Harley-Davidson has added a new member to its Dark Custom line-up. Packing modern performance and dynamics under its retro-inspired styling, the 2016 Harley Davidson Sportster Roadster XL1200CX carries the Sportster legacy forward which was introduced in 1957. On unveiling the motorcycle, Brad Richards, Director of Styling, Harley-Davidson expressed that 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 2016 Harley-Davidson Roadster takes a stance with a minimalist, fastback design inspired by classic vintage racing motorcycles from the 1950s and 1960s. The minimalist bodywork philosophy is borrowed from the high-performance KHR models that had fenders cut to the struts, small fuel tank, and were stripped to their bare essentials to achieve performance goals. The front face of the roadster gets comprises of a small round headlamp unit snug between the inverted single-cartridge suspension forks.
The instrument cluster sits right above the illumination unit and features an analogue tachometer, digital speedometer, and odometer. Five tell-tale indicators are positioned below it. The Roadster also features a new low-rise handlebar and mid-mount foot controls that center the rider’s weight, apart from a 12.5-litre fuel tank. The seat’s profile flows into the very short rear fender. The cover features a series of pads inspired by an armored leather jacket, and the rear of the seat is designed as a passenger pillion, to complement the Roadster demeanor.
The wheels with interlaced outward shooting spokes are said to be the most intricate cast wheel Harley-Davidson has ever created. The wheels are light in weight and impart an improved handling performance. The front gets a 19-inch rim, while the rear gets a 18-inch rim. The ride quality of the 2016 Roadster is also assisted by the enhanced suspension kit that comprises of new 43 mm inverted single-cartridge forks with tri-rate springs in the front. The rear suspension features gas-charged emulsion coil-over shocks and tri-rate springs with adjustable pre-load. The braking duties are performed by dual 11.8-inch floating rotors on the front wheel. The Roadster gets optional ABS as well.
Powering the 2016 Harley-Davidson Roadster is an air-cooled, 1200cc V-Twin Evolution engine that is equipped with Electronic Sequential Port Fuel Injection (ESPFI) and heated O2 sensors. It delivers 103 Nm at 3750 rpm. The power is pushed to the wheel via a 5-speed transmission. The 2016 Sportster Roadster will roll out in four color options – 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. On launch the Roadster will be bear a price tag of $11,999 (INR 7.4Lakhs).
The new features in the 2016 Harley-Davidson Roadster XL1200CX are as follows-
- Premium emulsion technology rear shocks with screw style pre-load adjustment
- 43 mm inverted front forks with premium cartridge dampening technology and triple clamp design
- Two-up seat with ribbed detail and minimalist styling
- Lightweight, Offset-Split 5-Spoke Cast Aluminum wheels; 19-inch front, 18-inch rear
- Lowered handlebar
- Extreme chopped rear fender
- Finned cast timer cover
- Custom tank graphics
- Blacked-out powertrain with gray oval air cleaner
- Shorty-dual exhaust with chrome tapered mufflers and laser cut black heat shields
- Black headlamp bucket with chrome trim ring
- 12.5L ‘Walnut’ gas tank
- Black, top-mounted mirrors
- Side-mounted license plate (U.S. configuration)
Function
- Dual-disc front brakes
- 4-inch Dual speedometer/tachometer gauge, integrated into handlebar clamp
- Includes digital odometer, clock, dual trip meter, miles to empty, gear indicator (1-5), and analog RPM output
- Blade key ignition; fork lock common with ignition key
- Single, push button hazard warning
- 19-inch front, 18-inch rear cast aluminum wheels
- Dunlop Harley-Davidson Series radial blackwall tires designed for the XL1200XR to achieve excellent ride, handling and maneuverability performance
- Closed loop exhaust system meets worldwide emission standards
Performance
- Rubber-mounted, Air-cooled, 1200 cc Evolution engine
- Electronic Sequential Port Fuel Injection (ESPFI) with heated O2 sensors
- 5-speed transmission
- Confidence-inspiring front-end geometry
Optional
- Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) (factory installed option)
- Smart Security System with hands-free, proximity-based security fob and keyless ignition (factory installed option)
Here is the #LiveYourLegend video of the 2016 Harley Roadster XL1200CX followed by Specifications and an image gallery, have a look!-
Specifications:
Dimensions
Length – 86 in. (2186 mm)
Overall Width – 33.1 in. (841 mm)
Overall Height – 42.6 in. (1082 mm)
Seat Height:
- Laden – 29.5 in. (749 mm)
- Unladen – 30.9 in. (785 mm)
Ground Clearance – 6 in. (152 mm)
Rake – (steering head) 28.9°
Fork Angle – 27.4°
Trail – 5.5 in. (140 mm)
Wheelbase – 59.3 in. (1505 mm)
Tires (Dunlop Harley-Davidson Series, radial blackwall front and rear):
- Front – 12070R-19 M/C
- Rear – 15070R-18 M/C
Fuel Capacity – 12.5 L (warning light at approximately 3litres)
Weight:
- As Shipped – 249 kg
- In Running Order – 258 kg
Engine
Engine – Air-cooled, Evolution 1202cc air-cooled
Valves – Pushrod-operated, overhead valves with hydraulic, self-adjusting lifters; two valves per cylinder
Bore x Stroke – 3.5 in. x 3.811 in. (88.9 mm x 96.8 mm)
Displacement – 1202 cc
Compression Ratio – 10:1
Fuel – System Electronic Sequential Port Fuel Injection (ESPFI)
Drivetrain
Primary Drive – Chain, 38/57 ratio
Final Drive – Belt, 29/68 ratio
Clutch – Multi-plate, wet
Transmission 5-speed
Gear Ratios (overall):
- 1st 9.315
- 2nd 6.653
- 3rd 4.948
- 4th 4.102
- 5th 3.517
Chassis
Frame – Mild steel, tubular frame; circular sections; cast junctions
Swingarm – Mild steel, rectangular tube section, stamped junctions; MIG welded
Front Fork – 43 mm inverted
Rear Shocks – Variable rate spring over 36 mm piston nitrogen gas-charged emulsion
style shock with thread style preload adjustment
Wheels: Offset-Split 5-Spoke
- Front – 19 in. x 3 in. (482.6 mm x 76 mm)
- Rear – 18 in. x 4.25 in. (457.2 mm x 108 mm)
Brakes:
- Caliper Type – Dual-piston front, dual-piston rear
- Rotor Type – Front floating, Rear uniform expansion rotor
- Front (dual floating) – 11.8 in. x .2 in. (300 mm x 5 mm)
- Rear – 10.24 in. x .28 in. (260 mm x 7 mm)
- Anti-lock Braking System Optional
Suspension Travel:
- Front Wheel – 4.5 in. (115 mm)
- Rear Wheel – 3.2 in. (81 mm)
Performance
Engine Torque:
- 103 Nm at 3750 rpm
Lean Angle:
- Right – 30.8°
- Left – 31.1°
