Harley reveals 2016 models
Two new Sportsters, Street 750 and ‘most powerful cruiser line-up ever’
HARLEY-DAVIDSON has just released details of its 2016 range including prices and specifications.
The range includes the new Street 750 priced at £5,795 on-the-road. Check Visordown later this week for a full review of the entry-level cruiser.
There are two new Sportster editions – the Iron 883 with ‘all-new front and adjustable rear suspension and lighter-weight mag wheels’, and the Forty-Eight with a ‘burly front tyre, new mag wheels and a massive front-end with new 49mm forks’ plus adjustable rear suspension. All Sportsters get new suspension front and rear.
A new limited-edition Fatboy S and Softail Slim S both get the ‘Screamin’ Eagle Twin Cam 110 engine’, delivering ‘performance once reserved for Custom Vehicle Operations (CVO) models,’ according to Harley.
Harley says they make ‘the most powerful cruiser line-up ever,’ a claim difficult to weigh since the firm releases no official power figures. The Fatboy S makes a claimed 107.7lbtf of torque and costs from £18,195 while the Softail Slim S makes 106.9lbft and costs from £17,195.
The Road Glide Ultra returns to the range after a two-year-absence with updates including revised ergonomics for rider and pillion.
The Heritage Softail Classic ‘receives refreshed styling for 2016 plus the High Output Twin Cam 103 powertrain, standard electronic cruise control, and a new and improved saddlebag support structure,’ Harley says.
The firm revealed the details in a flurry of press releases which included:
‘HARLEY-DAVIDSON DARK CUSTOM MOTORCYCLES DRIVE AFFORDABILITY
New 2016 Iron 883, Forty-Eight and Street 750 lead the Dark Custom movement
Oxford (24th August 2015) – Start with a dark canvas. Add horsepower and soul. Then make it your own. The Harley-Davidson Dark Custom movement strips a motorcycle to its mechanical essence and the motorcycling experience to its rebellious core – the quest for freedom and self-expression.
For 2016, Harley-Davidson asserts its Dark Custom style with the new Iron 883,™ Forty-Eight® and Harley-Davidson Street™750, authentic machines that offer an affordable experience to a new generation of riders. Forged, pressed and machined to minimalist perfection, the three models balance function with style that can stand on its own or spark a fire of custom inspiration.
Iron 883 – prices starting from £7,495 OTR
Clipped fenders, blacked-out powertrain and exhaust, drag-style handlebars and a solo tuck-and-roll seat cover evoke bare-knuckle street performance. A ribbed air cleaner cover underlines the stamped-from-steel authenticity of this motorcycle, while bullet-hole details on the belt guard, exhaust shields and front fender brace recall a racer’s effort to lighten the bike.
The Iron 883 is powered by an 883cc Evolution® V-Twin engine tuned to power away from stop lights and deliver satisfying performance. A blacked-out floating front brake rotor complements nine-spoke cast aluminium wheels finished in black with machined highlights that reduce unsprung weight by a combined 3.63kg to improve ride comfort and handling.
Ride and handling are further enhanced by new cartridge-style forks and new emulsion rear shock absorbers with progressive-rate springs and a threaded pre-load adjustment collar that makes it easy for the rider to dial in shock performance to match road conditions or passenger weight. A special shock adjustment spanner stows under the seat. A passenger pillion seat matching the tuck-and-roll seat upholstery will be offered through Harley-Davidson® Genuine Motor Parts & Accessories.
Colours and finishes for the Iron 883 were selected to help hide the grit and grime of riding and living in the urban environment, for riders who don’t own – or want to own – a garden hose and driveway.
2016 colours: Charcoal Satin, Black Denim, Olive Gold with an Eagle-and-Shield tank logo, or Hard Candy Custom Gold Flake with a flame detail paired with black fenders.
Forty-Eight – prices starting from £9,675 OTR
The new Forty-Eight motorcycle has a muscular stance. A burly 130mm front tyre is suspended by 49mm forks secured in massive forged aluminum triple clamps and an aluminum fork brace. The classic peanut fuel tank creates a narrow, athletic waist. Chopped fenders expose the tyre rubber. A perfect balance of black, colour and chrome gives this bike a bold visual presence.
“The low handlebar and forward foot controls put the Forty-Eight rider in an aggressive posture, so we picked up on that with the styling,” said Harley-Davidson Industrial Designer/Stylist Ben McGinley, the lead stylist on the project. “The big front wheel is like a steamroller coming down the street, and we went with the smaller round steel air cleaner and some chrome on the exhaust to draw your eyes to the engine, which looks larger under the peanut tank. I’d describe the theme of this bike as functional muscle.”
The fuel tank styling features horizontal stripes, a throw-back to 1970s style that’s reappearing today on custom bikes. Those lines are repeated throughout the motorcycle, including in the seat stitching, slotted exhaust shields, rear sprocket and belt guard. New lightweight cast-aluminum wheels feature nine split spokes and a solid black finish with machined highlights. Combination stop/tail/turn signals keep the rear fender uncluttered.
The new 49mm forks feature a cartridge design tuned to complement new emulsion rear shock absorbers with progressive-rate springs and a threaded pre-load adjustment collar, a combination that delivers a premium, controlled ride over the roughest urban pavement. A shock adjustment spanner is stashed under the solo seat, which has been formed to support the rider with all-day comfort.
2016 colours: Vivid Black, Billet Silver, Velocity Red Sunglo and Olive Gold. Hard Candy Custom options include Hard Candy Cancun Blue Flake and Hard Candy Gold Flake.
Harley-Davidson Street 750 – prices starting from £5,795 OTR
Lean, quick and nimble, the Street 750 model combines a lightweight, easy handling chassis with the responsive performance of the new liquid-cooled Revolution X powertrain in a café-inspired Dark Custom motorcycle developed for urban riding. For 2016, the Street 750 receives new front and rear brake systems with 300mm brake rotors and a powerful, stylised front caliper with 34mm pistons and matching rear caliper for even greater confidence when navigating challenging roads. The braking system includes an improved aluminum integrated rear master cylinder with reservoir, aluminum front master cylinder with reduced friction and higher efficiency, and new brake lines. The rear brake pedal has a new position with improved ergonomics. New clutch and brake levers enhance the Dark Custom styling. The horn mount has been tucked behind the radiator and a modified wiring harness furthers the Street 750’s clean lines.
“The Harley-Davidson Street 750 is designed to cope with the unique challenges faced by riders in European cities. It marries nimble maneuverability, unique Dark Custom style and instant power helping riders escape the cars, buses and taxis that clog inner-city roads,” said Mike Johnstone, Marketing Director, Harley-Davidson Europe. “This Dark Custom motorcycle is designed specifically to meet the needs of urban riders and is the ideal way to discover your city in style.”
2016 Street™750 specification & colours
DIMENSIONS
Length: 2,225 mm
Seat Height: 710 mm
Ground Clearance: 145 mm
Rake (steering head, deg): 32
Trail: 115 mm
Wheelbase: 1,535 mm
Front tyre: 100/80 R17
Rear tyre: 140/75 R15
Fuel Capacity: 13.1-litres
Oil Capacity (w/filter): 3.1-litres
Weight, as Shipped: 206 kg
Weight, in running order: 222 kg
ENGINE
Engine: 749cc Liquid-cooled, Revolution X™ V-Twin
Bore / Stroke: 85 x 66mm
Compression Ratio: 11:01
Fuel System: Mikuni single port fuel injection, 38 mm bore
DRIVETRAIN
Primary Drive Gear: 36/68 ratio
Gear Ratios (overall) 1st: 14.25
Gear Ratios (overall) 2nd: 10.07
Gear Ratios (overall) 3rd: 7.45
Gear Ratios (overall) 4th: 5.99
Gear Ratios (overall) 5th: 5.04
Gear Ratios (overall) 6th: 4.53
CHASSIS
Exhaust: Black 2-1 exhaust
Wheels: Black, 7-Spoke cast aluminium with machined rim highlights
Brakes: 2-piston floated calipers front & rear, 300mm discs front & rear
PERFORMANCE
(Engine torque testing method: EEC/95/1)
Engine Torque: 59 Nm (43.5 ft-lb) @ 4,000rpm
Lean Angle, Right (deg.): 28.5
Lean Angle, Left (deg.): 28.5
Fuel Economy: Combined City/Hwy: 5.74 l/100 km
ELECTRIC
Lights (as per country regulation): indicator lamps, high beam, neutral, low oil pressure, turn signals, engine diagnostics, low fuel warning
Gauges: electronic speedometer with high beam, neutral, low oil pressure, turn signals, engine diagnostics, low fuel warning, blade key ignition and fork lock, and locking fuel cap
COLOURS:
Vivid Black, Black Denim, Superior Blue and Velocity Red Sunglo.
MORE CRUISER POWER AND TOURING EXCELLENCE EXTENDED FOR 2016
New Softails debut with Screamin’ Eagle Twin Cam 110 engines
Oxford (24th August 2015) – In 2016 Harley-Davidson gives riders its most powerful line-up of cruiser models ever, including the new S Series Fat Boy® S and Softail Slim® S models powered by the fierce Screamin’ Eagle® Twin Cam 110™engine, plus more power and new features across the entire Softail® model range.
For riders seeking a long-mileage specialist, Harley-Davidson announces the 2016 Road Glide® Ultra. With enhanced style, comfort and performance influenced by the customer-led Project Rushmore product development, rider and passenger will enjoy outstanding aerodynamics and optimised touring ergonomics propelled by the unrelenting performance of the Twin-Cooled™ High Output Twin Cam 103ci™ (1690cc) powertrain.
2016 S Series – prices starting from £17,195 OTR
The Screamin’ Eagle® performance once reserved for Custom Vehicle Operations™ (CVO) models is now available in regular-production motorcycles for the first time ever. The limited-edition Fat Boy S and Softail Slim S models feature the Screamin’ Eagle Twin Cam 110 engine, tuned to make up to 109lb/ft of torque, Harley-Davidson® electronic cruise control, ABS, and H-D® Factory Security System as standard equipment.
Softail Slim S – prices starting from £17,195 OTR
Classic, lean bobber style, from the clipped rear fender to the Hollywood handlebar, is the calling card of the Softail Slim® model. Now the S Series version ups the performance ante with a gloss-black Screamin’ Eagle Twin Cam 110 powertrain featuring the Screamin’ Eagle® Stage 1 high-flow intake and optimised jet-black over/under dual shotgun mufflers. Every speck of chrome has been replaced with gloss black paint.
The Softail® chassis mimics the clean lines of a vintage hardtail frame, but utilises rear suspension control provided by coil-over shock absorbers mounted horizontally and out of sight below the transmission. Combination stop/turn/tail lights keep the minimal rear fender clean. 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 laced wheels with gloss black rims and hubs. The cover of the solo seat is stitched in a tuck-and-roll pattern.
Colours: Vivid Black and Olive Gold Denim with military-inspired tank graphics.
Fat Boy S – prices starting from £18,195 OTR
Harley-Davidson stylists give the iconic Fat Boy® motorcycle a darker attitude in the S Series, designing a menacing look that matches the muscle of its Screamin’ Eagle Twin Cam 110 engine, trimmed out for this application with a Screamin’ Eagle® Ventilator intake and optimised jet-black over/under dual shotgun mufflers.
The Fat Boy S rolls with fat-custom style, an attitude that starts with the bullet-hole aluminum disc wheels and is reinforced by the massive headlamp and nacelle, half-moon rider footboards and a classic 22.7-litre Fat Bob® fuel tank. Slammed suspension and a low-slung seat put the rider just 61.6cm off the pavement.
Colours: Vivid Black and Denim Black.
High Output (HO) Twin Cam 103™ power for Softail
Harley-Davidson gives cruiser riders a dose of Project Rushmore performance by making the High Output Twin Cam 103™ engine standard in every 2016 Softail model (except the Softail Slim S and Fat Boy S). Tuned to deliver strong acceleration and passing power, the HO 103 engine is equipped with a high-flow airbox and camshaft that optimises bottom-end torque. The result is an improvement in performance a rider will feel every day.
Softail Cruise Control
For the first time ever, the convenience of Harley-Davidson electronic cruise control is standard equipment for select 2016 Softail models and available as a dealer-installed accessory for all other 2016 Softail models. To accommodate the cruise control system, all Softail models are equipped with electronic throttle control. Cruise control will be factory-installed on the Heritage Softail® Classic, Softail® Deluxe, Fat Boy S and Softail Slim S models, and offered through Harley-Davidson® Genuine Motor Parts & Accessories for the Breakout®, Fat Boy®, Fat Boy Special®, and Softail Slim® models.
Refreshed Heritage Softail Classic – prices starting from £16,875 OTR
Combining the look of a vintage dresser with smooth, modern Softail performance, the Heritage Softail Classic model combines classic cruiser attitude with modern touring comfort and amenities. In addition to its new High Output Twin Cam 103 powertrain and new electronic cruise control, the Heritage Softail receives refreshed styling for 2016.
The Heritage Softail Classic retains its popular features, including a passenger backrest, a full-coverage removable windshield with quick-release mounts, a deep FL-style front fender and chrome laced wheels with covered hubs. ABS is standard equipment.
2016 colours: Solid Vivid Black, Superior Blue, Billet Silver and Olive Gold; Two-tone Crushed Ice Pearl/Frosted Teal Pearl and Amber Whiskey/Vivid Black; Custom Colour Purple Fire/Blackberry Smoke and Cosmic Blue Pearl.
Road Glide Ultra – prices starting from £21,795 OTR
The distinctive design of the frame-mounted Road Glide Ultra fairing was created by Harley-Davidson stylists and engineers using computational fluid dynamics, hundreds of hours of development in a wind tunnel and thousands of miles of road testing. Integrated triple splitstream vent openings in the fairing work with the 13.5-inch tall touring windscreen to manage air pressure between fairing and rider to virtually eliminate head buffeting. Mid-frame air deflectors mounted below the fairing help to maintain comfortable airflow around the rider.
The fairing also holds Dual Reflector Daymaker™ LED headlamps, a distinctive styling element that punches further through darkness with brilliant white high and low-beam illumination.
The rider triangle is unique to the Road Glide Ultra model and designed to put a wide range of riders in a position that’s ideal for long-haul touring comfort. The 1.25-inch diameter handlebar is positioned 48mm higher than the Road Glide Special model to optimise long-range touring comfort, and the seat shape is revised and slightly lower. Passenger comfort is addressed with a seat that’s 25mm wider and 25mm longer than the previous model, and a revised backrest shape provides more lumbar support. The shape and angle of the armrests are adjusted to keep passenger arms from slipping forward.
The 2016 Road Glide Ultra features all of the Project Rushmore enhancements that have collectively transformed the Harley-Davidson Touring platform, including stout 49mm forks, Reflex™ Linked Brakes with ABS, sleeker fenders, lighter Enforcer cast aluminum wheels and improved instrument graphics and hand controls. Cruise control also comes as standard.
A combination of air-cooled and precision liquid cooling strategies allows the engine to maintain peak performance and enables a higher 10.1:1 compression ratio for increased power and efficiency, including 10.7 percent more peak torque than the standard Twin Cam 103 engine.
The Road Glide Ultra is equipped with the BOOM! ™ Box 6.5GT infotainment system with colour touch screen, GPS and Bluetooth capability. Mounted in a reshaped inner fairing, the 100-watt BOOM! ™ Box 6.5GT is now located 51mm closer to the rider compared to previous models for enhanced visibility of the high-resolution screen and an easier reach to the faceplate buttons. All infotainment functions are controlled through thumb-operated five-way joysticks located on the left and right hand controls or the touchscreen.
Restyled luggage includes sleeker, hard saddlebags and a new Tour-Pak® luggage shape that offers 4 percent more capacity than the previous design and One-Touch latches for easy one-handed opening or closing.
Road Glide Ultra colour choices include:
· Solid: Vivid Black, Superior Pearl
· Two Tone: Billet Silver/Vivid Black, Mysterious Red Sunglo/Velocity Red Sunglo
· Custom Colours: Purple Fire/Blackberry Smoke, Cosmic Blue Pearl.’
