as a bike, the last time I found actual numbers was in 2010. Their yearly profit for Victory bikes is about half of what HD’s quarterly profit is. Point being, if Victory wasn’t owned by Polaris, they wouldn’t have made it through this recession.

    For all those complaining about HD’s 50’s style that was outdated in the 60’s…..well obviously it’s what their customer’s want. When they tried something new, the V-rod, it sells like crap, but they keep it because of all the time, effort & money that went into it.

    They update the frames on their touring bikes & make them better & I heard people complaining about it, that they were changing to much.

    My guess is most who complain about their lack of creativity, don’t own a HD, because almost 100% of the people who own one complain when they veer off the “classic HD style” anytime they try something new.

    Oh well, maybe they can try to be like Honda & make a “production chopper” next.

    Bottom line, these companies put out their product & it is the people who buy them or custom builders that turn them into a bike people are envious of. Not a single Victory I liked until Zach Ness got ahold of one. There are also countless HD’s people have turned into great bikes. You won’t see Victory or Harley do these things because 1 – the money it would cost to produce one will steer customers away from it & 2- the government puts all their regulations on motorcycle companies to make it impossible to put out a factory bike like other turn them into.

  24. 24 Sportster Mike Feb 1st, 2012 at 8:46 am

    Re: the Sportster 72 – isn’t it Frisco style all over again? and I missed that the FIRST time around
    OK I guess if you want that contradiction in terms – a factory ‘custom’ plus just add some white rubber grips..

    Would prefer to do it myself- so don’t anybody dare to paint their Sunglo Orange 48 with metalflake wheels and 17 litre tank before I get to do it dammit…

  25. 25 Alan sharp Feb 1st, 2012 at 1:09 pm

    looks like a hi ball fat boy carbonation…….lol… has it still got push-rods, primary chain???

  26. 26 Vince Lamarche Feb 1st, 2012 at 4:27 pm

    Either one of these going to be part of what I call “Operation Curry”. You know, Being assembled in India taking more of the jobs away from American workers.

  27. 27 .357 Magnum Feb 1st, 2012 at 4:29 pm

    Brett writes, “Oh well, maybe they can try to be like Honda & make a ‘production chopper’ next.”

    Brett, google the “Rocker C.” They did it; it didn’t sell well; they discontinued it for 2012.

  28. 28 Smittydog Feb 1st, 2012 at 6:41 pm

    Love that little thin whitewall tire on that sporty.

  29. 29 jason Feb 1st, 2012 at 7:50 pm

    Whats with dumb floorboards most the guys i see riding those bikes don’t go more than 100 miles before a rest

  30. 30 .357 Magnum Feb 2nd, 2012 at 12:57 am

    jason, did you happen to notice that ALL of Harley’s touring models have “dumb floorboards?” And that all of the top Iron Butt rides on Harleys are on those touring bikes? I would hazard the guess that “most the guys you see” aren’t representative of what’s preferred for long distances. Maybe you should venture over 100 miles yourself sometime, and THEN look at what people around you are riding?

    I don’t think the floorboards are any less classy here than on the Heritage, or on a ’48 pan. Bit then, I’m biased, as all my bikes are tourers.

  31. 31 Doc Robinson Feb 3rd, 2012 at 1:50 am

    “Vince Lamarche -Either one of these going to be part of what I call “Operation Curry”. You know, Being assembled in India taking more of the jobs away from American workers.” – you are deluded – selling bikes in India CREATES more jobs for American workers.

    Trainiac “Re-skinned junk. 50′s technology was dated in the 60′s, maybe H-D can push this crap on people in India where reliability is measured in days but nowhere else.” Where on God’s green earth did you get the idea of reliability being measured in days in India? Totally not true. That country has zillions of the smartest people on the planet. Go do a search on just how many great “American” companies have huge facilities over there. At best you are ingrate; at worst racist.

  32. 32 Doc Robinson Feb 3rd, 2012 at 1:51 am

    Oops, I meant to call Traniac ignorant!

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Cyril Huze