Harley Davidson Rocker

[James Deuce]

It’s not often that a motorcycle arrests my attention and demands satisfaction. As a rule of thumb, the aforementioned arresting motorcycle isn’t a Harley Davidson so I’m at a loss to explain why the Rocker grabbed my attention purely on looks alone. I’m convinced that Harley have seen those Teutuls (Bill Gates is insisting that “Teutul” should be “Tutu”) at work and noted that their design philosophy centres around a huge rear tyre, a low slung single seat, and a tall raked front then developed the perfect motorcycle to start the customisation process within the scope of the Teutul idiom.



That would be a horrible shame.

The Rocker manages to combine eye grabbing looks (like it or loathe it, you WILL look) with an air of quality often missing from some of Harley’s products. Exposed galvanised roofing nails can sometimes poke out of crevices at you when investigating the cheaper Dyna and Sportster models (see my Nightster review), inevitably drawing your attention to lesser elements of finish. The first time I spotted a Rocker in the flesh, I just had to sit on it and I was surprised to find, that far from being a cruciform torture implement, the seat was comfortable, the controls were within reach and the bars weren’t uncomfortably high. The matt grey finish on the non-chromed, unpainted parts of the chassis give life to the overall design, presenting subtle detail to your visual cortex and giving the “look” of the Rocker definition. Harley probably look at this design statement as the starting point, but it reminds me of Phillipe Starck’s broad sweeps of industrial colours with bright details giving meaning to the overall form.




But what is it like to ride and how the hell did Harley-Freaking-Davidson just draw me into that paragraph of wanton over-intellectualisation?
Is it heavy? Yes. Does it have two indicator buttons? Yes. Is that rear tyre Phat? My word, yes!




The new Harley big block with fuel injection is a delight. Harley’s genius for maintaining its image but moving technologically forwards is really starting to manifest itself. The image has been maintained but the parts that make the whole have changed radically. The gentle vibro-massage at idle is still there, but the moment the clutch drops home and those big, heaving lumps of torque push you away from the curb the (brilliant) mirrors clear as your feet rise to the not-as-forward-as-they-look controls, and you’re off. I’ve been lucky enough to experience flying in both a Cessna 195 and a Harvard. Radial engines really do sound like all the Dwarves of Moria going to town on a Troll’s forehead. It’s a visceral sound that makes you want to shout embarrassing things like, “Woman, NOW!”. Instead of a gentle chuffing “PO-TA-TO” rhythm Harley critics so often use to deride Harley’s latest Euro mangled exhaust sound, I swear that somehow this thing sounds like a Harvard at full 720bhp noise, supersonic propeller tips and all.

I’ve ridden 100 metres to the first set of lights, and yet again, I’m totally in love with the latest bike I just happened to swing my leg over. I need help.

The first surprise is that once you get over 20kph it doesn’t steer like a wheelbarrow. The only time it fights back is when the back finally tracks through that pothole the front went through about 2.5 seconds ago. It’s predictable though, and the suspension actually works. It looks like a hardtail but is anything but. Front and rear soak up bumps, even the worst that some of Wellington’s less friendly roads can throw up. The first speed bumps I get to don’t provoke any Supercar–like scraping sounds from the sump, frame, or pipes. In fact it has more ground clearance than a Nightster, and adopting a riding style of using the road camber to slingshot yourself through turns proves that Harley’s neo-Custom does actually handle.The brakes require a manly squeeze, but the rear provides loads of useful power in that typical cruiser fashion. A simple adaptation to make.
As it all comes together I start dragging heels (it wasn’t me that ripped the peg feelers out, honest!) and paying a bit more attention to my surroundings. People look at this bike. My non-Gang bro attire makes me approachable, and people are waving and nodding, some of them, even old crusty people, are just staring open-mouthed. If you don’t mind the attention it is terrifically gratifying. If you don’t want to scrape your heels, simply point and clench your toes, imitating orgasmic repose. The moue and girlish scream are optional, but go on, you know you want to!



It goes around corners too. It handles better than a V-Rod. There’s no flip flop through roundabouts and you are generally travelling 10-20 km/hr faster than you would estimate.

Every time I wend my way around Wellington’s rugged coastline I always tip my hat to one of the few statesmen of the 20th Century worthy of the title. The Atatürk memorial is both a reminder of needless sacrifice and a memorial to the sometime necessity of war to engender radical social, political, and economic change.Harley has achieved something similar with the Rocker. They’ve addressed US biker culture, customisers, long term Harley faithful and “real” riders too. You can ride this bike. There are limits of course, just like the average dirt bike can’t do 200 km/hr, and a 50cc scooter isn’t motorway transportation. But there’s no excuses needed for the Rocker. On the motorway it all comes together, though that new 6 speed gearbox just isn’t necessary. A light comes up on the tank mounted dash, the number 6 to be precise, to tell you that you are in top gear. If you are at all mechanically sympathetic you KNOW you are in 6th gear. The vibration is painful at 100km/hr. Drop down to 5th and it all smoothes out again. Down to 4th and that Radial Aircraft Engine noise comes back to the fore. Apart from 6th, gear selection just doesn’t really intrude as an issue, and the Rocker will tempt you into license losing speeds very quickly, without apparent effort.

The effort of will required to take this bike back to the shop was immense. I really wanted a much longer engagement. I wonder just what kind of degrading act I have to perform to get away for a weekend, just so I can parade my extrovert self over hundreds of kilometres in search of the perfect Long Macchiato? Or a couple of beers and a plate of chips. Who cares. The Rocker Rocks.






P.S. Thanks to Pete McDonald of Wellington Motorcycles for the loan of the bike, the camera, and the PC. I owe you another one of those big Red Bull cans.

[98tls]

Problem i have is are these things really getting more appealing or is it that i am getting older and thats affecting my decision making processWhatever it is i like it,first thought was it looks like something Arlen Ness (spelling) would have built a few years back.

[AllanB]

Good review - I too have stopped to have a detailed look at this ride. The one in Rolling Thunder (I kid you not!) the CHCH HD dealer is a blue one - not my colour choice but in many ways it stands out even more than the black one!
The only thing that surprises me is the front turn signals - they styled the rest of the bike and then tacked these on

US reviews highly rate them and compliment the handling.

[kiwifruit]

Thanks for the write up Jim2. Looks really sharp, i like, esp in that last low pic... nice shot.

[erik]

good review and nice photos

[Subike]

nothing new looking about that
old design, old look, as 98tls said
Arleen Ness could have built if years ago
these err pics are three years+ old of a jappa
Wheres the diference apart from the price, similar HP
similar handling, similar ride,
When are they gunna bring out sumthing new?

(No serious thought was put into this post)

[SVboy]

Superb write-up as usual Jim2. Not my cup of tea tho!

[tri boy]

Superb write-up as usual Jim2. Not my cup of tea tho!

Ditto. In the flesh, they look like a cheap Malaysian wind up toy to me. Sorry

[AllanB]

When are they gunna bring out sumthing new?

I think one of the big appeals about the Nightster is that (even if it is mainly cosmetic) is it 'looks' like an attempt to put the sport back into Sportster. Never forget this model WAS the sportbike that the world had to better many years ago.

HD ran the Sportster down over the decades until it was often joked as the 'girls' or starter Harley. In reality the new ones are in many ways the sweeter of the range, light, 'peppy', nimble & slim (relative to the HD range). In many many ways the better ride of the range I feel.

Its a pointless exercise comparing Harleys to any Jap sportbike, its not a consideration with either style as to what the other is doing when designed.
As to something new - beyond the physical the engines are fully electronic, injected, some have fly-by-wire throttles and reliable. Ride a 10year old HD compared with a 08 and there is a big difference.

The Buell (SP?) should not exist in theory - it should be the 'Sporster'. Shame on HD for decades of ignoring their own sport bike.

They are not alone in this - The Triumph Bonnie should weigh 25 kg less and have an extra 20 ponies, Suzuki still abuse the Katana name in the USA, as does Kawasaki on many 'Ninja' models.

My personal bitch with HD is that they offer the standard models and the Special screaming eagle models. Now both come with full factory warranties and have proven longitivity. So my question is: Why dumb down the standard engine? They should all be fitted as per the SE motors, these are seriously sweet.

The answer is simple $ $ $ - not production $ - aftermarket sales $.

If I was not so happy with my Honda I'd say - good on you HD with the Sportster Nightster - make mine a Screaming Eagle equipped one at the standard price please. Oh yeah throw in some decent brakes to please, there is no way I'd go backwards in that department regardless of any reduction in power or cruising speed.

Actually that pisses me off about the Japanese cruisers (most of them) as a rule the brakes are substandard - for f's sake double on the front if it is 750 or greater and use some decent calipers too. It does not matter how clean those forks look when they run up the arse of that car in front.

[AllanB]

Without a doubt I think that is my longest rave on KB



Do I get a medal?

[98tls]

I think one of the big appeals about the Nightster is that (even if it is mainly cosmetic) is it 'looks' like an attempt to put the sport back into Sportster. Never forget this model WAS the sportbike that the world had to better many years ago.

HD ran the Sportster down over the decades until it was often joked as the 'girls' or starter Harley. In reality the new ones are in many ways the sweeter of the range, light, 'peppy', nimble & slim (relative to the HD range). In many many ways the better ride of the range I feel.

Its a pointless exercise comparing Harleys to any Jap sportbike, its not a consideration with either style as to what the other is doing when designed.
As to something new - beyond the physical the engines are fully electronic, injected, some have fly-by-wire throttles and reliable. Ride a 10year old HD compared with a 08 and there is a big difference.

The Buell (SP?) should not exist in theory - it should be the 'Sporster'. Shame on HD for decades of ignoring their own sport bike.

They are not alone in this - The Triumph Bonnie should weigh 25 kg less and have an extra 20 ponies, Suzuki still abuse the Katana name in the USA, as does Kawasaki on many 'Ninja' models.

My personal bitch with HD is that they offer the standard models and the Special screaming eagle models. Now both come with full factory warranties and have proven longitivity. So my question is: Why dumb down the standard engine? They should all be fitted as per the SE motors, these are seriously sweet.

The answer is simple $ $ $ - not production $ - aftermarket sales $.

If I was not so happy with my Honda I'd say - good on you HD with the Sportster Nightster - make mine a Screaming Eagle equipped one at the standard price please. Oh yeah throw in some decent brakes to please, there is no way I'd go backwards in that department regardless of any reduction in power or cruising speed.

Actually that pisses me off about the Japanese cruisers (most of them) as a rule the brakes are substandard - for f's sake double on the front if it is 750 or greater and use some decent calipers too. It does not matter how clean those forks look when they run up the arse of that car in front.

Good read mate,ive never understood the need for there to be jap crusiers myself sub standard brakes or not,i rode a bloke i knows 1800 Honda and fuck me if thats not the most uncomfortable thing on 2 wheels behind an SV.I recently rode a FZ or whatever its called Yamaha,down on power (apparently) to an R1 but with all the goodies and comfortable beyond belief,if i was going to ride long distance and had a choice between that and a so called Cruiser i would take the FZ or any of its opposition anyday.

[scumdog]

I think one of the big appeals about the Nightster is that (even if it is mainly cosmetic) is it 'looks' like an attempt to put the sport back into Sportster. Never forget this model WAS the sportbike that the world had to better many years ago.

HD ran the Sportster down over the decades until it was often joked as the 'girls' or starter Harley. In reality the new ones are in many ways the sweeter of the range, light, 'peppy', nimble & slim (relative to the HD range). In many many ways the better ride of the range I feel..

True, they've even rubber-mounted the Sportster range over the last couple of year yet again downgrading the handling of the Sportsters.

I guess more people want to pose and have a soft ride rather than have a bike that's nimble and predictable eh? (for a Harley - just before the 'other' make owners cough their coffees)

[Subike]

I think one of the big appeals about the Nightster is that (even if it is mainly cosmetic) is it 'looks' like an attempt to put the sport back into Sportster. Never forget this model WAS the sportbike that the world had to better many years ago.

HD ran the Sportster down over the decades until it was often joked as the 'girls' or starter Harley. In reality the new ones are in many ways the sweeter of the range, light, 'peppy', nimble & slim (relative to the HD range). In many many ways the better ride of the range I feel.

Its a pointless exercise comparing Harleys to any Jap sportbike, its not a consideration with either style as to what the other is doing when designed.
As to something new - beyond the physical the engines are fully electronic, injected, some have fly-by-wire throttles and reliable. Ride a 10year old HD compared with a 08 and there is a big difference.

The Buell (SP?) should not exist in theory - it should be the 'Sporster'. Shame on HD for decades of ignoring their own sport bike.

They are not alone in this - The Triumph Bonnie should weigh 25 kg less and have an extra 20 ponies, Suzuki still abuse the Katana name in the USA, as does Kawasaki on many 'Ninja' models.

My personal bitch with HD is that they offer the standard models and the Special screaming eagle models. Now both come with full factory warranties and have proven longitivity. So my question is: Why dumb down the standard engine? They should all be fitted as per the SE motors, these are seriously sweet.

The answer is simple $ $ $ - not production $ - aftermarket sales $.

If I was not so happy with my Honda I'd say - good on you HD with the Sportster Nightster - make mine a Screaming Eagle equipped one at the standard price please. Oh yeah throw in some decent brakes to please, there is no way I'd go backwards in that department regardless of any reduction in power or cruising speed.

Actually that pisses me off about the Japanese cruisers (most of them) as a rule the brakes are substandard - for f's sake double on the front if it is 750 or greater and use some decent calipers too. It does not matter how clean those forks look when they run up the arse of that car in front.

I owned a new EVO 1100 Sportster when they first came out in 84. It was the best bike I have owned, more fun than anything else it , was so relyable that I only had one breakage in the 2 years I owned it and the 25k+ I loged up on her. My 1st wife and I had many many wonder trips on that sporty, and it showed its tail to many a bike of the time.I will never forget her...money now, being the only barrier to owning another, and the Nightster is the model I would love to own.
I agree with you the the Buel should in reality "be" the modern sportster, and when they first were released, lots of eyebrows were raised as to why HD did not take it on as their own child. A pity as it is a wonderfull ride.
I will often throw pisstakes at Harleys, but personally love em.
Have ridden many a road in packs of them, this helps to understand the attraction.
This bike in this post is a good looker...but I would not own one as it would be too big for me physically, and the insurance!!!!!

[Crasherfromwayback]

True, they've even rubber-mounted the Sportster range over the last couple of year yet again downgrading the handling of the Sportsters.

I guess more people want to pose and have a soft ride rather than have a bike that's nimble and predictable eh? (for a Harley - just before the 'other' make owners cough their coffees)

Can't agree with you there. When they rubber mounted them (from '04' on) they beefed up the frame. The XL1200R is every bit as good handling wise, and better braked.

[scumdog]

Can't agree with you there. When they rubber mounted them (from '04' on) they beefed up the frame. The XL1200R is every bit as good handling wise, and better braked.

Not yet having ridden one I'll have to accept what you say for the meantime but my FXDX has a rubber-mounted engine - and that is bolted to the trans which had the swing-arm bolted to THAT.

And the whole assembly is rubber mounted independent to the frame, i.e. there's a relative amount of movement betwixt the two .

Which results on a 'flexi-frame' feeling as the engine/trans/swing-arm unit moves around relative to the frame on tight left-right-left bends.