Blackline & Highball Fall Flat

Jan 23, 2011

Apparently no one was able to convince either of these two manufacturers that with the release of new models, there is supposed to be some “substance“, something “different“, something that shows you listened to your consumer base. Or at least that’s what we hope for on the other side of the isle! Unfortunately, we can’t really say that there is any substance to either of the two models when looking at the Victory HighBall and H-D Blackline models released during this weekends Progressive Insurance International Motorcycle Show in the Big Apple. First disappointment is H-D’s “Blackline”. Starting at $15,499. Which in our opinion should have been named “skidmark”. Granted it may handle well (once test results are back) and give some nod to Willy G’s family name, but from originality and contemporary and/or wanted features, that’s about as far as it’s going to go. The Blackline was the vision of Wisconsin native Casey Ketterhagen, a graduate of the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design who was the lead stylist for the Blackline. (Something we hope he doesn’t regret in later years). Here is there promo: “Lean as wire, hard as iron and dark as a tar road at midnight, the new Blackline motorcycle is a Harley-Davidson Softail model pared to the bone’ states the press release describing the latest model in Harley-Davidson’s line-up. ‘A rebellious creation of the Dark Custom movement, the Blackline celebrates three fundamental elements of motorcycling: mechanical beauty, internal combustion, and the long black line of the road ahead.’

Some aspects of the bike are a speedometer trying to be indicative of days gone by (and failing). Bobbed high rear fender, FX front end, black laced wheels and a new shaved smooth and low gas tank, (ok, we have to admit is not that bad lookin). It did get a new restyled air cleaner….It’s round and it’s chrome. WOW! (Catch the sarcasm there?). There is the needed amount of shine to make the black parts look blacker too. The handlebars (called “Split Drags”) bolt right onto the top triple-clamp. However, from our take on this bike its evident that H-D just can’t get out of their own way when trying to attract the younger market and/or those that are continually looking for something new from this manfuacturer. Here’s an idea! Maybe if they hired a few of the “next generation builders” as consultants and spent some time with them they’d catch what’s really going on in the marketplace.

And then there is the “Highball” from Victory. with an intro price of $13,499. Loping in with this tag line ‘No bells, no whistles, no excuses’ Victory describes the High Ball as ‘Stripped down. Bare bones. A bold throwback. The all-new Victory High-Ball rumbles down the road in the spirit of the classic bobber with an outright refusal to sacrifice performance along the way. Built piece by piece around the road-pounding 106 Freedom V-Twin, it’s a ride with all the power and agility you’d expect from a Victory.’

Granted it’s got the currently hip matt paint scheme, raised bars, plenty of horsepower teamed with a low seat position and 16″ Dunlop Cruisemax whitewall tires that so many riders like. Unfortunately, the Highball can’t figure out if it’s a “classic bobber” or a “uber styler” with an unfortunate mix of both, (check out that triangle head light), which unfortunately contributes to styling confusion and a disconnected look.

The other mechanicals are conventional Victory. A 43mm conventional fork , wire-spoke wheels. Freedom 106 50-degree V-Twin engine with six-speed overdrive transmission and belt final drive. Staggered slash-cut exhaust with a satin-black finish. Seat height is just 25.0 inches. Rake is 31.7 degrees and trail is 6.7 inches, with a 64.8 inch wheelbase. Sorry Victory. You had a great chance to kick some serious HD Butt, but fell flat this time around.

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