Drive Time: Harley-Davidson Crossbones a throwback to post-war bobbers

BY Rob Beintema

The Harley-Davison Crossbones is a bike that's been stripped to the essentials with leftover styling cues that throw back to the era of the original post-war bobbers.

Like some of its Softtail stablemates, it taps into current motorcycle trends, blending a dark custom look with one-stop-shopping factory customization that takes the aftermarket out of the equation. And it combines retro styling with modern motorcycle technology.

Outlaw design cues include a chubby front tire, chopped front fender, Springer-style front suspension topped by a black bucket headlamp, mini ape-hanger handlebars, a "horseshoe"-style oil tank with skull and crossbones motif signed by Harley's styling guru Willie G. Davidson, a solo tractor-style seat and a rear bobtail fender over fat 200-series rear rubber. Other retro touches include the spoked wheels and pinstripe paint job.

Flip a leg over, thumb the starter and the 1584 cc twin cam 96B V-twin rumbles to life complete with an offset heartbeat and the occasional backfire erupting through the over/under shotgun exhaust with chromed slashcut mufflers.

This isn't the strongest engine in the Harley lineup but there's enough power to please, especially when you consider its solo-riding setup.

Yeah, enough power to have you hanging onto the ape-hangers because, while the sprung seat is wide and cushy enough, the acceleration, the open cruiser wind drag and the shaky retro suspension always made me feel like I was sliding off the back end of the seat.

Ah, but you get used to it.

I'm pretty tall but even pocket-pirates and mini-marauders should be able to manage this buccaneer's bike.

The short-inseam crowd will find the comfortable floorboards near enough while the mini ape-hangers are within comfortable reach.

The bucket lamp perches high on the suspension, its black gloss throwing back the bad-boy reflection of rider with arms stretched to handlebars.

This would be even more delightfully distracting in chrome. But the dark custom styling of the Crossbones is faithfully black with just enough chrome for highlight contrasts.

You know, I've never been sure about factory-built customs.

Would two Crossbones owners meeting on a ride feel uncomfortable, as if they'd both worn the same costume to the party?

Sure, they are a good out-of-the-box solution to customization but, in a way they seem disingenuous, an admission that the riders didn't have the time, skill or inclination to make the changes themselves.

But, knowing most H.O.G. riders, factory customs like the Crossbones are probably just a start down a long road of further personalization through an unending list of Harley accessories.

And as a first step for those Harley fans in search of something a little different, a dark custom bike with retro bobber style and street cred, the Crossbones could be both the trick and the treat.

The 2009 Crossbones, as tested, starts at $21,619. Options, at $440 each, include non-black colour choices and a security system.

2010 Crossbones prices will bump up slightly to $21,829 with the same options listing for $480.

HARLEY-DAVIDSON CROSSBONES (FLSTSB) 2009 AT A GLANCE

ENGINE: 1584 cc air-cooled, Twin Cam 96B V-twin engine

FUEL DELIVERY: Electronic Sequential Port Fuel Injection (ESPFI)

LENGTH: 2298.70 mm (90.5")

WHEELBASE: 1638.30 mm (64.5")

SUSPENSION: Front, Springer fork, travel 97 mm. Rear, twin shocks, preload adjustable, 109mm travel

BRAKES: Single-piston front and 2-piston rear

TIRES: Front - MT90B16 72H; Rear - 200/55R17 78V

SEAT HEIGHT: 676 mm (26.6")

CURB WEIGHT: 334.30 kg (737 lb)

FUEL CAPACITY: 18.93 L

FUEL ECONOMY: 6.7/4.4L/100km (city/hwy); As tested: 6.4L/100km (combined)

COLOURS: Vivid Black; Dark Blue Pearl; Black Denim; Pewter Denim

PRICE: $21,619

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