Harleydavidson Heritage Softail Nostalgia
HARLEYDAVIDSON Heritage Softail Nostalgia
CYCLE WORLD TEST
THE MOTOR COMPANY'S LATEST RETRO ROADSTER
ITS FACTORY-GIVEN DESTINATION IS THE FLSTN Heritage Softail Nostalgia, but forget that cum bersome moniker. Harley-Davidson's latest limited-edition model will forever be known as the Cow Glide, thanks to genuine Holstein calfhide inserts on its seat and saddlebags. Basically, the Nostalgia is a Fat Boy with some styling changes. The shotgun-style exhausts are the same, but with shark-fin tips, a popular 1950s add-on. Also from the Fifties are the imitation Hydra-Glide front end (same as the Fat Boy's), the whitewall tires and the 16-inch spoked wheels. Even the black-and-white paint scheme has that Eisenhower-era look about it. "The whitewall tires were the trigger point," says H-D styling VP Willie G. Davidson of the Nostalgia's styling cues. 1n the past, we've been pretty good at nostalgia, but with each model, there really has to be a new element. It has to relate to the past, but it also has to be new. When we were shown the calfhide inserts, the whole theme started to come together. It's a fairly extreme statement, with all of the nostalgic ingredients and a bit of Hollywood. The bike didn't necessitate a lot of tooling or new parts, but it's a major visual statement."
Like the Fat Boy, the Nostalgia begins with a Softail chassis, an Evolution engine, broad fender treatment and a fat, car-worthy front tire. The tubular-steel frame, used on all FX/FL-series Harleys, helps reproduce the look of tra ditional hardtail models, but thankfully not the harsh ride. Two horizontally mounted, preload-adjustable Showa shock absorbers are hidden under the engine and provide 4.1 inches of rear-wheel travel.
The reproduction Hydra-Glide front end, also manufactured by Showa, offers a claimed 5.5 inches of travel. Ride the bike as it was intended, that is to say slowly, and the suspension performs well, floating bike and rider down backroads and boulevards in a smooth, unruffled fashion. Pressed harder, though, the suspension reveals its softly sprung and underdamped character. Higher cornering speeds also reveal the bike’s distinct lack of ground clearance. The floorboards ground easily and with much noise in tight turns, as does the lower exhaust pipe and the sidestand.
As on all Softail models, the air-cooled, 1340cc, pushrod V-Twin is solidly mounted, so vibration is present, and felt through the grips, seat and floorboards, especially at speeds above 65 mph. At lazy cruising speeds, though, the vibes aren’t really objectionable. Our Nostalgia started easily when cold, but required a minute or two of partial choke before it would accelerate smoothly. Even when warm, the engine occasionally backfired through its 40mm Keihin carburetor. Other than that minor complaint, engine operation was flawless.
As expected, blazing performance, either in a straight line or around a comer, isn’t on the Harley’s dance card. In the quarter-mile, the Nostalgia lumbered through the lights in 14.33 seconds at 92.87 mph. Top speed was 107 mph. At 655 pounds, and motivated by an engine that produces just 50 horsepower, this is not a high-performance motorcycle.
The riding position also encourages sight-seeing speeds. For smaller riders, the ultra-wide handlebar (34 inches from tip to tip) is extreme, and for all riders, the hung-inthe-wind seating position gets old in a hurry out on the highway. Also, the seat, stylish as it may be, is good for only about a half-hour, its comfort quotient not helped at all by its thin, firm padding and the stitching welts where the calfhide insert joins the vinyl. At least the seat height, at 27 inches, is low for easy footing. The plastic-backed leather saddlebags are small, but will swallow a tool roll, a rainsuit, and a change of skivvies, socks and T-shirt, enough for a minimalist weekend ride for one.
Around town or for short, slow backroad hops, the Cow Glide is fun, with the right look, the right sound and the passing world reflecting crazily off that big chromed headlight shell. And everybody from dyed-in-the-leather Harley type to blue-haired granny seemed to love the way it looked. Most observers couldn’t believe it was a new bike. One gas-station hose jockey enthused, “Hey, nice restoration. What year is it, a ’52?” Score one for Willie G. and the boys in the styling department.
Besides its unique styling cues, the Nostalgia sports a few minor evolutionary changes, also present on the rest of the Softail line. The new “blade-type” clutch and brake levers are an improvement, though front-brake feel is wooden and quick stops require a firm pull on the lever. The rear brake, with its huge pedal, is effective and easily modulated. Used aggressively, the brakes will haul the Nostalgia to a halt in 121 feet from 60 mph, 3 feet less than Kawasaki’s race-ready ZX-7R.
Other changes include a smaller, 61-tooth rear belt-drive sprocket for fewer revs and less vibration at highway speeds, and the addition of an internal engine-breathing system, which eliminates some plumbing on the right side of the engine. Also, the front-brake master cylinder now has a sight glass for checking fluid level.
Even with those improvements, nobody is going to accuse Harley of going modern with the Nostalgia. But when it comes to evocative styling, solid feel and soulful nature, this motorcycle is a timeless hit. Call it what you will: Softail Nostalgia, Cow Glide, Moo Glide, Bovine Boy, Holstein Hog. We’ll just call it the coolest Harley-Davidson yet. □
H-D
NOSTALGIA
$12,999
