Softail Slim

Sporster 72

The Seventy-Two and Softail Slim represent Harley's growth strategy as it approaches its 110th anniversary next year: attracting minorities and younger riders. The lowrider-inspired Seventy-Two, with its metal flake paint, whitewall tires and reasonable $10,499 starting price, targets the growing demographic of riders ages 18 to 34, as well as Latinos.

The '50s-style Softail Slim, with its chopped fenders, large 103-cubic-inch V-twin and $15,499 base price, pursues what Harley calls its "younger core": men ages 30 to 45.

Baby boomers have long been Harley's bread and butter, but the company, which accounts for 55% of U.S. sales of bikes larger than 650 cc, has been pursuing a younger demographic.

That strategy began in 2007 with its first midyear model introduction, the Nightster. Since then, Harley has been consistently filling out its youth-oriented roster with lower-priced and edgier-looking bikes including the Forty-Eight, introduced for the 2010 model year, and the Iron 883, which debuted for the 2009 model year. Harley is now seeing consistent year-over-year sales increases among Gen Y and millennial buyers, Hoyer said.

"From a brand perspective, you need to foster customers young and old," Hoyer said. "We need to make sure we're not only producing motorcycles for the core segment, who buy the most motorcycles, but a diversity of product for everyone."

In developing its Seventy-Two, Harley looked into its rearview mirror and scavenged from its past, but it also peeked into the garages of modern-day custom shops in France, Japan and Germany, where its designers were dazzled with metal flake finishes and "raw, simplified looks," Hoyer said.

She estimates that 40% of the Seventy-Twos that Harley builds at its York, Pa., plant this year will be sold in Europe, Asia, Latin America and other foreign markets. About a third of Softail Slims will be sold outside the U.S., she said.

Both bikes will start arriving at some U.S. dealers this week.

2012 Harley-Davidson Motorcycle
In 2009, Harley-Davidson introduced a limited number of XR1200 motorcycles (750) to the USA, the roadster based upon the legendary dirt-track bike, the XR750.
The following year, the XR1200 was released in full production in America, but Harley took it one step further in 2011, offering the XR1200 X; the new XR1200 X featured upgrades to suspensions, such as Showa fully adjustable rear shock absorbers.
For 2012, Harley continues to offer the XR1200X roadster with the 1200cc Evolution engine and fully-adjustable Showa suspension. With an already respected platform, Harley's only upgrade for 2012 are the Michelin Scorcher "11" front and rear tires designed specifically for the XR1200X.
Harley-Davidson says: "The XR1200XTM is a meticulously honed machine with premium handling and a commanding riding position that leaves the rider with a feeling that can only be described as aggressive fun. Bold, racing heritage, perfectly tuned for road performance, the XR1200X stands out like no other Harley model to date."
Following are the highlights, specs, color options MSRP of the 2012 Harley-Davidson XR1200X.
2012 Harley-Davidson XL1200X Highlights:
• NEW Michelin Scorcher "11" front and rear tires designed specifically for XR models
• Gloss Black, 3-spoke lightweight Cast Aluminum wheels with orange highlight, 18-inch front / 17-inch rear
• Isolation-mounted XL Evolution 1200 cc V-Twin engine with black powder-coated finish features downdraft Electronic Sequential Port Fuel Injection (ESPFI), high-performance camshafts, precision oil-cooled cylinder heads and a large-capacity oil cooler
• Upswept, high-volume 2-1-2 straight-shot exhaust system with satin black finish
• Cast aluminum swingarm
• Showa fully adjustable rear shock absorbers and Showa big piston front forks
• Nissin dual front brakes feature 292mm full-floating rotors and four-piston calipers
• Wide, low-rise handlebar
• Compact instrument display with white-faced analog tachometer, digital speedometer, dual trip meter and clock
• 3.5-gallon fuel tank with aircraft-style aluminum alloy fuel filler
• Optional Harley-Davidson Smart Security System with hands-free, proximity-based security fob
2012 Harley-Davidson XR1200 X Specs:
Engine:
• Air-cooled, Evolution
• Displacement (in./cc): 73.3/1200
• Fuel System: Electronic Sequential Port Fuel Injection (ESPFI)
• Transmission: 5-speed
• Miles Per Gallon: 44 MPG combined City/Hwy
• Fuel Capacity (U.S. gals/liters): 3.5/13.2
• Power: 73.91 ft. lbs. @ 4000 RPM
Dimensions:
• Length (in./mm): 87.6/2225
• Seat Height (laden) (in./mm): 29.2/742
• Wheelbase (in./mm): 60/1524
Tires:
• Michelin Scorcher "11" front and rear
• Front: Scorcher "11F" 120/70ZR18 59W
• Rear: Scorcher "11" 180/55ZR17 73W
Wheels:
• Front: Black 3-Spoke Cast Aluminum 18 in. x 3.5 in. (457.2 mm x 88.9 mm)
• Rear: Black 3-Spoke Cast Aluminum 17 in. x 5.5 in. (431.8 mm x 139.7 mm)
Weight as Shipped (lbs./kg):
• 551/249.9
2012 Harley-Davidson XR1200 X Color Options/MSRP:
• Black Denim / $11,799
• White Hot Denim / $11,799

By April, she had signed up for a motorcycle riding class at Motor City Harley-Davidson in Farmington Hills. Before the class even started, Perzigian shelled out $18,000 for a 2011 Fat Boy Lo and another $5,000 to customize it to her petite frame.
"It's fabulous," gushes Perzigian, of Royal Oak. "It fits my personality -- sophisticated, yet with some attitude and some style. It's got a bit of shine, a bit of chrome. People come running up to see it."

Women in Michigan are riding motorcycles in record numbers. In the past 10 years, the number of licensed Michigan bikers who are women has nearly doubled, from about 37,000 to 64,000 -- a trend that also plays out nationally.
Thanks to women like Perzigian, the stereotype of the "biker chick" -- that good-time floozy content riding the back of the bike -- is fading into the distance.

"While many women first learned to enjoy motorcycling sitting behind a man, today's female biker doesn't want to ask for rides anymore," says Jennifer Loberman, 40, who left a career in banking and rode her motorcycle into a new job as marketing director for Motor City Harley-Davidson. "She wants to choose when she's going, where she's going and who she's going with."
Genevieve Schmitt, founder of the online magazine WomenRidersNow.com , says the emergence of the serious female biker is a reflection of the growing financial and business clout of women as they climb corporate ladders and become small-business entrepreneurs.

Schmitt says surveys show that today's female biker is a community role model, earns $50,000 or more and is college-educated. Female biker clubs -- such as the Free Spirit Chapter out of Motor City Power Sports in Bloomfield Hills and Women in the Wind chapters -- "are the new bridge clubs" of the century, says Schmitt.

When Stephanie Jones gets on her 2006 Harley-Davidson Softail Deluxe motorcycle, it often takes her to work at Kettering University in Flint, where she's associate director of pre-college programs.

Jones, 49, was a Harley-Davidson cover model for a special brochure the iconic motorcycle company published for female riders. She first rode on a motorcycle that belonged to her then-husband. But she took her first motorcycling lessons from her pastor, who instructed Jones and four other women in the parking lot of Ebenezer Ministries in Burton about 10 years ago.
Since then, Bishop Urundi Knox, started a motorcycle ministry. And Jones and about 14 other members ride on Sundays to visit the sick and homebound. Since she became a rider, two sisters and a brother in other states also have taken to motorcycling, as has her son.

"I'm kind of petite and my bike is kind of big, and it looks like I can't handle it," says Jones. "When people see me on the bike, they are surprised, because I'm a professional at work and the secretary at church."
Jones gets as many comments on her biker clothes as on her bike. She wears ostrich cowboy boots and a helmet that matches. Her latest look is white jeans with a white Harley-Davidson vest to match. When's doing her motorcycle ministry, she's got a vest with a patch that reads: "Ebenezer Ministries. On Fire for the Lord."

While an increasing number of women are discovering the allure of motorcycles, manufacturers have in turn discovered the growing female market.

Krista Bach, 31, rides 55 miles one way on a motorcycle from Adrian to her job as clothing manager for Motor City Harley-Davidson. She sees the increase in women riders in sales at the store.

"You see a lot more ladies riding in independently or with a group of women," says Bach. "Women are more willing to spend a little more on their clothes and be a little more fashionable than the guys. The boys are satisfied with a black Harley T-shirt. The women are willing to buy a little bling."

There's no bling evident, however, on a sweltering Sunday behind a warehouse in Farmington Hills, where six would-be motorcyclists are taking nitty-gritty beginner motorcycle lessons.

They're learning how to throttle without stalling and how to negotiate a series of loops and curves without tipping over. Their instructor is Michelle Goodhand, 58, a dental hygienist from West Bloomfield. She started riding in 2001, with a boyfriend at the handlebars.

"It was pretty boring back there," says Goodhand. She took a class, but flunked her first road test. Undeterred, she tried again, passed the test, bought a bike, rode 15,000 miles the first year and dumped the boyfriend.
"He was the kind of guy who got threatened by me having my own bike," says Goodhand. Now, she spends most weekends teaching. Three of her four children now ride motorcycles, too.

Among this session's newcomers are Kay Eubank, 50, of Auburn Hills, a credits and receivable manager; and Janette Weltch, 29, of Lincoln Park, a child care manager.

"This is my midlife crisis," jokes Eubank. She, too, became acquainted with motorcycles as a passenger on her husband's bike.
"I didn't want to miss out on the fun," says Eubank. "Plus, I'm a control freak and not much of a passenger." She hasn't told her kids about her new passion, since she used to proclaim a hatred of motorcycles.
"That's when I was in mom mode," jokes Eubank.

Janet Lloyd, 59, a social worker from Pontiac, took a motorcycle class offered for $25 by Mott Community College on a whim two summers ago at the urging of friends at church. She passed "by the skin of my teeth" and then bought a purple Yamaha V-Star 650. Lloyd now rides with the Free Spirit Chapter. . She looks forward to regular riding excursions with the club, a rip-roaring posse of women on wheels.
"I love it. It's a good feeling. You feel really bold, especially when the guys start looking at you," she says. "All kinds of worries and stresses fall off of me. It's the best kind of anti-depressant that a person can take."
y the numbers

• About one out of nine motorcycle owners nationwide is a woman.
• Of 11 million motorcycles in the U.S. in 2009, about 1.5 million were owned by women.
• The estimated number of motorcycle riders who are women -- which includes women who own motorcycles and those who just ride them -- jumped from 4.3 million in 2003 to 5.6 million in 2008. That's a 30% increase.
• The median age of female motorcyclists in 2009 was 37 -- down from 41 in 2008.
• 40% of female motorcyclists are married.
• 36% of female motorcyclists have a college or post-graduate degree.
• 25% of female motorcyclists are business or health care professionals.
• 58% of women take a motorcycle riding course compared to 44% of men.

Harley-Davidson riders and enthusiasts will revel in one of the motorcycle world's most unique and exciting events at the 71st Annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in South Dakota's legendary Black Hills region.
The Harley-Davidson Road Tour will run from Saturday, Aug. 6, through Saturday, Aug. 13, at its location at the intersection of 3rd and Lazelle streets in downtown Sturgis. All Harley-Davidson activities in Sturgis are free of charge and include the following:
• New 2012 Harley-Davidson motorcycles, H-D1 customization and MotorClothes riding gear and apparel, including free helmet fittings
• Harley-Davidson Custom Ride-In Show, Thursday August 11
• XR1200 Racing Experience presented by Harley-Davidson Insurance
• Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) pin sales and Custom Motorcycle Raffle
• Free Bike Wash
• Willie G. Commemorative Merchandise
• AMD World Championship of Custom Bike Building, August 8-10
• Women's Area including the JUMPSTART rider experience, bike lift and more

Harley-Davidson demo rides for the new 2012 motorcycles will be available in Sturgis at Hersrud's Chevrolet Dealership near Interstate 90 at Exit 30 from Saturday, Aug. 6, to Friday, Aug. 12.
Riders can enjoy as many bikes as they want, but must have a valid motorcycle license and adhere to riding gear requirements and safety rules. There will also be a 2012 Harley-Davidson motorcycle display at this location, including a Fit Shop display for motorcycle customization.

For a complete listing of Harley-Davidson events at the 2011 Sturgis Rally, please visit harley-davidson.com/sturgis.
Some incredibly creative and passionately customized bikes at the Sturgis Rally will be displayed at the Harley-Davidson Ride-In Show, on Thursday, Aug. 11 at 3rd and Lazelle streets. There is a $10 entry fee, and all proceeds will be donated to MDA with cash prizes awarded in all categories.
There will be a pin stop and merchandise sales for Harley Owners Group (H.O.G.) members at the H-D Lazelle Street location, H.O.G. members can get a special pin at the AHDRA races, and more information on other H.O.G. events is available at members.hog.com.
Race fans will be able to check out the AHDRA Screamin' Eagle Performance Parts Race at the Sturgis Dragway on August 10 and August 11, so visit ahdra.com for more details.

2011 FLTRUSE CVO

There is something cleansing about a ride through the tall pines in the thin mountain air. Wheels and gears spin, aerating the soul the same way the gray granite boulders churn California's Truckee River into white and green froth.
The pulse from the 110 cubic inch Screamin' Eagle motor distances me from the mundane and puts me in the moment. I consider the remnants of the winter's snow above Squaw Valley. A flash of sunlight off the chrome laden 2011 Harley-Davidson CVO Road Glide Ultra brings me back from my mental wanderings.

Making our way out of Tahoe, my wife Jane and I have the pleasure of riding the Road Glide Ultra. For the first time, the Road Glide designed by Harley's now-legendary Custom Vehicle Operations group gets the Ultra designation, marking it as the pinnacle in its line.
Exclusivity is maintained with a limited production; approximately 3000 will be available in three paint schemes and a tome of impressive custom features, making the CVO Road Glide Ultra one of the most desirable motorcycles to come off an assembly line.
Turning west onto Interstate 80 in Truckee, we hit the inevitable road work that dogs mountain highways. Built as a serious touring machine, the Road Glide Ultra is constructed upon the latest Harley-Davidson Touring chassis, with its strong single-spar backbone frame and two-piece swingarm.

This rigid frame adds durability and maneuverability. Air adjustable shocks allow the suspension to be customized depending on the load and help minimize the effects of a rough road, while anti-lock brakes ensure a safe stop on crusty pavement.
Past the construction and over the infamous Donner Pass, Jane's long hair billows out behind her as I open the throttle to hit highway speed. Making up the heart of the Road Glide Ultra is the Screamin' Eagle Twin Cam 110 engine, which pumps out 115 ft/lbs of torque at 4000 rpm.

Electronic Throttle Control coupled with Electronic Sequential Port Fuel Injection mix the perfect ratio of air and fuel for the combustion chambers-jerking, surging, or bogging do not happen.
The 45-degree pulse coming from the engine is pure American soul encased in chrome and granite powdercoat, buffered with rubber mounts. Chrome 2-1-2 dual mufflers, finalized by billet end caps with inlaid black spears, let everyone within earshot know you are riding a Harley.

I flip on the cruise control and stretch my legs out on the highway pegs, enjoying the new two-up touring seat with adjustable rider backrest. The dual-control heated touring seat has a hammock style system that suspends the rider and passenger above the seat pan providing isolation from the road and adding comfort.

The saddle is narrower at the front for improved comfort when stopped and the leather passenger backrest has adjustable lumbar support and model-specific embroidery. Long distance comfort is exceptional and worthy of both the CVO and Ultra monikers.
As we approached the off ramp onto California Highway 20-just east of the impossibly scenic Emigrant Gap-our Road Tech Zümo 660 GPS interrupted The Loft channel on the XM satellite radio to announce the turn. Through the 40-watt per channel Harman/Kardon Advanced Audio system, instructions from the GPS are loud and clear.

The integrated system produces its sound using a new amplifier with customized equalization for the four Boom! Bagger speakers. A diminutive Apple iPod Nano is included with the bike, along with two headsets for the CB/intercom.
A few miles down California 20, steering is light due to the frame-mounted fairing, so the bike handles admirably on tight mountain roads. Dunlop Multi-Tread dual-compound tires mounted on 18-inch mirror chrome Agitator wheels bookend the long-haul chassis that is successfully designed for handling and endurance.

Abundant traction allows me to confidently lean the bike two-up until the floorboards drag. Eventually, the tall trees started blocking the XM satellite signal so I switched over to the iPod, which has an interface and holder located in the right saddlebag.
Stopping in Nevada City for lunch at the Stonehouse Restaurant featuring 1849-style California, Jane and I stretch our legs and admire the shining opulence afforded by the CVO Road Glide Ultra. The exquisite Rio Red and Black Ember paint scheme of our mount is beyond comparison in its quality and precision.

The depth of the red metallic on black paint with quartzite pin striping is immense and draws the eye. Rumble Collection trim features black rubber with chrome highlights on the four footboards, shift and brake pedals, highway pegs, saddlebag latch covers, and heated grips with chrome end caps. Diamond-cut inserts are presented on the CB pod, intake cover and Tour-Pak lid.
The shark-nose frame-mounted fairing with dual headlights that recall classic muscle cars spreads out in front of the rider like an amphitheater. Analog gauges are set symmetrically around the audio system in the color-matched console.
The 16-inch windscreen nicely deflects air around the rider compartment, but the upper edge is right in my line of sight, distorting in my view. Saddlebag liners are provided and the Tour-Pak has a plush liner with CVO monogram and both can be remotely locked using the key fob.

Harley-Davidson's CVO Road Glide Ultra is a no-compromise luxury machine designed to gap the vastness that lies ahead. Rider and passenger experience the elusive X-factor: exclusivity. Secure in the knowledge that their mode of transportation is on a level far removed from the ordinary-perhaps far removed from the extraordinary.
In the 2011 Harley Davidson CVO Road Glide Ultra, there is nothing lacking to come between you and the horizon.
2011 Harley Davidson CVO Road Glide Ultra (FLTRUSE) | Motorcycle Specs

DIMENSIONS
• Length: 98.8 in. (2510 mm)
• Overall Width: 38.0 in. (965 mm)
• Overall Height: 55.4 in. (1407 mm)
• Seat Height: 27.5 in. (699 mm) to 29.5 in. (749 mm)
• Ground Clearance: 5.1 in. (130 mm)
• Wheelbase: 63.5 in. (1613 mm)
• Fuel Capacity: 6.0 gal. (22.7 L) (warning light at approximately 1.0 gal.)
• Oil Capacity: (w/filter) 4.0 qts. (3.8 L)
• Transmission Capacity: 1.0 qts.
• Weight: As Shipped: 905 lbs. (410.5 kg), In Running Order: 943 lbs. (427.7 kg)
ENGINE
• Engine: Air-cooled, Twin Cam 110
• Valves: Pushrod-operated, overhead valves with hydraulic, self-adjusting lifters; two valves per cylinder
• Bore x Stroke: 4 in. x 4.38 in. (101.6 mm x 111.3 mm)
• Displacement: 110 cu. in. (1803 cc)
• Compression Ratio: 9.15:1
• Fuel System: Electronic Sequential Port Fuel Injection (ESPFI)
DRIVETRAIN
• Primary: Drive Chain, 34/46 ratio
• Final: Drive Belt, 32/68 ratio
• Clutch: Hydraulically actuated, 9-plate, wet, with high performance spring
• Transmission: 6-Speed Cruise Drive
PERFORMANCE
• Engine Torque (per SAE J1349): North America 115 ft. lbs. @ 4000 RPM (156 Nm @ 4000 RPM)
• Fuel Economy: (EPA urban/highway test) 32/47 mpg (7.40/5.0 L/100 km)

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MUMBAI -- Harley-Davidson Inc. Tuesday introduced the first two motorcycles from its India factory, as the U.S. maker of iconic bikes tries to expand in one of the world's fastest growing two-wheeler markets.

The Harley-Davidson's Iron 883 motorcycle.

The first model, SuperLow, will be priced at 550,000 rupees ($12,168) while the second, called Iron 883, will be available for 650,000 rupees, the company said. Both models will be assembled at its factory in the northern state of Haryana and will be open for bookings from Jan. 1, it added.

The India factory will assemble motorcycles from kits comprising parts produced by the company's factories in Wisconsin, Pennsylvania and Missouri, as well as its component suppliers. Harley currently imports fully-built units, which cost more due to higher taxes than importing knocked-down kits.

Producing motorcycles in India will cut prices of the premium models, helping the company to boost sales in this price-sensitive market. Harley has been pushing up its sales outside its home turf. Sales outside North America accounted for 27% of the total in the July-September quarter, up from 24% a year earlier.

The company started its India operations in August 2009 and sells 12 motorcycle models including the Fat Boy, Roadster and Road King models.

Some Harley-Davidson motorcycles are made to be ridden, and others are made to be seen. Without a doubt, the 2011 Harley-Davidson Rocker C is a motorcycle that is a looker.

Riding around with the Scarlet Red Deluxe color scheme, it is impossible to avoid getting thumbs up signals from pedestrians, the guy in a moving truck saying "nice bike" at a stoplight, an old guy in a beat-up pickup giving a knowing wink as we wait for it to turn green--it goes on and on, all day long, in neighborhood after neighborhood.

In a jaded metropolis like Los Angeles where people typically avoid eye contact when driving, that's extraordinary.
There is plenty to be said for the Harley-Davidson Rocker C's appearance, from 37-degree raked front end to the tire-hugging rear fender. There are definitely a couple of sleights of hands with the Rocker C. What looks like a solo seat almost floating in midair also has a passenger seat stored underneath that can be installed without tools in less than a minute.

The Softail mirage is especially effective, thanks to a rear fender that moves with the rear wheel, just as we're used to seeing up front. Add to that the eye-catching paint (I wonder if I would have received the same number of unsolicited compliments had I not been on the Scarlet Red version), and you have a motorcycle that demands and receives attention.
Usually, the motor catches the eye of on-lookers, but in the case of the Rocker C, the Twin Cam 96B is relegated to simply being a fantastic performer. Gobs of torque ooze from every pore of the 1584cc air-cooled, pushrod wonder.
There's no traditional tach, and you don't need one. Torque peaks at just over 92 ft/lbs at 3000 rpm, so if you're hitting the rev limiter, you're doing something wrong. Shift the six-speed transmission early and twist the thick throttle for lightning quick strikes between stoplights.

The 240mm rear Dunlop is firmly ensconced on the ground, so none of the big V-Twin's balanced power pulses are wasted.
Bikes such as the Harley-Davidson Rocker C encourage me to make end-to-end runs on some of the iconic streets in Los Angeles. In one case, that meant Santa Monica Boulevard from the sunny beaches at the west end to the gritty Sunset Junction to the east.
With the exceptions of a few almost-imperceptible bends along the way, the former US Route 66 (and current California Highway 2) is a straight shot for about 15 miles. Lots of traffic means weaving through sightseers, texters, cellphonies and various other people who are paying no attention to the road.

None of the lights are synced, so stop-and-go is the name of the game. The balanced engine is quite agreeable at a red light, purring along nicely instead of doing the Watusi that the unbalanced Twin Cam engines are famous for. Up at speed, the vibration remains and the pulses are wholly enjoyable.

This suits the Rocker C just fine. Plenty of stops means lots of face time for bored spectators at lights. The bars pull back nicely and are not particularly wide, so sliding in-between cars, trucks and SUVs is simple. The mirrors are minimal, but still manage to offer a fine view of the road behind you--not that anyone is gaining on you.

As a machine for doing battle in urban environment, the Rocker C is outstanding. It likes to roll straight and the only time you notice the narrow and raked front end is when you're pulling into a gas station or restaurant. So, it seems the Rocker C is the perfect town bike--and it just may be. However, some of us have extended ideas for motorcycling.

Take the Harley-Davidson Rocker C onto the freeway and your attitude changes quickly. In town, the seating position of choice is either straight upright with a bit of bend in the arms, or leaned back a bit with the arms fully extended.
Either way, the forward-mounted footpegs combines with the seat and bars to give you a nicely aggressive attitude. However, the Rocker C is a "sit on" rather than "sit in" kind of motorcycle.

That means that you get a serious windblast at freeway speeds. It's not enough to blow you off the solo seat, as long as you keep a good grip on the bars as your body does an impersonation of a kite.

The Rocker C has the classic 6-speed Cruise Drive, but you'll hardly ever want to ride it far enough at 70+ mph to actually get much use out of the over-drive 6th gear. Click up to sixth any sooner and you'll feel like you're lugging the motor, even thought it will still have enough grunt for no-downshift passes.
I rarely found myself out of 5th on the freeway, which meant that I had lots of passing power whenever I needed it. Be wary of the brakes at speed, also. Neither the front nor the back brakes have any sort of serious slowing capabilities, but the nod has to go to the front. Plan accordingly.

In the Santa Monica Mountains, rather than on Santa Monica Boulevard, the Rocker C reluctantly tackles the canyons. The front end wants to flop into turns if you're not fully attentive, and the big rear tire makes it want to stand up on exits.
The aforementioned brakes also discourage anything but the most relaxed pace. The Rocker C I was riding has the ABS option, but I can't imagine locking up either the front or rear disc. Speed limits lose their meaning, as you aren't encouraged to go fast enough to exceed them. Cornering clearance is decent, so you won't be dragging often, which is welcome.

The suspension works best at neutral throttle--when you're on the gas or braking, it seems to load the suspension and it's less compliant. Just kick back and take it slow, disappointed that out in the boonies, there's no one there to appreciate your Scarlet Red motorcycle--except you, of course.

Harley-Davidson has added a few new features to the Rocker C, but they don't affect the ride. There's a new Security Package that includes the Harley-Davidson Smart Security System, which I find annoying more often than not--of course, it's not my bike.
Harley has eliminated a few wires on the bars, and there's a new odometer trip switch and hazard warning button. Also, the odometer readout is larger, and there's supposedly a gear and rpm display. I have to tell you--I rode the bike a number of times and never noticed. But, I can report that they are there, but I have no idea why anyone would use them.

The rpm readout is difficult to read (though easily accessed from a left thumb switch) and wholly superfluous. As far which gear you're in, I can't imagine who would care. Also, a little green "6" lights up when you're in overdrive--as if you couldn't figure it out on your own.

In my case, I can ride all day without looking at the speedometer or any of the information surrounding it and do just fine.
The 2011 Harley-Davidson Rocker C is a great bike, as long as you know its place. Keep it on the urban streets where people can appreciate it and you can enjoy the best aspects of its handling, suspension, and power delivery.
Sure, you can take it out of its element for short bursts, but it will register its disappointment in you. This is a bike for hanging out at clubs and flaunting your bling. Rock on.

2011 Harley-Davidson Rocker C | Motorcycle Specs
DIMENSIONS
• Length...95.0 in.
• Overall Width...35.1 in.
• Overall Height...46.0 in.
• Seat Height:
• Laden...25.2 in. (640 mm)
• Unladen...27.4 in. (696 mm)
• Ground Clearance...5.1 in.
• Rake (steering head) ...36°
• Fork Angle...37°
• Trail...6.2 in.
• Wheelbase...69.2 in.
• Tires (Dunlop Harley-Davidson Series, bias blackwall front and radial blackwall rear):
• Front...D408F 90/90-19
• Rear...D407 240/40R18
• Fuel Capacity...4.9 gal.
• Oil Capacity (w/filter)...3.5 qt.
• Transmission Capacity...1.0 qt.
• Primary Chain Case Capacity...1.0 qt.
• Weighs:
• As Shipped...686 lbs.
• In Running Order...717 lbs.
• Gross Vehicle Weight Rating...1175 lbs.
• Gross Axle Weight Rating:
• Front...415 lbs.
• Rear...760 lbs.
ENGINE
• Engine...Air-cooled, Twin Cam 96BTM
Valves...Pushrod-operated, overhead valves with hydraulic, self-adjusting lifters; two valves per cylinder
Bore x Stroke...3.75 in. x 4.38 in.
Displacement...96 cu. in. (1584 cc)
Compression Ratio...9.2:1
Fuel System...Electronic Sequential Port Fuel Injection
(ESPFI)
Air Cleaner...Paper, washable
Lubrication System...Pressurized, dry-sump
DRIVETRAIN
• Primary Drive...Chain, 34/46 ratio
• Final Drive...Belt, 32/66 ratio
• Clutch...Multi-plate, wet
• Transmission...6-Speed Cruise Drive
• Gear Ratios (overall):
• 1st... 9.311
• 2nd...6.454
• 3rd...4.793
• 4th...3.882
• 5th...3.307
• 6th...2.79
CHASSIS
• Frame...Mild steel tubular frame; rectangular section backbone; stamped, cast, and forged junctions; forged fender supports; MIG welded
• Swingarm...Mild steel, round tube sections, forged junctions; MIG welded
• Front Forks...49 mm telescopic
• Rear Shocks...Hidden, horizontal-mounted, coil-over
• Wheels:
• Polished, 5-spoke Cast Aluminum
• Front...19 in. x 2.15 in.
• Rear...18 in. x 8 in.
• Brakes:
• Caliper Type...4-piston front and 2-piston rear
• Rotor Type:
• Front...11.5 in. x .2 in.
• Rear...11.5 in. x .23 in.
• Option...Anti-lock Braking System
• Suspension Travel:
• Front Wheel...5 in.
• Rear Wheel...3.1 in.
PERFORMANCE
• Engine Torque...92.2 ft. lbs. @ 3000 RPM
• Lean Angle:
• Right...26.8°
• Left...26.8°
• Fuel Economy...35/54 mpg (EPA urban/highway test)
ELECTRICS
• Battery...Sealed, maintenance-free, 12V, 19-amp/hour, 270 cca
• Charging...Three-phase, 38-amp system (439W @ 13V, 2000 RPM, 489W max power @ 13V)
• Starting...1.2 kW electric with solenoid shift starter motor engagement
• Lighting:
• Headlamp... 55-watt low beam, 60-watt high beam (quartz halogen)
• Stop/Turn/Tail Lights...Integrated LED
• Turn Signal Lights...28W (21W) self-canceling
• Indicator Lamps... High beam, neutral, low oil pressure, turn signals, engine diagnostics, security system (optional), 6-speed, low fuel warnings
WARRANTY
• Warranty...24 months (unlimited mileage)
• Service Interval...First 1,000 miles (1,600 km), every 5,000 miles (8,000 km) thereafter
COLORS
• Vivid Black Deluxe, Scarlet Red Deluxe, Cool Blue Pearl Deluxe, Black Denim Deluxe
MSRP...$19,499 (Vivid Black); $19,874 (others)

Bikers from across the country will be converging on Fort Lauderdale this December 2-5 to start this year's holiday season off with a bash by attending the 12th Annual Fort Lauderdale Harley-Davidson Bikers Bash.

The Southeast region's premier motorcycle event, this year's bash will consist of a number of police-escorted rides to the area's hottest spots, great food, bars, live music and casino fun all to benefit local Boys and Girls Clubs.

Weekend festivities will kick off at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino for the Bikers Bash VIP event and will culminate at the South Florida President's Council 23rd Annual Christmas Toys in the Sun Run, the world's largest motorcycle parade sponsored by Seminole Hard Rock Roadhouse.

Last year's motorcycle Toy Run drew thousands of bikers and raised over $750,000 to benefit the Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital Foundation. Since the first motorcycle Toy Run 21 years ago, bikers and supporters have raised in excess of $7,000,000 used for cancer treatments and other special needs for kids as well as feeding thousands of needy families during the holidays.

Another highlight of the weekend will be the Bikers Bash VIP event at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. Hosted by the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino and Seminole Tribe of Florida, the event will include dinner, live entertainment, and a charity auction to benefit the Boys and Girls Club of Broward County. Last year's charity auction raised over $175,000.

Attendees at this year's Bikers Bash celebration will also have the opportunity to witness a number of great bikes from an impressive line-up of builders. Motorcycle builders lined up this year include Todd Silicato of Todd's Custom Cycles, John Shope of John Shope's Sinister Industries, Dave and Jody Perewitz of Perewitz Cycle Fabrication along with Eddie Trotta of Thunder Cycle Design.

Todd Silicato - Custom motorcycle builder and fabricator from Huntington Beach, California, Todd Silicato has been building custom cars and motorcycles for most of his life. Builder and owner of Todd's Cycles, Silicato's custom built motorcycles and motorcycle parts have been featured in countless motorcycle magazines worldwide.

Creating a blend of old-school craftsmanship and modern, state of the art technology, Silicato's bikes look and perform like no others in the industry.

John Shope- A premier custom motorcycle builder based in Phoenix, AZ, Shope is founder and owner of Sinister Industries which specializes in custom ground up bike builds, one off motorcycle parts and custom hotrods. For over 20 years he has been building the baddest and most creative bikes seen on roads and highways throughout the nation.

Dave and Jody Perewitz- Dave Perewitz is considered one of the deans of the custom motorcycle industry. Founder and owner of Perewitz Cycle Fabrication in Bridgewater, MA, Dave Perewitz has over 30 years experience building and customizing motorcycles. A self-taught designer, mechanic, painter and fabricator, Perewitz's one-of-a-kind, hand-built choppers are a delicate blend of engineering, design, performance, power and personality. Perewitz's daughter Jody has also taken to the family business.

Around motorcycles since the day she was born, Jody has had a hand in building numerous motorcycles as well as focusing her talent toward the marketing and growth of the Perewitz name to an instantly recognizable brand. Through these efforts she has gained the respect and admiration of the motorcycle industry in her own right.

Eddie Trotta- You have undoubtedly seen Trotta's custom choppers on the Discovery Channel's Biker Build-Off series, in person on the Hard Rock Custom Bikes Tour, or have caught a glimpse of one ripping down the road. Trotta who owns Thunder Cycle Design in Fort Lauderdale, FL, designs motorcycles that are so distinctive you know that it's an Eddie Trotta.

Trotta has built hundreds of motorcycles with his name plastered all over TV and in bike magazines throughout the world. With a clean and classy look, Trotta's bikes have lines similar to those of an elite sports car.
The combination of these two premier events raised over $250,000 for local charities last year and they're anticipating raising even more this year. Come and join thousands of bikers as they celebrate their passion for riding while helping the children of Southern Florida.

A rocking time for a great cause, you won't want to miss this year's Bikers Bash festivities. For more information regarding this year's event visit bikersbash.com.