Riding the 2008 Harleys + Photos of the Entire Brand New Harley-Davidson Lineup
Changes are brewing at Harley-Davidson, and it was quite a thrill to see the '08 bikes presented firsthand by Bill Davidson and the H-D crew in Baltimore, Maryland. In fact, the only thing better than seeing the bikes was riding them on the rambling rural roads north of the city.
The big news, in addition to the release of 14 special edition 105th Anniversary Models, is the introduction of three new models. The Dyna family gained a new member with the Dyna Fat Bob, while the Softail family acquired the new Rocker and the Rocker C. The Fat Bob ($14,795) features distinctive dual headlights and a V-shaped drag bar, and its riding experience is somewhat familiar for Dyna enthusiasts. The Rocker and Rocker C, on the other hand, are dramatically different bikes for Harley, with their chopper-like rake, custom-inspired slammed rear fender, wide 240mm rear tire, and clever "2 in 1" fold-out passenger seat (available only on the C model, which starts at $19,495.)
Other big news in the Harley camp is anti-lock brakes, which are available on all 10 Touring and VRSC (V-Rod) bikes. The Brembo-manufactured system worked well on a rain-soaked CVO ride a few weeks ago in Milwaukee, and is visually indiscernible from non-ABS models.
Full reviews of key 2008 models are forthcoming... in the meantime, check out our photo gallery of every model in the 2008 lineup.
Photo © Harley-Davidson Motor Company
Comments
FXCWC Softail Rocker C? Now that just silly
rather, that “is” just silly, and way, way too expensive
Okay, just back from HDs site. Rather bored. The new HD bikes are really just rehash, i.e. Fat Boy discs on a Dyna, and the Electra and Ultra are really looking dated - not classic, just dated. I will never deny that the FLSTN, FLSTC (my bike) and the late FLSTSC are beautiful classic bikes, but if Indian actually gets back into production they will even out-retro those. And don’t even get me started on MSRP and how we need to spend another $1,000 on pipes and tuning just so our Harleys sound like Harleys.
We really should commend Yamaha/Star for stepping up with the thoughtful design and simplified aluminum frame on their air cooled/push rod/belt driven ‘Liners and Victory for their bold move with the Vision. I’ll even give a nod to Honda for their Rune even though it has water in the block and mid-mounted controls.
A few years ago some discovered that about 1,000 WWII veterans were dying every day. Soon it will be the Baby Boomers, HDs core customer, dropping off and I doubt a $20K Rocker C is going to draw in a new generation of buyers.
I have to agree with the new design of the Rocker C. For cryin out loud the tank isn’t even in line with the chassis. This is your classic engineer burn out. Bye / Springer; look at your replacement.
The Rocker C is the most interesting of the bunch. I’ve never seen a seat just floating above the fender on a cruiser. I like it. However, I usually like the bikes the mainstream Harley riders won’t like. Kind of sporty.
It’s going to look like an inch worm with the fender going up and down the highway. May be, after you get that big Harley babe in a sweaty leather bra on that tiny seat the suspension will drop some and line up with the tank.
None of this seemed relevant at 5:55 last night. The steam pipe blew six stories below and we thought “they” were taking out Grand Central.
That said, the Rocker C is too expensive.
When I first saw it I thought someone had airbrushed away part of the picture as I was staring between the seat and fender…my next impression was Big Momma stress cracks! (WTF)
Being a honda onwer for many years, my Rocker C is on order and will be arriving in October. As far as all the old harleys, this has to to be one of the few that got my attention.
Modern, great lines, and some trick features as well. As far as the lines…who ever said that they had to line up? How many car models changed over the years that when the new models came out we hated it and then with in 6 months we acepted it as the “standard”?
Being a sport bike rider, I newer found a fat bottom girl attractive on a bike….especially a sport bike, so the Rocker C being rated at a 250 pound passenger is more than enough…if you are at that limit or above, you should not be a passenger on a bike like that.
The others who will complain about this bike are the hardcore harley guys that are used to thier vibration machines with the 280 piece tool kit on the front forks.