Harley-Davidson has released the Blackline, a new stripped down bobber-style motorcycle based on their Softail platform. “Visual elements of the original bobber movement are combined with the raw, hand-hewn style embraced by today’s young builders,” says H-D’s announcement. Translation: The Blackline is meant to appeal to a younger, hipper, retro-loving crowd. You’ll notice in the promo shots that it is skinny 20-somethings riding the new Harley and even going so far as to doing burnouts.
Like the rest of the Softail machines, the Blackline is powered by Harley’s air cooled, counter-balanced Twin Cam 96B v-twin motor mated to a six-speed transmission. Here the rigid mounted, fuel injected, 1584 cc mill claims 89 ft. lbs. @ 3250 RPM and a fuel economy rating of 6.72/4.36 l/100 km (city/highway).
The Blackline receives Harley’s blackened component Dark Custom treatment along with such stylish features as an asymmetric gas tank (filler cap is on the right half) and internally wired, split drag handlebars that protrude directly from the triple clamp. The Blackline’s 610mm seat height (laden) makes it Harley-Davidson’s lowest two-up model and the bike’s $17,149 price tag makes it their the lowest priced Softail.
Deeley Harley-Davidson Canada road racer Darren James will officially unveil the Blackline in Canada tonight at the Vancouver Motorcycle Show at 10 PM Pacific time.
