The annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in the US is right around the corner, and for the momentous gathering, Harley-Davidson already has something big lined up: The debut of the all-new Deadwood.
The American motorcycle manufacturer has unveiled this latest addition to its lineup, which will make its first public appearance on August 7 at its booth in Sturgis. In a nutshell, the Deadwood is a stripped-down bobber-style motorcycle that boasts a proper vintage design while packing plenty of modern tech.
It’s a thing of beauty, with round figures courtesy of the LED headlamp and aux lights adorning the front end. There’s a large windscreen up top, with the smoked finish blending perfectly with the bike’s overall dark colorway. The Harley-Davidson logo and a few reflectors here and there add slight contrast to the body, while the spokes on the 19-inch front and 16-inch rear laced wheels add some color underneath.
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As bare-bones as the styling is, it comes equipped with various features as standard, including straight line/cornering ABS, traction control, and drag torque slip control. A tire-pressure monitoring system is also available, as well as three different ride modes in road, sport, and rain.
Packaged together with the modern tech is the 1,923cc Milwaukee-Eight 117 V-twin engine that delivers 98hp and 163Nm of torque. The suspension comprises a rear monoshock hidden in the Harley-Davidson Softail chassis for that true vintage styling. The front suspension features dual-bending valve 49mm forks. Stopping power is handled by single disc brakes up front and out back.
“The Deadwood motorcycle embodies that spirit of rebellion and individualism that was so prevalent following World War II, when many returning GI rode a Harley-Davidson motorcycle to experience excitement and freedom,” said Harley-Davidson head of design Bjorn Shuster. “At that time, very few vehicles could match the thrilling performance of a stripped-down war-surplus Harley-Davidson.
“As designers, we find this era of customization and personalization, the early origins of the bobber-style custom, to be very inspirational. Our second key source of inspiration lies directly in the name Deadwood, a place linked to both the Sturgis Rally and to its own rebellious history. The graphic design for the tank art evokes a Western visual language which personifies that location.”
