I just got an e-mail from my dealer that informs us that they have a new Blackline. I saw the blurb on the Harley website, and honestly, I was less than impressed.

I understand that new Harleys are expensive, and MoCo needs to connect with younger riders. However, stripping off the chrome for black parts and pulling cheaper accessories from the parts bins is not always the way to go.

One nicer feature is a narrower rear tire. It was getting ridiculous there for a while. The joke around here is that a Rocker can be parked without a kick-stand.

I'll stumble down there in a few days to look at it, but it's frigid here so test rides aren't likely. For those of us in the warmer areas, have you ridden one yet?

Haven't even seen one up close yet...might meander over to the dealership this weekend and see what I can see...if I get a chance to try one out I'll offer a riding impression.

I kinda like the new bars and, like you said, the narrower rear tire...gonna reserve judgment until I see one live.

Take care!

20 years ago I would like that bike fine. Yeah it looks like a hybrid from nightrain and Deuce parts...so what? Thats what Harley has done and succesfully for ever. I think it looks as good as any bike they've ever made and for sure the MOCO has done a great job over the years with regards to attractive model lione ups....you like you 48 don't ya chico?

Ay my age(54) I am into the Ultra's because I prefer long distance riding. If not I would go with either the Fat Boy Lo,48 Sportster or this new Blackline. Cudo's Harley Davidson MOCO for maintaining cutting edge production lines.

Yes, I like the 48, but not for its looks, but for what it does.

As you know, I like bikes stripped down to their basic ideas. "Form follows function." When I ride I do not need or want googahs like a GPS or seat warmer. I installed a better headlamp to ride for more hours, but I shut my cell phone off unless I sense a shift in weather. (I subscribe to a weather service because I hate being cold and wet.)

Betty was built as a "custom." She has a sports rack. But Spinner was built for purity. If she had chrome in stock condition it would have been alright. I just don't understand why a bike built to mimick the 1940's and 50s has a digital clock.

In that regard, the blacked-out line is just the same bike, just no chrome, and most likely built to save a few bucks. I'm leary about this. What else have they made cheaper? For example, the first Super Glides had a front fork directly from a period Sportster--including a single leading shoe front brake now installed on a heavier bike.

If I had my way, that little 48 would have Brembo brakes but come with a kick-starter.

and add a flying out of the post blade security alarm system,lol.

LOL. Who would even mess with a professional knife sharpener? After all, where would you grab him, and what sinews would you be prepared to permanently lose?

We should tell the forum that you and I have vastly differing needs in Harleys. You're an iron butt, and for limited jaunts, I have Betty.

However, for our "serious" average daily profiles, you're looking towards taking nice trips, and I like the pleasure and convenience of a tricked out Sportster to go anywhere, at anytime (even backwards up a sidewalk) for short little outings. Granted, I'd like to get +80 miles to the tankful, but if that's the only penalty, sobeit. I have a nice seat now, and 8 more horses--it should be a fun season.

that why they have this thang called h-d1 so you can customize your bike

No, they have the on-line customization procedure for newbs and RUBs to buy cookie-cutter customs so they can watch SOA and feel like an outlaw.

If you're a biker in the true sense you know what you like, and your singleness of purpose is to build that exact bike. Or you can tell MoCo what you should like for your fantasies and then hack the sleeves off a perfectly good jean jacket for no apparent reason.

I cannot figure people out. I look at Spinner as a lightly customized bargain basement Sportster built to be a grocery-getter, for me and me only. Now with her oil cooler, I see people go look at her, even when parked amid $30K machines.

I don't get it. People have to be told what to like, like haute couture in women's fashion. A month ago it didn't exist. But now an anorexic model wore it on the cover of a magazine and it's a "must have."

Who makes up these rules? Go buy a bike you like. Dress it up, or ride it stock--for your needs. And leave the sleeves on your jean jacket until you know what it means!