American Motorcycle Dealer AMD 221 December 2017 | Page 24

finding any kind of news release, has
eluded me.
Meanwhile, back where the grown-ups
were playing, both Harley (Sport Glide)
and Indian (Scout FTR 1200 special)
used EICMA to give global unveils to
new models. Indian doing so in the
context of a special that celebrates
their 2017 American Flat Track Racing
derring do, Harley not so much!
The new Sport Glide furthers the
morphing of Dyna and FXR heritage
into the new, now “not so soft”
Softails, and is the FXR-esque new
model that had been predicted for
November – and if you ask me, one
that looks bloody good!
As usual, we present a selection of
vendor news from the show, though it
has to be said that, in the absence of
any attempt by EICMA to court
custom market gravitas, it is mostly a
survey of those mainstream vendors
who have product that Harley dealers
and independent custom and service
shops, tuners and custom bike
builders could use and make money
with.
As I have always maintained, ours is a
market that should look over the fence
to see what the neighbors are up to, as
well as tend to its own backyard!
All-new Sport Glide
Softail model debuts
at EICMA motorcycle
show in Milan
61% of exhibitors were
‘international’
Andreani: In addition to hi-performance ‘Misano’ fork cartridge kits for
Dyna and Sportster suspensions, the Italian specialist’s award-winning
DB4 test bench is an updated advanced “Suspension Dyno” that is
described as a significant advance on the original DB3 design introduced
eight years ago. “We have rebuilt the entire concept,” Giuseppe
Andreani says. “Our engineers have developed new software and
hardware, with the software marking the revolution. We focused on
precision, ease of reading, managing and comparing data. The DB4 gives
technicians the final tool needed for them to develop and test materials,
specifications and performance. It features optimized design,
engineering and software.” The powerful 4 kW motor, the load cell that
allows reading up to 5.000 Newton force, the 800 mm side rods and the
simple and versatile software are all said to make the DB4 “easy to use,
but very accurate”; www.andreanigroup.com
Galfer: Through its wholly owned U.S. subsidiary and through Zodiac
International in Europe, the Spanish brake pads and discs manufacturer is
becoming a fixture in the hugely competitive V-twin brake pads and rotors
market. The originators of the popular ‘Wave Disc’ design concept, check
out the “uber-cool” ‘Skull’ rotors; www.galfermoto.com
24
AMERICAN MOTORCYCLE DEALER - DECEMBER 2017
Harley-Davidson has added a
ninth new Softail to its 2018
line-up and taken another step
in its pursuit of the 100 new
models in ten years ambition
announced by CEO Matt
Levatich in January 2017, with
the unveil of the new Harley-
Davidson Sport Glide
motorcycle.
In response to disquiet about
the disappearance of the Dyna
Glide platform, Harley had
hinted that something with an
FXR look and feel might
appear in November, and with
some of the primary Dyna
characteristics now migrated
to the new, stiffer, lighter
chassis Softail platform, the
detachable fork tube-mounted
sport style fairing, directional
wheels, detachable saddlebags
and aggressive stance may
well be the option alluded to
by company insiders.
With Harley targeting 50
percent of sales to be from
markets outside the United
States and over 50 percent of
September 2017 unit
shipments already being
“international”, choosing the
“Milan Show” for the unveil
may also be a nod towards the
enduring popularity of the
legendary FXR in Europe.
“The new factory-custom
cruiser is a versatile quick-
change artist, ready to
transition in just minutes from
aggressive cruising to
weekend touring duty”,
according to Dave Latz, Senior
Product Planning Manager at
Harley-Davidson.
“The Sport Glide offers the
thrilling dynamic capability of
the new Softail platform with
features that make it suited for
both commuting and light
touring. Its factory-custom
design speaks to modern
performance and
contemporary style.”
Harley’s release says that “the
Sport Glide’s new fairing is
shaped to deflect wind away
from the rider’s chest, while
leaving the rider’s head in a
clean stream of air. The fairing
is secured to the fork tubes
with quick-release clamps,
making removal or installation
fast and easy. The new,
lockable, rigid saddlebags
feature a sleek clam shell
design and can be removed in
seconds, leaving behind
mounting points that are
barely visible. New ‘Mantis’
cast aluminum wheels feature
sweeping spokes and are the
first directional wheels on a
non-CVO model.”
Using the 107 inch rigid-
mounted Milwaukee-Eight
V-Twin powertrain, a “broad
and supportive saddle sets the
Sport Glide’s seat height at
just 25.7 inches, with forward-
mounted foot controls
contributing to a rider triangle
designed to fit a broad range
of riders.” Additional features
include ‘Daymaker’ LED ‘halo’
style headlamp, anti-lock
braking system (ABS),
electronic cruise control, a USB
charging port, keyless ignition
and the Harley-Davidson Smart
Security System as standard.
www.AMDchampionship.com