shorts #Fatboy #Harley-Davidson.
source
Tag: HarleyDavidson
Bike Shed Regular, Ricardo woke up one day and made one of the most defining decisions a lot of us have made in life. He was …
source
Harley-Davidson motorcycle riders are beginning to discover a valuable, lesser-known feature that can be utilized even when the engine is not running.
The iconic brand, cherished across the United States, frequently integrates an array of cutting-edge features into their bikes, many of which may go unnoticed by riders.
3
3
3
While the owner’s manual provides details about the bike’s features, it’s common for riders not to consult it unless they have a specific query.
For instance, the 2024 Road Glide is equipped with a practical accessory mode, allowing users to engage with the bike’s electronic systems without needing to start the engine.
Engaging this mode is straightforward: simply press and hold the trip switch on the key fob. This activates the instruments and accessory circuit while disabling both the headlamp and turn signal lights.
In accessory mode, the Infotainment Control Unit (IFCU) displays crucial information, such as the fuel gauge and odometer, enabling you to track fuel levels and mileage without starting the engine.
This is particularly handy for instances where you may wish to briefly turn on the headlamp to assess your surroundings.
After you’ve completed your checks, you can turn off the bike again by pressing and holding the trip switch.
However, it’s important to note that accessory mode is designed for short-term use, as prolonged activation can deplete the battery.
If the motorcycle remains in accessory mode for two hours, it will automatically shut down to safeguard against full battery drain. Should you need to utilize the mode once more after this automatic shutdown, just press and hold the trip switch to reactivate it.
Overall, this feature offers an efficient way to access essential information and adjust settings while conserving energy.
This comes in light of a rider who recently embarked on a 12,000-mile journey on a Harley Davidson and praised its powerful engine, yet pointed out a frustrating problem.
Harley-Davidson’s 2025 Lineup: 7 New Bikes Unveiled
The motorcycle’s engine delivered robust power, ensuring smooth acceleration with an exhilarating roar.
The CVO Pan America boasted impressive acceleration from low to high speeds while also providing quick deceleration, facilitating control on uneven roads.
Its seat was remarkably comfortable, making lengthy rides effortlessly manageable, including a notable 1,025-mile journey in under 24 hours.
Aesthetically, the Pan America certainly turned heads with its aggressive fairing and presence, reminiscent more of a 1960s muscle car than the bulkier adventure bikes of the 1970s.
Nonetheless, not all aspects of the motorcycle were perfect.
The absence of a standard 12V accessory point frustrated the rider, necessitating the use of an adapter or directly wiring gear to the battery.
Additionally, the most concerning issue was the unexpected drop-out of the fourth gear during periods of hard acceleration.
Harley-Davidson faces considerable challenges in the upcoming year, especially with the European Union set to impose $28 billion in tariffs on U.S. goods, including motorcycles, beginning April 1.
This historic brand is expected to see price increases in Europe, further exacerbating its existing challenges.
Harley-Davidson Store Closures in 2024
There are over 650 Harley-Davidson dealerships located throughout America.
However, several locations have closed their doors for various reasons throughout 2024, often without any explanation.
Here’s a list of some Harley-Davidson locations that have shut down this year, along with their closures’ reasons:
One outlet in San Francisco shut down in June 2024 after 110 years due to ‘chaos’ caused by new management.
Miracle City Harley-Davidson in Titusville, Florida, closed in September 2024, with no provided reason.
The iconic New York City location ceased operations on September 28, 2024, with the owner attributing the closure to economic troubles.
Reiman’s Harley-Davidson in Kewanee, Illinois, closed its doors in October 2024 after the owners sold the business to the Walter Brothers Harley Davidson dealership in Peoria, Illinois.
Another Illinois dealership also closed in November 2024.
Additionally, a dealership in West Bend, Wisconsin, will temporarily shut down for the season from November 2 until April 1, 2024.
Looking ahead to 2025, Hideout Harley-Davidson in Missouri has announced it will close at the end of March.
Japstyle inspired bobber build from a 1994 Softail Heritage. Handmade seat, handlebar, exhaust, fender ++.
source
Take a Test Ride on the 2024 Harley-Davidson Road King Special: The Ultimate Riding Experience! Join Kyle as he hits the road …
source
Harley-Davidson craftsmanship at its finest, the 2023 CVO Road Glide Limited Anniversary edition is a serialized custom bagger …
source
Get to know the motorcycle that you will learn to ride on during the Riding Academy class, the Street 500! Motorcycles are …
source
It’s widely recognized that Harley-Davidson produces high-end motorcycles, with prices starting at over $10,000, while some models can reach tenfold that amount. Notably, the law of diminishing returns implies that buyers may not derive proportional value from this brand. Fortunately, the iconic Bar And Shield has been making significant changes (hello, Pan America!), and such transformations are indeed welcomed.
As a result, there are now certain Harleys that genuinely offer great value for their price. We believe one particular cruiser stands distinctly apart in this regard, blending contemporary elements with the traditional essence of Harley. Its allure is not restricted to brand enthusiasts; we can envision anyone taking it for a ride and having a blast, irrespective of their cruiser preference. Best of all, it’s positioned near the lower end of Harley’s pricing spectrum. Therefore, let’s introduce you to the Harley that delivers the best bang for your buck currently available.
To ensure the accuracy of the information provided in this article, data was gathered from credible sources, including the official websites of the relevant manufacturers.
Related
The Harley-Davidson Cruiser That’s Perfect For An Experienced Rider
This H-D delivers high-performance power, classic style, and advanced features for seasoned riders
The Harley-Davidson Sportster S Is The Best Bang For Your Buck Harley-Davidson You Can Buy Today
Base Price: $15,999
The Sportster lineup has been in existence since 1957, but the latest iteration has been in production since 2021, representing a significant evolution from the previous Evolution series. The Sportster has always maintained a sporty reputation within Harley’s lineup, designed to handle corners more adeptly than standard cruisers. At the heart of the current flagship Sportster is the Revolution Max engine, which is regarded as Harley’s most sophisticated engine to date, featuring technologies that are often reserved for considerably more expensive motorcycles.
This engine boasts a short-stroke design, utilizes liquid cooling and fuel injection, and strives for an optimal balance between peak power and torque. It incorporates smaller valves and ports, as well as a unique combustion chamber shape that yields a lower compression ratio compared to the Pan America engine. It’s equipped with variable valve timing and a six-speed gearbox including a slipper clutch, and it stands out as one of the rare designs with two spark plugs per cylinder.
The Pan America also includes a quickshifter, which is absent in the Sportster S even as an option — a detail we feel Harley should address in future updates. Nevertheless, the Sportster S features a by-wire throttle and multiple ride modes enabling personalized throttle responses suited to different riding conditions. Additionally, cruise control comes as a standard feature, showcasing a modern package that previous Sportsters have seldom offered.
Harley-Davidson Sportster S Engine Specs
Engine Configuration | Revolution Max 1250T 60 degree V-twin, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder with variable valve timing on all valves, liquid cooled |
Displacement | 1,252 cc |
Bore x Stroke | 105 x 72.3 mm |
Compression Ratio | 12.0:1 |
Power | 121 HP @ 7,500 RPM |
Torque | 93 LB-FT @ 6,000 RPM |
Fuel System | Electronic sequential port fuel injection |
Transmission | 6 speed manual transmission |
Final Drive | Belt drive |
How Fast Is The Harley-Davidson Sportster S?
0-60 MPH: 3.4 seconds
The Sportster S takes its sporting designation seriously, with an official acceleration time from 0 to 60 MPH recorded at just 3.4 seconds, a rate comparable to that of the Audi R8. It has a top speed of 143 mph, though rider comfort at such velocities—considering the lack of wind protection—might be questionable. The bike’s advanced electronics undoubtedly contribute to its impressive acceleration, and if the gearbox performance is as anticipated, it may well provide even quicker times down the line. Including a quickshifter in future designs could enhance its daily usability and agility.
Performance Numbers
0-60 MPH | 3.4 Seconds |
Top Speed | 143 MPH |
Here’s What Makes This Harley-Davidson Great Bang For The Buck
Great Engine, Good Weight Savings
Having already examined the engine and its features, it’s noteworthy that the Sportster S conceals an array of modern amenities beneath its signature Harley design. The circular display is a TFT, akin to contemporary motorcycles, outfitted with multiple menus. It supports Bluetooth connectivity, allowing riders to control their music via the handlebar switches, and also includes navigation information. Furthermore, the motorcycle can perform diagnostics and display results, assisting riders interpreting warning lights.
Related
Here’s What Makes The Harley-Davidson Sportster An Iconic Motorcycle
Classics like the iconic Harley-Davidson Sportster never go out of style.
The Sportster S comes equipped with Harley-Davidson’s full electronics suite, making every feature standard, including (take a deep breath) Cornering enhanced ABS (C-ABS), cornering enhanced traction control (C-TCS), drag-torque slip control, tire pressure monitoring, wheel lift mitigation, and enhanced lift mitigation, all taking inputs from the IMU. The only apparent shortcoming of the Sportster S is its front brake.
It features a Brembo system, without a doubt, but given its performance and weight, a twin-disc configuration would have been a much-improved option. All of this is available for below $16,000 retail, making it a solid value for any brand, and particularly striking for a Harley-Davidson, a name often associated with the opposite of ‘value’ in traditional terms. Thus, it offers excellent value for money.
Harley-Davidson Sportster S Hardware Specs And Weight
Front Suspension | 43 mm inverted forks, fully adjustable, 3.6 inches travel |
Rear Suspension | Linkage mounted monoshock, fully adjustable, 2 inches travel |
Front Tire And Wheel | 160/70 R17 73V |
Rear Tire And Wheel | 180/70 R16 77V |
Front Brakes | Single 320 mm disc, four-piston radially mounted fixed caliper |
Rear Brakes | 260 mm solid uniform expansion disc with single-piston floating caliper |
Curb Weight | 502 LBs (wet) |
Tank Capacity | 3.1 Gallons |
An Unmistakable Look Makes The Sportster Stand Out
Cruiser? Yes. Sporty? Also Yes.
The aesthetic of the Sportster S draws from Harley’s classic flat track racers, emphasized by the almost linear design from the top of the tank to the tail, interrupted only by the seat. Its high-routing exhaust closely hugs the frame, running parallel to the ground and finishing with an underseat muffler, reminiscent of scrambler designs. The chunky front tire and small headlamps at the front give it a bulkier yet appealing look.
At the back, the shorter subframe showcases the broad rear tire, while a unit mounted on the rear axle houses the tail lamp, indicators, and license plate. The engine is a structural component of the frame, leading to a design without a conventional frame ahead of or below the engine, a feat made easier with radiator shrouds and cladding.
Related
10 Best Harley-Davidson Sportster Models Ever
These bikes prove why the Sportster is Harley-Davidson’s longest-running model
Another distinctive feature of the Sportster S is the low placement of the shock, echoing sports bike designs. Its swingarm is a unique tubular variant, resembling a trellis frame that contributes to its lightweight and sleek appearance. The Sportster S is available in gray as a standard offering, while opting for black will incur an additional cost of $500. The red option costs an extra $750, and our favorite, the metallic mystic shift, comes with a price tag of $900.
Harley-Davidson Sportster S Notable Design Features
- Distinctly Harley look, yet sporty
- Design inspired by Harley flat track racers
- 4 inch TFT color display with navigation
- Tubular frame
- Brembo brakes
- Unique tubular swingarm design
Harley-Davidson Sportster S Dimensions
Length | 89.4 inches |
Wheelbase | 59.8 inches |
Rake | 30 degrees |
Trail | 5.8 inches |
Seat Height | 28.9 inches |
Ground Clearance | 3.5 inches |
Top Bang For The Buck Cruisers
Not Many Have The Harley’s Combination At The Price
Finding a blend of price, performance, and features as compelling as that offered by Harley can be a tough task. Nonetheless, a few alternatives in the market present viable competition to the Sportster S. The Indian 101 Scout is slightly pricier but closely rivals the Harley in performance, styling, and features. Another modern contender priced similarly is the BMW R 12 nineT, which certainly boasts sporting credentials, although its classification as a true cruiser may be open to interpretation.
Related
10 Pictures That Illustrate The Evolution Of The Harley Davidson Sportster
Harley-Davidson’s middleweight cruiser has gone through many changes over five decades
There is no dispute that the Suzuki Boulevard M109R offers significant performance and will remain reliable despite its age. However, the absence of a six-speed gearbox and overall weight combined with its dimensions position it as a less rational option at its price point. On the more economical end, the Honda Rebel 1100 SE includes an automatic gearbox, providing an attractive option for urban riders. Finally, Harley’s own Nightster Special is fitted with the smaller Revolution Max 975T engine, offering lesser performance.
Among the models discussed, only the Nightster, Rebel, and Sportster S rely on a single front brake disc, distinguishing the Sportster due to its superior performance.
Model | Harley-Davidson Sportster S | Indian 101 Scout | BMW R 12 nineT | Suzuki Boulevard M109R B.O.S.S. | Honda Rebel 1100 SE DCT | Harley-Davidson Nightster Special |
Price | $15,999 | $16,999 | $16,595 | $15,599 | $11,099 | $12,499 |
Engine | 1252 cc V-twin twin | 1,250 cc V-twin | 1,170 cc boxer twin | 1,783 cc V-twin | 1,084 cc parallel twin | 975 cc V-twin |
Power | 121 HP @ 7,500 RPM | 111 HP @ 7,250 RPM | 109 HP @ 7,000 RPM | 123 HP @ 6,200 RPM | 87.1 HP @ 7,250 RPM | 91 HP @ 7,500 RPM |
Torque | 93 LB-FT @ 6,000 RPM | 82 LB-FT @ 6,300 RPM | 85 LB-FT @ 6,500 RPM | 118 LB-FT @ 3,200 RPM | 72.2 LB-FT @ 4,750 RPM | 72 LB-FT @ 5,750 RPM |
Curb Weight (Wet) | 502 LBs | 549 LBs | 485 LBs | 764 LBs | 498 LBs | 483 LBs |
Check out this 2007 Softail Custom! This bike is fully equipped for a life on the open road. Come check it out in our showroom …
source