New Harley-Davidson Blackline Softail Revealed

A new bike coming from Harley-Davidson has been unveiled in New York yesterday, one that “throws new fuel on a fire that burns across generations, an unquenchable desire to ride,” as the manufacturer likes to brag. Dubbed the Blackline, this softail-based cruiser comes with back-to-basics styling, new fuel tank and split drag handlebars.

The Blackline keeps decorative trim and lighting spare. The rear fender is bobbed 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, while the black-rimmed laced wheels complete the dark look.

Styling highlights include a Big Twin engine dressed in black and silver, and the lowest two-up seat ever offered by Harley-Davidson.

The Softail chassis uses rear suspension control provided by coil-over shock absorbers mounted horizontally along the frame rails below the powertrain. So while the swingarm section replicates the lines of a vintage hardtail frame, the Blackline delivers suspension performance and handling that are thoroughly modern.

Finally, the internally counter-balanced Twin Cam 96B engine is rigid-mounted within the frame.

This is how the American manufacturer describes the Blackline: “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,” Harley adds.