New Harley-Davidson® 1200 Custom rolls wide and proud

MILWAUKEE (February 2, 2011) - A wide front end and chunky 16-inch tire give the new Harley-Davidson 1200 Custom a proud stance that's strong and contemporary. Introduced as a mid-year addition to the 2011Harley-Davidson model line-up, the 1200 Custom also features new wheels, a pull-back handlebar, and a reshaped LED tail lamp.

These elements combine to give the 1200 Custom an exciting new look, but that's just a starting point for this Sportster ® model. The 1200 Custom will also debut H-D1 factory customization, a new opportunity that allows the customer to choose from seven option categories to optimize fit, function and style. By selecting from available factory-installed wheels, handlebars, seats, paint, foot control position, security system, and engine finish, the customer can create a 1200 Custom that is a truly personalized motorcycle. Factory customization and Bike Builder on Harley-Davidson.com are the newest elements of H-D1, Harley-Davidson's comprehensive offering of customization tools, which also includes Genuine Motor Parts and Genuine Motor Accessory catalogs, the Genuine Motor Accessories Custom Seat and Custom Paint programs, the Chrome Consultant and Fit Shop advisors at Harley-Davidson dealerships, and much more.

A Sportster ® model with Fattitude
The 1200 Custom offers a new look but is Sportster to the core, offering a compelling combination of bold styling, nimble handling and the irresistible beat of American V-Twin performance.

Key features of the 2011 1200 Custom include:

* Air-cooled Evolution ® 1200cc V-Twin engine with Electronic Sequential Port Fuel Injection (ESPFI), rated at 79 ft. lbs. peak torque at 4000 rpm.
* Powertrain is finished in black powdercoat with chrome covers.
* NEW Chrome, Five-Spoke cast aluminum wheels front and rear. Front and rear wheels are 16 x 3.0 inches.
* NEW Michelin ® Scorcher ® 31 tires; 130/90B 16 front and 150/80B16 M/C 77H rear.
* NEW Wider fork spacing and polished triple clamps.
* Pull-back handlebar mounted on a curved riser that incorporates an LED warning light display.
* NEW reshaped classic Sportster "eyebrow"over the headlamp.
* NEW tail light is smaller and has a new shape with a bright, low maintenance LED element.
* NEW Front suspension rates are re-tuned to match the new tire/wheel combination. 39mm front fork with 30 degrees rake.
* Polished forward foot controls.
* Coil-over pre-load adjustable rear shocks.
* Two-up seat is standard. Laden seat height is 26.6 inches.
* The 4.5-gallon fuel tank offers long riding range.

Introducing H-D1 ™ Factory Customization
H-D1 factory customization is the newest element of Harley-Davidson customization that allows customers to build the 1200 Custom from a selection of options that are installed as the motorcycle is assembled by Harley-Davidson Motor Company. H-D1 factory customization enables personalized fit, function and style. By selecting different wheels, seats, handlebars, paint, and engine finishes, the customer can dramatically alter the look of the motorcycle. Different combinations of foot-control location, seat and handlebars can be selected to adjust the fit of the motorcycle to a rider's stature. With H-D1 factory customization the customer will have the opportunity to order a 1200 Custom in more than 2,600 combinations.

The H-D1 factory customization tool will be available on Harley-Davidson.com. The customer can view the bike they are creating as different options are selected. The customer can then print out a description of their bike and bring it to a Harley-Davidson dealer to review the motorcycle with trained staff, select additional accessories to be installed by the dealer to further customize the motorcycle, and then place an order. Customers can expect to be riding their new bike in as little as four weeks from the time an order is placed with an authorized Harley-Davidson dealer. Delivery timing may vary depending on demand, and will be communicated to customers at the time of order. H-D1 factory customization will be available only through Harley-Davidson dealers in the United States and Canada.

The 1200 Custom has a suggested retail price in the United States of $10,299, and comes equipped with Chrome Five-Spoke Cast Aluminum wheels, pull-back handlebars, forward polished foot controls, a two-up seat, black engine with chrome covers, and Vivid Black paint. Factory-installed options can be swapped out in any combination to this base configuration of the 1200 Custom, using these seven different categories:

* Wheels: Black Five-Spoke Cast Aluminum with machined highlights, Chrome Laced, or Black Laced.
* Handlebars: Drag Bars or Mini-Apes
* Foot Controls: Mid-mount polished
* Seat: Solo
* Paint/Graphics: (solid colors) Vivid Black, Brilliant Silver Pearl, Cool Blue Pearl, Chrome Yellow, Merlot Sunglo, Sedona Orange, Black Denim; (two-tones) Scarlet Red/Vivid Black, Merlot Sunglo/Vivid Black, Sedona Orange/Vivid Black, Birch White/Sedona Orange, Chrome Yellow/Vivid Black; (custom graphics) Cool Blue Pearl with Scalloped graphics, White Hot Pearl with Hot Pink Flame graphics.
* Engine: Black powder coat with black covers.
* Security: Add Harley-Davidson Smart Security System.

Options can be incorporated with the base configuration in any combination, except that the Mini-Ape handlebars cannot be combined with mid-mount foot controls.

Harley-Davidson Motor Company produces heavyweight custom, cruiser and touring motorcycles and offers a complete line of Harley-Davidson motorcycle parts, accessories, riding gear and apparel, and general merchandise. For more information, visit Harley-Davidson's Web site at www.harley-davidson.com.

Excerpts from the Informer - No Better Way to See America

During the winter, when it's cold and snowy, that's the best time to plan your summer road trips.  Get out the maps, check the web for good roads and good rides, and think about summer.  Here's a story about Paul and Tom's summer road trip to inspire you.  But it's absolutely true - there is NO better way to see America.

     It all started about a week before our trip.  Tom came in with a present for me. Can you guess what it was?  He gave me a pair of red eyed skull pajamas; oh I mean road trip pants.  That following week we would be leaving on a cross country trip to Sin City for the Harley –Davidson Summer dealer show. The route would be on the loneliest road in America, US Highway 50.

     The night before leaving, I went home and packed all my stuff and was so excited to get on the road. Ah, the day is here; before leaving we did a 10 bike delivery to Jersey City PD, then we hit the road. We also did some pictures with them before we left.  About noon we were on our way — up 287 to 78 thru PA, then hopped on 81 down thru MD, WV and Virginia to that lonely road US 50.  We rode thru the mountains of West Virginia.  Let me tell you — Tom was killing all the switchbacks like a race bike rider but on a fully packed FLHTCU.  Then we ended up around Clarksburg, W.V.  Of course as normal we rode around looking for a hotel.  We passed about 20 f them, but I knew Tom was trying to spot a Mexican restaurant.
       Woke up the next morning, rode for a couple of hours, then grabbed some breakfast. This is daily trip rules, so I will not mention it again. We spent the rest of the day going thru Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois.  Ended up about an hour outside of St Louis.  By the way, I’ve never been in the southern part of Ohio, but there were a lot of hills.  I was quite surprised by that.  We hit the rack for the end of day two.
      Next morning we got up and thought it would be fun to visit our friend Jenny at Frieze HD.  So we stopped by in early hours. No Jenny, but her husband Larry was there so we aid hello and walked around. Then we started heading west again. Went thru St Louis saw the Arch and on we went. That day we knocked off Missouri and part of Kansas. Well, let me tell you, going thru Kansas with a 70 mph head wind was strange. Felt like we were going nowhere. Stopped in Wichita and grabbed a steak dinner. Watched some Fox News, (yes Fox News — I think that’s the only channel I watched for three weeks!)  If it was not available Tom and I would move on to the next lodge.

      Back on the road, which was a short day of riding.  It was a lot of fun that day, especially with the wind again a whopping 70 mph, and watching Tom in front of me riding on an angle. Only lost one hat that day - almost caught it with my foot, but so it is.  Oh, and the smell that cow poop.  Off to Dodge City for the afternoon. We ended up in Garden City, Kansas that day. Guess what we ate the night? Yep, we had Mexican.
     So we are more than half way there. This day was all about Colorado and the Rocky Mountains. Let me tell you, the weather and riding were quite awesome that day.  Riding thru the Rockies was amazing.  It got a little chilly at the high altitudes but our bikes were running like true champions.  Again up in the mountains the curves, the scenery, and yep the switchbacks with Tom tearing it up. We ended up in Grand Junction, Colorado that night. Yep, Mexican again for dinner and of course Fox News. Oh and it was laundry night. This was quite interesting - two washers, one dryer and a packed hotel. So we did the laundry and I took our cargo nets off the bikes and hung them around the room to dry our clothes. 
     Ok the final day on the way out, then we are in Vegas baby. We were about 30 minutes outside Utah. So our first stop was at Black Dragon Canyon.  What a view - you could see for hundreds of miles. On the road a sign said next gas stop 128 miles. Well I didn’t see but Tom did thank God.  Grabbed some breakfast and back at it again.  Riding down the road this hyena just took its sweet old time crossing the road in an 80mph speed zone. So about two hours outside Vegas we made our last gas stop but definitely not our last stop before getting there.  Tom said you ready, sure I’m ready, ok Paul it’s going to get hot soon, sure let’s go. Well let me tell you - it was HOT! OMG was it hot. So we pulled over and yes it was hot.  He looked at me a said, “Are you going to make it?  If not, your mother and grandfather are going to kill me.”  As you can see I made it and learned a lot that day.  Did I tell you it was hot that day! About an hour or so later after stopping for water about every 20 minutes, we made it. Oh did I mention it was hot that day?
     Now we are here and getting ramped up for the dealer show.  We spent a day at the pool with some friends, Stacy and George and his family.  The next three days were the show with all the new models and parts and clothing.  Yes, we had Mexican every night.  The last night there Lucy flew in for the ride home. Yep, we ate Mexican that night. So we got a good night sleep and shipped some stuff home and packed our bikes.
     Well, it’s early morning and we are heading to Utah for the next three days.  At 8 o’clock in the morning the desert was almost 90 degrees, a lot cooler then our ride in.  So we ended up by riding thru Zion National Park.  The views were amazing!  Look at the pictures. So the park was under construction; we went down a 20 mile gravel road, boy was that fun. Headed up to Panguitch (which means big fish).  We stayed there for a couple of nights because we did a 220 mile loop and Bryce Canyon. Guess what?  No Mexican. Yes, there was an awesome rib place across the street from motel and they served a beverage called Polygamy Ale. 
    Bryce Canyon in the morning then our 220 mile loop.  It rained a little on and off all day but it was so much fun. The thing that made it really fun to me, was that I figured Tom has ridden his motorcycle everywhere and I mean pretty much everywhere and it was his first trip to all the parks.  This made it feel like an honor for me to be able to do this with him and Lucy.  Again the roads, the views, the canyons, the mountains were just amazing. They are thousands of years old and are incredible in person. They say the visibility is about 114 miles there compared the visibility in our area which is about 3 miles. We spent the next day at Arches which let me say left me speechless. They say there are about 2000 sandstone arches that have been forming for millions of years. When you visit there plan on doing a lot of walking. But it is worth every second.
     Well, it’s time to head back home and get back to work to do what we love.  The pictures that are up around the article will show you how epic it really was.  You need to get out there on your bikes and do it and you will see and feel what I mean.
      On a closing note there was one more honor I would like to mention; the past couple years I was fortunate to do these trips with Tom and a fellow Harley dealer. They met up late in life but had but had a lot of common friends and experiences. That would have been Tom and Stretch from Smaltz’s Harley-Davidson, who we lost a few years back.  They spent the three years before this doing these summer trips.
      By the way, I have all pictures from trip on a digital photo on my desk at Highroads.  I would love to share them with all to see!           
                                                            ~Paul

[Ed. Note - check out www.highroadshd.com/events/past_events.htm and click on the Summer Ride link to see more pictures!]

Christmas Happenin's at Highroads

So, you probably already know about our Santa Day on Saturday.  What?  You don't?  Well, OK - here's the deal:  Every year, Highroads Harley-Davidson brings Santa all the way from the North Pole to get his picture taken on his REAL sleigh - a 1951 Harley-Davidson Servicar! Take home a 4x6 souvenir picture, and then view and share your pictures online!  You'll be given a code to retrieve your pics, and then to share them - even on Facebook!  Fun stuff. We're also doing the 24 Days of Christmas again this year - which means surprises every day at Highroads!  The 24 Days of Christmas - TWICE as good as the 12 Days of Christmas!  Visit Highroads on Facebook, Twitter, our Holiday Website - or the old-fashioned way, stop in at our store - everyday to see what the special surprise is each day! Or, join our special Holiday Friends list to receive updates via email about these surprises! Highroads New Showroom - just in time for the Holidays! Highroads is open from 10am to 7pm Monday through Friday (yes, even MONDAYS), Satudays from 9am to 5pm, and Sundays from 10am to 3pm (yes, even SUNDAYS).  We've got gifts for EVERY member of the family - pets included - and we know we can help you find that unique gift for that special someone.  How many toasters does one person really need anyway?

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FIT FOR YOUR HARLEY, FIT FOR YOU

Highroads's Harley-Davidson Fit Shop Helps Riders Find Their Perfect Fit

Swinging a leg over a Harley-Davidson® motorcycle should feel like sliding into a favorite pair of jeans – fits just right, not too big or too small. Highroads Harley-Davidson now offers the exclusive Harley-Davidson Fit Shop experience to help riders find their perfect fit using Genuine Harley-Davidson Parts and Accessories.

“Sometimes people come in, swing a leg over their dream Harley-Davidson motorcycle and are disappointed that it doesn’t fit them,” said Tom, Owner of Highroads Harley-Davidson. “The reality is that just about any rider can fit a Harley-Davidson, which is why we’re excited to offer the Harley-Davidson Fit Shop experience at Highroads. Once riders come in and spend one-on-one time with a Fit Shop specialist, they can ride out of here feeling confident that they are on the right bike – with the right fit – and feel comfortable out on the road.”

Time to Get Fit
Fit Shop specialists at Highroads will give riders personal attention to help customize the suspension, seat, handlebars or foot controls on a motorcycle to make for a smooth ride – no matter the distance. Stop in today to find out what changes can be made to create a custom fit that your body, and your bike, deserves.