2009 Harley-Davidson Model Line-up - Motorcycle.com
It’s been a busy summer for Harley-Davidson. The Motor Company has built a new museum in Milwaukee, purchased an Italian premium motorcycle manufacturer and is gearing up for its big 105th anniversary bash.
While they’re still translating the MV Agusta purchase agreement from Italian to English and preparing Bruce Springsteen’s trailer for his anniversary concert over a beer at the museum’s Motor restaurant, the people at Harley-Davidson have been busy preparing the 2009 model line.
We’ve already taken a close look at the Custom Vehicle Operations bikes in our 2009 Harley-Davidson CVO Models Review. Harley-Davidson has unveiled the rest of the 2009 line, highlighted by a new V-Rod power cruiser and an all new chassis for its Touring models.
The all-new VRSCF V-Rod Muscle, according to Harley-Davidson, “brings urban energy to the VRSC power cruiser platform”. The latest V-Rod is powered by the same 60-degree liquid-cooled DOHC, eight-valve, Revolution 1250cc V-Twin engine with Electronic Sequential Port Fuel Injection as is in the V-Rod and Night Rod Special. In the Muscle, Harley says the Revolution mill is tuned to produce 122 hp at 8,250 rpm and up to 85 ft-lbs. of torque at 7,000 rpm.
The all-new VRSCF V-Rod Muscle “brings urban energy to the VRSC power cruiser platform"
The wide, angular air-box cover, 240mm rear tire and two (one per side) subtle but stout exhaust pipes gives the V-Rod Muscle a strong, solid appearance. Other design features include a new clipped rear fender with integrated brake/turn/taillight and five-spoke cast aluminum wheels, LED turn signals integrated into the mirror stems and new internally wired handlebar cast with riser.
The V-Rod Muscle, as well as the returning VRSCAW V-Rod and VRSCDX Night Rod Special, is available with an optional non-linked Anti-Lock Braking System; all three machines use Brembo brakes. The Muscle’s front suspension is a 43mm inverted fork, another unique item amongst the V-Rod bikes.
Harley-Davidson’s seven Touring bikes all receive a brand new chassis for 2009. The frame, swingarm, engine mount, wheels and tires have all been redesigned.
“Under the skin, our 2009 Touring models are essentially new motorcycles,” says Bill Davidson, Harley-Davidson vice president of core customer marketing. “There is likely no profile on the American road more distinctive than that of a Harley-Davidson Touring motorcycle, and we were able to retain the character of each model while significantly improving the riding experience in many ways.”
The new chassis provides a rigid backbone that Harley-Davidson says can support an extra load of 70 pounds over the 2008 Touring bikes. That’s good news for those with overstuffed saddlebags. The engine isolation system has been revised to reduce the vibrations from the 1584cc Twin Cam 96 V-Twin engines with ESPFI. A new Isolated Drive System compensator integrated into the rear hub is also designed reduces noise and vibration.
An Electronic Throttle Control system replaces the mechanical cables with the wiring from the throttle grip sensor routed inside the handlebars, making room for a factory-option cruise control system.
The 2009 Road King, Street Glide, Road Glide and Electra Glide come with a new low-mounted license plate with LED illumination. The Road King Classic’s license plate has also been moved to under the tail lamp while the Electra Glide Classic and Ultra Classic Electra Glide have new LED rear fender tip lights.
Harley-Davidson’s Dyna line-up returns for 2009 with a new silver-face speedometer, low-profile front fender and fuel sender. The FXDB Street Bob has also got a new chopped rear fender with an LED tail light and blacked-out features.
The eight bikes in Harley-Davidson’s Softail line return for 2009, with the FLSTC Heritage Classic getting the most significant updates.
The 2009 Heritage Softail Classic has new trim along its seat, saddlebag and front fender. The fuel tank is adorned with glass-filled 3D badges and is topped by a retro ‘Cat Eye’ console.
The five bikes in Harley-Davidson’s Sportster line are back for 2009, all with new low-profile front fenders. The 883 Custom, 1200 Low and 1200 Custom Sportsters also get new retuned suspensions.
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