While reading Harley Davidson’s latest press release about their new Sportster “Roadster,” I thought of the words from an old Buffalo Springfield song, “There’s something happening here, what it is ain’t exactly clear,” because despite all the talk about styling and “Live Your Legend” marketing lingo something else became apparent, it isn’t the style and legend stuff that they’re focusing on, it’s, believe it or not, performance and handling. Yes, really. Harley performance?
Performance?
Now, the styling is, to my eye at least, pretty cool. I like the bobbed fenders and all, but maybe, just maybe, Harley is beginning to realize there’s potential in those younger buyers looking for something that isn’t just about bar hopping or profiling, it might make sense to give those younger guys, and a lot of older guys, too, a bike that’s got some guts and can handle the turns. Now, no one is going to mistake the Roadster for a full on sport bike, but when is the last time you heard something like this from Milwaukee?
As the newest member of the Dark Custom lineup, Roadster combines modern performance and retro-inspired styling with premium suspension components, an air-cooled 1200cc V-Twin engine that delivers a strong pulse of mid-range torque and a profile reminiscent of vintage racing motorcycles from the 1950s and 1960s.
“We wanted to give the Roadster some DNA from the high-performance KHR models of the mid-50s, and later Sportsters tuned for the drag strip,†said Richards. “Those bikes had fenders cut to the struts, the small fuel tank, and were stripped to their bare essentials to achieve a singular performance purpose.â€
But wait, there’s more:
Roadster’s suspension is enhanced by new 43mm inverted single-cartridge forks with tri-rate springs gripped in robust triple clamps and rear suspension featuring gas-charged emulsion coil-over shocks and tri-rate springs with adjustable pre-load and offers greater suspension travel than any other Sportster model – 4.5 inches in front and 3.2-inches in the rear. Outstanding stopping power is achieved with dual 11.8-inch floating rotors on the front wheel. The Roadster is available with optional ABS brakes.
Inverted forks, full floating rotors, adjustable preload, DNA from high performance KHR models, Sportsters tuned for the drag strip? What’s going on? Weren’t a lot of Harley riders the ones who always asked “What’s the rush?” when you talked about performance? Was there a coup in Harley’s marketing and engineering departments?
Harley can and should focus on performance
Performance is a part of Harley’s core, remember when the Sportster was the fastest motorcycle? Did someone stumble upon some old literature and all of a sudden say “Hey, what about performance?” Yeah, what about it?
If this is the beginning of a recognition and return to performance, I’m all for it. Sure, they had Buell and now that’s gone, but this is going back to the Sportster when it was the real thing, when it had muscle. You can get a Screamin’ Eagle kit for the Roadster with high performance heads, pistons, cams, intake and more, and then you might get something that will surprise a few riders and wouldn’t that be cool?
Of course we’ve been disappointed before, but you just never know, something might be stirring inside the Motor Company. Could it be? Starting at $11,199.
Press release follows:
HARLEY-DAVIDSON UNVEILS NEW STRIPPED-DOWN DARK CUSTOM MOTORCYCLE
Harley-Davidson Roadster Plays Starring Role in Latest ‘Live Your Legend’ Commercial
MILWAUKEE (April 18, 2016) – The Harley-Davidson® Dark Custom™ lineup has a new addition. With a minimalist, fastback design inspired by classic racing motorcycles, the nimble Harley-Davidson® Roadster™ will inspire a new generation of riders to take to the streets.
“Since its introduction in 1957, the Harley-Davidson Sportster has proved capable of constant reinvention, and the Roadster writes a new chapter in that story,†said Harley-Davidson Director of Styling Brad Richards. “We’ve watched our customers take the Sportster in so many different directions. The Roadster is a mash-up of styling genres, but the intent was to build a rider’s motorcycle, a Sportster that’s lean and powerful and connects the rider to the road.â€
Roadster stars in “Cut Loose,†the third commercial in Harley-Davidson’s ‘Live Your Legend’ global marketing campaign that shows how riding a Harley-Davidson® motorcycle can enable riders to create deeper bonds and share richer experiences with friends and family. ‘Live Your Legend’ campaign ads include snapshots of life-enriching moments, as well as the unique and unforgettable bonds of friendship that riders develop by riding Harley-Davidson motorcycles.
As the newest member of the Dark Custom lineup, Roadster combines modern performance and retro-inspired styling with premium suspension components, an air-cooled 1200cc V-Twin engine that delivers a strong pulse of mid-range torque and a profile reminiscent of vintage racing motorcycles from the 1950s and 1960s.
“We wanted to give the Roadster some DNA from the high-performance KHR models of the mid-50s, and later Sportsters tuned for the drag strip,†said Richards. “Those bikes had fenders cut to the struts, the small fuel tank, and were stripped to their bare essentials to achieve a singular performance purpose.â€
The 19-inch front and 18-inch rear Offset-Split 5-Spoke cast aluminum wheels were designed specifically for the Roadster and contribute to its balanced, athletic stance. The Roadster puts its rider in an aggressive posture with a new low-rise handlebar and mid-mount foot controls that center the rider’s weight over the classic profile of the 3.3-gallon Sportster® fuel tank.
“The wheels were inspired by classic laced wheels, and are the most intricate cast wheel we’ve ever created,†said Harley-Davidson Industrial Designer Ben McGinley. “The interlacing spokes shoot outward toward opposite sides of the wheel, creating a dramatic visual effect. These wheels are also very light for their size, which contributes to the Roadster’s handling performance.â€
Roadster’s suspension is enhanced by new 43mm inverted single-cartridge forks with tri-rate springs gripped in robust triple clamps and rear suspension featuring gas-charged emulsion coil-over shocks and tri-rate springs with adjustable pre-load and offers greater suspension travel than any other Sportster model – 4.5 inches in front and 3.2-inches in the rear. Outstanding stopping power is achieved with dual 11.8-inch floating rotors on the front wheel. The Roadster is available with optional ABS brakes.
In keeping with its stripped-down styling, the Roadster’s rear fender has been clipped 1.5 inches shorter than previous bobbed Sportster fenders. The slotted belt guard and muffler shields mimic the lightening holes drilled in race-bike components, and a single four-inch diameter instrument tucked low in front of the triple clamp features a sweeping analog tachometer with an inset digital speedometer. Rear turn signals mounted directly to the fender struts, a side-mount license plate and fastback seat design give the rear of the bike a tight and uncluttered look.
“The seat’s profile flows into the very short rear fender,†said McGinley. “The cover features a series of pads inspired by an armored leather jacket, and the rear of the seat is designed as a passenger pillion, to give the Roadster added versatility.â€
The Roadster model will be offered in four color choices: Vivid Black with a charcoal denim pinstripe; Black Denim with a red pinstripe; Velocity Red Sunglo with a red pinstripe; and two-tone Billet Silver/Vivid Black with a burgundy pinstripe.
Steve-O says
Is that a historically accurate photo of Mauriello with him setting the record in penny loafers, black slacks and white socks?
Paul Crowe says
If it isn’t, it should be. I love it. OK, who’s going to find the original photo?
Larry Livingston says
I have owed 7 Sportsters. They do not handle well, and weigh 650 pounds. Long overdue for modernization. Look, the Japs are glueing aluminum to create lightweight frames that flex only within desired peramerters, the sportster has the same frame since the fifties.
Giolli Joker says
Took you a while to reach your conclusions. 🙂
(joking)
Eli says
Hmm, Considering they completely changed the frame in 2004, made updates in the mid-90’s, unveiled a new frame with the debut of the evolution engine, created a new frame for the shovelhead engine back in the ’70s…. Why I’d say you don’t know what you’re talking about.
Giolli Joker says
Were the updated frames structurally or dynamically different from the previous ones or simply modified in a few dimensions? I still see a very basic frame that basically can no longer be found on modern street/sport/dirt/adventure bikes… maybe it’s enough, though, this bike doesn’t pretend to be a Ducati X-Diavel killer.
Lostboy says
I agree with you. The updates were minimal and they werent at all for performance gains.
Doug says
Plus, his comment was still funny …
imagine him thinking to himself about #6, then #7 “nope, this one here, well, she doesn’t handle well, either. Huh.”
Monkeybike says
Needs some rearsets
Paul Crowe says
At least it doesn’t have highway pegs. Baby steps.
Nortley says
The sportster will never be a true sport bike, sporty though it may be. I think H-D would do well to sacrifice a micro-bit of performance for style, and put a set of proportional appearing wheels back on the sportster.
Paul Crowe says
I agree, but you can do a lot with it, as you already know, but think also of builders like Mule (Richard Pollock), who has done wonders with Sportsters turning them into street trackers. I’m not suggesting some Japanese race replica performance, but certainly they can put a lot more sport in the Sportster than it has now and I think a lot of HD buyers would enjoy a more spirited ride now and then.
david says
well this might work- the front end looks like it is off the XR1200, which is a proper ripping ride.
but that huge rim!
i think it looks good, and wouldn’t mind one in the stable. I have an XR1200X and these things are heaps of fun.
this looks like they are trying to capture some of that magic without alienating the Harley Faithful with a bike that was maybe too sporty.
Gunner says
This is a dangerous way for HD. This is far away from any bobber or glider, still no sports bike, not even a sporty tourer. They have to do it all the way or stay where they are, doing the things they know.
On the other hand, there are so many ways to build a modern bike around that iconic engine. Perhaps a trip to some gifted designer for a start..?
Paul Crowe says
Introducing a bit of sporty handling and performance is just what the doctor ordered. This model even has greater suspension travel and more lean angle, it really is a refreshing experiment.
Another point I didn’t bring up in the article, but needs to be said, people come and go over the years and new blood has surely come into Harley over that time. Whether management or staff further down the line, those who were not supportive of moves in this direction may very well be gone, while newer faces could be willing to try all sorts of things. Keep your eye on this and see how it’s received by customers. It may give the Motor Company an incentive to do even more.
I bet HD has designers and engineers who would love to do a lot more of this if they could get the go ahead and some of that will depend on whether attempts to move in that direction are rewarded with showroom success. If these hit the dealers and gather dust, then the naysayers will win, but I’m inclined to think these might do well, but my crystal ball is sometimes off, so we’ll just have to wait and see.
Robert says
I find it remarkable it DOES NOT HAVE a 16 inch rear tire. I’ve always thought the 16 inch rear tire looked wrong on the sportster. Possibly this is a Harley I could think about buying.
Tin Man says
This is not the only current performance orientated Harley model, There are 2 recent Big Twins that have performance asperations. The Low Rider S and a CVO S of one name or the other. We can thank Victory and Indian for this, competition does indeed improve the breed. About time.
Willie says
Boy, This looks alot like a Buell!!
Bob says
I like your perspective on this – thanks.
My $0.02: I’d love to see them put the American style sport back in this platform. There is no reason why they can’t do to this what what the Detroit makers have done to their muscle cars. That said, if the 60’s Sportster can be compared to a 60’s muscle car, then the above bike reminds me of a Plymouth Volare “Road Runner” (Look that, and Dodge Aspen R/T, up…yeah…) – HD has a long long long long way to go. But at least it is in the right direction. Whether or not they have the corporate will to do it right is another matter.
Prior Sportster owner. Haven’t been in one of their showrooms (Boutiques?) in years.
Jay says
One step away from a new XLCR?
Stephen Wyatt says
“We wanted to get close to the performance you could get 66 years ago so we……..”
JESUS F_ _ _ KING CHRIST ! ! ! ! ARE YOU KIDDING ME?
Board track went away for a reason, people die when racing terrible motorcycles. Copying the bikes that were made 20 years after that is lunacy. A supercharged V-Rod would sell, make it like most drag bikes and they will sell, and forget the 1950’s, it was not a golden age of motorcycles. 1988 was a golden age of motorcycles
Paul Crowe says
A supercharged V-Rod would be pretty pricey and unlikely to sell in large numbers, not that it wouldn’t be a nice bike, but we’re talking about attracting younger buyers, perhaps with fewer dollars.
No one is suggesting building a 1950s or 1960s Sportster, they are reminding people of the years when the Sportster was a muscle bike and they seem to be moving in the direction of bringing a little of that aura back. 1988 was a great year for Japanese inline fours, this isn’t aiming for that crowd or that type of performance. Increasing performance doesn’t have to mean take on all comers, it means more than the Sportster has had for a while and breaking away from the cruiser direction it has been traveling.
Lostboy says
Honestly, this is all wonderful and all, but why not just use the xb12 or even xb9 engine as a template for the powerplant? Yeah some suspension mods are super but everyone I know with a sportster wants 2 things…. Buell heads, and a 6th gear.
Wave says
I’m not a motorcycle handling expert, but is there a good reason not to put 17″ wheels on this, front and rear, like every other modern motorcycle with any sporting aspirations?
If not, could they also put a 17″ wheel on the back of the Street 750 and make that a bit sportier?
Put twin disc brakes on the front and a decent fork, and there’s your ‘sporty’ Harley-Davidson at an entry-level price.
cw says
If one’s bent is more toward long distance than back road antics, the 19-inch handles road imperfections better….offers longer wear…
mike says
Harley made the FXR from 82-94 and it was by far the best handling bike they ever made. I know because I have a 94 FXRP the police model. It did not have the Harley style and thus did not sell well.
Bart says
I agree. Good cornering clearance. In good hands, hard to pass on medium twisties. I rarely see one anymore.
Paulinator says
It looks like the badge engineering department at Harley Davidson has a new set of Crayollas. I wonder what other exciting new products they’ll thrust upon us with their capital investment.
Fred says
I’ll reserve my judgment when I get to take this bike for a test drive. However, I’m more of a sucker for the classic style of Harley…
Phin says
Lipstick on a pig.
Kurt says
I see the Roadster as more of a reaction to the success of the Scrambler, V7, Bonneville, etc. Maybe HD are testing the waters to see if there is a market for something more than an uncomfortable bar hopper. Unfortunately, Harley moved the Sportster from a race winning and record holding bike to what we have today. It has a rich history equaling the Bonneville, and bettering the V7 and Scrambler. It would be nice if they did something appropriate with that history, but the Roadster doesn’t quite get there.
Due to its legacy, my own search for a retro, or retro inspired, bike landed me on a pristine ’05 Sportster. I could see that underneath that “chopper†style there was a decent “standard†motorcycle. The Bonneville and Duc Scrambler are just modern classics, the V7 is legit but too slow, the Ural has 3 wheels, the Enfield is, well you know. The Sportster has been in production since 1957, but is modern enough, and fast enough, to be a usable bike. Before the haters call me a Harley fanatic, let me explain. I am a dirt bike rider and desert racer. I own a Super Duke and prefer mountain and canyon roads. I attended Keith Code’s Superbike School. I tour on my V-Strom. In spite of that, I thoroughly enjoy riding the Sportster. Not stock of course. Race Tech shocks with 4†travel, Race Tech forks with 5.9†travel, rearset pegs, 70hp/78lbft at the rear wheel. Yes, it is 550 lbs, but it is quick enough and handles well. And I don’t ride to the bar. I do 200+ mile loops through the mountains. It is no replacement for a sportbike, but it is fun and sounds and feels great. If you hate them without having given one a try, you are speaking from ignorance. There are many fun motorcycles available to ride and I, for one, enjoy the diversity. Properly set up, the Sportster is a pleasure to ride.
Bluegrass says
How dealers will try to sell this motorcycle will play an awful lot in its success. And given how dealers have treated the more sporting Harley models in past, it doesn’t bode well for this one. With the more expensive Sportster models, there’s often pressure to try and get the customer to move up to a lower end Dyna for not much more per month, even though they are very different bikes in regards to handling and feel.
If the Buells, XL1200S, and XR1200 were any kind of indicators, a lot of the buyers are going to Harley enthusiast who already have a big twin in the garage and want something sporty for solo outings. Its just there never are enough of those people for Harley to keep making sportier motorcycles. As for those customers who are newer riders and just getting into the brand, the desire to move them onto more expensive and profitable big twins keeps them from ever considering a model like this. And so the cycle of slammed bar hoppers continues.
Paul Crowe says
If dealers want to make a few more dollars on this bike, they can suggest that Screamin Eagle kit and preinstall that before the buyer even takes delivery. Then you have the horsepower to back up the better handling already built in and this becomes a very nice package.
I think one of the big things in this Sportster’s favor is that it looks like a Harley. How many guys didn’t even consider a Buell because they didn’t like the looks? A Buell was like a bike from a different planet, the buyer profile was probably way outside the HD demographic. Some sales guys in the dealers probably felt the same way so they never talked about it.
This could be Harly’s muscle bike again if they want it to be, it has a muscular look and some added performance would make it a fun ride. It looks like and sounds like a Harley, it just happens to go faster and turn better.
Brian says
Hit that on the head, I’m in the process of buying a silver Roadster and I’m having the dealer install the Stage 4 kit. Trading down from a ’15 Road Glide 🙂
Tin Man says
Well after my local Boutique finally put a Roadster on the floor I got to check one out. The Fenders are too short, and the ergos suck, This bike needs Rearsets or Higher bars, the way it sits now is terrible, your feet end up turned out from the pegs and are borderline unsafe. Both faults are an easy fix but once again the stylists put form over function. Give me a Victory Octane for the same money.
Tyler says
I like this direction, it takes me back to the way I set up my last Sportster with 18″ rims and the taller piggyback shocks from the old Sportster Sport. For those in the know, does the Stage 1-2-3-4 kit come with a 2-1 pipe swept up a little bit?
Then I look at the price. Sigh, I know that Harley’s are still a premium but comparing this to just about any other sporting standard and I’d rather go with an FZ09. This bike doesn’t quite fit into the modern retro like a Thruxton, but cannot compete on performance with anything else. So where does it fit? Saying it is the fastest Harley Sportster is appealing to a pretty narrow demographic. Lock the engine in the frame like it used to be and get rid of the dogbone isolators (along with the 50 odd pounds of extra weight the modern frame is carrying), give it an oil cooler and a 2-1 pipe with some Thunderstorm heads.
I am a true believer in the Sportster, it can be great again and this is a step in the right direction, but it doesn’t go far enough.
steve w says
Pretty silly. I’ve had several that I did more performance mods to than they offer in the kit. Sure they can be made to run. Why not just offer it as std. equipment. Heck why not even put on a big bore kit as standard. For that money you should get something besides forks and few other pieces. Oh I forgot. Don’t make to many ponies as the press together lower end won’t take it. I love Sportsters but I would rather take the cheapest one and make it my way. I know, I know this is for the people that have to buy and can’t make one. I still remember watching the 883’s at Daytona. Imagine those bikes setup for the street with 1300+cc’s or better yet with a 100″ S&S engine. .
Matthew Mansfield says
Please, It’s still and anemic, overweight, air cooled v-twin with a clunky transmission and stodgy controls. Did I mention the excessive vibration? Performance is relative – relative to the quality of engineering and design going in…
Lostboy Steve says
Any guy with an extra sportbike front end laying around could have got some All Balls bearings and made this bike out of an old sportster they picked up for 4k.
Gregg Hodge says
Lets see. Larry Whit more or less is incorrect! I have owned several sportsters and am a mechanic trained at the ‘HD’ school, in Orlando. I owned and built a sporstster drag racer, just for fun. Anyway,the sportster frame(s) of 2016 are far, far better units than the ‘hinge in the middle’ cast iron lug, mild but thick steel tube frame of the late 50’s to the 70’s. The frames engines and everything else have been improved, but still could be tweaked without much difficulty to make them competitive on the street and track once again ! Come on HD give us a 110 ci sportster (remember the cool 100″ S&S engine?). Keep the pushrods if you must but make the engine a dedicated supercharged unit, like the H2 Kaw, or chevy vette that was still kicking butt with pushrods and a supercharger in 2016. Give this fire breathing Harley the in house screaming eagle heads cams and light valve train. 180 hp should be a target. Keep the weight down to below 550 pounds and dont forget a premium suspension! NOW THAT WOULD BE A SPORTSTER WE AND THE FACTORY COULD BE PROUD OF.
Craig says
I love the look of the new Roadster. One complaint though are the footpegs that need major updating. They stick out and catch your pants and scrape way too soon in corners. Harley needs to do something like Roland Sands has done with the footpegs. The Walnut tank needs to go up another gallon. The look of the Roadster in my opinion is pretty tuff. My wife rides a 2007 Roadster and the engine can’t be beat for reliability and ease of maintenance. Everything is pretty out in the open and that sure counts when you do have to work on it. I really would like it even more if Harley would figure out how to cut 150 lbs out of the Sportster because there is no excuse or need for it to be 600lbs. They’d certainly sell even better if they cut the weight.
Terry Panitz says
I have just been down to the Harley Davidson dealer and inspected the new HD Sportster Roadster. It still is not Value for money when Asian super sport bikes are 75% of the price. I like the HD Sportster and as with many HD enthusiasts always wanted a street legal XR750 style hi-performance road bike. The XR1200 was a very nice machine in the right direction but too much styling, expensive, uncompetitive in the power dept and HD stopped making it.
My wish list for the 60th anniversary of the Sportster in 2017 as submitted to HD is a follows:
a. Similar styled engine 45 degree V Twin cylinder engine, 4 valve heads operated by twin over-head cams, identical forward and rear cylinders as on the XR750 with both exhausts to the left side, and two right side rear mounted injectors inlets, stroke shortened to allow 750cc under square, 1000cc square and 1200cc over square operation, balance shafts and bottom end revised for possible 10,000rpm limits. Approximately 100hp with a strong broad torque curve in standard street tune.
b. Liquid and air cooled with cooling fins resembling the XR750, but a radiator set back in a duct in front the rear wheel out of site.
(An interesting cylinder configuration is that of the Miller/Offenhauser racing engine [The Greatest American Racing Engine ever built} where the head and barrel are one piece and cam housing is mounted separately above the mono-block head cylinder casting. There are no issues with blown head gaskets and a big bore engine leaves good valve access.)
c. Six speed gear box
d. 200Kg approximate dry weight, low centre of gravity to allow rapid handling and braking in all conditions with 35 – 45% lean angle both ways.
e. Style as an evolution of the Sportster line but equal to European, Asian and American competitors.
f. Excellent and safe chassis, suspension and braking (for my personal survival),
g. The three-gallon fuel tank needs some more distance eg five gallons maybe.
e.g same wishes as most potential Sportster customers.