Los Angeles Times

Harley Roadster has urban look

Powerful Sportster-style motorcycle is meant to evoke a 1960s spirit.

- By Charles Fleming charles.fleming@latimes.com

Seeking to capitalize on the urban custom movement sweeping the street bike scene, Harley-Davidson has added a new Sportster-style motorcycle to its lineup.

The Roadster, a 1,200-cc V-Twin, features new suspension, drag-style handlebars and a chopped rear fender. Harley says this new addition to its Dark Custom division is designed in a “garage-built custom style” meant to evoke a 1960s spirit.

“The Roadster is a mashup 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,” the company’s director of styling, Brad Richards, said in announcing the new bike.

Harley, which has about 50% of all heavyweigh­t U.S. motorcycle sales, has made several new bike announceme­nts recently. They are part of the massive motorcycle company’s stated plan to broaden its reach beyond its loyal but aging traditiona­l customer, and to find new riders in women, Latinos, African Americans and Asian Americans.

This more urban-looking bike is aimed right at them. Sitting relatively low at 30 inches, and at a relatively light 568 pounds, the Roadster’s lowered bars, blackedout power train and cast aluminum wheels are meant to appeal to a city rider who wants to look good blasting to the local bar or cafe.

The bike, due at dealership­s in May, will include custom graphics and will come in solid colors Vivid Black, Black Denim, Velocity Red Sunglow, and in a Billet Silver/Vivid Black twotone with a Burgundy pinstripe. ABS is not stock, but can be had as an option.

The Roadsters will start at $11,199 — a little above the Sportster’s starting manufactur­er’s suggested retail price of $10,899, about the same as the Forty-Eight, and a little below the Superlow’s $11,799.

The Roadster is the company’s second big reveal in the last two months. In early March, Harley unveiled its new Low Rider S, another urban street rocket aimed at the nontraditi­onal rider.

That “tall bike”-style machine has a starting retail price of $16,699.

 ?? Brad Chaney Harley-Davidson Motor Co. ?? THE ROADSTER is meant to evoke a 1960s spirit.
Brad Chaney Harley-Davidson Motor Co. THE ROADSTER is meant to evoke a 1960s spirit.

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