Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/128391
Dyna Street Bob in Black Denim. Glide Classic), auxiliary lamps or Jiju windshield. The Street Glide is a and minimalist version of a dressmore style and attitude. lnft:antly impressed with the • ability to do it all while still 00 'ng stylish and cool. The Street Glide has all the amenities of a touring bike - such as the hard saddlebags, air-adjustable touring suspension, triple-disc brakes and the 40-watt stereo system by Harman/Kardon - but at the same time, it doesn't feel as cumbersome. The low-profile windscreen offers plenty of protection while offering a clear view of the road ahead, while the seating position and seat are made for all-day cruising. The Street Glide is much easier to manage at low speeds around town than an Ultra Classic, which feels top-heavy due to the top case and tall front touring fairing. The Touring lineup receives many updates for 2006, most of which are aimed at rider/passenger comfort and entertainment. The first update is the new Advanced Audio System by Harman/ Kardon with a 20-watt-per-channel (80 total) base system that includes CDMP3/AM/FM/WB with optional XM Satellite radio capability (an industry first). The new digital display is easy to read and navigate, while new speakers sound much better when cranked at freeway speeds. Three months of XM service are included with the purchase of the XM option, while other optional accessories such as the high-output amplifier (40 watts per chan- nel times four) and rear speaker kit, Advanced Audio Intercom and Bluetoothenabled hands-free cell phone interface are available. Of course, you can still add the bike-to-bike CB, and a new GPS navigation system will be available in the near future. With all these new electronics aboard, Harley has increased the charging capacity of the entire touring family dramatically. The charging system is a new, three-phase, 50-amp, 650-watt system with charging capacity increased from I I to 32 percent depending on the application. The Tour-Pak on the Electra Glide models has been redesigned and is adjustable to two positions for the passenger's backrest, forward and aft. The case itself is a new material that is lighter and carries a lower center of gravity. The clutch-lever effort, as with the Dyna family, has been reduced by 24 percent. Joining the new Street Glide are the returning Road King, Road King Classic, Road King Custom, Road Glide, Electra Glide Standard, Electra Glide Classic and Ultra Classic Electra Glide. Softail range for years. The Softail family has been the benchmark of custom cruisers for years, with hard-tail styling and a comfortable Soltail ride. The Heritage Soltail features the classic Harley-Davidson FL "large" front end and wraparound FL rear fender, laced steel wheels, and silver powder-coated engine, with polished covers, floorboards and heeland-toe shifter. A new seat design features a quick-release passenger pillion that can be easily removed to reveal the fat, unadorned fender in seconds. The rear fender is more than sturdy enough to support optional saddlebags with its four-bolt rear support. The Heritage Soltail forms the basis for what is sure to be a supremely customizable motorcycle. Other changes within the Softail range include changes to the rear ends on the Softail Standard, Night Train and Soltail Springer. All three models receive a fatter 200mm rear tire (formerly 150mm), new swingarm and a narrower, 20mm belt (replaces 29mm belt) with comparable strength. In the styling department, all three of the aforementioned bikes receive restyled bobtail fenders and a slotted, cast-aluminum disc rear wheel. VRSC The I 130cc, liquid-cooled, Revolutionpowered V-Rod range has two new members for 2006: the just-announced Night Rod and the earlier-released Street Rod (Cycle News, Issue #8, March 2, 2005). The Night Rod is a hybrid of the original VRSCA V-Rod and the Street Rod, combining the best attributes of both. The Night Rod features a slightly pulled back fork angle (36 degrees compared to the standard V-Rod's 38 and the Street Rod's 32) with the same seat height as the original but with mid mounted foot controls. Highway pegs are added for long-distance cruising comfort as well, which kept me searching for the proper place to stick my feet every time I rode it. The same Brembo brakes that found their way onto the Street Rod have been added to all three of the V-Rod bikes: dual 300mm front rotors with four-piston calipers up front and a Single 300mm rear disc and four-piston caliper out back. The Night Rod features a variety of styling features - such as the blacked-out frame, speed visor/fairing, mirrors and controls - that give it the "Night" moniker. Chrome engine covers are optional, as are black, 10-spoke cast wheels - especially if you order the Black Denim (flat-black) paint option. But there are seven other paint choices as well. The Night Rod shares the same engine speCification as the Street Rod, with fiveadditional horsepower than the standard V-Rod (120 hp at 8200 rpm, 80 ft.-Ibs. at 7000 rpm). Other changes to the VRSC family include a redesigned instrument cluster with a clock and second trip meter. An added feature is the Auto Range trip meter feature on the odometer, which resets and starts a fresh mileage count once the bike goes onto reserve, so you have an idea how far you can stretch those last fumes. The side stand has been redeSigned on the new and existing models and now features an easier to reach foot tab. The pricing on the VRSC line has been reduced for 2006, as the V-Rod has been lowered $1700 to $15,995; the Street Rod, initially set at $16,495, has been lowered $1000 to $15,495; and the new Night Rod is priced at a bargain of$14,995. eva Since 1999, the Harley-Davidson Custom Vehicle Operations (CVO) has been producing limited-edition, high-performance, Hot Rodded versions of various bikes in the Harley-Davidson model range. The three models in the lineup include the new Screamin' Eagle Ultra Classic Electra Glide luxury cruiser ($31,995), and the returning Screamin' Eagle V-Rod ($26,495) and Screamin' Eagle Fat Boy ($28,495). Think of the Screamin' Eagle Ultra Classic Electra Glide as the ultimate V-twin touring bike. This bike comes standard with the whole kit and caboodle - everything but the kitchen sink. SOFTAIL The nine-member-strong Softail family of cruisers receives a new member, or actual- ly a returning member, for 2006: the Heritage Softail. The Heritage Softail was originally produced between 1986 and 1990 and has formed the roots of the current CYCLE NEWS • AUGUST 17, 2005 31