Like a baseball team playing on the wrong side of a .500 record, for 2010 Harley-Davidson has shuffled its lineup, axed a few, and brought in some new big guns. All of which got me thinking about how I view their various offerings.
Sitting in this editor’s chair dictates that I be fair, objective, and somewhat distant from the emotion that surrounds Harley-Davidson motorcycles. I don’t always succeed at these lofty goals because I’m not in this game as a dispassionate observer. Motorcycles have dominated my life for the last 44 years—all brands, all models. During this time I’ve developed a clear vision of what it takes to redline me. And-—right or wrong—these sometimes very personal views color everything I write. Yet, American Rider is not my bully pulpit. I owe you reasoned thought, and Harley-Davidson fair evaluations.
When I consider a motorcycle I first ask the question, “How good is this motorcycle at what it was designed to do?” If Harley says it’s a “Grand American Touring” motorcycle, well, it had better be. If style is its raison d’etre, then it should stun the masses. Overall, I look for balance. That is, does everything work together, or does the motorcycle feel as if it were designed by three committees that never spoke to each other?
OK, with caveats and excuses in place, here are my top three favorite 2010 Harley-Davidson models. Keep something in mind, however; two of my all-time favorite Harley models, the FLHT Electra Glide Standard and the FLTR Road Glide, failed to show up in the new year’s line. So much for my opinion.
Third Choice: FLSTFB Fat Boy Lo
Forget what I just wrote about reasoned thought and balance. This is an emotional pick; the FLSTFB Fat Boy Lo, in Black Denim. This is a small—all things being relative—motorcycle. They took the standard Boy and slammed it. You lose lean angle, you lose ground clearance, but for some odd reason it seems more fun as it marks every turn with sharpened floorboards. To me it’s the Delinquent Lil’ Boy, and it just itches to raise a bit of hell. The one thing I’d change? Give me immunity from prosecution.
Second Choice: FLSTSE CVO Softail Convertible
This is the best all-around Softail model Harley has yet produced. Yes, it’s an expensive CVO, but that gets you the excellent TC110 motor and its boatload of torque. Add in true convertibility that gives you both a very decent touring bike and a stripped cruiser, and it’s a motorcycle with which I could be very happy. Not every Softail is created equal, but this one is the best balanced of them all. The one thing I’d change? Six-gallon tank, please. And how about making a version mortals can afford?
First Choice: FLHTK Electra Glide Ultra Limited
This should be the poster boy for Harley’s Grand American Touring. Its TC103 motor (unique to this model) adds the needed grunt over that of the standard Ultra Classic, but without the excessive weight of the CVO Ultra Classic with its TC110 motor. The Limited is the type of motorcycle that makes you wish the trip were longer. I put about 1,500 miles on one and only very reluctantly returned it to Harley (they get real testy if you don’t return their bikes). This particular bike had hue--changing White Ice Pearl/Black Ice Pearl paint that pictures will never do justice.
The one thing I’d change? Better radio and speakers (this applies to all similarly equipped Harleys).
Honorable Mention: The XR1200
I didn’t consider this for the top spots because it is very unlike any mainstream Harley. It’s a very good motorcycle that offers great fun anywhere you’d like to ride it. You need one in your garage.
Now, I’m kind of curious what your Top Three picks might be. Take a look at the 2010 lineups, and shoot me an e-mail.
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