Autoblog

Harley Davidson targeting skateboarders with new model?

Jonathon Ramsey — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 08:58:00 EST

Filed under: Marketing/Advertising, Motorcycle

2010 Harley-Davidson Forty-Eight - Click above for high-res image gallery

The Harley-Davidson Forty-Eight, in the company's Sportster segment, sits at a cross-cultural intersection in the cyclemaker's lineup. It apparently represents the spot where bikers meet skateboarders. It seems that the stripped-down looks and functional-jewelry design of the Forty-Eight is well appreciated by skaters who don't like their rides to make any extraneous fuss.

The bike is only one small part of what some call a larger trend, that of skateboarders increasingly moving into the world of bikes. It isn't that skateboarders want to be bikers but, according to a skate shop owner, "We're just wired a certain way. For some reason the death and danger are just a part of us." And you don't have to look any further than a motorcycle to find death and danger.

Harley has used the rendezvous to help market the Forty-Eight, including hiring skaters like Heath Kirchart and Matt Ball to appear in its promotional materials. The Milwaukee firm isn't targeting skateboarders only with this bike, but they certainly want to welcome them to the family. Said a Harley rep, "There's no question that there are huge parallels there between bikers and skateboarders." Tip of the cap to Alex!

Gallery: 2010 Harley-Davidson Forty-Eight

[Source: The New York Times]

Harley Davidson targeting skateboarders with new model? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 27 Jul 2010 08:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Harley-Davidson confirms XR1200X for U.S. in 2011

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 17:00:00 EST

Filed under: Motorcycle

2011 Harley-Davidson XR1200X - Click above for high-res image gallery

Harley-Davidson's sportiest Sportster is about to get a wee bit sportier for the 2011 model year, as The Motor Company has just announced that it will begin offering the XR1200X here in the States for the 2011 model year at a price of $11,799. Although originally announced a year ago, the model has so far only shipped to customers in Europe - odd for a brand that celebrates its American heritage so passionately, but whatever.

In any case, we're happy to welcome the XRX to the fold, as it combines the air-cooled and fuel-injected 1200cc V-twin engine and its 74 pound-feet of torque at 4000 rpm with a suspension worthy of its 40-degree lean angle capabilities. Included in the springy bits are Showa's well-regarded Big Piston front forks with adjustable rebound, compression and preload along with dual Showa rear shocks with 36mm pistons and piggyback nitrogen-charged reservoirs.

Up front, a pair of Nissin 292mm full-floating rotors are clamped by four-piston calipers. Seat height comes in at 29.2 inches and rear-mount pegs couple with dirt track-style handlebars to offer a relatively sporty posture. Color choices consist of either black or white in H-D's matte denim finish, both with blacked-out powertrain, exhaust and wheels. Those wheels are highlighted by an orange stripe that matches the rear springs. It's certainly a looker. See for yourself in our high-res image gallery below and click past the break for the press release.

Gallery: 2011 Harley-Davidson XR1200X

[Source: Harley-Davidson]

Continue reading Harley-Davidson confirms XR1200X for U.S. in 2011

Harley-Davidson confirms XR1200X for U.S. in 2011 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 03 Jun 2010 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Harley-Davidson expands Sportster line with new Forty-Eight

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 14:29:00 EST

Filed under: Motorcycle

2010 Harley-Davidson Forty-Eight - Click above for high-res image gallery

Harley-Davidson has just announced a new addition to its entry-level Sportster family, and it's seemingly again drawing on its years of heritage in both the bike's design and name. Called the Forty-Eight, the new machine is the latest motorcycle to slot into HD's Dark Custom series, which also includes the Nightster 1200, Iron 883, Cross Bones, Fat Bob and Street Bob.

So, what makes this model different from the other Sportster models? It's all in the styling details, naturally. Included in the kit are bobbed fenders front and rear, fat front tire, blacked-out and polished 1200cc Evolution V-twin, solo seat that measures 26 inches from the ground, under-mounted mirrors, side mount license plate and tiny 2.1-gallon peanut fuel tank. No matter, with what we bet is less than two inches of rear suspension travel, this bike seems destined to be a short-distance mount anyway.

So, to recap, there's nothing new here at all (which we surmise is kind of the point), but the overall effect still makes the Forty-Eight arguably the most attractive bike in the Sportster line, barring the much sportier XR1200, of course. Pricing begins at $10,499 MSRP in Vivid Black with Brilliant Silver and Mirage Orange Pearl also available. Click past the break for the complete press release and check out our high-res image gallery below.

Gallery: 2010 Harley-Davidson Forty-Eight

[Source: Harley-Davidson]

Continue reading Harley-Davidson expands Sportster line with new Forty-Eight

Harley-Davidson expands Sportster line with new Forty-Eight originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 22 Jan 2010 14:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Harley-Davidson guarantees the value of its Sportster

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 14:33:00 EST

Filed under: Motorcycle

Click above for a gallery of the Harldy-Davidson Nightster

It's a tough time to be selling any kind of vehicle in the United States, including motorcycles. Harley-Davidson has been hit just as hard as anybody else, and it's the more expensive line of bikes taking the brunt of this sales slowdown. The Motor Company's Sportster line is still selling fairly well, with its relatively attractive price and fuel efficiency conspiring to keep the V-Twins moving off the showroom floor. HD must really want to capitalize on those sales, as it's just announced a unique incentive to purchase a new Sportster, or alternatively to trade in your recently purchased model.

All 2008 and 2009 Sportsters will be sold with a guarantee that HD will offer the full MSRP of the bike when it comes time to trade up to a Big Twin (aka, non-Sportster) or VRSC model. Already ridden off the showroom floor? No problem, all previously sold 2007-and-newer models get the same deal. Fine print? Of course: XR1200 sales don't count; participating dealers only; offer valid between Dec. 26, 2008 and Mar. 31, 2009. Doesn't sound like too bad a deal for those already in the market.

Gallery: Harley-Davidson Nightster

[Source: Harley-Davidson]

Continue reading Harley-Davidson guarantees the value of its Sportster

Harley-Davidson guarantees the value of its Sportster originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 26 Dec 2008 14:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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eBay Find of the Day: 1923 Model T powered by Harley V-Twin

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Sat, 31 May 2008 16:45:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Coupe, Auctions, Ford, Motorcycle

Click above for more images of the 1923 V-Twin powered Model T

Ford's ubiquitous Model T has seen its fair share of modifications over the years. Often powered by an engine other than what was originally designed for the large engine bay, countless variations of the hot rod theme have made Henry Ford's original mass-market vehicle a highly desirable machine to customize. Today, we've stumbled across an entirely new way to power the T, and it's just too cool not to share. Behind the custom spiderweb grille of this 1923 Ford Model T is a 1200cc V-Twin engine taken from the frame rails of a Harley-Davidson Sportster. Considering how little this vehicle is likely to weigh, the air-cooled twin cylinder mill with Screaming Eagle mods is probably plenty powerful to get the vehicle out of its own way. The owner used quite a few HD cues in the overall design and as many original parts from the donor bike as was possible. Note the dual rear shocks suspending the rear axle -- those are from the Sportster, as well as the foot pegs which now see duty as the gas and brake pedals. Nice work.

Gallery: Harley-Powered Model T

[Source: eBay Motors via The Kneslider]

eBay Find of the Day: 1923 Model T powered by Harley V-Twin originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 31 May 2008 16:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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