Harleys 2009 bike review

In comparison to the dynamic changes to the touring line's chassis, most improvements to the other Harley platforms are cosmetic. We'd have loved to have ridden them all, but with eight different Softails, five different Dynas, and five variations of the Sportster, it just ain't happenin' in one afternoon. We can provide a quick rundown on some of the most noteworthy changes.

The 2009 Softail Family -

The 2009 Heritage Softail Classic received the lion's share of attention amongst the Softails. The handlebars are taller and have a removable clear King-Size windshield attached. The front fender has new trim and the chrome nacelle has been redesigned.

The fuel tank has a new set of graphics to go along with its retro 'Cat Eye' console. The speedometer face has been given a touch of retro, and the new glass-filled, 3-D badges add to its clean, classic look. The'Cat Eye' sits high on the back of the tank and is easily visible.

The cushy wide bottom leather seat and the saddlebags sport a slightly different look. The passenger pillion and backrest pad is claimed to be wider. Half-moon rider footboards and a large oval brake pad complete the makeover. The changes are subtle, but it only takes a look to realize the Heritage Softail Classic is the quintessential American V-Twin cruiser, so there's no need to tamper much with a winning formula.

The 2009 Dyna Family -

Model-wide changes to the Dynas include a new silver-faced speedo with fuel range read-out, a new fuel sender and a repositioned low-profile front fender. The Dyna family continues to be recognized for its under-seat battery box, exposed rear shocks, and a classic Fat Bob fuel cell with a tank-mounted console.

The 2009 Street Bob saw the most dramatic changes. Its chopped rear fender is now topped with a curved, LED taillight from an old school custom. The fender supports are exposed, and the low profile front fender snugs up to a new 19-inch gloss black steel laced wheel. A 17-inch rear wheel sits beneath the new chopped fender. The spoked wheels complement the old school appeal of the Bob. The powertrain has received the blacked-out treatment with non-highlighted fins, and the '09 Street Bob gets a set of new straight-cut staggered dual pipes in shiny chrome.

The 2009 Sportster 1200 Low has pull-back handlebars, a 26.3-inch seat height and black 13-spoke cast aluminum wheels that you won't find on any other Sporty sold in N.A. The 2009 Sportster Family -

One of the big surprises in 2009 - no more Roadster. No more 883 base model either. The surviving five are the Sportster 883 Low, 883 Custom, 1200 Low, 1200 Custom, and the 1200 Nightster.

The iconic motorcycle continues to be the easiest handling 'gateway' bike to Harley-Davidson ownership.

"Ninety-four percent of people who buy a Sportster will buy another Harley," said Peter-Michael Keppler, Outreach Director for H-D's Motorcycle Product Planning.

In this year's lineup, the 'C' and 'L' models received all the love. The 883C, 1200C and 1200L all got suspension upgrades. The springs and damping rates were recalibrated and new damping devices have been installed. The custom models also get new wheels. The 883C gets a new silver cast aluminum solid disc while the 1200C receives a chrome cast aluminum slotted disc.

The only change seen across the board in the Sportster line is a front fender that sits closer to the tire. And while the design of the 2009 Sportsters is clean and they run better than ever with the 2007 addition of EFI, they don't have the same identity as they did with the Peanut tank mounted on the backbone and the front end chopped a little more and the Sporster logo emblazoned prominently on it its side. Guess I'm feeling nostalgic.

So there you have it. Harley's added some Muscle to its 2009 lineup, it introduced a production three-wheeler, and gave its best-selling tourers its biggest makeover in 28 years. There are 29 different models to choose from in styles that appeal to the young, like the Dark Customs, to bikes that appeal to the burgeoning women rider demographic, like the Sportster Lows. The Harley range is all-encompassing. You can go extreme if you and like and roll around on the fat-backed factory custom Rocker or ride off the lot with the vintage style Heritage Classic on a motorcycle whose character has been 105 years in the making. And that's a claim that only one American motorcycle manufacturer can make.