2007 Harley-Davidson Motorcycles - New 1600cc 6-Speed Engine For All Big Twins

Harley-Davidson has announced an all-new 1584cc engine for all its 2007 Softail, Dyna, and Touring model big twin motorcycles. Harley describes the new motor as "the biggest new-engine program in the history of Harley-Davidson." The 96-cubic-inch powerplant has over 700 new parts. The only uncharged parts are some top-end components: cylinders, rocker arms, rocker boxes, and some related parts. Both versions of the engine -- the counterbalanced Twin Cam 96B version for Softail models and the non-counterbalanced Twin Cam 96 version that rubber-mounts in the Touring and Dyna series -- mate to the Cruise Drive six-speed transmission introduced for 2006 in the Dyna family. All 2007 Harley Big Twin models are fuel-injected. The TC96 retains the look, style and layout of the previous Twin Cam engines, with air-cooling, a 45-degree V angle, and pushrod valve operation.

In addition, Harley-Davidson announced several new or reconfigured 2007 models others with updates that extend beyond the new power train.

A limited-edition 1200cc model celebrates half a century of Sportsters, which were first produced in 1957 as the K series with 883cc engines. The 50th Anniversary Sportster gets a traditional peanut fuel tank, special badges, and additional touches to mark the 50th anniversary of this motorcycling icon. Suggested price is $9795, and production is limited to 2000 motorcycles.

The 2007 Sportsters join the rest of the line by incorporating Harley's ESPFI fuel injection as standard equipment, a move no doubt required by impeding emissions standards. However, fuel injection also brings more immediate benefits. The four Sportster XL 883 models have about 15 percent more torque at 2500 rpm as a result of the changes made with the new induction. To accommodate the new system, which will doubtless bring improved driveability as well as cleaner exhaust gases, Harley-Davidson redesigned the Sportsters' rear fenders, seats, fuel tanks, coils, stators, exhaust pipes, wiring and induction system, and revised the frame. Oxygen feedback acts independently on each cylinder, so the system "learns" and adjusts to changing conditions to deliver optimal performance. Also new this year are new gauges with a clock included in odometer LCD, a low-fuel warning light and two tripmeters. It also gets an eight percent reduction in clutch lever effort and an 11 to 14 percent reduction in front brake lever effort, depending on model. Two-inch lengthening of handlebar wiring make bar swaps easy.

For Softail aficionados, the reborn FXSTC Softail Custom brings back a familiar name and little else from the past. It provides a classic chopper-like style incorporating a Chrome Profile Laced Aluminum 21-inch front wheel and tire, a meaty 200mm rear tire on a slotted disc rear wheel, a new king-and-queen saddle, stainless steel ape-hanger handlebar, a little bullet-style chrome headlight, a traditional Bobtail rear fender and a Fat Bob fuel tank adorned with triple-laid custom decals and embossed leather tank strap. There's lots of chrome and 10 color choices, which take MSRP from $16,895 for black to $17,700 for the three-tone color options.

The tremendously popular Softail Fat Boy enjoys not only the new engine and six speeds, but gets updated with new versions of its traditional Silver, Bullet Hole Disc Cast Aluminum wheels -- mounting a hefty 200mm rear tire in the back with a 17-incher up front. Harley describes the restyled rear fender as "extra chopped. His Fatness retains that traditional style with that oversized chrome headlight ahead of a wide chrome front fork nacelle and giant bare knuckle risers and a wide, fat custom internally-wired handlebar. For 2007, the Fat Boy gets a new two-tone dual saddle, and the traditional Fat Bob fuel tank wears a laced triple bullet detailed tank strap and new customized graphics matching those on the fenders. You can choose from 11 solid and three two-tone custom color options, which raise the price from $17,095 for black to $17,900.