Harley-Davidson Roadster added to Sportster range

Harley-Davidson has unveiled their new Roadster, the latest model to join the firm’s Sportster range of motorcycles. The new Roadster model joins the Dark Custom line-up with a more minimalist design inspired by current trends in stripped-down and naked customs.

In terms of looks, the rear fender has been clipped shorter than the previous bobbed Sportster fenders, while a slotted belt guard and muffler shields apparently ‘mimic the lightening holes drilled through race-bike components’. It also boasts of a modern single four-inch diameter instrument cluster.

The Roadster gets new wheels and tyres mated to a new rear suspension and front fork. The 19-inch front and 18-inch rear offset-split five-spoke cast aluminium wheels were designed specifically for the Roadster. “Since its introduction in 1957, the Harley-Davidson Sportster has proved capable of constant reinvention, and the Roadster writes a new chapter in that story,” said Harley-Davidson Director of Styling Brad Richards.

“We’ve watched our customers take the Sportster in so many different directions. The Roadster is a mash-up of styling genres, but the intent was to build a rider’s motorcycle, a Sportster that’s lean and powerful and connects the rider to the road.”

The Roadster also gets improved braking, with dual 300mm floating discs up front, gripped by ABS-enabled twin-piston calipers, and a 260mm rear disc with twin-piston caliper.

The Harley-Davidson Roadster model will be offered in four colour choices: vivid black with a charcoal denim pinstripe, black denim with a red pinstripe, velocity red sunglo with a red pinstripe and two-tone billet silver/vivid black with a burgundy pinstripe. The Roadster will likely be available at Indian Harley-Davidson dealerships sometime this year with a slew of optional accessories.