Back in Black: Harley 2008 CrossBones

By John

Editor

Harley unveiled its new 2008 CrossBones in LA over the weekend, and I think they hit the nail on the head with this new design. While I’m not crazy about the ape-hangersI prefer to be able to turn comfortablyI do love the old-school flavor the hidden the swingarm, liberal use of black, and the tiny headlight give the bike. Harley is clearly trying expand its demo from the retiring baby-boomers who’ve snatched up most of its inventory of late, and the CrossBones looks like a great start. What do you think? Will we see more youngsters passing up crotch rockets for American iron? Or is Harley destined to be the Buick of bikes?

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Posted at 7:59 pm in 2008, Harley Davidson, John Coyle, LA, News

Comments

Anonymous
May 13, 2008 at 3:32 am

Well being a motocross rider all my life and seeing different bike options and different variations of harleys out there this is the one that caught my eye the most thus, I bought it. I think Harley is doing it right by sponsoring the sporting events (UFC) that are appealing to the tough younger folks and this bike is DEFINATELY hitting that market. Most of my friends ride crotch rockets but, I went a different route and bought this bike–and they all I have to say are jeleous. Its incredible and definately something a motocross rider can appreciate. It has that bad boy look but still old bomber tough. The front end makes a huge statement and its really different then what most have so it catches more eyes than not. I think more motocross riders might like this bike as a natural addition to their line of bikes they currently have. Anyway, it fits me AWESOME! — woman mx rider

Doug
Feb 15, 2008 at 11:33 pm

I sat on one today. It didn’t suit me until I asked the salesman if the seat could be adjusted. We looked in the manual and yes it could be slid forward about 2″. It fits great.

The rake is suposed to be like that because it is a retro bike. I like it, It feels good.
Doug

John
Jan 24, 2008 at 6:54 pm

Will it draw the youngsters into harley? I don’t think so but it will definitely appeal to those who like nastalgia or the old WLA WWII harleys such as myself. I love the bobbers and this definitely comes closest to anything Harley has done in the past few decades. It has my interest peaked and I’m looking forward to a test ride.

Adam
Jan 23, 2008 at 8:31 pm

As a 20 yr old Harley rider, the front end doesn’t appeal to me either. The VRSC VRod, now there is a Harley that appeals to younger people, both Harley and Rocket fans alike. (I have friends my age who ride both. Both agree that the VRod is awesome)

Ernie
Jan 23, 2008 at 5:24 am

i like it

Ted
Jan 23, 2008 at 2:22 am

The rake of the front end is too shallow. Sure, the front wheel is where it should be pretty much because of the suspension but it throws off the look of the bike.
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Honestly, with no human or other items present in the picture it was tough for me to get a bead on the size of this thing. I was briefly convinced it was somewhere between a minibike and cycle and before i read the article. I thought perhaps Harley was braking into a cheaper, mass-marketed undersized bike market or something.
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No, I really don’t like it. not with that front end.