2016 Harley-Davidson range

Harley-Davidson has unveiled its most powerful cruiser line-up yet, which is one of the big-ticket reveals in the launch of its 2016 model range.

The High Output Twin Cam 103B engine, previously only available in the company's Touring bikes, will power all the Softail models in MY2016, while other highlights include:

-- The introduction of new S-series limited-edition cruisers in the form of the Fat Boy S and Softail Slim S, powered by the Screamin’ Eagle Twin Cam 110 engine;
-- Revamped Iron 883 and Forty-Eight Dark Custom models; and
-- New brakes on the popular Street 500 LAMS bike.

The 2016 motorcycles and accessories will start rolling into dealerships from October 1, 2015, with pricing announced in late September. Bikesales will be riding the new tackle in Japan in early September.

“This is another historic year for Harley-Davidson,” said Adam Wright, Director of Marketing for Harley-Davidson Australia & New Zealand. “We’re introducing the most powerful collection of cruisers in our history, including the brand-new S series. We’re raising the bar on Dark Custom motorcycles with the new Iron 883 and Forty-Eight models, the purest expression of the design movement we started in 2008.

“Our engineers will tell you one of the best predictors of motorcycle acceleration is the power-to-weight ratio. It’s something you can’t see on a dyno sheet, but you will feel it when you twist the throttle. We’ve put more power in our Big Twin cruisers for 2016, without adding weight, to deliver the performance riders are asking for.”

Details of the main updates are as follows:

CRUISERS
The new S-series Fat Boy S and Softail Slim S models are powered by the Screamin’ Eagle Twin Cam 110 engine — once reserved for Custom Vehicle Operations (CVO) models. There's 148Nm of torque, and both bikes feature cruise control, anti-lock braking (ABS), and a factory security system as standard equipment.

The Softail Slim S has a stage one high-flow intake and dual shotgun mufflers, and every speck of chrome has been replaced with gloss black paint. The bike is offered in Vivid Black bodywork or the new Olive Gold Denim colour with military-inspired tank graphics.

“While the Olive Gold paint and star graphic are reminiscent of the WLA military models Harley-Davidson built during World War II, the Softail Slim S pays homage to the post-war chop-ups made from those bikes after the war,” said Wright. “Those garage customs started the bobber era that continues to inspire our styling team today.”

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.

The Fat Boy S also gets the shotgun mufflers, and it rolls with bullet-hole aluminium disc wheels, massive headlamp and nacelle, half-moon rider footboards and an 18.9-litre Fat Bob fuel tank.

“When we started styling the Fat Boy S we took it completely black, and then we pulled it back a little until our gut told us it was right,” said Wright. “We kept the highlights on the wheels and the tank badge, but this is still the darkest Fat Boy ever.”

Meantime, the High Output Twin Cam 103B engine standard is now in every 2016 Softail model (except the Softail Slim S and Fat Boy S), and cruise control will be factory-installed on the Heritage Softail Classic, Softail Deluxe, Fat Boy S and Softail Slim S models, and offered through as an accessory on the Breakout, Fat Boy, Fat Boy Lo, and Softail Slim models.

To accommodate the cruise control system, all Softail models are equipped with electronic throttle control.

In addition to the updated powertrain and electronic cruise control, the Heritage Softail receives refreshed styling for 2016. The leather saddlebags feature new conchos with red starburst inserts that match highlights in the seat skirt and tank badge. The saddlebags also have a new and improved internal support structure to maintain their shape. A new leather fuel tank panel matches the pattern of the backrest.

CVO MODELS
For 2016, three new technical features debut on each of the 2016 CVO model motorcycles:

-- A tyre pressure monitoring system, with the warning alert displayed as a pop-up screen on the BOOM! Box infotainment system;
-- A new integrated key fob combines the functions of the electric luggage locking system and the proximity-activated security system, conveniently replacing two previous fobs with a single device; and
-- New LED front and rear turn signals.

The 2016 CVO Limited, CVO Street Glide and CVO Road Glide Ultra are powered by the Screamin’ Eagle Twin-Cooled Twin Cam 110 engine. All models are equipped with the assist and slip clutch pack that provides a slip feature on downshifts to reduce loading of the driveline, and hydraulic clutch actuation to reduce lever effort and maintenance.

The models are factory-equipped with electronic cruise control, Reflex Linked Brakes with ABS, keyless ignition and a factory security system, and an indoor/outdoor storage cover with the CVO logo. New for 2016, a narrow-profile primary cover and derby cover on all three models improves rider leg clearance, allowing many riders a more firm-footed stance on the ground.

DARK CUSTOM
The new Iron 883 model is chopped and drilled to be a "little raw and rough around the edges". Features include clipped fenders, blacked-out powertrain and exhaust, drag-style handlebars and a solo tuck-and-roll seat cover.

“It’s always been my vision that this bike will look better with some dirt or patina,” said Harley-Davidson Senior Stylist Dais Nagao, who led the Iron 883 design project. “It’s quick and nimble and encourages the rider to be aggressive. As it’s ridden it may get some scuffs, scratches or other character marks. We can’t do that at the factory. That’s the privilege of the owner, and becomes part of the story of the bike.”

The Iron 883 is powered by the 883cc Evolution V-twin engine, while nine-spoke cast aluminium wheels finished in black with machined highlights reduce unsprung weight by a 3.6kg to improve 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 preload adjustment collar. A special shock adjustment spanner stows under the seat. The MY2016 Iron 883 is offered in four colour options: Charcoal Denim, Black Denim, or Olive Gold with an eagle-and-shield tank logo, or Hard Candy Custom Gold Flake with a flame detail paired with black fenders.

The new Forty-Eight has a burly 130mm front tyre suspended by 49mm forks secured in massive forged aluminium triple clamps and an aluminium fork brace. There's a 7.9-litre peanut fuel tank, and chopped fenders expose the tyre rubber.

“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. Those lines are repeated throughout the motorcycle, including in the seat stitching, slotted exhaust shields, rear sprocket and belt guard. New lightweight cast-aluminium wheels feature nine split spokes and a solid black finish with machined highlights. Combination stop/tail/turn signals keep the rear fender uncluttered.

Like the Iron 883, the suspension is also all-new. The MY2016 Forty-Eight is offered in four solid 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.

Finally, for 2016 the popular Street 500 receives a new front and rear brake systems with 300mm brake rotors. Other braking system upgrades include an improved aluminium integrated rear master cylinder with reservoir, aluminium front master cylinder with reduced friction and higher efficiency, and new brake lines. The rear brake pedal has a new position with improved ergonomics, and the new clutch and brake levers "look and feel more robust" The horn mount has been tucked behind the radiator and a modified wiring harness has a tidier appearance. The 2016 Street 500 will be offered in Vivid Black, Black Denim and two new colours, Superior Blue and Fire Red.

Visit H-D.com.au
to see all 2016 Harley-Davidson models and to find a local dealer.