Harley-Davidson Blackline
We've ridden the latest dark custom from the American company, and we can certainly vouch for one thing – its top-shelf and intuitive security system!Me and my best buddy were pushing our luck – trying to load a Harley-Davidson Blackline conspicuously onto the back of a trailer while its alarm was making Jimmy Barnes sound like a quietly spoken choir boy.
And this one was my clanger, as I had ‘misplaced’ the key and security fob somewhere in the 60km between the H-D dealership in Melbourne and my mate’s house (I have also lost a black shoe on the same piece of ribbon, so I had already blotted my copybook), so I was left high and dry without an override code. And it was 5.00pm on Friday afternoon.
But I was determined to get the Blackline back to my house before ringing H-D head office with the tale of woe, but it was like a growling dog – every time we got close the alarm (an optional extra on this bike) would activate, sending a piercing noise through the neighbourhood.
But we pushed on, and loaded it up – while waiting the local constabulary to come flying up in a cloud of dust -- for the final 5km trek back to my house.
I eventually sourced a replacement key and fob, and then embarked on one of the most enjoyable Harley rides I’ve ever had, punting through the Macedon Ranges north of Melbourne – even though the roads were wet and snotty.
The Blackline, a Softail “pared to the bone,” just oozes personality, from the black-out look to the spoked wheels, clean lines and bobbed rear fender.
The combination of forward controls and “split drag handlebars”, which mount directly to the top triple clamp, felt a little weird at first (perhaps a more a function of the bars than controls), but it didn’t take me long to settle into a nice rhythm, with the Blackline carving a purposeful line through the sweeping bends – despite the raked-out geometry and 21-inch front wheel (but with a skinny 90-section Dunlop rubber).
All this while the rigid-mounted counter-balanced Twin Cam 96 cubic inch fuel injected V-twin shouldered the workload in an impossibly relaxed manner, reaching its stress-free zenith in overdrive – 2200rp at 100km/h.
Quite stately really, and comfortable too thanks to the new one-piece, two-up seat.
A full road test will come shortly on the Blackline, which has now been on sale in Australia for a couple of months for $27,995.
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