Harley-Davidson has revealed the latest machine in its Sportster model range – the Roadster.
The Roadster is effectively a Sportster 1200 that’s been stripped back to the bare essentials. Its 1202cc ‘Evolution’ engine is familiar, as is much of the style, but the fenders are bobbed and there’s new suspension. At the front we get 43mm upside-down forks, matched by gas-filled shocks at the rear, giving longer travel than any other Sportster model.
The overall look is sportier than other models in the range, thanks in part to the shortened fenders but also to the new wheels. A 19 inch front and 18 inch rear, they’re newly designed alloys inspired by wire wheels. Dual front discs with ABS give it more serious stopping power than most of its sister models.
“Since its introduction in 1957, the Harley-Davidson Sportster has proved capable of constant reinvention, and the Roadster writes a new chapter in that story,” said Harley-Davidson Director of Styling Brad Richards. “We’ve watched our customers take the Sportster in so many different directions. The Roadster is a mash-up of styling genres, but the intent was to build a rider’s motorcycle, a Sportster that’s lean and powerful and connects the rider to the road.
“We wanted to give the Roadster some DNA from the high-performance KHR models of the mid-50s, and later Sportsters tuned for the drag strip. Those bikes had fenders cut to the struts, the small fuel tank, and were stripped to their bare essentials to achieve a singular performance purpose.”
“The wheels were inspired by classic laced wheels, and are the most intricate cast wheel we’ve ever created,” said Harley-Davidson Industrial Designer Ben McGinley. “The interlacing spokes shoot outward toward opposite sides of the wheel, creating a dramatic visual effect. These wheels are also very light for their size, which contributes to the Roadster’s handling performance.”
Prices start at £9695 (UK), $11,199 (USA), $19,495 (AUS) and €12,705 (DE).
Dimensions
Length (mm): 2185
Seat Height (mm): 785
Fuel Capacity (litres): 12.5
Dry Weight (kg): 250
Powertrain
Engine: Air-cooled, Evolution™
Displacement (cu.cm): 1202
Engine Torque: 98 Nm (72.3 ft-lb) @ 3750 RPM
Transmission: 5-speed
Wheels/Tyres
Front: Offset-Split 5-Spoke 19 in. x 3 in. (482.6 mm x 76 mm) Tyre: 120/70R19 M/C
Rear: Offset-Split 5-Spoke 18 in. x 4.25 in. (457.2 mm x 108 mm) Tyre: 150/70R18 M/C
Colour Options
Solids: Vivid Black; Black Denim; Velocity Red Sunglo
Two-tones: Billet Silver/Vivid Black
