Tag Archives: Softail

New and deleted Harley-Davidson 2021 models

Speculation is rife that several Harley-Davidson models will be deleted for 2021 in the wake of the delay in launching two new models and plans to reduce output to create more ”exclusivity”.

American website Total Motorcycle has published what it claims is the manufacturer’s list of 2021 models with the FXDR 114, Breakout 114 and Softail Deluxe deleted. They also say there are rumours all CVOs will be deleted for 2021.

But the list does add the recently delayed Pan America 1250 adventure bike and the Bronx Streetfighter 975, plus a Softail Custom and a Sportster Streetfighter.

The latter two additions will probably just be parts-bin specials.

Harley Revolution Max platform includes Pan America and Bronx StreetfighterHarley’s new water-cooled Revolution Max platform includes Pan America and Bronx Streetfighter

Model strategy

We can’t vouch for the veracity of the 2021 model list, but there are a few things that strike us as strange or contradictory.

The Motor Company is expected to go through a major overhaul with new boss Jochen Zeitz laying down his five-year “Rewire” strategy. It follows the former boss’s “More Roads” strategy for 100 new models in 10 years.

However, Jochen’s plan does not necessarily mean fewer new models.

In fact, he committed to branching out to adventure touring, the new Streetfighter range and electric motorcycles. The Total Motorcycles list includes the LiveWire and electric bicycles and a scooter.

Jochen also says his “Rewire” strategy will expand “profitable iconic heritage bikes” and “continue to expand beyond traditional products and markets”.

It doesn’t sound like a wholesale axing of models.

And surely the Softail Deluxe qualifies as an “iconic heritage bike” while the Breakout 114 would qualify as profitable, especially in Australia where the 114 and 107 versions have been among their biggest sellers for several years.

FXDR deleted?

Limited edition FXDRLimited edition FXDR

However, we can totally understand if the FXDR Softail is deleted.

It looks more like a vacuum cleaner than a motorcycle and has subsequently not sold well.

Another pointer to the FXDR facing the axe is the fact that a limited run of 30 FXDR 114 models (pictured above) with special, cosmetic modifications is being launched for sale in the UK and Ireland only. Sounds like a tactic to get rid of excess stock.

Harley is not shy about axing models that don’t sell well. We’ve seen a host of models come and go over the years.

CVO models

Harley-Davidson CVO Street Glide Limited Road Glide Boom Box rain wet infotainment audio technoCVO models change almost every year

As for CVO models being deleted, that does seem strange, especially since the Total Motorcycles 2021 model list shows the CVO Road Glide, CVO Street Glide, CVO Limited and CVO Tri Glide!

Harley usually only releases three or four CVOs each year and the models vary every year or so.

They don’t sell many, but the profit margin per bike is high.

So axing any CVOs doesn’t fit with Jochen’s plan to expand “profitable iconic heritage bikes”.

Production restart

Harley-Davidson 115th anniversary 110th 105thHarley’s Pilgrim Road factory where a worker tested positive for coronavirus

This week, Harley resumes manufacturing in the US after two months of pandemic lockdown.

The Motor Company says it will be a phased approach to resuming production, “following the guidelines of public health and regulatory authorities and keeping employee health and safety front and centre.”

Consequently output will be reduced not just for “exclusivity” but also for practical health and logistic reasons.

So we expect preference will be given to the more profitable and popular models leading to a shortfall in some models.

A memo to US dealers says they can expect only about 70% of ordered models.

However, Harley-Davidson Australia spokesman Keith Waddell says they “will have supply coming throughout the remainder of 2020”.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Harley Softail Standard makes a comeback

Harley-Davidson‘s FXST Softail Standard, one of the most popular Harley models ever sold in Australia, now looks like making a comeback.

The model name and FXST designation has been listed with the California Air Resources Board (CARB) documents which means it could be unveiled as soon as this August as a 2021 model.

2021 Softail Standard

1984 Harley-Davidson FXST Softail Standard 1984 Harley-Davidson FXST Softail Standard

However, a new Softail Standard will be a long way from the 1984 Evo original or the last model in 2007, thanks to the last major overhaul in 2017.

It will be more powerful with a 107 (1746cc) Milwaukee Eight engine, up to 17kg lighter, with better handling thanks to a 17% stiffer frame, emulsion rear shock and Showa dual-bending-valve forks.

The new Softails come with two frames – one wide for bikes such as the Fat Boy and top-selling Breakout – and the rest narrow, which we expect for the Softail Standard.

They also come with mod-cons such as LED headlights, digital instruments and, in some cases, a hand-adjustable rear shock.

Standard styling

But what makes a traditional Softail Standard should still be present.

That includes a raked-out front, tall and skinny front spoked wheel, fat rear tyre on a chunky mag, ducktail rear fender, mini-ape bars, double-banana saddle, dual shotgun pipes, single headlight and tank-mounted instruments.

The Standard was a basic bike, unlike the Custom which had plenty of chrome.Bushfires Harley Softail motorcycle festival

It’s classic Harley which is just what the core fans have been missing in recent years.

Instead, recent Softails have included the confronting FXDR drag-style bike and even incorporated the Dyna line-up into the family.

Harley-Davidon Softail FXDR SEASON your triumphs pricesMBW rides the FXDR Softail in Milwaukee

The return of the base model will probably cost in the mid-$20,000s and be a perfect blank canvas for custom bike builders.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Harley keeps lid on 2020 model prices

Despite the Australian dollar falling more than 16% since January 2018, Harley-Davidson Australia has largely kept a lid on prices for the 2020 model line-up.

In January 2018, the Aussie dollar bought 80 US cents and it is now around 67c, yet most models have been pegged at 2019 prices.prices

Prices drop

In fact, the much-hyped, but low-performing FXDR (pictured above) is now $3000 cheaper, the Street Bob is down $1000 and the Fat Bob S is $255 less.

Despite the Touring models gaining a suite of hi-tech rider aids such as traction control, hill-start assist and tyre pressure monitors, prices have only risen a maximum of $500 on some models.

However, prices have been hiked by $4000 on the CVO Street Glide and Ultra Limited which also get the hi-tech rider aids.

As much as that might sound, it’s only an 8% increase which is half the dollar’s decrease since the start of 2018.

New and axed models

2020 Harley-Davidson ow Rider S prices
2020 Low Rider S

Two new models in the 2020 line-up are the Low Rider S and the CVO Tri Glide.

However, they have chopped the lacklustre-selling Street Rod, but strangely also chopped out the popular Breakout (but kept the Breakout S) and Heritage Classic.

We asked Harley-Davidson Australia for comment on the prices, but didn’t receive a reply.

However, it is clear Harley can’t hike prices when Harley sales were down 19.4% in the first half of the year.

Harley-Davidson 2020 models Code Colour 2020 rideaway price  2019 price
Street 500 XG500 Vivid Black $9995.00 $9995.00
SuperLow  XL883L Vivid Black $15,995.00 $15,995.00
Iron 883  XL883N Solid Colour $15,995.00 $15,995.00
Iron 1200 S XL1200NS Vivid Black $16,995.00 $16,495.00
Forty-Eight  XL1200X Vivid Black $18,995.00 $18,995.00
Forty-Eight Special XL1200XS Vivid Black $18,995.00 $18,995.00
1200 Custom  XL1200C Solid Colour $19,750.00 $19,250.00
Street Bob (107) FXBB Vivid Black $22,495.00 $23,495.00
Low Rider (107)  FXLR Vivid Black $24,495.00 $24,495.00
Slim (107)  FLSL Vivid Black $26,495.00 $26,495.00
Sport Glide FLSB Vivid Black $27,750.00 $27,750.00
Fat Bob (107) FXFB Vivid Black $27,750.00 $27,750.00
Low Rider S (114) FXLRS Vivid Black $27,995.00
Deluxe (107)  FLDE Vivid Black $29,750.00 $29,750.00
Fat Bob S (114) FXFBS Vivid Black $29,995.00 $30,250.00
Fat Boy (107)  FLFB Vivid Black $30,995.00 $30,995.00
FXDR (114)  FXDRS Vivid Black $32,495.00 $35,495.00
Fat Boy S (114) FLFBS Vivid Black $33,995.00 $33,995.00
Heritage Classic S (114) FLHCS Vivid Black $33,995.00 $33,995.00
Breakout S (114)  FXBRS Vivid Black $34,250.00 $34,250.00
Road King (107)  FLHR Vivid Black $34,495.00 $34,495.00
Electra Glide (107) FLHT Vivid Black $34,495.00
Road King S (114)  FLHRXS Vivid Black $36,495.00 $36,250.00
Street Glide Special (114) FLHXS Vivid Black $39,250.00 $38,750.00
Road Glide Special (114)  FLTRXS Vivid Black $39,250.00 $38,750.00
Ultra Limited (114)  FLHTK Vivid Black $41,495.00 $40,995.00
Freewheeler (114)  FLRT Vivid Black $45,995.00 $42,995.00
Tri Glide Ultra Classic (114) FLHTCUTG Vivid Black $55,995.00 $53,250.00
CVO Street Glide (117) FLHXSE Custom $54,995.00 $50,495.00
CVO Ultra Limited (117) FLHTKSE Custom $57,495.00 $53,495.00
CVO Tri Glide (117)  FLHTCUTGSE Custom $73,250.00
 

(Prices are for Vivid Black only or solid colour where Vivid Black is not offered. Solid, Two-Tone and Custom paint are optional extras.)

Battle of the KingsHarley keeps lid on 2020 model prices

This comes as 26 Australian and New Zealand Harley dealers have been battling in the second annual custom motorcycle build-off competition, Battle of the Kings.

Winner was Gold Coast Harley-Davidson with a Softail Slim (pictured above) that pays homage to the old Panheads and Knuckleheads with a springer front end, custom bars, an original style muffler from a 1930s Harley and a custom-made 2-1 exhaust with old-school ribbing and a chain and sprocket.

It features paint that also pays respects to Harley race bikes of the 1940s. 

The custom build is named “Hollister Riot” in reference to the Hollister Riot of 1947 at the AMA Sanctioned Gypsy Tour Motorcycle Rally in the Californian town.

The number 16 is a reference to Jimmy Chan, who made history with three consecutive wins at the Springfield Mile and was inducted into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 1998.
The other finalists were Morgan & Wacker of Brisbane, Adelaide Bike Works, Rolling Thunder of Christchurch and Sunshine Coast Harley.

Gold Coast Harley-Davidson will now represent ANZ against other international winners. Four winners will be selected via online voting and meet the USA winner at the EICMA motorcycle show in Milan, Italy, in November to battle it out for Global Custom King title.

The other Aussie finalists are pictured below.

 

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com