Updating the Sporty

UPDATING THE SPORTY

NEW FOR '91

Into the 1990s with five speeds and belt drive

LOYALTY BREEDS SUCCESS. AT LEAST THAT'S true when you consider the increasing good fortune of Harley-Davidson. With approximately 51.4 percent of the 650cc-and-up market in the U.S., Harley hangs a lot of its success on remaining loyal to its customers. One way of doing that is by improving its motorcycles, but not dramatically changing them every couple of years. Any alteration to the existing formula has to be considered with the long view, which is one of the reasons change comes slowly in Milwaukee.

But even for Harley, 33 years is a bit extreme. Thirty-three years is how long the Sportster has been in existence with a four-speed transmission, and though four speeds were great back in 1957, Harley’s most popular motorcycle has been in need of a fivespeed tranny for years. Now, the Sporty will finally get the gears to back up the extra performance the engine has picked up over the years, as all four 1991 Sportster models will come equipped with a fivespeed transmission, closing the gaps between gears and permitting more relaxed highway cruising.

Producing the new transmission, however, proved to be a more difficult task than just slipping in one additional cog. Other than the pistons, rods, cylinders and carburetor, virtually every engine piece has been altered to allow the fitment of the new transmission. Chief among these is a new shifter mechanism and clutch, and though the engine looks the same from thet outside, it is actually one-half-inch wider than before.

Furthermore, for the first time, the 1200 Sportster comes with a taller final gear ratio than the 883. And the 1200, as well as the 883 Deluxe, arrives with belt drive, a feature that has proven popular and almost maintenance-free on the Big Twins. As a cost-saving measure, the standard 883 and the 883 Hugger will still be equipped with chain drive.

The rest of the model lineup has also had some significant changes for 1991, the most important being tires. Harley and Dunlop have developed new Elite tires which feature improved cord construction, and which Harley claims will result in almost 50 percent longer wear. Also, every bike now comes standard with self-canceling turnsignals.

So even though change may come slowly at Harley, it does come. But not at the expense of loyal customers, the people who put Harley in the enviable position it holds today. Those people know what they want from Harley-Davidson, and Harley is only too happy to give it to them.