WhileProject RUSHMORE and the significant upgrades made to touring models are the headline-making news coming from Harley-Davidson, the Motor Company also made a host of other upgrades and improvements to existing models. Below is that list.
All five 2014 Harley-Davidson Sportster models are now available with the option of ABS (Anti-lock Braking System). The Sportster line also features new hand controls and brake components, improved service access, and an optional keyless H-D Smart Security System with a proximity-based, hands-free security fob. See our separate story on the 2014 Sportster models for more details on those new features.
The Dyna Fat Bob gets a makeover, moving closer to offering the family characteristics of Harley-Davidson’s line of blacked-out and “dark” motorcycles. “We wanted to take the Fat Bob further into the Dark Custom realm, and one of our inspirational thoughts was Mad Max meets NASCAR,” said Harley-Davidson Styling Manager Tony Pink. “The compact, chopped lines of the new rear fender, the angle of the shocks, and the slanting tank graphics all line up to create an aggressive new stance thats reinforced by the new blunt-cut mufflers. The high-contrast details on the black wheels relate nicely to the tank graphic. The seat was given a new form and cover thats more sporty and comfortable. Bring it all together and the Fat Bob is ready to reassert its presence on the street.”
Black replaces chrome on the 2014 Harley-Davidson Fat Bob, including the powertrain, air-cleaner cover, rear shock covers, triple clamps, headlamp trim rings, console, and battery box cover. The aluminum slotted disc wheels are powder-coated black and finished with a laser-engraved Harley-Davidson logo and rim stripe. ABS and the Smart Security System are available options.
The other Dyna models are the Wide Glide, Switchback, Street Bob, and Super Glide Custom. The latter two received an engine upgrade for 2014.
The Twin Cam 103 powertrain is now standard equipment on the 2014 Harley-Davidson Street Bob, shown here, and Super Glide Custom models, both part of the Dyna line.
The new Harley-Davidson Street Glide Special (FLHXS) is a fully loaded version of the popular Street Glide (FLHX). With a lower rear suspension and no rear tour pack, the Street Glide is considered Harley-Davidson’s minimalistic touring motorcycle as compared to Harley’s full-size tourers. The 2014 Street Glide Special gives buyers the option to own a Street Glide that includes the fancy new 2014 featuresas standard equipment for a cost of $2,100 more. The Special also has a Gloss Black inner fairing, instead of the flat black found on the standard Street Glide.
Although at first glance it’s hard to tell the Street Glide Special apart from the Street Glide, one noticeable difference is in the dash. The Street Guide Special has Harley-Davidson’s new Boom! Box 6.5GT infotainment system, while the standard Street Glide has the Boom! Box 4.3 system, presumably with fewer features. The inner fairing on the Special is Gloss Black, giving it a custom look. The regular Street Glide retains its matte-black inner fairing.
The Street Glide Special also offers as standard equipment Harley-Davidson’s new Reflex Link Brakes with ABS (Reflex is Harley’s marketing name for the new linked brakes). It’s a $795 option on the standard Street Glide. The Smart Security System is also included, whereas it’s a $395 option on the standard Street Glide.
No major upgrades were made to the six Harley-Davidson Softail models, although the long and low-slung Breakout, introduced as a 2013 midyear model,is an urban chopper with distinctive finishes and specific components not available on other Harley-Davidson bikes. The other Softails include the Heritage Softail Classic, Fat Boy, Fat Boy Lo, Slim, and Softail Deluxe.
The Softail Deluxe remains in Harley-Davidson’s Softail family for 2014. This bike is a top seller among women riders thanks to its low 24.5-inch seat height and super-smooth handling, all wrapped up in a powerful and tour-friendly size. Price of the 2014 Softail Deluxe starts at $18,099.
The Softail Deluxe is now part of Harley-Davidson’s CVO series of limited-production motorcycles for 2014 as well. “CVO” stands for “custom vehicle operations,” the division within Harley where designers take one of the regular models and add factory custom equipment to it, offering the retooled version at a higher price and usually in very limited numbers.
The 2014 CVO Softail Deluxe model features a very low seat height of just 24 inches, a detachable windshield with GPS navigation, Daymaker LED lighting (Daymaker is Harley-Davidson’s trademarked name for its new lighting system), detachable saddlebags, bold paint, and a big Screamin’ Eagle powertrain that’s part of the CVO program. Price starts at 28,999.
The CVO Road King and super-premium CVO Limited return with new features and Project RUSHMORE enhancements. The CVO Breakout Softail chopper returns with three dazzling new paint schemes.
The V-Rod family now has ABS as standard equipment, and new paint colors and graphics are available on the Muscle and Night Rod Special.
