Black Douglas Motorcycle Co. Announces 2016 Sterling Countryman Deluxe
Redefining the term "Modern Classic"
The term “hipster bike” gets tossed around fairly liberally these days, mostly at any motorcycle with classic or retro-inspired styling. The presence of fork gaiters or a single round headlight tends to bring on this label. As cliched as the term has become, it seems impossible to look at the Sterling Countryman Deluxe without the word “hipster” coming readily to mind.
The Sterling Countryman Deluxe looks like a barn-find relic from the 1920s but it’s actually a brand new 2016 model from The Black Douglas Motorcycle Co. The Italian company (don’t be fooled by the British-sounding names) has been producing custom flat tank motorcycles since 2011 but it’s now ready to start mass production.
Black Douglas strove for authenticity whenever possible, only using modern components and manufacturing techniques when required to meet today’s safety and emissions standards. That means using a pure steel (non-alloy) frame, girder fork, spring-suspended leather seat, replica klaxon horn and “herring can” headlight. Instead of chrome plating, Black Douglas used a more period-accurate (though admittedly more costly) nickel-plating process. The girder fork may look classic but Black Douglas used a modern ergal aluminum alloy.
The electrical system is modern, in order to power the lighting systems required for street homologation. Black Douglas tried to hide the wires as much as possible, using an unusually thin wiring harness all hidden within the handlebars and frame.
The engines are also modern, four-stroke Singles licensed from Honda with a choice of two displacement options, 125cc or 230cc. Black Douglas used natural rubber to dampen vibrations and reduce noise; the technique may not be historically accurate, though the company does point out the material was available in the ’20s, if engineers had thought about it at the time.
Black Douglas will offer a choice of 36 different paint options and a number of customization options including different handlebars and luggage. Pricing starts at 9,480 euros (US$10,800) for the 125cc version and 10,950 euros (US$12,474) for the 230cc engine. Unfortunately, the Sterling Countryman Deluxe is not certified for the U.S., though Black Douglas is offering kits that customers may use to build their own.
The Black Douglas Sterling Countryman Deluxe Specifications | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Body type | Flat tank motorcycle | ||
| Engine type | OHC 2 valves, air cooling, electronic CDI, assembled and completed in Italy | ||
| Engine configuration | 1 cylinder, 4 Stroke | ||
| Fuel system and type | carburator, petrol | ||
| Cubic capacity | 124,9 cm3; bore & stroke: 57 x 49 mm | 229.5 cm3; bore & stroke: 67 x 65 mm | |
| Battery and electrics | Gel type, 3,3 Ah; three-phase alternator 90 W; LED turn indicators; daylight dimmed by PWM controller | Gel type, 4,0 Ah; three-phase alternator 75 W; LED turn indicators; daylight dimmed by PWM controller | |
| Max speed | over 100 km/h (62 mph) | ||
| Noise level | less than 85 dB in ruled testing condition | ||
| Max power | 12.8 HP (9.5 kW) @ 7500 rpm | 14.1 HP (10.5 kW) @ 6000 rpm | |
| Maximum torque | 15,0 Nm (11.1 lb-ft.) @ 5500 rpm | 15.0 Nm (13.5 lb-ft.) @ 4500 rpm | |
| Fuel consumption | average 35 km/l (82.3 mpg) | average 32 km/l (75.3 mpg) | |
| Fuel capacity | 9 liters (2.4 gallons) | ||
| Range | over 300 km (186 miles) | over 270 km (168 miles) | |
| Total seats | 2 | ||
| Overall length | 2180 mm (85.9 in.) | ||
| Width | 620 mm (24.4 in.) with standard handlebar | ||
| Wheelbase | 1500 mm (59.1 in.) | ||
| Height | 960 mm (37.8 in.) with std handlebar | ||
| Seat height | 830 mm (32.6 in.), up to 880 mm (34.6 in.) with adjustable seat kit) | ||
| Curb weight | from 95 kg (209 pounds) | from 98 kg (216 pounds) | |
| Carrying capacity | 190 kg (419 pounds) | ||
| Silencer | inox steel with catalyzer | ||
| Transmission | 5 gears | ||
| Axle ratio | 15/42 (others permitted) | 15/40 (others permitted) | |
| Tires | 90/90-21″ or 100/90-21″ or 2,75-21″ or 3,00-21″ front and rear | ||
| Service brakes | mechanical dual drums | ||
| Extras | Adjustable seat, U-shaped handlebar, twin cap fuel tank, passenger seat, “Herring Can” headlight, Klaxon replica horn | ||
Dennis has been a part of the Motorcycle.com team since 2008, and through his tenure, has developed a firm grasp of industry trends, and a solid sense of what's to come. A bloodhound when it comes to tracking information on new motorcycles, if there's a new model on the horizon, you'll probably hear about it from him first.
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HA! That's adorable. It'd probably get dusted by a CCW Heist for a third of the price, but to each his own.
I do like the girder fork. A lot.
Had to check the date to see it wasn't April 1.