2004 Harley-Davidson

2004 Harley-Davidson

.04newrides

But wait, there's (just a little bit) more!

ONE FACTOR THAT KEEPS A CONSUMER-DRIVEN ECONOMY LIKE OURS IN ACTION AND UP TO SPEED IS THE BY-DEFINITION fact that we consumers are never satisfied. No matter what we have, we want more. For an instant instance, last month’s pages were packed with the 2004 rubber-mount Sportster, the long-awaited improvement to the XL line. The new model really is new and required lots of time and investment and anyway, there was The Motor Company’s big birthday party to plan at the same time, so the new Sporty should have been all H-D could do for the new model year, eh? Yes, but not quite. The ’04s have gained some improvements across the board, and there are some new options and features and at least two models that can be called new if you squint your eyes and don’t fuss over the fine print.

The V-Rod Family

The V-Rod, the previous really new Harley, gets a close cousin. The original model, lettered the VRSCA (VR for the now-cancelled VR roadracer, etc.) was all silver paint and bare-alloy bodywork. The new version is lettered VRSCB, and comes with black frame and chassis parts, black-and-silver cylinders, and a choice of aluminum, black or orange body parts. The output sprocket has 28 teeth, down from the

30 on the A-model, so it’s geared lower and accelerates quicker, and the handlebars are...well, the factory calls them “interchangeable,” meaning they are conventional in bend, and can be swapped if the rider wishes-the A’s bars are permanent.

Another change: The original V-Rod now comes in five colors: black, black-and-gold, silver-and-teal, red and blue.

Touring Models

The FLH family is, of course, the largest (as in biggest) H-D line. The news here is another Road King version, with rear suspension lowered 1 inch, with less trim on the fenders, and with leather-covered seat and bags.

As shown here, the Custom version’s bars are beach-style pullbacks, as seen

on Schwinn replicas, and there’s a chrome-plated wind deflector atop the top triple-clamp. The fuel tank is stretched and carries a slimmer speedo. EFI is an option for the Twin Cam 88 engine. The Road Glide’s fairing has been angled down, and all the

FLHTs get a larger (140 compared with 130mm) rear tire that's supposed to get 30 percent more mileage.

Dyna Glides

All four of the Dyna Glides-Super Glide,

Super Glide Sport,

Low Rider and Wide Glide-can now be ordered with EFI. The fuel tanks are an inch longer and are topped by a new console.

Softails

The Springer Softail is mildly revised, with wider and flatter bars, and a lower seat. The others-the Deuce, Night Train, Standard, Heritage Classic and Fat Boy-otherwise follow the H-D motto. The Fat Boy is the company’s best-selling single model, no kidding.

There’s a general change for all ’04 Harleys: It’s a new serial data “bus” system, which the factory guys didn’t define, either because they figured the press understood the term or because they don’t know any more than we do.

Never mind that, it’s supposed to be more reliable and allows useful stuff like thinner speedos.

The Options

H-D’s limited editions come from the Custom Vehicle Operations, shortened to CVO. This year the special-order models are...

Screamin’ Eagle Electra Glide, with the Twin Cam engine taken out to 103 cubic inches, custom wheels and trim, and a choice of cobalt-and-black or orange-and-black, which is a stunning piece of work.

Screaming Eagle Deuce, with a 95-inch Twin Cam, EFI, 180mm rear tire, custom wheels, and paint schemes in cobalt-and-black or yellow pearl-and-platinum, another knockout.

Plans are to make about 2700 of the special Electra Glides

and 2400 Deuces, which should pre vent any two like owners meeting in the parking lot. -Allan Girdler