Plenty of chrome and polish...
Plenty of chrome and polish set off by wrinkle-black paint put the engine in the custom role. We'd want billet foot controls too.
Whether performing as an urban assault vehicle or an open-road traveler, the engine is a delight. The additional power available from the Twin Cam 1450cc engine makes it easier to beat heavy-footed commuters away from a light than it was with the Evo-powered Softails, and the added power is also welcome when you want to get around a long truck on a back road. We were surprised that the Deuce was actually a tick quicker through the quarter-mile than the FXDX tested in this issue. The Deuce's counterbalanced engine makes slightly less power than the similar FXDX mill, which doesn't have the balancers to consume power. The FXDX is also about 30 pounds lighter. Few current V-twin cruisers can best the current 1450cc Harleys in power contests.
The new engines continue to turn in the excellent fuel mileage of past H-Ds. Despite mostly urban use in L.A.'s notorious traffic, the FXSTD averaged over 40 miles per gallon of premium gas. That sort of mileage will deliver almost 200 miles between fill-ups.
Still in the traditional location on the left side of the engine, the choke knob must be pulled out for cold starts. Though it takes a bit of time to warm up and run smoothly, once done, the engine responds smoothly and cleanly to throttle changes. Thanks to a lash-free drivetrain, those transitions from trailing throttle to acceleration (or vice versa) are never abrupt. A longish reach to the lever and the need for a strong pull make clutch operation a challenge for small or arthritic hands. The transmission is attached to the Twin Cam 88B engine shifts with slightly less noise and force than previous Harley gearboxes, but it still is not exemplary in this regard. Mechanical noise has been scaled back in the new engine design, and exhaust seems to be slightly more prominent.
Though the instruments are...
Though the instruments are standard Harley fare, the attractive, full-length housing they occupy is an eye-catching innovation.
Better-than-average brakes and tires create confidence during hard stops. Though the reach to the front brake lever best suits large hands, the four-piston brake provides superior control and good power.
Though the stylists shrunk all the lighting components, we had no complaints about illumination or conspicuousness. We wished for rear views from the mirrors that showed more of the traffic and less of our shoulders, and missed satisfactory perches to anchor straps when carrying objects on the back seat.
However, those are fairly minor quibbles. When you consider the Deuce's obvious devotion to fashion, you come away from a ride impressed that this bike is such a functional success. We all like bikes that look good, but we also tend to pass them over for serious riding because they aren't much fun to ride. It is noteworthy that even with a stable packed with sport cruisers, the FXSTD rarely languished in our garage. Harley's Deuce changes expectations for future advances in factory customs: It's not enough to look good, you need to feel good, too.
High Points: Advances the art of the factory custom, unique and handsome appearance, smooth and powerful engine, good fuel mileage and range, handles and stops well.
Low Points: Riding position unsuitable for long rides, suspension permits bumpy-corner wallowing, hand control levers require a large reach and aren't adjustable.
First Changes: Install aftermarket components -- such as billet footpegs and controls -- that are as beautiful as the rest of this bike.
The taillight convinced some...
The taillight convinced some viewers that the Deuce was a genuine custom. It's much slimmer than those on other H-D cruisers.
RIDING POSITIONS
Market research tells us that appearance tops the list of reasons why people buy cruisers. If so, the Deuce could be the best factory cruiser ever built. It's not a bike that I'd want for a long ride, and it's a bit unsteady in corners.
But the FXSTD still moves you. It provides respectable short-haul transportation, thanks to the smoother, more powerful engine, and it is a great ego vehicle. I also like the fact that it is easily distinguishable from all those other Harleys, making the rider more of an individual and less one of the flock.
Art Friedman
You can tell Friedman to flock off at Art.Friedman@sorc.com.
Sure it's pretty, but the Deuce ain't just fer looks; this beauty is hardly demure. Crack the throttle and hold on because there are plenty of ponies to spare. The frame is rigid, the suspension fairly plush (though jiggy in midcorner bumps), and the counterbalanced engine keeps your cavities in your teeth where they belong. Probably the best brakes I've experienced on a Hawg. The front felt a bit disobedient in the tight stuff, but then it's so far away, it's difficult to form a bond with it.
I'm still oohing and aahing over this magnificent sculpture, and Willie G's paean to the chopped out '70s is certainly worthy of a dropped jaw or two. I just don't know if I can afford the plastic surgery.
Andy Cherney
In the past, I was never a fan of Softails in general and several models within the line in particular. (Names withheld to protect the guilty.) Whenever we were forced to ride a Softail, I moaned and groaned about the vibration, poor handling, and weak brakes.
From the moment I threw my leg over the Deuce, I knew that the change in the 2000 Softails carried across the entire line. The 88B engine allows for long rides without feeling like my internal organs are being rearranged. The suspension and brakes are much improved. What makes the Deuce unique is the look. The Deuce is one of the slickest "off the rack" bikes I've seen from any manufacturer.
Since I've always been a fan of metric bikes, does this make me a turncoat? Perhaps, but remember that nothing says more about a motorcycle manufacturer than the worthiness of its adversaries. Harley has clearly realized that it will not be able to stay on top with just the legendary name alone. The Motor Company has rolled up its sleeves and begun to deliver functional motorcycles that can go head-to-head with the imports. Which is a good thing for motorcycling.
Evans Brasfield
Tell our former Feature Editor he's got his jacket on backwards through his website: Evans Brasfield.