The different models of motorcycles from Harley-Davidson?

You understand the models Harley-Davidson? If not, then I'll teach. Experts, be silent! It is not for you. I'm going to do without numbers, indexes, technical terms and details. All in a simple, short, and I hope it is clear!

When all the seeming diversity of all kinds of Harleys, unique models of Harley-Davidson is not so much. All of them are divided into eight groups. Let's start in order.

1. Harley-Davidson Sportster

The smallest and most affordable bike in the lineup. He is, perhaps, the most classic. This lineup released, terrible to say, already since 1957! From the title it is clear that this was conceived as a sports motorcycle. Which only types of racing did not participate Sportster! They raced on asphalt, and on the track, even in the mud. Namely Sportster, thanks to their sporting success, was once recognized as №1 in America. More units in one of the brand logos harleevskih (you've probably ever seen it) represents the first brand to a variety of catwalks.

It looks like a typical modern Sportster. Its design is simple and unpretentious. We can say that the whole bike is built around a large two-cylinder V-engine. I'm not going to ship you the technical details, but I can only say that today the athletes are available for the "small" (volume of 883 cubic centimeters) and large (1200 cm) motors.

At the moment, the model number of Harley-Davidsonsem varieties Sportster. By and large, it's all the same thing. The only difference in the external design and fairing. If you're wondering what in the picture above presents the following modifications (in order): 883 Roadster, Superlow, Forty-Eight, Iron 883, Superlow 1200T and Seventy-Two. Seventh - 1200Custom - was on the previous photo.

Learn Sportster outside the easiest way for the wheel fixed to the circular speedometer, churn right under the seat and the flaunting of the two rear shock absorbers. And please do not ever say that Sportster - chopper (with this term at all to be careful) or cruiser! It's just a classic compact motorbike, a kind of "entry ticket" into the world of Harley-Davidson. Most, again, a modest and affordable, but it is by no means the most uninteresting! However, in our country, where much is upside down and show-off, at times, play a major role, Sportster are not considered particularly prestigious motorcycles and their owners, they say, do not even take in some motor clubs.

2. Harley-Davidson Dyna

The second model, or rather, a group of models in the lineup. According to one version, its name comes from the acronym of the town Daytona (Florida), famous spend there at all times, auto and motorcycle racing, as well as the noisy gathering of fans and parties of all kinds of motorized equipment.

According to its size this bike is not much different from Sportster, but the engine has more and more powerful. A characteristic feature: the engine is mounted in a frame are not rigidly, but through special elastic elements - silent blocks, and on the go it vibrates and lives its own life. Some say - "beats like a bird in a cage." Due to this, the bike gives the impression of breathing and quivering of the living entity. An indescribable feeling, so appreciate the many fans of this model!

In total, this group now five models, too, as in the case of the Sportster, which differ only in details. I will mention them in order as they appear in the picture: Street Bob, Wide Glide, Low Rider, Fat Bob and adapted for long-distance travel Dyna Switchback. The latter can be found on the detachable windshield and hard saddlebags. Also, of course, removable.

In general, the most important, the most characteristic features, which this model can be recognized on the street, is imposed on the fuel tank speedometer and two rear shock absorbers - exactly like the Sportster. Keep in mind: for accurate identification shall include both attribute! Not sure? Then pay attention also to the characteristic angular box battery mounted under the saddle.

But on our roads motorcycles this family is still relatively rare. Apparently, the majority of domestic bikers simply not tasted. No wonder! After all, Dyna - this is not the most accessible motorcycle from Harley-Davidson, and not the fastest, and the most pathetic. Due to this, and not the most prestigious. We have! And, here, "they" goes on Daina Dzhekc teller from the TV series Sons of Anarchy. And even the president of the club, Clay Morrow ... Well, where much cooler?

3. Harley-Davidson Softail

A large, heavy motorcycle. Perhaps the most popular in the model number of the company. My favorite movie Wild Hogs ( "Wild Hogs" in the Russian box) can be considered a little if not commercials this model!

The main feature of this model - a classic look with a "dry" frame. Here we must make a small digression: once upon a time, when the trees were big, and the grass is green, motorcycles are often treated without any rear suspension. The wheel was attached directly to a rigid ( "dry") frame without any springs and shock absorbers. Imagine how every bump on the road to give to the back of the rider? In memory of the good old days, when hemorrhoids and various neurological diseases of the spine were inevitable companions of motorcyclists, and built a modern Harley-Davidson Softail.

But, in fact, the "tail" it is not a hard and soft. Which is reflected in the title. "Dry" frame is not more than decoration. In fact, the shock absorbers in motorcycles there. They are mounted horizontally and are hidden under the seat so that biasing the movable rear part of the frame - the pendulum. Due to this, ride on this bike is very comfortable!

I can not say a few words about motors. In general, they are the same as in the Dyna family of models, of which I spoke last time. The only difference is that here the engine is mounted in the frame tightly and in addition equipped with a so-called counterweight shaft, which reduces vibration to an acceptable minimum.

In the current model year in the line of six models. I will mention them in order, as in the picture: Softail Slim - the most simple and even, perhaps, minimalistic modification. Fat Boy - the prefix "Fat" is usually given model with a massive and thick front wheel. Delux - everything is clear from the title! Breakout, adapted for a faster and more dynamic driving style. Fat Boy Special - it just slightly less chromium than usual Fat Boy. And finally, Heritage Softail Classic - a big cruiser in the old style with leather side wardrobe trunks and high windshield. But, as always, I will say - the technical differences between all these modifications are minimal. The only difference in the decor and the outer skirts.

Accurately identify Softail very simple. Even easier than any other model. Suffice it to come to him on the left (on the right would interfere with the muffler) and make sure there are no rear shock absorbers!

And in the end, once again about the movie "Wild Hogs." Three of the four main characters travel to Softeylah. We Travolta exclusive Screamin Eagle Softail Fat Boy, ottyuningovat directly at the factory. Martin Lawrence - Softail Springer c "old school" linkage fork (Now, this model is no longer manufactured). Tim Allen - normal Fat Boy. And William H. Macy - Sportster 1200, of which I spoke in the beginning.

4. Harley-Davidson V-Rod

The most powerful, fastest and most controversial motorcycle ... of all Harley-Davidson lineup. Because of the unique and modern look pretty design, developed with the participation of German engineers at Porsche fans "a true American Motorcycle" and did not take it for his own. A friend of mine calls it - "Harsh", referring to a volatile mix of brands and ideologies.

I promised not to ship you unpronounceable letter indices, which are designated by Harley-Davidson models for the internal classification. But here, I think I'll make an exception. V-Rod, it VRSC - "V-Twin Racing Street Custom". Well, you get the idea - a model for street thugs! More precisely, the now two models ...

It can be said, a classic V-Rod. Night Rod, to be exact. Modern modification is most similar to that originally proposed by German engineers. In her designs everything is subject to speed. by all means the developers have tried to make the bike center of gravity as low as possible. For this, they even had to create a new engine, significantly below harleevskogo classic V-Twin, in which the angle of the cylinders always was and is 45º today. There did 60º. But this was not enough for them. To reduce the center of gravity, even the fuel tank was removed from the usual place. Yes, yes, here it is in the saddle! A cone, standing in his usual place, - not more than ... just fairing to cover up the air filter.

As a result of all the tricks engineers were able to make a long squat bike that is very stable both in direct and in fast corners.

You probably noticed that the bike in this picture is somewhat different from that which I have shown above. All right. This is another modification of the same V-Rod!

It is called Muscle and differs from the Night Rod diluted on the two sides of the muffler and the design of the front and tail. Everything else - the same thing. In general, we are, as always, is just about any external obvese.

V-Rod Learn the easiest way for a large radiator at the front of the motorcycle. Neither Sportster, nor Dyna, Softail There is no radiator. Their engines - "vents", they are cooled by the flow of the oncoming air. And V-Rod engine with liquid cooling. As well as in your car! This complication of the design engineers had to go in order to increase capacity. Such a motor gives about 120 liters. s., he would have been at such returns, "air", he would constantly overheated.

5. Harley-Davidson Street

Here, I'll go in spite of the current classification. I have my own opinion and I'll explain why.

Street - a child not more engineers and marketers. I had in mind to expand the presence of the brand in emerging markets. First of all - Asia. To do this, it tried to make as simple and cheap. And yet it is the only one Harley, which is produced not in America, and in India ...! Close to major markets. In the US, it is also for sale, but as far as I know, in great demand not use it. When this model is taken out on our market, I'll give a comment to some radio station, telling that it can significantly increase sales of Harley-Davidson in our country. Still, initially dealt with the fact that Harley-Davidson Street will cost us less than 400 000 rubles. It is much cheaper than the most affordable Sportster! But the crisis has made adjustments and the price has increased ...

It looks like Street 750 - we can say, the low-power model of the company. But, oddly enough, it is a near relative of the most powerful. Yes, between the Street and the V-Rod is a direct connection: this model is worth almost exactly the same with the water-cooled motor, and angle of the cylinders collapse of 60º as in the V-Rod. Only he is almost half the working volume. Respectively, and less power. I'm not sure, but I suspect that the use of this engine was driven solely by the desire as much as possible to adapt the bike to operate in countries with hot climates. Without water cooling and large radiator there would have to is not easy!

Chassis of the great motorcycle resembles Sportsterovskuyu, but only reminds. Here, I would not talk about family ties. Yes, and "is hereby Harlem" I would not call Street too ...

6. Harley-Davidson Touring

Touring - this far and for a long time. The largest, comfortable and, of course, expensive Harley-Davidson perfectly suited for long trips and travel. Any Touring in the eyes of the uninitiated observer, it is "a huge motorcycle with a suitcase", and experts, this class of two-wheeled technology called "beggerami". Suitcases or, more correctly, trunks - this is important. Without coffers "Touring" does not happen!

coffer may be soft leather, like this Road King (top).

A may be a rigid plastic, as this Electra Glide. Both the bike belongs to a class of Touring, the way, the word of Electra in the model name does not mean that it is electric. All this family motorcycles equipped with the same V-shaped petrol engines of 103 cubic inches. Well, name appeared when there was a first in the history of the brand electric starter on the models of this particular products!

This is all kinds of "Touring": Street Glide, Electra Glide, Ultra Limited. The differences between them, as you see, are insignificant. Somewhat apart from them is the third model in this family - Road Glide:

It is possible to learn always double headlight. In the picture that opens this post, the first motorcycle - Street Glide, the second - Road Glide. But the main structural difference between the two is not only in this, but in the way ... the installation of the front fairing! On the "Road" Road Glide he, along with the windshield, the instrument panel and the headlamp is mounted on the frame and remains stationary while turning the steering wheel. And on the "street" Street Glide and all other models of the family, he bolted to the front wheel fork, thus, spotlight rotates with the wheel.

Everything else - about the same. There are slight differences in the engine cooling system (it can be either air or a combination), but to hammer your head such subtleties I will not. Just remember: Harley-Davidson Touring - it's a great bike with wardrobe trunks. Two or three - it does not matter.

And remember that if you are in a movie or somewhere on the street you can see the American policeman on a motorcycle. you can be assured of a 99% - his Harley-Davidson Touring. Usually a Road King, or the Street Glide. But sometimes (very rarely), there are exceptions!

So, I promised eight groups and listed so far only six.

The fact that about a seventh of the group - "Trike" (three-wheeled Harley-Davidson) I talked in great detail here.

And as for the exclusive models CVO family we will talk separately. Another time somewhere in the future somehow another time sometime later.

I would be grateful for corrections and additions. But the technical details, as has been said, I deliberately avoided. Let non-experts will also clear!