Features

H-D offers new models, engine – August 14, 2006

Harley-Davidson plans to retail two new VRSC models, an all-new FXSTC Softail Custom, a limited edition 50th anniversary Sportster and 17 new color combinations for 2007.
The company also has an all-new Twin Cam 96 engine and six-speed transmission to power the Dyna, Softail and Touring families, and has placed electronic fuel injection on all models.
“There’s a lot of news from Harley-Davidson for 2007,” Paul James, Harley-Davidson Media Manager, told Powersports Business, “but I think the biggest pieces of news include the four new models, the new engine and transmission, and EFI across the board — we no longer offer any carbureted models, including the Sportster.”
Dealers saw the new product at Harley-Davidson’s summer dealer meeting, held July 14 in San Diego.
“It seemed dealer reaction to the new product was really good,” James said, adding that H-D’s main message to dealers included “showing all of the new products, showing that we’re keeping our momentum, and making sure that we’re meeting our customers’ needs and expectations.”
THE BIKES
The limited edition VRSC family of liquid-cooled power-cruisers features two new models. The VRSCDX Night Rod Special (MSRP: $14,995-$15,280) offers blacked-out styling; the VRSCX ($19,995) features drag-bike styling and graphics that pay tribute to the NHRA champion Screamin’ Eagle/Vance & Hines Pro Stock Motorcycle racing team.
The new FXSTC Softail Custom ($16,895-$17,700) reprises the styling cues of the classic chopper, with a 200mm rear tire, king-and-queen seat, and Bobtail rear fender.
The 2007 Sportster family of eight models ($6,595-$10,335) comes with new standard Electronic Sequential Port Fuel Injection (ESPFI), new handlebar wiring and gauges, and reduced clutch and brake lever effort. The limited edition 50th Anniversary Sportster ($9,795) features special badging, a traditional peanut fuel tank and other components to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the 1957 Sportster introduction.
Changes to other models include new wheels and styling details, a new 200mm rear tire, and the new Twin Cam 96/B engine and 6-speed Cruise Drive transmission on the FLSTF Fat Boy ($17,095-$17,900); a new two-up, ribbed seat, Fat Bob fuel tank and mini-pullback handlebars on the FXDC Dyna Super Glide Custom ($14,645-$14,970); and a new Twin Cam 110 powertrain, accessories and paint schemes for the four Custom Vehicle Operations (CVO) models: the Screamin’ Eagle Road King ($28,495), Screamin’ Eagle Ultra Classic Electra Glide ($33,495), Screamin’ Eagle Softail Springer ($24,995) and Screamin’ Eagle Dyna ($24,995).
TWIN CAM 96
The Twin Cam 96/96B engine and 6-speed Cruise Drive transmission debut together on all Touring, Softail and Dyna models. The new engine, which will only be available with Electronic Sequential Port Fuel Injection (ESPFI), offers a 9 percent increase in displacement and up to a 17 percent increase in torque (varies by model) over the Twin Cam 88/88B engines it replaces. Plus, the company says the unit features a number of design enhancements making it more powerful, reliable and smoother.
The Twin Cam 88 was introduced in 1998 as a 1999 model on the Touring and Dyna platforms. Then, in 2000 a balanced version to the Softail line.
“The Twin Cam 96 has been the biggest new-engine program in the history of Harley-Davidson,” said Skip Metz, program manager, Big Twin Powertrain. “There are more than 700 new part numbers associated with Twin Cam 96. The only areas that didn’t change are the cylinders, rocker arms, rocker boxes and items in the top part of the engine. Crankshafts, connecting rods, crank cases, transmission cases and all the transmission parts are new.”
The Twin Cam 96 displaces 1584cc (96 cid), compared to 1450cc (88 cid) for the Twin Cam 88 engine it replaces. The added displacement was achieved by increasing stroke from 4 inches to 4.38 inches. The Twin Cam 96 cylinder bore is 3.75 inches, the same as that of the Twin Cam 88. The Twin Cam 96B is designed to be rigid-mounted in Harley-Davidson Softail models, and is equipped with internal counter-balance shafts.
The 6-speed Cruise Drive transmission, which was introduced on the Dyna family in 2006, features gear ratios optimized to match the torque curve of the new Twin Cam 96/96B engines. H-D says the addition of a higher-ratio sixth gear reduces top-gear rpm by 11 percent, compared to the previous 5-speed Big Twin transmission. At 75 mph, engine speed is reduced by 368 rpm, to 2859 rpm from 3227 rpm.
Other engine highlights include a new crankcase design with internal oil passages between the engine and transmission that eliminate external oil lines and fittings; improved camshaft design; a new oil pump assembly providing 10 percent more flow and 23 percent more scavenging capacity than the previous design; new 25-degree fuel injector nozzles replacing 8-degree injectors; new O2 feedback sensor in the exhaust; a new automatic primary chain tensioner that eliminates manual service adjustment; and new exhaust tuning with enhance low frequencies.
Finally, for riders seeking even more power, it is no longer necessary to add a stroker kit to get to 103 cid. A bolt-on Big Bore Kit with 3.875-inch bore cylinders and matching pistons is being made available from Harley-Davidson Genuine Motor Accessories.
Harley-Davidson shipped 329,017 motorcycles in 2005 — 266,507 motorcycles in the domestic market and 62,510 internationally. The company’s 2007 model year motorcycles are shipping now.

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