This past July we were lucky enough to get invited out to Harley-Davidson's 2008 press launch. In two days of riding, we got on everything from the new Sportster line to the new Rocker, and even a bagger. Hell, give us a chance to ride and we'll do it. We got into Baltimore where the hotel parking lot was full of '08 H-Ds, and we were like kids in a candy store-all we needed to do was pick a bike, grab a map, and hit the road...or forget the map and get lost out on some of this country's backroads. We were OK with that. We were also in for a treat; the plan was to head north to York, PA, for a tour of the Softail plant, and to see how well the new ABS braking system works on the baggers and V-Rods. We had a good breakfast, then headed out for a day of riding.
There was plenty to ride, but we are a chopper mag, so we tried to stay off the baggers for the time being. We started out with the new Sportster line up.
For 2008, H-D offers its most diverse line of Sportster models in the 51-year history of the legendary XL platform. From the minimalist, retro-chic styling of the XL 1200N Nightster to the affordable performance of the XL 883 Sportster 883 and the glamorous power of the XL 1200C Sportster 1200 Custom, there's a model to match the desires of any rider. All Sportster models are powered by the Electronic Sequential Port Fuel Injection (ESPFI) XL Evolution V-Twin powertrain, rubber-mounted in the frame to reduce vibration, and tuned to deliver a broad powerband for outstanding street performance. The transmission and engine share a common die-cast case. Final drive is via a clean, quiet and durable belt reinforced with carbon fiber.
New on Sportster for 2008New Graphics: New tank graphics are featured on the XL 883, XL 883 Low, XL 883C Custom, XL 1200R Roadster and XL 1200C Custom.
105th Anniversary Edition: A limited-edition, serialized XL 1200C Custom 105th Anniversary Edition and XL 1200L Low 105th Anniversary Edition will be available in 2008.
XL 1200N NightsterThe stripped-down Nightster reinterprets the Sportster legend with rugged, retro-rod styling. A solo seat and lowered suspension puts the rider just 25.3 inches above the pavement. Clipped front and rear fenders expose chunky tires. Wheel rims and hubs, forks and handlebar, hand and foot controls are finished in basic black. Fork gaiters and a bullet-hole belt guard come from the old-school book of style. Combination rear turn indicators/tail/stop lights and a side-mount license plate clean up the rear fender. The classic 3.3-gallon fuel tank is topped with a simple silver-satin cap.
XL 1200N Nightster features:*Rubber-mounted XL Evolution 1200 cc engine*Medium Gray powder-coated engine with polished covers*Black laced steel wheels, 19-inch front16-inch rear*Black low-rise handlebar*Sportster Classic solo seat*Chrome Slash Cut Staggered Shorty Dual exhaust*Black mid-mount foot controls*Lowest-Profile rear shocks*Lowest-Profile front forks*Classic 3.3-gallon fuel tank*Black front forks with gaiters*Bullet hole belt guard and front fender supports*Side-mount license plate holder*Combination rear brake/tail/turn lights*Lowered front and rear suspension
XL 1200C Sportster 1200 Custom features:*Rubber-mounted XL Evolution 1200 cc engine*Black powder-coated engine with chrome treatment*Chrome Laced Steel 21-inch front wheel*NEW tank decoration and cloisonn*Chrome Slotted Disc Cast Aluminum 16-inch rear wheel*Wide polished handlebar on chrome pull-back risers*One-piece, two-up Sportster Classic seat*Chrome Staggered Shorty Dual exhaust*Low-Profile rear shocks*Forward foot controls*Chrome bullet headlight*Polished fuel tank console*4.5-gallon fuel tank*Optional Chrome Aluminum Profile Laced wheels