The year 2008 was Harley Davidson's 105th anniversary which isn't a particularly well recognised milestone I'll admit but that didn't stop them celebrating it with style as they have done every 5 years since God Knows when. It also happened to be the 25th Anniversary of H.O.G. - the Harley Owners Club - which was arguably more significant.
Several events were planned by Harley Davidson to mark the occasion. Kicking off a full four days of partying was an organised State-Wide ride-out. Beginning at 105 separate dealers across the country the run was planned to culminate at the Milwaukee lakefront and follow naturally through to a non-stop festival of activities and music. They also opened a museum dedicated to the history of the brand and produced a limited edition styling pack for 14 separate models in their range.
The 105th Anniversary models all featured exclusive two-tone paint schemes in copper and black with copper vinyl inserts tastefully inlaid into the saddles and copper shield decoration on the tanks and air cleaners. Some of the top models also featured something new. Something which made me stop and think when I heard it. Harley Davidson factory fitted Brembo disk brakes with advanced ABS! For a minute I even thought I was going to faint.
They didn't just fit and modify an existing system either. Instead they designed much of it from scratch even going so far as to hide most of the mechanism within the hub of the wheel. The result was a Harley with wheels that looked exactly as they were meant to but with remarkably efficient ABS.
Top of the Harley Davidson range in 2008 was the CVO Ultra Classic Electra Glide. This is a bike with more features than an American sitcom. It has a 160 Watt stereo system, Satellite Navigation, Cruise Control and even heated leather seats! With the addition of ABS that doesn't even lock up when applied on gravel it becomes something truly magnificent.
The Twin Cam 110 motor behind this half tonne behemoth is an extraordinary 1803cc V-Twin with a manual 6-speed gearbox. It puts the standard UC Electra Glides 1583cc to shame and is big and smooth enough - it's fully rubber mounted - to make even the longest journey's a total pleasure.
The only real competition this motorcycle has in its class is, in my opinion, the Honda Goldwing. On paper they have an amazingly similar spec, even the engine sizes almost match. But in reality let's be honest, one of them has infinitely more style than the other. In fact it takes image into a completely different league. And with brakes that actually work I can't imagine there's much choice left at all and the votes will have already been cast.
Several events were planned by Harley Davidson to mark the occasion. Kicking off a full four days of partying was an organised State-Wide ride-out. Beginning at 105 separate dealers across the country the run was planned to culminate at the Milwaukee lakefront and follow naturally through to a non-stop festival of activities and music. They also opened a museum dedicated to the history of the brand and produced a limited edition styling pack for 14 separate models in their range.
The 105th Anniversary models all featured exclusive two-tone paint schemes in copper and black with copper vinyl inserts tastefully inlaid into the saddles and copper shield decoration on the tanks and air cleaners. Some of the top models also featured something new. Something which made me stop and think when I heard it. Harley Davidson factory fitted Brembo disk brakes with advanced ABS! For a minute I even thought I was going to faint.
They didn't just fit and modify an existing system either. Instead they designed much of it from scratch even going so far as to hide most of the mechanism within the hub of the wheel. The result was a Harley with wheels that looked exactly as they were meant to but with remarkably efficient ABS.
Top of the Harley Davidson range in 2008 was the CVO Ultra Classic Electra Glide. This is a bike with more features than an American sitcom. It has a 160 Watt stereo system, Satellite Navigation, Cruise Control and even heated leather seats! With the addition of ABS that doesn't even lock up when applied on gravel it becomes something truly magnificent.
The Twin Cam 110 motor behind this half tonne behemoth is an extraordinary 1803cc V-Twin with a manual 6-speed gearbox. It puts the standard UC Electra Glides 1583cc to shame and is big and smooth enough - it's fully rubber mounted - to make even the longest journey's a total pleasure.
The only real competition this motorcycle has in its class is, in my opinion, the Honda Goldwing. On paper they have an amazingly similar spec, even the engine sizes almost match. But in reality let's be honest, one of them has infinitely more style than the other. In fact it takes image into a completely different league. And with brakes that actually work I can't imagine there's much choice left at all and the votes will have already been cast.
About the Author:
John Vincent thinks about used motorbikes in his spare time when he isn't riding his moped. That's about all he has to say on the subject.
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