Radical changes for Harley

In the leadup to its 105th year of continual production, Harley-Davidson has gone to war against its imitators. The announcement this week of ABS (anti-lock) brakes is the first shot fired at its Japanese rivals.

While these relatively recent newcomers to the cruiser scene offer alternatives to the H-D range, they mainly offer ABS on their more powerful models.

From the end of this year, H-D customers will have ABS brakes as an option on several touring models, as well as the 105th Anniversary V-Rod cruiser.

H-D also has the battalions of after-market custom-bike builders in its sights. Its radical new Rocker range looks like the extreme choppers you see on pay-TV shows such as Orange County Choppers.

“Only Harley-Davidson could style and engineer a motorcycle as visually exciting as the new Rocker,” says H-D's Bill Davidson.

It's hard to argue with his statement when you look at the new FXCW Rocker, which takes the Softail range deep into uncharted custom-bike territory.

Clever engineering provides the illusion of a chopper's rigid rear end. H-D claims 8.6cm of suspension travel (the shocks are mounted under the motorcycle) and an ultra-low seat height of 62.2cm.

A pillion perch folds out from the solo saddle on the more heavily chromed Rocker C version, above. Raked forks and other styling details found on custom-built choppers mean buyers will have less reason to pass H-D showrooms.

H-D, which has seen its long run of worldwide record sales begin to taper recently, has unleashed a new armoury of styling and technology to fend off its rivals.

Larger engines, fuel injection, six-speed gearboxes and improved manufacturing processes are combined with a security system and 12-months/24-hour roadside assistance. But the real interest is in the outrageous styling, which looks hardcore but is road-legal.

Building on the unexpected and runaway success of last year's Street Bob (a stripped-down, '50s look-alike), the Fat Bob is a new addition to the Dyna range.

This all-new model has dual headlights, fatter tyres and a “Tommy gun” dual exhaust. Forward foot controls and flat drag bars complement the heavy-duty styling. For 2008, the VRSC V-Rod power cruiser family gets a powered-up 1250cc jumbo version of the liquid-cooled, V-twin motor with a slipper-style race clutch. H-D's 2008 range will go on sale in Australia later this year. The 105th anniversary will be celebrated with a serialised, limited-edition run of eight different models across the H-D range.

Small torque

Buell, the American performance bike manufacturer owned by H-D, is celebrating its 25th anniversary with a powerful new model.

Designated the 1125R, the new Buell is powered by a water-cooled, 72-degree V-twin engine with six-speed gearbox made by Austrian firm Rotax.

Rotax is well known for building engines for several companies, including a single-cylinder enduro for BMW and a 60-degree V-twin sports engine for Aprilia.

The new 1125R's 1125cc, eight-valve, double-overhead-cam engine is claimed to produce 109kW at the crankshaft. Expect to see it in showrooms this year.