Harley-Davidson has unveiled its 2014 motorcycle range at a dealer conference in Denver, Colorado, with the four Touring family models having been completely transformed by a four-year product development program called ‘Rushmore’.
Harley-Davidson also announced that the Fat Bob has received a Dark Custom styling overhaul, and includes a new slash-cut rear fender with a recessed twin-ring LED tail light. Black replaces chrome everywhere, including the powertrain, air cleaner cover, rear shock covers, triple clamps, headlight trim rings, console and battery box cover. The aluminium slotted disc wheels are powder-coated black and finished with a laser-engraved Harley-Davidson logo and rim stripe
Additionally, all Sportster models now come with anti-lock braking as standard, and the Milwaukee-based company has introduced its Twin Cam 103 powertrain as standard for the entire Dyna and Softail range.
Enhancements have also been made to the Custom Vehicle Operations (CVO) range, which now features the Softail Deluxe to complete the line-up.
Project Rushmore
Project Rushmore aims to enhance the overall Harley-Davidson Touring family models riding experience, which has resulted in a raft of new enhancements and design developments for the Road King Classic, Street Glide, Electra Glide Ultra Classic and Electra Glide Ultra Limited, as well as the Tri Glide Ultra Classic which is available in the New Zealand market.
Enhancements and developments to each model include Bluetooth-enabled Boom! Box infotainment systems with GPS navigation; LED headlamps; a new fairing with splitstream venting; and a twin-cooled (ie water and air) High Output Twin Cam 103 power.
Director of Marketing for Harley-Davidson Australia and New Zealand Adam Wright said: “Model year 14 represents an extremely exciting period of change for Harley-Davidson. Project Rushmore was designed to develop every element of our Touring models and ensure that our customers’ riding experience is totally enhanced. We believe that Harley-Davidson Touring models now offer the most complete package on the market.
“Our aim was to listen to what our customers wanted and deliver on every aspect, from style and infotainment to control and feel. These changes also carry through to the rest of the 2014 range which includes everything from the styling overhaul of the new Fat Bob to the developments seen in both the Sportster and CVO families.”
Street Glide
Electra Glide Ultra Classic
Electra Glide Ultra Limited
Tri Glide Ultra Classic (available in New Zealand only)
The Bikesales Network will be riding the 2014 Touring bikes in Colorada next week, so standby for a full launch report.
Meanwhile, several models have been discontinued in 2014, including the Softail Blackline FXS, the Electra Glide Classic FLHTC, the Road Glide Custom FLTRX and the Road Glide Ultra FLTRU.
According to reports out of America, the FLTRX and FLTRU are going in for a major redesign, but a timetable for their return hasn’t been proffered as yet.
Availability for the 2014 models in Australia hasn't been determined yet.