MILWAUKEE (July 27, 2010) - A few days ago, at a spanking new LEED-certified resort hotel nestled in a vineyard under an uncharacteristically clear blue Oregon sky, Harley-Davidson unveiled its 2011 motorcycle lineup to the media.
Going for a repeat of last year's ambitious nine-model rollout (that's including the CVO bikes) would not be an option this year, and Harley has understandably decided to play its hand closer to the vest. For 2011, the MoCo has opted to debut a more reasonable 3 models (7 if you include the CVOs, but there are three returning models this year, which usually means no major upgrades).
The first machines to pop up on the PowerPoint presentation last week were the three main-line 2011 models: the all-new Sportster SuperLow, the tweaked XR1200X and the latest addition to the Touring platform, the Road Glide Ultra.
The rest of the line was touched upon briefly, and we learned that the expansive group of 32 machines run the style gamut, from urban brawlers and long-haul touring machines, to street-savvy bobbers and rocking sport roadsters. The highlights of the 2011 Harley-Davidson line follow:
2011 Sportster SuperLow $7,999
If you ask us, it's not really a new model but a hyper-tweaked take on the standard Sporty. We spent the majority of our saddle time (split across three bikes) on it, and the SuperLow turned out to be the most refined Sportster we've ridden in years. It felt much more substantial and planted than we had any right to expect - considering Harley insisted on labeling it as an entry-level machine, targeted at younger, new and returning riders.
 2011 H-D Sportster SuperLow...  2011 H-D Sportster SuperLow Outdoes its Stablemates for Comfort |  More Padding and Narrower...  More Padding and Narrower Width Makes for a More Rider-Friendly Saddle on the SuperLow |  2011 SuperLow Rear View a...  2011 SuperLow Rear View action |
H-D 2011 SuperLow's Longer-Travel...
H-D 2011 SuperLow's Longer-Travel Rear Shocks
The spin on the SuperLow is a revised front end geometry that combines new wheels and tires with a reshaped seat and handlebars to produce the aforementioned balance, handling and comfort. Did we mention comfort? The solo seat provides it in spades, with a deep, bucket shape and plenty of padding. The sculpted sides of the seat pan and its 25.5-inch height make it an easy bet for all riders to plant feet solidly at a stop, and we found the neutral-position wide bar gave us an easy reach at a natural height. Ergonomically, it's a hit, though taller riders may take issue with the mid-mount (and somewhat high) pegs. Dual coil-over rear shocks are said to offer 2.5 inches of wheel travel. We didn't confirm the numbers, but we can say for sure that they serve up a far plusher ride than, say, the Iron.
Harley says the new 18-inch front tire size and a new front fork angle are what give the SuperLow a whopping 5.7 inches of trail, and the resulting steering effect means much less effort. All in all, it makes for a pleasant, if not exactly earth-shattering, ride. Despite its name, it's not the shortest Sporty (that title still belongs to the Convertible), but from our short time on it, we certainly found the SuperLow to be extremely unintimidating. Experienced riders may literally find the lean angle to be a drag, though.
2011 H-D Road Glide Ultra...
2011 H-D Road Glide Ultra Front View Action
We didn't get much time on it, but the short miles logged on the new Ultra were some of the most comfortable - and sonically enhanced - we've had this year. You knew it was going to happen eventually - the frame-mounted fairing meshing with a Tour Pak, and all manner of luxury touring accommodations coming close behind. Powered by a Twin Cam 103 engine, which we found we greatly preferred to the higher-strung Screamin Eagle 110 mill we tested on some of the CVOs earlier, the bat bike now comes equipped with a King Tour-Pak cargo hold, vented fairing lowers, ABS, the ultra-convenient Smart Security System, cruise control, and a four-speaker, 80-watt Harman/Kardon Advanced Audio System. The revised seat is the epitome of comfort, and even if we still can't get used to the weirdness of turning the fork one way and having the fairing still go straight ahead, the dead-straight stretches were divine.
 Harley's new 2011 Road Glide...  Harley's new 2011 Road Glide Ultra |  2011 H-D Road Glide Ultra...  2011 H-D Road Glide Ultra Rear View action |  |
 Now You Can Get Your Bat Wing...  Now You Can Get Your Bat Wing with a Tour Pak |  2011 H-D Road Glide Ultra...  2011 H-D Road Glide Ultra cockpit |  Plush seating and high-end...  Plush seating and high-end audio top the list of the 2011 Road Glide Ultra's touring amenities |
 2011 H-D Road Glide Ultra...  2011 H-D Road Glide Ultra Lowers and Crash Bar detail |  2011 Road Glide Ultra's lowers...  2011 Road Glide Ultra's lowers and vent system |  Harley 2011 Road Glide Ultra...  Harley 2011 Road Glide Ultra Fork and Tire Detail |
2011 XR1200X $11,799
You already know what this bike's about based on the fact that it couldn't wait for the others to get out of the gate. Hastily announced mid-year as a 2011 model, the XRX unquestionably represents Harley's hot-under-the-collar sporting side. As such, you get all the top-shelf componentry to fine-tune your ride; things like adjustable front and rear suspension, floating front brake rotors and completely hotted-up, high-compression 1200cc Evolution V-Twin engine. Oh yea, and the heads are oil-cooled too. From our brief blast along a back road, we can testify that the XR in this guise remains a hair-raising shot in the arm for performance junkies and adrenaline-heads. Yes Virginia, now you really can wheelie your Harley.
 |  Harley's new 2011 XR1200X...  Harley's new 2011 XR1200X features an adjustable Big Piston fork |  2011 Harley XR1200X ripping...  2011 Harley XR1200X ripping up a back road |
The Road Glide Custom is back...
The Road Glide Custom is back for 2011 with a New Power Pak option
Also new for 2011, Harley has imbued select Touring models with additional power and technology, thanks to the so-called PowerPak - program that bundles the Twin Cam 103 engine with ABS and the H-D Smart Security System. The PowerPak is now a standard feature on the 2011 Road King Classic, Electra Glide Ultra Limited, and Road Glide Ultra models, and you can get it as a factory-installed option on the 2011 Street Glide and Road Glide Custom models too.
Harley's 2011 Softail Deluxe...
Harley's 2011 Softail Deluxe serves up a smooth ride as well as new controls for 2011
2011 Harley-Davidson Softail models except Cross Bones are newly available with optional ABS. The 'Tails also get new hand controls with new features - like a very trick, bar-mounted display toggle - and updated styling.
 Harley's 2011 Heritage So...  Harley's 2011 Heritage Softail |  A Welcome Addition for 2011...  A Welcome Addition for 2011 Softails is the new trip function button |  2011 H-D Softails Sport new...  2011 H-D Softails Sport new Hazard Light Control on the Right Handlebar |
The Rods
The 2011 V Rod power cruisers get their upgrades via a new Security Package option, which bundles ABS with a Smart Security System. Michelin® Scorcher tires and new colors and graphics round out changes to the Night Rod® Special and the V-Rod Muscle.
And the Dynas
Lastly, for the main line, the four 2011 Dyna® models get new colors for 2011.
Now for the CVOs..
Over in the other part of the company, the CVO division has also released its four premium, limited-production motorcycles for 2011.
2011 CVO Road Glide Ultra
By now you know the aerodynamic frame-mounted Bat wing fairing (and this one's not much different from the 2011 mainline version) but for its brand-new CVO cousin, Harley takes that familiar Road Glide silhouette and throws the P&A catalog at it - this time with useful touring amenities. The CVO Glide gets a Road Tech® zumo 660 GPS navigation system, upgraded Harman/Kardon Advanced Audio system with BOOM! (yes, Harley's exclamation points) Bagger speakers and an 8GB iPod nano and dock, and a two-up suspended touring seat with dual heat controls.
You can also get ABS and the...
You can also get ABS and the 103 engine on the 2011 Street Glide
For 2011, the Glide returns but this time it's rolling on a new 19-inch Agitator™ front wheel, and sporting new ventilated fairing lowers to house two of the six speakers that are part of a 100-watt-per-channel audio system. That system handily incorporates an 8GB iPod nano with a dock.
2011 CVO Softail Convertible
Now in its sophomore year, the Convertible gets welcome upgrades in the form of a new audio system that integrates 3.5-inch speakers and a 20-watt-per-channel amplifier into a redesigned inner fairing. It's nothing like the touring bikes' audio system, but we were pleasantly surprised by the punch delivered en route. The tunes get worked by an 8GB iPod nano stored in a protective pouch (see a theme here?). For 2011, the Convertible also rocks a 1.25-inch welded mini-ape handlebar, Electronic Throttle Control (ETC), cruise control, a very cool keyless ignition - no more lost keys! and ABS.
2011 CVO Ultra Classic Electra Glide
Also returning for 2011 is the Ultra Classic, this time wielding a new suspended, heated, two-up seat with leather inserts. The dual mufflers feature new chrome billet end caps with black spears, and new mirrors are finished in mirror chrome.