Harley-Davidson Roadster: PH2 Review
The new Harley Sportster that actually lives up to its name
A sporty outlook
Strip away the marketing hype and the Roadster is essentially a restyled Forty-Eight. It has the same chassis and 1,202cc air-cooled engine as the classically styled model, but it is the wheels and suspension that separate the two bikes. Where the Forty-Eight has big old balloon tyres on 16-inch rims, the Roadster gains a 19-inch front and an 18-inch rear. Not normal sizes for cafe racers, but far more conventional for Harleys. Add to this a pair of 43mm inverted forks (not the first time on a Harley, they appeared on the XR1200) and some taller dampers that tip the bike more on its nose, plus twin front discs, and you have the potential for vastly improved handling and stopping. Naturally there are styling alterations, and the Roadster gets more centrally mounted pegs, wide and slightly dipped bars, a cafe racer style seat and new dash with an analogue rev counter and LCD speedo. The Roadster also has a more sensible 12.5-litre fuel tank, unlike the pathetic and deeply irritating 7.9-litre tank on the Forty-Eight. Thank goodness for small mercies...
A surprising ride
I've been on quite a few Harley launches when I've been told the handling is better and been left disappointed, but the Roadster was a real surprise. Annoyingly it was a bit damp on my ride, but despite this you could tell that it was a genuine step forward from other models. It's not going to cause a sports bike any worries, but the Roadster is now a Harley that can be ridden with enthusiasm through bends rather than nursed around them. The centrally mounted pegs offer more ground clearance than usual, which is nice, but it's the change in geometry and new wheels that are the real stars, transforming the ride and making the Roadster almost justify the 'sport' part of its Sportster name. Add to this an ABS braking set-up that, while still pretty devoid of feel and with the traditional horrible chunky brake lever, now has enough power to bring it on a par with a basic modern system. They aren't amazing, but they are certainly up to the job and that's another major step forward for a Harley. Weirdly for a cafe racer, I actually found the Roadster's wide and low-ish bars very comfortable and, even more strangely, they seemed to be set at the ideal height and spacing to make the mirrors work perfectly. The seat is also pretty comfortable. But the Roadster isn't without its irritations...
After a few minutes of riding, the positioning of the pegs left me seething with annoyance. The problem is that every time you stop and put a foot down, when you go to put it back on the peg you catch your shin on the peg. Quite honestly, they are the worst positioned pegs on any bike I have ever ridden. The Harley guys told me that you get used to it, but a short ride through town left me nursing bruised shins and a rapidly increasing temper. Truly horrible. Also, the rev counter dominates the dash and the small LCD speedo seems an afterthought which, while looking cool, does make reading your speed quite tricky.
Is this really a cafe racer?
After riding the Roadster I was left thinking if my mate would actually enjoy owning one. To be honest, he is still a sports bike man at heart and the performance of the 1,202cc Harley V-twin would leave him a bit disappointed where something like the Triumph Thruxton or Yamaha XSR range wouldn't, so I don't think it would be for him. That said, the Roadster is certainly a credible cafe racer for those who like the styling but aren't that fussed about ultimate performance. This is a Harley that looks cool, handles reasonably well, stops properly and can pass a petrol station without making the rider start to sweat, unlike the Forty-Eight. It is the only model in the Sportster range that actually justifies the Sport part of the name; and, at less than £10,000, it isn't bad value either.
HARLEY-DAVIDSON ROADSTER
Engine: 1,202cc air-cooled V-twin
Torque (lb ft): 71
Top speed: 120mph (est)
Weight: 259kg (wet)
MPG: 48 (est.)
Price: £9,695
Cafe racers have been built for decades, yeah they're more popular at the moment but there's not been a decade without manufacturers making them since the sixties so the appetite's always been there, maybe just not the publicity.
Eta, although that bike is obviously not a cafe racer
Cafe racers have been built for decades, yeah they're more popular at the moment but there's not been a decade without manufacturers making them since the sixties so the appetite's always been there, maybe just not the publicity.
Eta, although that bike is obviously not a cafe racer
Its a half a step in the right direction at least and HD may have done this because the XR1200 was a step too far for their customers 8 years ago.
I may go borrow one from my local dealer and find out for myself how well it rides however i wouldn't buy one as i dont like the styling
HD may not call it a cafe racer but it's clear to see where the inspiration came from. That is of course fine, but it's a shame to see them plodding on like this when they could be making something sportier along the lines of Buell.
It's probably the best looking bike that HD make but that isn't saying much.
What I mean is that many sports bikes are used for touring and commuting and all sorts.
Those riders have chosen to buy that style of bike because they like the styling and to be a part of the sports bike 'gang', which is really no different to someone buying a caff racer/custom (or whatever else it is the sports brigade are picking on that day) and have chosen to compromise in a different way because they like that style of bike.
No doubt that some sports bike riders can fully exploit the ability of their chosen mount, but there's also a huge number who can't, so have bought because they like that bike's styling etc. And there's nothing wrong with that, just that people in glass houses shouldn't throw spanners
What I mean is that many sports bikes are used for touring and commuting and all sorts.
I use my sports bike for commuting, and occasionally for touring because I love everything about it. It's comfortable, fast, handles well, is pretty good on fuel and looks great. That said it's an older sports bike so a proper man sized machine with lots of room. I wouldn't mind a naked sports bike, but something heavy with huge fairings and a sit up and beg riding position would just suck the enjoyment out of biking for me.
I use my sports bike for commuting, and occasionally for touring because I love everything about it. It's comfortable, fast, handles well, is pretty good on fuel and looks great. That said it's an older sports bike so a proper man sized machine with lots of room. I wouldn't mind a naked sports bike, but something heavy with huge fairings and a sit up and beg riding position would just suck the enjoyment out of biking for me.
I'll take one with these optional extras please Red....with air filter, blacked out exhaust, LED headlamp, fancy grips and pegs, engine cowling, exhaust and single seat
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