2005 Harley-Davidson New Motorcycles

Harley-Davidson has introduced four new full-production motorcycles for 2005 as well as three new Screamin' Eagle models from its Custom Vehicle Operations (CVO) division. With two new models, the Softail family gets the most attention, but there is also a clean new member of the Dyna family, the Super Glide Custom, and the already introduced low-riding Sportster XL 883L. The new Sportster 883L and other changes to the Sportster motorcycle series (which saw a tremendous sales surge after its complete redesign for 2004) was previously discussed in a separate Sportster-only preview.

A Harley rep called the Softail series, which is now 21 years old, "the number-one family of customs—in sales and styling." With two additions, the Softail family again has eight members. The new FLSTN Softail Deluxe recalls the "Cow Glide," but without the actual cow skin. The Softail Deluxe combines a variety of nostalgic cues, including whitewall tires and laced wheels, an FL-style front fender, a distinctive headlight nacelle, chrome oil tank, tombstone taillight, and a small luggage rack. It also has an ultra-low 24.5-inch saddle height and long, narrow, tapered floorboards. The price begins at $16,795 for black.

A new Springer-fork model, the FLSTSC Softail Springer Classic rounds out Harley's 2005 Softail line. One of just two motorcycles to wear the smooth-riding Springer fork, the Springer Classic is distinguished by the black-powdercoat finish on the fork's legs and girders offset with a chrome spring and shock. Except for a fender running light, the full front fender is free of trim, but there is a wrap-around stamped-aluminum trim strip splitting the fuel tank horizontally, which is used as the divider between colors on two-tone versions (only the tank gets two colors). It gets a cross-over exhaust system, which puts a muffler on each side of the bike, and the passenger seat is easily removed without tools. Details include a tombstone taillight, a center tank console textured to match the seat, a vintage-style metal patent label on the oil tank, heat shields on the mufflers, embossed nameplates on the seat, beach-style handlebar, black powdercoat engine, and laced wheels. It's $16,995 if you are willing to settle for plain black.

A sprinkling of chrome and a low profile give the new FXDC Dyna Super Glide Custom the most stylish look in the Dyna family. The only representative of the Dyna series to use a silver-finish engine with chrome covers, the Super Glide Custom also shines from chrome on the speedometer housing, on the fuel-cap ring, and the headlight cover. The fuel-tank console is painted to match the tank color. The Dyna Super Glide Custom starts at $13,695.

For 2005, Harley-Davidson's Custom Vehicle Operations unit again created a 1690cc version of the Electra Glide and will produce 3500 examples. The 2005 Screamin'Eagle FLHTCSE Electra Glide gets a long list of chrome jewelry—on everything from the brake discs and belt guard to the tire valve-stemp caps—plus a security system, premium sound system, garage door opener, heavy-duty hydraulic clutch, adjustable rider and passenger backrests, and lots more. It comes in yellow, red and teal paint schemes and includes a chopped-down trunk this year. One can be yours for $30,000 or so.

The same bored and stroke 103-cubic-inch engine powers the new FLFTSSE Screamin' Eagle Fat Boy (nicknamed the Screamin' Fat Boy), which gets a similar treatment thats heavy on chrome, shiny exotic parts, and performance potential. The price weighs in at $28,000.

And as, if the standard V-Rod wasn't potent enough, the CVO folks have now created a 1250cc version of the liquid-cooled Harley musclebike. It gets a heavy-duty clutch, ported heads, optimized cam timing to make it go, and there are a few dozen items in the "show" column. The 2400 examples will comes in three color schemes and fetch $25,495, or a bit more if you live in California.