Five new bikes head up Harley MY10
Harley-Davidson has launched five new models to headline its 2010 model year rangeIconic US motorcycle marque Harley-Davidson has launched five new models to headline its revised 2010 model year range. The bikes span the roadbike segment, from entry-level to full-house touring, and spearhead the revised range that offers factory custom paint options and an expanded level of individualisation via factory and dealer-fit accessories.
The five new models are offered across four of Harley's five model platforms -- Sportster, Dyna, Softail and Touring range. Only the V-Rod range misses out this year. In the case of the Sportster, two new 2010 models arrive Down Under. That said, with a similar number of models dropping off the Harley-Davidson pricelist, the nett number of models stays around the same as 2008.
The good news (for some) is that Harley-Davidson has been able to hold its pricing on all but four models. Indeed five models have had their prices reduced. For 2010, the pricetags of three 1200cc Sportsters have been reduced -- Custom, Nightster and XR1200 -- and the FXD Super Glide and FLHX Street Glide are each $1000 cheaper in 2010.
Harley-Davidson Australia used the unveiling of the 2010 model range to detail its plans to strengthen its Harley Owners Group (HOG) activities, as well as launching the new Harley-Davidson insurance and extended warranty programs. More information about the initiatives, plus the launch of a Loyalty Miles program, will be detailed in the coming weeks. In addition, the 2009 National HOG Rally in Launceston from November 6-8 will open its arms to the wider Harley-owning community and the general public, in preparation for Harley's 2010 'outreach' campaign.
From a product point of view, the bar and shield brand also strengthens its aftermarket offering Down Under for 2010 with the launch of a wider range of performance and appearance accessories and customisation options. The factory custom paint program will offer a limited number of new Harley buyers the ability to set their bikes apart from the crowd. In addition, a range of factory polished and custom wheels has been added.
While the BikeSales network was unable to join in on this week's MY10 launch ride on Victoria's Great Ocean Road, here's our rundown on the information behind the new models. Look out for our reviews on a selection of the MY10 range down the track.
The single-seat model has sold well since its introduction in Europe and the USA. It features blacked-out engine and running gear, chopped guards front and rear and low drag-style handlebars. Combination stop/turn/tail lights deliver a very clean rear-end and fork gaitors give the front-end a more traditional air.
Harley has not quoted power figures for its bikes (with some exceptions) for a while now -- preferring to talk torque. The 883 delivers 70Nm at 3750rpm. Though no rocketship, the Electronic Sequential Port Fuel Injection (ESPFI) equipped Sportster powertrain offers a flat predictable and very rider-friendly power delivery. Alas its cubic capacity precludes it from LAMS eligibility.
Harley quotes a low seat height of 643mm -- another plus for shorties and newbies. Two colour options are offered -- Black Denim and Brilliant Silver Denim.
Harley says the 1200X combines "American racing heritage with European style".
Finished in Black Denim paint, the 1200X's 90ps (67kW) 100Nm 1202cc injected engine is unchanged from the XR12; instead Harley's development team has concentrated on suspension and brakes. Thus the new Sportster flagship gets special Dunlop rubber, retuned upside-down forks, Showa piggyback dampers and Nissin four-piston front calipers and floating 292mm rotors.
Ergonomics have also been tweaked via new, flatter bars. Seat height matches the XR1200 at 795mm.
Back wearing one of the most revered of Harley nameplates, the Wide Glide returns for MY2010 as an old-school chopped makeover of the marque's more than capable Dyna running gear.
Though the rubber mounted engine and 'sensible' chassis characteristics of the Dyna range underpin the new Wide Glide, the bike gets a character all of its own, thanks to wide set fork legs, black 40-spoke wheels, a chopped rear fender, simple black looped sissy bar and a two-into-one-into-two 'Tommy Gun' style exhaust. The rear view is dominated by the Wide Glide's 180-section rubber but tidied up with 21st century tech LED centre mount taillight with integrated numberplate bracket and indicators.
Power is provided by Harley's trademark 1584cc fuel-injected Twin Cam 96 powerplant. New for 2010 across the 96/103 cubic inch engine range is a six-speed Cruise Drive transmission which features a helical-cut fifth gear for smoother operation.
Priced from $26,495, Harley even offers an optional ($1000) orange-to-yellow fade flame paint scheme.
The latest addition to the Softail family, the $27,995 Fat Boy Lo can lay claim to the lowest seat height across the Harley-Davidson range. At just 616mm, there are kids tricycles that demand a longer inside leg measurement.
Harley has lowered the bike around 300mm at both ends. In addition the seat has been reprofiled to reduce apparent seat height. There's a new 31.5mm "mini beach" bar that is both lower and narrower than the standard Fay Boy's tiller.
Dressed in satin chrome and denim black, the new Fat Boy Lo "presents a darker and lower interpretation of the motorcycle that still defines the fat-custom segment" says Milwaukee -- and who are we to argue.
With Harley temporarily retiring the CVO range of bikes Down Under (in the wake of the Global Financial Crisis, the local arm thought better of loading up dealers with $50K Softails), the new Touring model rangetopper also takes the crown as the most expensive ex-factory MY10 H-D.
Priced at $36,850, the new Electra Glide Ultra Limited not only packs Harley's powered-up 1690cc Twin Cam 103 engine, but also features a swag of standard equipment items, previously offered only as accessories on showroom-stock Harley tourers.
The Touring range benefited from an all-new frame for MY09. The frame significantly improved the bikes' handling characteristics -- especially when laden.
For MY10, the Ultra Limited adds goodies like antilock Brembo disc brakes, heated handgrips, integrated luggage with "Premium" Tour-Pak liners plus electronic cruise control and an 80-watt Advanced Audio System by Harmon-Kardon -- complete with CB radio and intercom.
The trademark batwing fairing returns plus Harley has retained the range's vented fairing lowers and adjustable wind deflectors.
The Ultra Limited gets bespoke two-tone paint with two new combos offered for 2010 -- Merlot Sunglo/Cherry Red Sunglo and White Ice Pearl/Black Ice Pearl.
The bike rolls on new 28-spoke cast alloy wheels shod with dual-compound Dunlop rubber. Suspension is air-adjustable.
Like the rest of the MY2010 Harley range, the Ultra Limited gets H-D's Smart Security System which delivers automatic self-arming and hands-free disarming. Two years' roadside assistance and 24 month unlimited kilometre warranty also applies to all Harley models.
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