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2012 Harley-Davidson Road King
January 29th, 2012 
MotorcycleUSA takes out the Harley-Davidson Road King to see what it’s got. Watch what it is like to ride the Harley-Davidson Road King as we give it a test ride. After watching the video,
Harley-Davidson reports broad improvement in full-year results from continuing operations for 2010
March 29th, 2011 Milwaukee (January 25, 2011) -
Harley-Davidson, Inc. (NYSE: HOG) reported full-year 2010 income from continuing operations of $259.7 million, or $1.11 per share, compared to income of $70.6 million, or $0.30 per share, from continuing operations in 2009. For the fourth quarter of 2010, Harley-Davidson recorded a loss from continuing operations of $42.1 million, or $0.18 per share, which includes the impact of a one-time, $85.2 million charge from the Company’s early repurchase of senior unsecured notes during the quarter.
Retail sales of new Harley-Davidson motorcycles in the fourth quarter were nearly level with the year-ago period, decreasing 1.0 percent worldwide and 0.2 percent in the U.S.
The Company’s financial services unit, Harley-Davidson Financial Services, was a key contributor to 2010 earnings, with operating income from financial services of $181.9 million for the full year, including $43.5 million in the fourth quarter. Operating income from motorcycles and related products was $378.8 million for the full year, including an operating loss of $6.8 million in the fourth quarter.
“We feel good about our 2010 results,” said Keith Wandell, President and Chief Executive Officer of Harley-Davidson, Inc. “Through the hard work of a lot of very dedicated and talented employees and dealers, we have made strong progress at transforming our business to be leaner, more agile and even more effective at delivering great products and customer experiences.
“In 2010, we expanded our international footprint, saw improvement in our motorcycle segment results driven by the restructuring of our operations and returned HDFS to solid profitability. A strong, financially sound Harley-Davidson is key to our ability to invest in the business and grow. While there is still hard work ahead and we remain cautious in our outlook, I am confident that we are positioning Harley-Davidson to succeed and deliver value for all our stakeholders into the future,” Wandell said.
New Harley-Davidson® Blackline™ is Softail® stripped to the core
March 29th, 2011 MILWAUKEE (January 21, 2011) – Lean as wire, hard as iron and dark as a tar road at midnight, the new Blackline motorcycle is a Harley-Davidson Softail model pared to the bone. A rebellious creation of the Dark Custom movement, the Blackline celebrates three fundamental elements of motorcycling: mechanical beauty, internal combustion, and the long black line of the road ahead.
The Blackline balances allegiance with rebellion, discarding previous conventions of color and chrome for a Dark Custom look that’s honest, functional and attainable. Visual elements of the original bobber movement are combined with the raw, hand-hewn style embraced by today’s young builders. The Blackline throws new fuel on a fire that burns across generations, an unquenchable desire to ride.
Lean and Tight
The rear fender is bobbed high-and-tight over a slim, 144mm tire that emphasizes an authentic hardtail profile. The compact headlight and speedometer are tucked low into the wide, FX front end, and there’s just enough shine to make the black parts look blacker. Black-rimmed laced wheels complete a look that’s tough, tempered and undeniably Harley-Davidson.
The styling spotlight shines on a Big Twin engine dressed in black and silver, and on a fuel tank shaved smooth and low. Aboard the Blackline, the rider hugs the frame on the lowest two-up seat ever offered by Harley-Davidson, and reaches high for new Split Drag™ handlebars that bolt right to the top triple-clamp.
The Softail chassis utilizes rear suspension control provided by coil-over shock absorbers mounted horizontally along the frame rails below the powertrain, where they are out of sight. So while the swingarm section replicates the lines of a vintage hardtail frame, the Blackline delivers suspension performance and handling that are thoroughly modern. The internally counter-balanced Twin Cam 96B™ engine is rigid-mounted within the frame, creating a solid connection between rider and the power that moves the motorcycle to enhance the emotional experience of riding.
Key features of the 2011 Blackline include:
- NEW Powertrain styling
- Powertrain is finished in gloss black powdercoat on the rocker box covers, the crankcase, the outer primary cover, and the transmission side cover. The cylinders are silver powdercoat with machined highlights. The derby cover and timing covers are chromed.
- Rigid-mounted, counter-balanced Twin Cam 96B™ V-Twin engine with Electronic Sequential Port Fuel Injection (ESPFI), rated at 89 ft. lbs. peak torque at 3250 rpm.
- 6-Speed Cruise Drive® Transmission.
- NEW Round air cleaner cover in brilliant chrome.
- NEW Black Denim powdercoat frame and swingarm.
- NEW Profile Laced Aluminum wheels with black anodized rims. Front wheel is 21 x 2.15 inches; rear wheel is 16 x 3 inches. Dunlop® D402 tires are MH90-21 front and MU85B16 rear.
- NEW FX front end with black powdercoat triple clamps and black painted fork lowers.
- NEW Split Drag™ internally-wired handlebars mount directly to the top triple clamp.
- NEW Asymmetric five-gallon Softail fuel tank is clean on the left side, with a low-profile fuel fill on the right. Die cast “Blackline” trim panel flowing down the center of the tank is just high enough to cover the fuel pump hardware.
- NEW Analog speedometer on a triple-clamp mount that also holds indicator lights. LCD screen on the speedometer includes low-fuel warning and “miles to empty” display function.
- NEW Bobbed rear fender with combination stop/tail/turn lights in black housings, and a new composite license plate holder and light module that mounts on the lower edge of the fender.
- NEW Raw forged rear fender supports are finished in Black Denim powdercoat.
- NEW One-piece, two-up seat and passenger pillion. Laden rider seat height is 24 inches, the lowest two-up seat offered by Harley-Davidson. Gap between the nose of seat and fuel tank exposes the top of the frame.
- NEW 5.75-inch diameter headlamp in gloss black shell.
- Polished forward foot controls.
- Over/under chrome shotgun exhaust.
- Optional Security Package with Anti-lock Braking System and Smart Security System
Harley-Davidson, Inc. to report fourth quarter earnings Tuesday, January 25, 2011
March 29th, 2011 Milwaukee (December 22, 2010) – Harley-Davidson, Inc. (NYSE: HOG) today announced that it is scheduled to release its fourth quarter 2010 financial results before market hours on Tuesday, January 25, 2011. The public is invited to participate in a webcast conference call and slide presentation with Keith Wandell, President and CEO, and John Olin, Senior Vice President and CFO, Harley-Davidson, Inc. from 8:00 AM to 9:00 AM (Central Time).
It is suggested that webcast participants log on and register at least ten minutes prior to the start time at http://investor.harley-davidson.com/Events.cfm. A replay of the slide presentation and audio webcast will be available approximately two hours after the call concludes
Harley-Davidson expands 2011 Contingency for AMA XR1200 Series
March 29th, 2011 Milwaukee (December 17, 2010) – Harley-Davidson Motor Company is pleased to announce a $45,000 contingency fund in support of the AMA Pro Racing Vance & Hines XR1200 Series, which expands to nine rounds of the 2011 AMA Pro Road Racing season schedule with a kickoff at Daytona International Speedway March 10-12.
The contingency program will pay out $5,000 to the top 10 finishers in each of the series’ nine rounds, with each race winner earning $1,250 from Harley-Davidson. Second place will receive $1,000, followed by $750 for third, and $500 for fourth. Fifth through tenth place finishers will each receive $250.
“After an exciting debut season, Harley-Davidson is proud to increase its commitment to the XR1200 series for 2011 and expects the series to build on the momentum established last year,” said Steve Piehl, Harley-Davidson Director of Customer Experience. “Our contingency fund doubles the fund offered by Vance & Hines and should provide an extra incentive for racers contemplating joining the series.”
In addition to running at Daytona for the first time, the XR1200 Series also expands westward to Northern California’s Infineon Raceway (May 13-15) and Utah’s Miller Motorsports Park on May 28-30 in conjunction with the United States round of the FIM’s World Superbike championship. The complete 2011 season schedule is as follows:
March 10 – 12, 2011: Daytona International Speedway
May 13 – 15, 2011: Infineon Raceway
May 28 – 30, 2011: Miller Motorsports Park
June 3 – 5, 2011: Road America
TBD: Barber Motorsports Park (tentative)
July 8 – 10, 2011: Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course
July 22 – 24, 2011: Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca
August 12 – 14, 2011: Virginia International Raceway
September 2 – 4, 2011: New Jersey Motorsports Park
*Season Finale Location, Date and Banquet: TBD
The Vance & Hines XR1200 Series features Harley-Davidson XR1200 motorcycles specially modified with racing kit parts supplied exclusively through Vance & Hines. For more information on the series, e-mail xr1200@vhmotorsports.com or visit www.amaproracing.com.
Harley-Davidson and AHDRA announce new Draggin’ Bagger Class
March 29th, 2011 Milwaukee (December 17, 2010) -
Harley-Davidson Motor Company is pleased to announce the continuation of its long-standing sponsorship of the All Harley Drag Racing Association along with the launch of a new Draggin’ Bagger drag racing class for the 2011 racing season.
The foundation of the Draggin’ Bagger class is Harley-Davidson’s Screamin’ Eagle 120R engine, a fully assembled performance engine designed for off-road racing use. Assembled at Harley-Davidson’s Pilgrim Road facility in Menominee Falls, Wisconsin, the 120 cubic-inch V-Twin engine provides the capability for an awesome 135 horsepower and 137 lb-ft of torque at the rear wheel when equipped with a high-flow throttle body and injectors and tuned intake and exhaust systems.
Reserved for 1999-and-later Harley-Davidson Touring model motorcycles equipped with the 120R engine, the Draggin’ Bagger class features limited performance modifications to ensure low entry cost and a high level of competition. Original equipment frame, fairings, saddlebags and other bodywork are required, and limited modifications are permitted to the brakes, suspension, transmission and other components to maintain an externally stock appearing motorcycle.
“This is Harley-Davidson’s first time in several decades to offer a crate racing motor, and we’re excited to work with AHDRA to launch this new racing class to support the Screamin’ Eagle 120R engine,” said Tony Nicosia, Category Manager for Screamin’ Eagle Parts & Accessories. “Together we’ve created a class that allows even a novice team to enjoy affordable racing. We anticipate strong participation and some exciting action during the 2011 racing season.”
“AHDRA is proud to continue carrying the Screamin’ Eagle banner to the racing community, and we are excited to finally let the cat out of the bag on the 120R. This engine makes a great package when paired with a Harley-Davidson Touring bike that will economically put its rider in the saddle of a wheelie popping, 10-second racing machine,” said AHDRA’s Craig Tharpe.
The Draggin’ Bagger class debuts at the AHDRA’s Screamin’ Eagle Bike Week Nationals in Orlando, Florida, March 4-6, 2011. For more information about the AHDRA, including complete class rules, visit ahdra.com.
Retail price for a complete 120R engine is $5,495.95. For more information on the Screamin’ Eagle 120R engine and other race-use components, see the 2011 Screamin’ Eagle Pro Racing Parts Catalog [visit h-d.com/screamineagleparts to download the complete 2011 racing parts catalog].
Harley-Davidson re-signs Hines, Krawiec, and Coolbeth to Factory Race Teams
March 29th, 2011 Milwaukee (December 17, 2010) – Harley-Davidson Motor Company is proud to announce that all three of its factory sponsored riders will be returning to their respective race teams to compete under the Harley-Davidson Bar and Shield banner in 2011.
In the National Hot Rod Association’s Pro Stock Motorcycle (PSM) class, three-time PSM champion Andrew Hines (2004-6) and 2008 PSM champion Eddie Krawiec will return to the Screamin’ Eagle/Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson squad.
Hines, the 2010 PSM runner-up by a slim four-point margin, hopes to avenge his narrow championship loss at the season-ending race in Pomona. Despite coming up just short in pursuit of his fourth NHRA Full Throttle series championship, Hines produced what he believes was his career-best performance in 2010 with five race wins and nine final-round appearances.
“My career with the Screamin’ Eagle/Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson team has been memorable. It’s been great to be part of such an elite team,” Hines said. “2010 was a great year with the achievements we earned from beginning to end, and I’m looking forward to continuing our pursuit of another NHRA Full Throttle series Championship in 2011.”
The Screamin’ Eagle drag racing team’s most recent champion, Krawiec bookended 2010 with wins at the season’s opening and closing rounds, and hopes to carry that momentum forward to the PSM season opener in March at Gainesville, Florida.
“This marks my fifth consecutive season as a factory rider for the Screamin’ Eagle/Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson team. By winning at Pomona and resetting the national E.T Record, the final race of the 2010 race season couldn’t have ended much better for me, and I’m looking forward to starting the 2011 NHRA Full Throttle race season right where I left off last year,” Krawiec said.
In the AMA Pro Racing Flat Track series, three-time Grand National Twins champion Kenny Coolbeth returns for his fifth season with the Harley-Davidson Factory Flat Track racing team. Fifth in the final points standings, Coolbeth notched a win at the Canterbury Mile and six podium finishes in 2010.
“We didn’t have a lot of wins in 2010, but we had consistent performances, came from the back of the pack in a lot of the races, and got a few podiums. I’m pleased to remain a factory rider for Harley-Davidson for the fifth straight year, and I’m anxious to get the 2011 season rolling,” said Coolbeth. “I want to win at least five races in 2011 and I’m focused on winning the championship.”
“Although we didn’t win any championships this year, Andrew, Eddie and Kenny all displayed the hearts of the champions they are, and we are confident they will continue to perform at the highest level in 2011,” said Steve Piehl, Harley-Davidson Director of Customer Experience.
