2011 Harley-Davidson Blackline Review
Announced at the New York International Motorcycle Show, the new stripped-to-the-bone 2011 "Harley-Davidson Blackline "motorcycle is the latest in the Harley Softail model family.
As the next edition to the growing and ever-popular Dark Custom motorcycle line, the Blackline celebrates three fundamental elements of Harley-Davidson motorcycling: mechanical beauty, internal combustion, and the V-twin thirst to ride the black-line (road) ahead.
The Blackline styling spotlight shines on a "Harley-Davidson" Big Twin engine dressed in black and silver, and on a fuel tank shaved smooth and low.
The Blackline is a "Harley-Davidson Softail" pared to the bone with visual elements of the original bobber movement combined with a raw style embraced by today's young bike builders. The rear fender is bobbed high-and-tight over a slim, 144 mm tire that emphasizes an authentic hardtail profile. The rider hugs the frame on the lowest two-up seat offered by Harley-Davidson, while reaching high for the new Split Drag handlebar. The rigid powertrain allows tight packaging of the engine and frame to create a solid connection between the rider and the power that moves the Blackline.
A rebellious creation of the Dark Custom movement, the Blackline celebrates three fundamental elements of motorcycling: mechanical beauty, internal combustion, and the long black line of the road ahead.
Black-rimmed laced wheels complete a look that’s tough, tempered and undeniably Harley-Davidson.
The Blackline’s Softail chassis uses a rear-suspension control that’s provided by coil-over shock absorbers found below the bike’s powertrain. A host of other elements found in the Harley-Davidson Blackline include a horseshoe-shaped oil tank dressed in black and inspired by the 1936 ELsmooth. The bike also rides on 21 x 2.15 inch front wheels and 16 x 3 inch rear wheels, wrapped around Dunlop D402 MH90-21 front tires and Dunlop MU85B16 rear tires.
Slender and powerful at the same time, the Harley-Davidson Blackline is the perfect bike for the thrill-seeking renegade in all of us.