Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Harley-Davidson Inc. has a new trike, called the Freewheeler, the company announced Tuesday in unveiling its full 2015 model-year lineup.
The three-wheel motorcycle, with a listed price of $24,999, has Harley’s Twin Cam 103 engine, linked brakes, electric reverse with handlebar-mounted controls and mini ape-hanger handlebars.
The trike is lower and leaner than Harley’s other trike, the Tri-Glide.
“It’s a sportier-looking vehicle and, because it’s smaller in dimensions, it puts the rider in a very comfortable position. Think of this bike as a Softail compared with a touring bike,” said Paul James, Harley-Davidson’s product planning director.
Also in Tuesday’s announcement, Harley talked about its new Electra Glide Ultra Classic Low and Ultra Limited Low bikes that have a lower seat height to accommodate riders under 5 feet 7 inches in height.
The handlebars allow for an easier, more comfortable riding position, for shorter riders, and the Low models have smaller diameter hand grips and easier-to-reach brake and clutch levers.
There’s a new hydraulic clutch on the Lows, which is easier for riders with smaller hands to operate, especially in stop-and-go traffic.
The range of fit on the new Low models accommodates 92 percent of U.S. men and 44 percent of U.S. women, allowing Harley-Davidson to reach more customers, according to the company.
Harley announced a new braking system for its Softail models, and said that anti-lock brakes are now standard on all Softails and are an option on the Slim model.
Harley also put its Road Glide back in the spotlight, after it was unveiled earlier this month following a year hiatus. The company took the Road Glide out of the 2014 lineup to do a full makeover that included many features from its Project Rushmore touring bikes, such as an integrated audio and navigation system with touch-screen controls on the Road Glide Special.
The new models come with a modified version of the shark-nose fairing – a protective piece that wraps around the headlamps and the front of the bike – that’s always been associated with this bike and gives it a distinctive look and, some say, more riding comfort.
Touring features include one-touch hard saddlebags, electronic cruise control and new ergonomic hand controls.
Harley’s 2015 bikes are arriving at dealerships now, the company says.
The lineup includes eight new paint colors, including Radioactive Green and Cancun Blue Flake.
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