New Harley 1200 Custom

Harley-Davidson has announced a revised version of its Sportster 1200 Custom.

Characterising the 2011 model are chrome, five-spoke cast aluminium wheels, both of which are 16” in diameter. To accommodate the increased wheel size, the front suspension has had to be retuned and the forks set wider apart. However, it looks like UK spec bikes will be getting 16” chrome lace-spoke wheels instead.



Other changes to the 1200 Custom include a reshaped ‘eyebrow’ over the headlight, pull-back handlebars and a smaller LED tail light. Power continues to come from the air-cooled, fuel injected 1200 cc Evolution V-twin engine, which produces 107 Nm (79 lb/ft) of torque.

Prices for the Sportster 1200 Custom have been confirmed as follows:

Paint finish	US MRSP	UK price
Standard - Vivid Black	$10,299	£8,295
Colour option - Brilliant Silver Pearl	$10,589	£8,495
Two-tone option - Sedona Orange / Vivid Black	$10,799	£8,745

The introduction of the revamped 1200 Custom also sees the launch of Harley-Davidson’s H-D1 factory customisation programme.



With H-D1, buyers of a new 1200 Custom can choose from a range of items that will be fitted as it is being built. The seven option categories involved are wheels, paint, engine finish, handlebars, foot control position, seat and the security system.

Altogether, there are in excess of 2,600 specification combinations, so the chances of ending up with an individual bike should be quite high.



The bad news - for European customers at least - is that H-D1 is currently only available in the US and Canada.

Related post:

Harley-Davidson Blackline

Harley-Davidson Blackline

Harley-Davidson has unveiled a new addition to its Dark Custom range.



The Blackline Softail ‘celebrates three fundamental elements of motorcycling: mechanical beauty, internal combustion, and the long black line of the road ahead.’

Fair enough, but even without the marketing spiel the result is a neat looking bike with a notable lack of chrome.



Other design highlights include the rear coil-over dampers, which are hidden beneath the power train to give a hardtail look, a bobtail rear mudguard and the lowest two-up seat ever seen on a stock Harley. With a rider on board, its height is just 24 inches (609 mm) from the floor.



The overall effect is completed by the Black Denim powdercoated frame and swingarm, spoked wheels with black anodised rims, mini 5.75 inch (146 mm) headlight and Split Drag handlebars.



Power comes from a rigid-mounted, counter-balanced, fuel injected Twin Cam 96B V-Twin engine that generates peak torque of 89 lb/ft (120 Nm). Drive is via a 6-speed Cruise Drive transmission.



In the United States, the 2011 Blackline Softail has an MSRP of $15,499 which excludes taxes, licenses, freight, dealer preparation and other fees.



A price for the UK has yet to be confirmed.

Related post:

New Harley 1200 Custom

Aston Martin is coolest

For the fourth time in five years, Aston Martin has been named the UK’s coolest brand in the CoolBrands survey. The 2010/11 poll, which sought the opinions of members of the public as well as a panel of experts, placed the British car maker ahead of brands such as BlackBerry, Google and Dom Perignon.



The other automotive companies that made it into the top twenty were Harley-Davidson (6th), Ferrari (9th) and Mini (16th).



Speaking of the award, Aston Martin CEO, Dr Ulrich Bez said, “Once you can define precisely why a brand is cool, then it no longer has the magic that earns it that label. There has to be an element of mystique, something that eludes definition. In order for a brand to have that quality, it needs people behind it with a passionate, creative vision who care for and nurture it.”



Quite right too. Let’s see if Aston Martin can retain the title after the Cygnet arrives.



The 2010/11 CoolBrands Top 20:

1. Aston Martin (Automotive - Cars)


2. iPhone (Technology - Telecommunications)


3. iPod (Technology - General)


4. Blackberry (Technology - Telecommunications)


5. Bang & Olufsen (Technology - General)


6. Harley-Davidson (Automotive - Motorbikes)


7. Nintendo Wii (Leisure & Entertainment - Games & Toys)


8. Google (Online)


9. Ferrari (Automotive - Cars)


10. Dom Perignon (Drinks - Champagne)


11. BBC iPlayer (Online)


12. Vivienne Westwood (Fashion - Designer)


13. Apple (Technology - General)


14. Tate Modern (Leisure & Entertainment - UK Attractions & The Arts)


15. YouTube (Online)


16. Mini (Automotive - Cars)


17. Chanel (Fashion - Designer)


18. Ray-Ban (Fashion - Accessories, Jewellery, Watches)


19. Alexander McQueen (Fashion - Designer)


20. Jimmy Choo (Fashion - Footwear)

MV Agusta sold

Back in 2008, Harley-Davidson spent around £65 million buying MV Agusta from the Castiglioni family. But now it’s selling it… back to the Castiglionis.

The disposal of the Italian firm is part of Harley-Davidson’s strategy to concentrate purely on its core brand, something the now defunct Buell fell victim to last year.



Keith Wandell, Harley-Davidson President and Chief Executive Officer, said, "Our decision to divest MV Agusta reflects our strategy to focus our efforts and our investment on the Harley-Davidson brand, as we believe this provides an optimal path to long-term growth." However, he didn’t disclose what the sales proceeds were.



It’s not as if the Castiglionis will have to re-familiarise themselves with the business. Claudio Castiglioni - who along with Giovanni Castiglioni and Massimo Bordi will be running MV Agusta - remained as the company’s chairman throughout the short period of Harley-Davidson ownership.



MV Agusta also owns the Cagiva brand.

Harley-Davidson Superlow

The existing Harley-Davidson 883 Sportsters - the Roadster and Iron - already have comparatively low seats. For 2011 though, there’s a new addition to the line-up.



The Superlow, as its name implies, boasts a seat height of just 695 mm (27.4 inches) unladen, which sinks down to 648 mm (25.5 inches) with a rider aboard. Ideal then for those with shorter legs, or indeed for anyone who just likes to be able to plant both feet firmly on the floor.

Changes over the Roadster have all been made improve handling, comfort and manoeuvrability, especially at low speed. These include a lighter feeling front end, which is combined with an 18” front wheel, and revised suspension geometry. At the rear, the suspension is lowered, but it has been given a longer travel to maintain ride quality.

There’s also a bespoke final drive ratio for the Superlow. This is geared towards smoothness, again with the aim of increasing rider confidence. Similarly, the footrest position and design of the handlebars have been altered too. Nevertheless, it’s still quite a heavy bike, weighing in at 260 kg ready to ride.

UK prices for the Harley-Davidson Superlow start at £6,150 on the road. For that, it comes with Vivid Black paintwork. Colour options are Cool Blue Pearl, costing an extra £150, or the Merlot Sunglo / Vivid Black and Birch White / Sedona Orange two-tone finishes. They take the price of the bike up to £6,550.

Ford unveils Harley-Davidson F-150

Flush from the news that its F-150 pickup performed markedly better than many of its primary competitors in a new series of IIHS side-impact crash tests, Ford has rolled out its latest larger-than-life Harley-Davidson model.

Outside of the appearance items, the HD is essentially a Platinum Edition F-Series in motorcycle leathers, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. Available in either Lava (dark maroon) or Tuxedo Black, the Harley looks very aggressive in the metal – and the effect is not just a function of scale. The bold six-bar grille and 22-inch Harley-branded polished/painted alloys clearly set it apart as a distinct model from other F-Series pickups, and Ford has also slathered the pickup in oversized emblems and strange red "swoosh" marks on the rocker panels. While we could do without the latter flourishes, the truck still strikes us as particularly good-looking in Lava.

Ford's 14th Harley-branded product also has a seriously dolled-up interior that is likewise not for introverts. The prevailing theme behind the cabin's styling is that of a Harley biker jacket, and the materials, color choices, and the gigantic badges on the seats and center console (including a serialized plate) are unsubtle but appropriate.

Stop by AmericanTrucks.com and check out their large selection of F150 Accessories.

Harley-Davidson to cut 1,100 jobs

Harley-Davidson is a company that has seen plenty of ups and downs over its 106-year history, having survived the Great Depression after being the largest motorcycle manufacturer in the world through the 1920s. We may not quite be in another depression, but our current recession has caused sales, profits and share prices to fall fast and Harley is digging in for the long haul, announcing a plan to cut 1,100 jobs over the next two years. That figure that represents 10% of the company's entire workforce. More than half of those losses will be seen in the company's home state of Wisconsin, with the remainder coming from facilities in York, Pennsylvania, and Kansas City, Missouri. During the course of this restructuring, the Motor Company will also be replacing Jim Ziemer, the company's current chief executive. Sounds like a tough road ahead.

[Source: AP via Google]

Cirbin V13R

Cirbin launched the V13R, a three-wheels vehicles that combines the look of a Hotrod with modern style details. The V13R is powered by a Harley-Davidson Liquid-cooled Revolution 60° V-Twin engine. The engine developed by Porches for Harley-Davidson® is powerful, easy to control and reliable. Featuring electronic injection the Harley-Davidson® V-ROD® is EPA and CARB approved.

The 76 cubin inches (1250cc) engine delivers 125 HP at the wheel, with 84lbs of torque at 6,000 rpm, representing 3,000 rpm below red-line. This translates into great acceleration and fun. The engine power is always available and seems to never end. Controlled by clutch and gas pedals (just like in your car), the sequential shifting mechanism lets you ride as you wish.

The V13R uses the V-ROD engine’s 5-speed sequential transmission with a strap to transfer the engine’s power to the rear wheel.

The V13R is on sale at a price of $39.995.

Full details

The V13R overall design and style make it the perfect 3-wheel roadster. Personalize your ride with the V13R’s customization options. The reverse trike configuration and rear propulsion blended with the performance and unique sound of Harley-Davidson® V-ROD® engine make it a powerful and fun ride. The V13R features side-by-side seating for two adults and integrated cargo space. Great week-end getaways guaranteed.

With its lines and proportions the V13R is reminiscent of the Hot-Rod era; updated with today’s design cues. The fiberglass bodywork over a tubular steel chassis offers an excellent protective shell easily repairable at any body shop. First class paint with 2-tone configuration; combined with the chromed or black chassis make the V13R a stylish roadster. The unique V13R design and style will turn heads anywhere you go.

The V13R is available in 3 colors with assorted trim. All colors (Inferno Red, Brillant Black & Bright Silver) are available standard with black powder coated or optional chromed roll bars, sub frame, swingarm and A-arm assemblies. The headlight bezel and the front grill finish match the structure finish. All model come standard with polished wheels and pulley. Chromed or powder coated wheels and pulley are available as an option.

The integrated and waterproof cargo space under the hood and glove compartment are spacious enough to carry your personal items for a weekend getaway. Made of rugged plastics they are scratch resistant. Should you need to carry more luggage, just add the optional side cases for additional waterproof and secure cargo space. The optional cases are available in color matching schemes.

Designed with safety in mind, the V13R® is build around a very solid 1.5“ tubular steel frame. The chassis triangulated side walls provide a rigid enclosure for the rider and passenger. The 1.75” tubular steel Roll Bars and 3-point seatbelts provide additional safety features. All wheels feature cross-drilled rotors, offering maximum braking power under any road conditions. An emergency/parking hand-brake is also standard equipment. The V13R®’s low center of gravity and mass distribution ensure great stability.

The V13R® suspension has been selected to match the cornering capabilities the chassis geometry will allow and still offer a comfortable ride. The two front shocks are coil over progressive springs. They are adjustable in both compression preload and rebound damping. The shock dimensions are standard motorcycle figures, so you can personalize your suspension setup. The single rear shock is a fully adjustable motorcycle monoshock that can support 4” of wheel travel without compromise. Fully customizable, this rear suspension setup offers maximum flexibility while allowing a sporty ride.

Powered by the famous Harley-Davidson Liquid-cooled Revolution 60° V-Twin engine, the V13R® boasts power and torque to spare. The engine developed by Porches for Harley-Davidson® is powerful, easy to control and reliable. Featuring electronic injection the Harley-Davidson® V-ROD® is EPA and CARB approved. The 76 cubin inches (1250cc) engine delivers 125 HP at the wheel, with 84lbs of torque at 6,000 rpm, representing 3,000 rpm below red-line. This translates into great acceleration and fun. The engine power is always available and seems to never end. Controlled by clutch and gas pedals (just like in your car), the sequential shifting mechanism lets you ride as you wish.

The V13R uses the V-ROD engine’s 5-speed sequential transmission with a strap to transfer the engine’s power to the rear wheel. The custom designed mechanical reverse gear bolts on directly to the output shaft of the transmission allowing you to back-up on the engine power. Moreover, the strap driven rear wheel provides a clean and maintenance free ride. The V13R® uses the same strap-length as the original V-ROD® for top part availability.