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by by Brian Zerkel aka Schumacher
HD Forums

Every year Harley likes to cheer up everyone's winter with the midyear release or two. Last year, we were all surprised with the Switchback, a modern day equivalent to the Duo Glide. So what would we get this year? A new Night Train? A retro model harkening back to the '30s and '40s? Well... Not exactly. What we did get is the new Softail Slim and the Sportster Seventy-Two.

2012 Harley-Davidson Softail Slim:
The Softail Slim is basically your normal Fatboy with some blacked out parts, an Evo style air cleaner, beach bars, and that chopped rear fender Harley seems to be putting on everything these days. The rear tire is slimmer than normal (hence the name I'd assume) and the dash sports a "retro" speedo console. The Slim comes in a choice of three colors, and retails at $15,499 for the base black model. It's not a bad looking bike. But to me, a retro model--as they tout the Softail Slim as being--is just screaming for a retro rear fender. This bike just seems a mismatch from front to the rear.

2012 Harley-Davidson Seventy-Two:
Next, we have the all new (or last years HD-1 Customization) Sportster Seventy-Two. One could say Harley themselves used the MoCo's customizer, and made it a model. As many of you know, I have a sweet spot for Sportsters, so any new Sporty is fine with me. The Seventy-Two basically sports a peanut tank, mini apes, white walls, a nostalgic round air cleaner, and a narrow front tire. It's a good looking package, and helps make the Sportster look like the larger motorcycle it once was. You again have a choice of three colors, with the base price starting at $10,499. The only way I'd equip it is with the optional metal flake paint, which brings the price to $11,199.

So there you have it. Two more Harleys added to the lineup. Maybe someday the Night Train will find it's way back. What do you think of the new bikes? Sound off on the Forum.

 

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Kevin Dutch Wittbrodt (Thu, 02 Feb 2012 12:27:44 -0800): Links above need attention.

Nicholas Kilduff (Thu, 02 Feb 2012 16:38:08 -0800): Nope... nothing new here. Sorry.

Steven Stein (Fri, 03 Feb 2012 03:36:44 -0800): love the new sportster.

Renee North (Tue, 07 Feb 2012 15:39:05 -0800): the new softail Slim... a skinny Fat Boy?

Brian Johnson (Tue, 07 Feb 2012 16:30:55 -0800): Exactly what I thought.

Michael Schaffer (Tue, 07 Feb 2012 16:45:50 -0800): I am not too impressed with the other models, but the new Sporty 72 is a looker for sure. nice retro flavor.

Jason Patrick (Tue, 07 Feb 2012 17:04:01 -0800): I'm glad to see a softail in a better price range that doesn't have a fugly as skinny front wheel. That in of itself gives the bike a more retro oldschool 40's 50's bobber look. HD, as much as I love 'em, really needs to make a truly retro cruiser. Think 50 and earlier. Pogo style solo, hinged rear fender that is mounted to the swing arm and bring back the springer front end.