Road test of Harley-DavidsonFLSTSB 1584 SOFTAIL CROSS BONES 2009 Strange Bobber (and his friend Patrick!)

"Only Harley-Davidson was able to fuse 105 years of heritage with the latest technology to create the Cross Bones: a truly authentic and totally confident Softail. "
that, in a nutshell, is how Harley Managing Director Scott Miller describes the new motorcycle with the soul of an authentic bobber.

bobber the strange (and his friend Patrick!)

but what does bobber mean?

it's the archetypal post-war Harley.
armed with a Springer fork (single central shock absorber), a suspended solo saddle, Half Moon footpegs (I was close to the eclipse at the end of the test ride), an oval air filter cover in Gloss Black finish, and a truncated Old School-style front mudguard.
an explosive cocktail right from the start.
the Softail is powered by Milwaukee's trademark 1600cc Twin Cam engine. On the program: ESPFI electronic fuel injection, 6-speed Cruise Drive transmission, etc.

looks.

in terms of looks, I think Harley has managed to pull off a faultless performance. Matt black with tribal-inspired printstriping.
from the front, from the side, from behind, the bike is really beautiful, balanced and homogeneous. even Fred, our photographer, couldn't help but let out a "whoa" when we got together for the shoot (and I assure you, getting anything out of Fred is no piece of cake!).

getting started.

mT90 B16 M/C 72H: another enigma for this Cross Bones. Very simple, this sequence of numbers and letters is the reference for the front tire.
the bike's handling benefits from this high, round tire profile.
speaking of attitude, it's the handlebars and, above all, the grips and commodo that take on a higher profile, thanks to the Ape-Hanger "mini-guidon" (according to the Harley catalog reference).
despite this "arms in the air" position, handling remains easy thanks to the 675mm seat height and a rear tire just 200mm wide. This tire was almost anemic compared to the two 240mm tires fitted to the Rocker and Night Rod received in previous weeks.

start the engine!

key and transponder in hand, I flick the big ignition switch and the dry crackle of the starter motor is quickly replaced by the muffled rumble of the direct-clearance exhausts.
as soon as you set the Belle Noire in motion, your rebellious, lone-wolf side (yes, it's a single-seater!) resurfaces. A mad desire to stop shaving, washing or even driving overwhelms you and makes you forget everyday life.
everyday life is very conceivable with this bike, by the way.
for one thing, the lack of chrome doesn't make you want to kill yourself every time it rains, thinking about the chore of polishing. What's more, the suspended solo saddle, embellished with a hand-laced leather strap running the length of the 19-liter fuel tank, is still very comfortable.

handling.

oufti! This is an element that some Harleys, or customs for that matter, don't seem to have included in their specifications.
in this respect, the Bobber more than holds its own.
the tuning of the tire sections and the overall balance encourage you to ride smoothly and quickly. The brakes, if you take the trouble to use them simultaneously, slow the beast down smoothly. You might just be surprised, during the first energetic braking, by the relative suppleness of the handlebars, which give the impression of twisting.

roll on.

like all my test bikes (because I only ride motorcycles!), I used this monument to the American dream as my daily commuter.
it has to be said that the Cross Bones spoils its rider. In addition to the ergonomic seat, the wide, suspended footrests also contribute to overall comfort. Gears can be shifted with the heel, thanks to the dual shifter. And given the relative smoothness of the Harley gearbox, this selector is a real godsend!
another practical aspect directly linked to the bike's comfort is the wonderful view provided by the mirrors. And yes, perched on the high handlebars, they "rear-view" perfectly, as their field passes over your shoulders.
of course, like any extreme-looking bike, this Softail Cross Bones has its share of flaws.
despite being 1.80m tall, my arms and legs were stretched out, which leads me to believe that smaller riders may have to adopt a "rather peculiar" riding position.
the tall handlebars make me wish Harley had equipped this bike with cruise control. This would have allowed you to rest your right hand from time to time.
what's more, the engine is so smooth that you shift into sixth gear as quickly as possible (visualized by a light on the dashboard) and then cruise at 100-110 km/h.
yes, yes, even I, who most of the time adopt a rather fast riding style (in relation to speed limits), was the first to be surprised by my slow, leisurely progress during this month on a Harley. I was also surprised when a car passed me.
in this age of excessive "radarization", and even if sometimes the aim is really to improve road safety, riding a Harley gives you peace of mind. As you pass through each town, your progress becomes slower and slower, to give the viewer (er, passer-by) time to marvel at your machine. every part of this Harley exudes solidity.
some of the brand's signature features, such as the separate left/right turn signals and the big central ignition button which, backed up by the transponder, allows you to ride with the key in your pocket, are still practical to use.

of course, the one-seat saddle is regrettable, even if it's part of the authentic Bobber specification.
and perhaps also a "Harley" price tag of around 20,000 Euros. Even if the cost value of this kind of two-wheeler is still a safe bet!
in conclusion: a perfectly balanced marriage of passion and reason (provided you can afford it!).

A+