HARLEY-DAVIDSON NEWS

A stripped-down Softail with narrow styling with less chrome and retro details. Pare down a Harley-Davidson® Softail® motorcycle to its essential elements and you have the Slim. From its trimmed front fender to its narrow rear end, the Slim is a a back-to-basics motorcycle. You can call it stripped or old school. What’s left is the elemental Softail profile that recalls classic custom bobbers of the 1950s.

“It’s time to make the engine the focal point of the motorcycle,” says Harley-Davidson Senior Designer Casey Ketterhagen, “so we put a Softail on a diet to get the proportions back in check. Scale down the rear with a narrow tire and chopped fender and the heart of the bike, the motor, once again becomes the focus. We left a gap between the nose of the seat and tank so the rider can see the top of the motor. I like to be able to look down and see what’s moving me.”

To keep the rear of the motorcycle simple and clean, the Slim has combination stop/turn/tail lights and a side-mounted license plate. The rear fender struts are left uncovered, exposing the forged steel and fasteners. A thin formed-leather strap covers the fuel tank seam. The powertrain is finished with polished covers instead of chrome, and the black cylinders are left unhighlighted. The FL front fender is trimmed to expose more of the tire.

“I’d personally like to strip the bike down even further,” says Ketterhagen, “but this is as far as we can go on a production model. The Slim is intended to be a direct interpretation of home-built customs of the 1940s and 50s, and we used a number of components that evoke that era, beginning with a Hollywood handlebar.”

The Hollywood bar, identified by its wide bend and cross brace, was originally an accessory for Harley-Davidson® models with a Springer fork. The name may have been coined because owners of that era who used the cross-brace to mount lights and bags had “gone Hollywood” with excessive accessorization. For the Slim, the cross-braced bar and louvered headlight nacelle are finished in gloss black. Other period styling cues include a gloss black “cat’s eye” tank console with a retro speedometer face, half-moon rider footboards, a round air cleaner cover, and gloss black wheel rims and hubs. The cover of the solo seat is stitched in a tuck-and-roll pattern. “The seat really gives you the feeling of sitting in the bike, rather than on it,” says Ketterhagen. “The bars are nice and low, too, so when you’re riding you have an unobstructed view forward, which reinforces the idea that this is a very elemental motorcycle, a real back-to-basics ride.”

A counter-balanced Twin Cam 103B™ engine is rigid-mounted within the frame, creating a solid connection between rider and the machine. The Softail® chassis mimics the clean lines of a vintage hardtail frame, but utilizes rear suspension control provided by coil-over shock absorbers mounted horizontally and out of sight within the frame rails. With the combination of a 23.8-inch seat height and rider footboards, the Slim comfortably fits a wide range of riders and offers light side-stand lift-off. A pull-back riser from Harley-Davidson® Genuine Motor Accessories can be installed to move the handlebar back two inches without changing control cables and lines.

Key features of the 2012 Harley-Davidson Softail® Slim™ include:

• Rigid-mounted, air-cooled, 1690 cc Twin Cam 103B™ counter-balanced engine with Automatic Compression Release (ACR) rated at 98.7ft. lbs. peak torque at 3000 rpm.

• Powertrain is finished in Black powdercoat with polished covers.

• 6-Speed Cruise Drive® Transmission.

• Chrome, over/under shotgun exhaust with slash-cut mufflers.

• Gloss Black round air cleaner cover.

• Classic 5.0-gallon Fat Bob® fuel tank.

• Black “cat’s eye” console holds electronic speedometer with retro-style face.

• Dunlop® 16-inch (MT90B16) front and rear (MU85B16) tires.

• Black, Steel Laced wheels.

• Hollywood handlebar with cross-brace.

• Gloss black headlamp with chrome trim ring.

• Gloss black nacelle with punched louvers.

• Half-moon footboards with retro-style foot control pads.

• Chopped rear fender exposes rear tire.

• Trimmed FL front fender.

• Side-mounted license plate bracket.

• Combination stop/tail/turn tail lights.

• Solo seat with black tuck-and-roll vinyl cover.

• Forged rear fender supports are finished in Gloss Black powdercoat.

• Gloss black “horseshoe” oil tank.

• Paint color choices include Vivid Black, Black Denim, and Ember Red Sunglo.

• Security Package Option (factory-installed option) includes: Harley-Davidson® Smart Security System with proximity-based, hands-free security fob and Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)

MILWAUKEE (January 20, 2012) A special customized 2012 Street Glide® motorcycle will be the featured prize of the Harley-Davidson 2012 Daytona Bike Week Motorcycle Raffle to benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA). Created just for this event by the Harley-Davidson Genuine Motor Accessories® department, the Street Glide has been decked out with a Tango Limited Series Custom Paint Set, Blade Custom Wheels, a Wind Splitter Windshield, a Boom! Audio Premium Speaker Kit, a Bat Wing Ape Handlebar, a Chrome Front End Kit, a Rallyrunner® Seat, a Screamin' Eagle® Ventilator Air Cleaner Kit, Screamin' Eagle Nightstick Mufflers and many more accessories. The combined retail value of accessories installed on the bike is more than $14,000. The total customized motorcycle has a fair market value of approximately $35,600 US MSRP.

Raffle tickets to win the bike will be available at the MDA booth at the Harley-Davidson exhibit at Riverfront Park on Beach Street in Daytona Beach, Fla. Raffle tickets are $5 per ticket or five tickets for $20. Ticket sales start Saturday, March 10, and end at 2 p.m. March 17, when the drawing will take place. The winner does need not be present to win. All proceeds will benefit MDA.

Since 1980, Harley-Davidson's family of dealers, customers, employees, suppliers and H.O.G. (Harley Owners Group) chapters has raised more than $81 million for the MDA. From the donations these rides and other special events raise, they support MDA worldwide research efforts, comprehensive medical care for children and adults with neuromuscular diseases, the MDA summer camp program for youngsters and more.

Harley-Davidson Motor Company produces heavyweight custom, cruiser and touring motorcycles and offers a complete line of Harley-Davidson motorcycle parts, accessories, riding gear and apparel, and general merchandise. For more information, visit Harley-Davidson's Web site at www.harley-davidson.com.

Krawiec qualified in sixth position with a 6.867-second run on Friday. His teammate, Andrew Hines, qualified the other Harley-Davidson® Screamin’ Eagle®/Vance & Hines V-Rod in second position at 6.850 seconds. Lucas Oil Buell rider Hector Arana Jr. was the top qualifier at 6.828 seconds.

On Sunday, Hines won his first-round match against Suzuki rider Steve Johnson, but lost in round two when SAF & Motorcycles Specialties rider Jerry Savoie had an outstanding 0.002-second reaction time at the start of a 6.968-second run that Hines could not match with a 0.045/6.961 pass.

“I was in my range at the start all weekend,” said Hines. “I’ve won a lot of races at .045, so I can’t hang my head about this loss. We missed a weather change here between the first and second rounds, and both bikes lost four miles per hour in top speed. The Screamin’ Eagle V-Rods were coming off the line consistently all weekend. We’ve got two strong bikes for the rest of the Countdown.”

Krawiec opened Sunday eliminations with a win over Vroom/LAT Oil Buell rider Mike Berry, but lost in round two after a late reaction time put him behind The Edge Suzuki rider Michael Phillips, who ran 0.019/7.016 to beat Krawiec’s 0.080/6.984 pass.

“I just missed on the tree in round two,” said Krawiec. “I’ve got a lot of confidence in the Screamin’ Eagle V-Rod and we are heading to Reading for the next race, a track where we usually are strong.”

Phillips defeated Arana Jr. in the final at Texas to take his first win of the season.

After two of six Countdown events Krawiec leads the Pro Stock Motorcycle class with 2295 points. Stoffer is second with 2228 points. Arana moves up to third place with 2205 points, followed by Matt Smith with 2198 points, and Hines in fifth with 2176 points. Nitrofish Suzuki rider LE Tonglet is sixth with 2164 points.

The third round of the Countdown to the Championship, the 27th annual Auto-Plus® NHRA Nationals, takes place September 29 - October 2 at Maple Grove Raceway in Mohnton, PA.

The Harley-Davidson Screamin' Eagle/Vance & Hines Pro Stock Motorcycle team is sponsored by Matco Tools and Dunlop.

Speed demon Paul Anderson hopes to become the fastest Briton on two wheels – by hitting 250mph on his Harley Davidson.

Related Tags:Paul AndersonBristol. Speed demon: Paul Anderson on his modified Harley Davidson, which he hopes will break the British speed record (Picture: SWNS) ..Mr Anderson has modified a standard V-Rod model, increasing its engine size and fitting a turbocharger.

The 56-year-old Airbus engineer said: ‘The bike is supremely quick.

'It will accelerate from 0-60mph in less than two seconds and by three seconds it will be doing over 100mph.

'We’re feeling totally confident about breaking the record, our team has a total of ten people including physicists and we’ve done the maths.'

Mr Anderson, of Bristol, and his team hope to top the 222mph British motorbike record in spring, then try for the 375mph world record.

However, he has downplayed the risks involved in the attempt.

He said: 'Riding a bike to work is the most dangerous thing you can do, there hasn’t been a fatality in UK bike record attempts.

'We take safety very seriously and while there’s an element of danger I don’t think about it – I’m totally focused on the event.

Harley-Davidson offers more Big Twin performance for 2012 as its Twin Cam 103™ powertrain is standard equipment on Softail® and Touring motorcycle models and most Dyna® motorcycle models. Harley-Davidson will offer two new models for 2012. The V-Rod® 10th Anniversary Edition celebrates a decade of power-cruiser performance, while the new Dyna® Switchback is a convertible custom-touring motorcycle with detachable hard saddlebags and windshield. In addition, the Night Rod® Special has significant updates for 2012 with refreshed bodywork and optimized rider ergonomics. Harley-Davidson Custom Vehicle Operations (CVO)™ rolls out the gleaming new CVO™ Road Glide® Custom, a limited-production, high-performance touring masterpiece.

Harley-Davidson believes every motorcycle it sells can be a custom of one. Harley-Davidson H-D1™ is a comprehensive offering of customization tools for the Harley-Davidson® motorcycle owner. H-D1 tools include Harley-Davidson® Genuine Motor Accessories listings in print and on-line catalogs, Fit Shop and consultation services at Harley-Davidson dealerships, and factory customization and Bike Builder tools on harley-davidson.com. H-D1 offers almost unlimited opportunities to optimize fit, function, style and performance and turn a Harley into a motorcycle that is truly personalized to its owner.

Harley-Davidson heads into 2012 with 32 models, each born of experience that spans generations and a passion for riding that will never diminish.

Highlights of the 2012 Harley-Davidson line include: The Twin Cam 103™ engine powers all 2012 Dyna®, Softail® and Touring models with the exception of the Dyna Street Bob® and Dyna Super Glide® Custom. This engine produces up to 100 ft lbs. peak torque, an increase of approximately 6 percent over the Twin Cam 96™ engine it replaces as standard power for many of these models. The Twin Cam 103 is equipped with automatic compression release. It features identifying badges on the derby cover, timer cover and air cleaner trim ring.

A Security Package that pairs Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Smart Security System with proximity-based, hands-free security fob is available for all 2012 V-Rod®, Dyna®, Softail®, Touring and CVO™ models. The Security Package is standard equipment on CVO™ models and on the Road Glide® Ultra, the Electra Glide® Ultra Limited, and the Road King® Classic. The Security Package is a factory-installed option for all other models.

The Night Rod® Special is updated with new tapered tail section, lighter-weight wheels, an inverted front fork and improved ergonomics. Harley-Davidson celebrates a decade of power cruising with the V-Rod® 10th Anniversary Edition motorcycle, finished in Brilliant Silver Pearl bodywork that evokes the anodized aluminum bodywork of the original V-Rod model that introduced the liquid-cooled Revolution V-Twin engine in 2002. All V-Rod models will carry V-Rod 10th Anniversary badges.

The new Dyna® Switchback combines hard saddlebags and a windshield with the eager handling and Twin Cam 103 performance of the Dyna chassis. It’s a custom-touring bike ready for a long weekend trip, until the detachable bags and windshield are removed. Then in seconds the Switchback becomes a custom street cruiser with a gleaming headlamp nacelle, five-spoke cast-aluminum wheels and a mini-ape handlebar. This convertible concept makes the versatile Switchback two motorcycles in one. All Harley-Davidson® Softail® models get the performance boost of the Twin Cam 103 engine for 2012.

The Fat Boy® and Fat Boy® Lo have a new reduced-reach handlebar for more-comfortable ergonomics. A lower, narrower seat shape places the Fat Boy rider in a new “in the bike” position. The Softail® Deluxe and Heritage Softail® Classic will be available with a new optional “tubeless” Chrome Aluminum Profile Laced wheel option for ease of tire replacement and repair.

The Twin Cam 103™ powertrain gives all Harley-Davidson® Touring models assertive power for passing. On Touring models, the Twin Cam 103 is equipped with an oil cooler. All Touring models except the Ultra Limited will offer a new “tubeless” Chrome Aluminum Profile Laced wheel option.

The Harley-Davidson Sportster® line appeals to a broad range of riders with six 2012 models ranging from the race-inspired XR1200X™ to the accessible SuperLow® to Dark Custom roadsters like the Iron 883™, Nightster® and Forty-Eight®. The Sportster® 1200 Custom can be personalized for fit, function and style with H-D1™ factory customization, a process that allows customers to use the Bike Builder tool on harley-davidson.com to build the motorcycle from a selection of options that are installed as the bike is assembled by Harley-Davidson Motor Company or are installed by a dealer after the motorcycle is delivered. New 1200 Custom color options have been added to Bike Builder for 2012.

The new CVO™ Road Glide® Custom is one of four limited-production 2012 models from Harley-Davidson Custom Vehicle Operations (CVO)™, each turned out with bold paint, gleaming chrome, and the most-powerful V-Twin engines offered in production Harley-Davidson motorcycles. CVO Road Glide Custom is a hot-rod bagger with a frame-mounted fairing topped with a smoked Wind Splitter windshield, a high-output, amplified Harman/Kardon® Advanced Audio system, and a color-matched, low-profile fuel tank console.

2012 Sportster: Personalization and Power The six 2012 Harley-Davidson Sportster models range from the affordable Dark Custom roadster posture of the Iron 883™ to the track-inspired performance of the XR1200X™. Each Sportster model offers the heartbeat of an authentic American V-Twin engine and pace-setting style and performance.

Back for its first full year of production is the Sportster® 1200 Custom, the motorcycle that introduced the web-based H-D1™ Bike Builder factory customization process. Using Bike Builder, customers can personalize their 1200 Custom with seat, handlebar, foot control, wheel, security, paint and engine finish options that are installed right at the factory.

Even more dealer-installed accessories can be added, and viewed, on the Bike Builder site. The customer can then print out a description of their bike and bring it to a Harley-Davidson dealer to review the motorcycle with trained staff, select additional accessories to be installed by the dealer to further customize the motorcycle, and then place an order. Customers can expect to be riding their new bike in as little as four weeks from the time an order is placed with an authorized Harley-Davidson dealer.

All 2012 Sportster models will have Michelin® Scorcher™ tires with a tread pattern designed, tested and styled specifically for the Sportster motorcycle to provide ideal grip, even wear and longer life. Fifteen Sportster paint options include seven new color choices for 2012. Side covers will be finished in either gloss black or denim black to match the finish on other bodywork. The Forty-Eight model will have a new tank graphic.

2012 Harley-Davidson Sportster models:

SuperLow™

Iron 883™

Sportster® 1200 Custom

Nightster®

Forty-Eight™

XR1200X™

2012 Touring: The Legend Rolls On For 2012, all eight Harley-Davidson Touring models are powered by a Twin Cam 103 engine with Automatic Compression Release and an integrated oil cooler. Producing 102 ft. lbs. of peak torque at 3500 rpm, the Twin Cam 103 provides outstanding performance around town and on the open road.

All Touring models also feature the 6-Speed Cruise Drive transmission, 41.3 mm telescopic front forks, air-adjustable rear shocks and an Isolated Drive System for smooth power delivery. The Harley-Davidson Touring chassis has a single-spar, rigid backbone frame and two-piece swingarm designed to deliver responsive maneuverability and long-haul durability. Chassis geometry and suspension are calibrated to deliver confident handling and comfort.

All Touring models except the Ultra Limited will offer a new “tubeless” Chrome Lace Aluminum Wheel option for ease of tire replacement and repair. Six new colors or color combinations are among the 12 paint options offered within the

2012 Touring model line:

2012 Harley-Davidson Touring models

Road King®

Road King® Classic

Electra Glide® Classic

Ultra Classic® Electra Glide®

Electra Glide® Ultra Limited Street Glide®

Road Glide® Custom

Road Glide® Ultra

2012 Trike: Three Wheelin’ The 2012 Tri Glide Ultra Classic brings original-equipment design, quality and service to the three-wheel motorcycle segment, based on chassis structure and geometry engineered specifically to handle the loads generated by the steering forces and weight of a three-wheel vehicle.

With a deluxe Tour-Pak™ carrier and integrated trunk, a four-speaker/ 80-watt Harman/Kardon® Advanced Audio System, electronic cruise control and electric reverse drive, the Tri Glide Ultra Classic inspires confidence, passion and independence in any riding situation.

The Tri Glide Ultra will be available in three color combinations: Vivid Black, Big Blue Pearl / Vivid Black or Ember Red Sunglo / Merlot Sunglo.

Details on the 2012 Harley-Davidson Touring, Trike and Sportster models are available at h-d.com/2012.

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