2011 Harley Davidson Blackline

The Harley-Davidson Dark Custom line of motorcycles, which first appeared four years ago, has been a blessing to the younger rider set. Blacked out and minimalistic, the Dark Customs exude a sense of old-skool nostalgia with a touch of modern moto-enhancements like optional ABS and an H-D security system. The latest installment in the Dark Custom line is the 2011 Blackline.

Basically this is Harley’s new bare-bones Softail with their definitive hardtail-looking rear suspension and a Twin Cam 96 motor. The Blackline has H-D’s confident-shifting six-speed “Cruise Drive” transmission and its cases and covers have a sharp gloss-black powdercoat.

There is some chrome on the Harley but for the most part it is a dark beast. Having less items to clean is just fine with me. I like to spend my time riding, not polishing. As for that powerplant, it is nearly 1600 cc and one twist of the throttle lets you no that, in no uncertain terms. The Blackline delivers smooth torque-filled power that’s easy to keep in control.

This Harley-Davidson moto is quite an imposing hot rod of a bike. The rod look extends right from your fingertips through its two-part “split drag” handlebar design. The bars are black finished and internally wired for a nice, clean look. This machine rolls on spoked wheels and black-finished aluminum rims, with a big 21-inch tire in front and a little 140-section rear.

I appreciated that set up when it came to the bike’s handling, especially when swerving. Coming in at 683 lbs, this heavyweight cruiser was lighter than I expected and that made for a good degree of flickability.

The Harley-Davidson’s chassis is draped in a satin-black finish on the frame and swingarm, and it has an FX front end with blacked-out triples and fork lowers. All your stopping is done courtesy of a four-piston caliper and single 292mm disc in front and a single four-piston caliper in back. I am not usually a fan of single discs up front but the B-Line stopped with total confidence and fast, controllable slowing.

There is all-new bodywork for this year’s bare bones Harely-Davidson Softail with fenders that are minimal and a new, fat, curvy gas tank with “Blackline” trim running down the center of it. The seat is as low as a dual saddle can get-at 24 inches with a rider on board (26.1 inches unladen).