Lightning XB9S to make UK debut at show

Buell's new Lightning XB9S is to make its first UK appearance at the NEC Motorcycle Show from 14th November to 24th November. The 984 cc V-Twin, which is currently causing a storm in the motorcycle press following its launch in Nice this month, features all the cutting-edge technology unveiled on the radical Firebolt XB9R but with minimalist styling, giving it aggressive looks and a raw appeal - features that place it firmly in the streetfighter camp of motorcycles.

Other attractions on this year's Buell stand will include the radical Firebolt XB9R (launched in March) and local Birmingham stunt rider Craig Jones. Craig was crowned European Stunt Champion in August competing on his Firebolt XB9R, X1 Lightning and Harley-Davidson V-Rod. He will be signing autographs, talking to fans and showing videos of his amazing stunts.

The Buell stand will be located next to the Harley-Davidson stand in hall six. For information on Buell visit www.buell.co.uk or call the Buell Response Centre on 0870 904 9984. Further information on the NEC Motorcycle Show can be found at www.motorcycleshow.co.uk.

(unedited Harley-Davidson press release)

Harley-Davidson roars into Sussex for the first time

Harley-Davidson Motor Company, the world's oldest and most famous motorcycle company, will open its first dealership in Sussex next month. Shaw Harley-Davidson, part of John Shaw Machinery Ltd, will be based on the A22 in Holmes Hill, 20 minutes north-east of Brighton and 10 minutes north of Eastbourne. The new store will retail the full range of Harley-Davidson motorcycles, clothing, accessories and Buell motorcycles.

Behind the new venture is local businessman John Shaw. John founded John Shaw Machinery 17 years ago. It moved to its current premises in 1987. It has since been one of the most successful commercial machinery dealers in the UK and is the country's biggest Toro (high quality commercial machinery) dealership. Today it employs 28 people and has a turnover in excess of £4.5 million. Despite its past success, adding the Harley-Davidson franchise to its portfolio represents a significant expansion for the company.

"These are very exciting times," says John. "The chance to work with one of the biggest brands in the world doesn't come along every day. The response we have had from local owners and others has been fantastic, convincing us that we can make it a huge success."

Joining John on the management team will be current managing director David Cole. "It's the perfect location for a Harley-Davidson dealership. We couldn't believe it when we heard someone hadn't already snapped up the area. There is easy access from highly populated towns such as Brighton and Eastbourne, and we're in the heart of the great riding routes through the Sussex countryside. A two and a half acre site gives us room for expansion, motorcycle storage and outside meeting areas, so the future's bright and we can't wait to get going."

Shaw Harley-Davidson will open its doors in mid-November and will include a boutique selling Harley-Davidson MotorClothes and fashion accessories, as well as a service and repair facility. Six new jobs will be created (including sales, technical and retail staff) with that number expected to rise as the dealership becomes established. It will also be the base for a new local HOG (Harley Owners Group) Chapter, 1066 Chapter, and will form part of the largest motorcycle owners group in the world (over 700,000 members with 10,000 in the UK).

Harley-Davidson motorcycles, 100 years old next year, include the Sportster 883 (everything you'd expect from a Harley-Davidson for only £5,145); the Fat Boy (probably the world's most famous motorcycle, £13,495); and the critically acclaimed V-Rod (motorcycle of the year 2001, awarded by Two Wheels Only magazine, £14,095). Buell motorcycles cost £7,345 on-the-road with the recently launched Lightning XB9S, which the press has universally praised for its leading-edge technology and 'real world' performance.

To find out more contact John Shaw Machinery Ltd. on 01825 872070 or e-mail info@john-shaw.co.uk. For information on Harley-Davidson visit www.harley-davidson.co.uk or call the Harley-Davidson Response Centre on 0870 904 1450.

(unedited Harley-Davidson press release)

New Cruiser and Custom Sizes from Cooper-Avon

Cooper-Avon has strengthened its position as a leading supplier of tyres for cruisers and custom bikes with the addition of important new sizes to its Venom range.

Previewed in August at Sturgis in the USA, the 120/70-21 62H AM41 Venom gives custom builders a tall, wide front to complement fat rear tyres such as the Avon 250/40R18 AM42 Venom-R, the widest motorcycle tyre in the world. Designed for rims from 2.75 - 3.75 inches wide, the new front features a stylish tread pattern and a special sidewall treatment incorporating a snake head logo. The tyre is H-rated for speeds of up to 130mph / 210kph.

Harley Davidson V-Rod owners need wait no longer to switch to Avon Venoms, this time built with the kind of technology normally associated with sports bikes. The performance of the V-Rod demands a Z-rated tyre and the Avon 120/70ZR19 [60W] AM41 Venom-R front and 180/55ZR18 [74W] AM42 Venom-R rear are capable of speeds in excess of 169mph / 270kph. The rear tyre also benefits from Cooper-Avon's unique A-VBD [Advanced Variable Belt Density] technology. The A-VBD system produces a tyre using a joint-less belt of ultra-strong Aramid fibres to give the optimum stress load at all lean angles. The centre tread section has closely wound Aramid fibres for maximum stability and long life whilst the shoulder section has slightly wider spaced wound-on Aramid fibres giving a bigger footprint at high lean angles.

In addition to the standard V-Rod sizes, a 200/55ZR18 [79W] AM42 Venom-R provides custom builders with a wider alternative that won't compromise the bike's top-speed performance.

Cooper-Avon's motorcycle manager Graham Matcham, just returned from Sturgis where the new additions were previewed, was delighted by reaction from customers. He said, "There is high interest in all of these sizes and we expect heavy demand." He added, "As usual our loyal following of custom builders have already embarked on projects to capitalise on the new sizes and we look forward to seeing the fruits of their labours at shows and in magazines around the world"

(unedited Cooper-Avon press release)

Old Brit name for new Japanese-powered American V-Twin?

I'll come clean and say straight away that I love the Vincent - the Black Shadow Series C: the epitome of the British Motorcycle. So much so that I will never ride one because it couldn't possibly live up to my expectations of it. Still, you need something to sit on your personal pedestal otherwise you'd have nothing to aspire to. So when I heard that the once great name was distined for revival something inside me cheered: a v-twin powered retro-styled cafe-racer in black would surely take up where the original finished.

Then I saw it and a different something inside me died. A Honda? An SP1 motor at that.

It is almost a case of history repeating itself, as so many early British bikes used bought-in engines - typically a JAP, ironically - but one of the things that picked the Vincent out from the pack was the attention to detail invested by its designers into an engine that was still the last word in power for twenty years after the factory shut its doors in 1955. What sort of power? Try 125mph on 6.45:1 compression running at a maximum engine speed of 5800rpm. Guess what it needed to generate those numbers? A startling 55bhp@5500 - even the "built-for-speed" 150hp Black Lightning was nowhere near the 100hp cited by a well-known "informative" newspaper.

Add to that a frame that was radical in its day and, in 1949, offered an early example of fully damped front and rear suspension that worked.

Wonderful machine, ground-breaking - record breaking in fact - and worthy of revival, surely, but not with a Honda motor. And I have to say, not with the frame they've wrapped round it. It has some styling cues that hark back to that engineering masterpice, but that isn't enough I'm afraid for it to be relevent to the name it carries on the tank.

I don't have a problem with new motorcycles, and as far as new American-built V-twins, the more the merrier, but leave the Vincent out of this.

You've got to give Bernard Li full credit for wanting to do something about producing a modern-day Vincent, and especially for going to far in achieving it, but call it something else. Call it anything else. Dig up an old name from the once proud American motorcycle industry, or better still think up a fresh one. In fact, take a look further down this very page and take a leaf out of the Vincent-inspired Confederate's book. It doesn't look quite so much like a Vincent but then a lot has happened in the last fifty-three years since the Series C's inception, and I have no doubt that were Vincent himself still building bikes, they wouldn't be so visually similar to the bike that made him famous. That is a uniquely American trait that has worked extraordinarily well for Harley-Davidson

Phil Vincent was a very talented designer who designed the bike with fellow Phil, Phil Irving, but it was Vincent's name on the tank. There is a direct modern day equivalent of Phil Vincent today, and he is an American: another innovator with the same attention to detail and ability to break the mould, and his name is on the side of a bike too. Erik Buell. It isn't that there isn't enough room for two such people, just that there actually isn't evidence of there being two at the moment.

The hope is that the British owners of the Vincent name and trademark will be successful in protecting the brand, to keep a toe in the door for a true modern Vincent to emerge one day, and that Bernard Li finds another name that he is happy with for the side of his project, but hopefully not Brough or even J.A.P. even if that would be a nice play on words.

Andy

Water Hog woos Britney

American-V reader, Rab, informs us that the darling of the teenage world, and favourite of the web pornographers, Britney Spears' next single is a cover of the arrows "I Love Rock n Roll" and the video will be the first music video to feature a V Rod. I hope for her sake she's not sitting on the back in waterproofs, but then if she was it would undoubtedly be available on www.wetbritneyinplasticpants.com - and please tell me that it doesn't exist.

Buell UK, the sports bike subsidiary of Harley-Davidson, has announced that the new Lightning XB9S streetfighter will be priced the same as its stablemate, the Firebolt XB9R (£7,345 on-the-road). This competitive pricing policy sees both bikes in the Buell range costing less than close rivals such as the Ducati Monster S4 (£7,700) and the Triumph Speed Triple (£7,999).

The 984 cc Lightning XB9S will complete a two-bike line-up for the American sports bike firm when it goes on sale early next year. Both bikes adhere to the Buell principles of low unsprung weight, mass centralisation and frame rigidity and boast great torque, handling and agility. Technically, the bikes are identical, which means the Lightning features all the cutting-edge technology that has made the Firebolt the most innovative production motorcycle in the world.

It was the first production motorcycle to feature rim mounted brakes, fuel in the frame and an aluminium swingarm that also houses the oil tank. The innovations result in a motorcycle characterised by its tightly packaged appearance (it has 250 cc GP race bike geometry), a low centre of gravity and exceptional rider feedback.

However both offer subtle differences in styling. The Firebolt offers bikini (or half) fairing and more sports orientated looks while maintaining the aggressive style that characterises Buell motorcycles. It's a look that has brought the bike the label of the 'sport fighter' because it bridges the gap between the sport bike and streetfighter segments. The Lightning XB9S, the spiritual successor to the X1 Lightning, sits firmly in the streetfighter camp offering minimalist styling that gives it aggressive looks and a raw appeal.

On-the-road price includes a two-year manufacturer's warranty. For information on Buell visit www.buell.co.uk or call the Buell Response Centre on 0870 904 9984.

(unedited Harley-Davidson press release)

Harley horsepower roars into Doncaster

Harley-Davidson, the world's most famous motorcycle company, has launched a new dealership in Doncaster. St. Leger Harley-Davidson (combining the names of the world's oldest motorcycle company and Doncaster's very own, oldest horse race in the world) is now retailing the full range of Harley-Davidson and Buell (Harley's sister performance brand) motorcycles and accessories.

St. Leger Harley-Davidson is more than just a motorcycle sales centre. The dealership includes a boutique selling Harley-Davidson MotorClothes and fashion accessories, and there is a large service and repair facility. It will also be the base for a new HOG (Harley Owners Group) Chapter, part of the largest motorcycle owners group in the world (over 650,000 members with 10,000 in the UK).

Based at the former Fiat and Alfa Romeo site on Wheatley Hall Road, the new store represents a significant investment and commitment to the area, one that will increase when the dealership moves to new, purpose-built facilities early next year. The dealership has launched with a staff of five and is looking to at least double that figure with jobs in sales and service in the pipeline.

"Doncaster is an ideal place for a successful new Harley-Davidson dealership," says Bill Northcote, Harley-Davidson's dealer development manager.

"Doncaster has excellent road and rail links and the area is renowned for its enthusiasm for motorcycling. There are lots of bike meets, custom shows take place regularly at the racecourse and it borders popular riding routes in Lincolnshire. The area is also on the up economically with projects such as the proposed airport at Finningley fuelling progress."

Heading up the dealership is general manager John Cooke. 37 year-old John has over 20 years experience in the motor trade and believes Harley-Davidson has every chance of success in Doncaster: "Not only is it is one of the biggest brands in the world, it is also one of the most successful, having posted 16 consecutive record years of profit and growth since it went public in 1986. And the timing is just right, because the company is 100 years old next year, which will create a lot of publicity for the bikes and the Harley lifestyle. We're planning to use our local expertise and experience to make the Harley-Davidson brand relevant and irresistible to the people of Doncaster, Scunthorpe, Grimsby and Lincolnshire."

Other staff members include sales manager Dave Woodward from Rotherham; Helen Sutcliffe who will head up the retail section (MotorClothes and accessories); and service technician Dennis Rhodes (who previously worked at Chesterfield's Harleyworld). But it is not only local expertise on offer at St Leger. Technician Chris Georgiadis has been recruited from Harley HOG Corner, a Harley-Davidson customising shop in Johannesburg!

The dealership's launch coincides with Harley-Davidson's new range of anniversary motorcycles. Every bike produced for the 2003 model year is effectively a limited edition, featuring unique colours, decals and centenary motifs celebrating 100 years of Harley-Davidson motorcycles.

The range includes the Sportster 883 (everything you'd expect from a Harley-Davidson for only £5,145), the Fat Boy (probably the world's most famous motorcycle, £13,495) and the critically acclaimed V-Rod (motorcycle of the year 2001*, £14,095). Buell motorcycles start at £7,345 on-the-road for the recently launched Firebolt XB9R, which has been universally praised in the press for its leading-edge technology and 'real world' performance.

St Leger Harley-Davidson is holding a launch open weekend on the 5th and 6th October. To find out more or to arrange a test ride, contact the dealership on 01302 304444 or e-mail johncooke@stlegerharley-davidson.co.uk. For information on Harley-Davidson visit www.harley-davidson.co.uk or call the Harley-Davidson Response Centre on 0870 904 1450.

* Awarded by Two Wheels Only magazine

(unedited Harley-Davidson press release)

How many companies hold meetings in rooms called Knucklehead, Peashooter and Low Rider? Or have a canteen called Fat Boy? Only one company can lay claim to these intriguing names legendary motorcycle manufacturer Harley-Davidson - and these are just some of the room designations chosen for the company's new European and UK headquarters in the historic city of Oxford. Each of these fabled names has been selected from the company's rich 100 year history.

Over 70 employees have re-located to Oxford from the company's former home in Windsor, Berkshire after a nine-month search for a suitable new location. The 3,000 square metre purpose-built headquarters building serves as the European base for Harley-Davidson Motorcycles; Buell Motorcycles; Harley-Davidson Financial Services; the Parts, Accessories and MotorClothes activity; and the Harley Owners Group (HOG).

The new offices also provide accommodation for Harley-Davidson's wholly-owned UK subsidiary (previously based in Brackley) as well as acting as the headquarters for the Motor Company's expanding African and Middle East distributor networks.

John Russell, vice president and managing director of Harley-Davidson Europe Ltd., said: "The number of European Harley-Davidson enthusiasts continues to grow and new offices demonstrate our commitment to support our customers, dealers and distributors in Europe. Next year we'll mark our 100th Anniversary with unique celebrations around the world. This was the perfect moment to upgrade our facilities before starting an exciting and hectic year.

"We've brought a cosmopolitan team to the city with employees from several European nations. We have chosen a relatively central location in the UK with good communication links. An additional attraction was Oxford's long and proud association with other leading motor industry brands."

As you would expect from a company so strongly associated with enthusiasm, excitement and style, Harley-Davidson's new European HQ was never going to be a drab administrative building. The new facility is a showcase for the brand and products.

A selection of the latest Harley-Davidson motorcycles, parts, accessories and clothing are displayed in the spacious glass atrium which forms the heart of the building. Here, visitors can relax, study the products and even sit on new 100th Anniversary motorcycles. Employees are also encouraged to use this area for informal meetings and inspiration, and for access to a library, video materials and the Internet. The state-of-the-art offices include the latest video conferencing technology and in-house training facilities.

Careful consideration was given to the interior design of the building to ensure that it provided Harley-Davidson's employees with an inspiring, open working environment. The Motor Company's worldwide policy of openness and honesty means there are no physical divisions between employees, regardless of their positions in the organisation.

"The interior design expresses our very real pride in the company we represent as all our employees are as passionate about our motorcycles and related products as the most loyal customer. We hope our visitors will share our belief that this building contains that essential Harley-Davidson magic," commented John Lewis, European brand manager and a member of the project team tasked with creating the right facility to take Harley-Davidson Europe into the Motor Company's second century.

The interior design had to do more than simply meet the company's future administrative needs. Designers were briefed to come up with a stimulating as well as functional environment. This included the early involvement of Michael Davidson, a US-based design professional employed by Harley-Davidson who also happens to be the great grandson of one of the original founders of the Motor Company. The result reflects the values of the world-famous brand and its 100 year heritage with an understated, light and spacious feel incorporating many interesting and unexpected elements.

Harley-Davidson Europe Ltd., Harley-Davidson UK Ltd. and Harley-Davidson Financial Services Ltd. are now at: 6000 Garsington Road, Oxford Business Park, Oxford OX4 2DQ.

(unedited Harley-Davidson press release)

2003 brochures and prices, in the dealers now

Well in advance of the International Motorcycle and Scooter Show, the new catalogues have arrived showing the existing range of models in the anniversary livery and positively overflowing with hyperbole and silver ink.

Never reknowned for being self-effacing, the copy writers have had a field day, but as an exercise in showing the bikes to their best advantage it works exceptionally well and will be undoubtedly held on to as the only momento of the anniversary that is likely to be given away. If you cast your eye about in the vicinty of the catalogue at your dealer, you'll most likely spot the price list that accompanies it. If you don't, here are the details anyway:

Prices are also shown for the "current" colour schemes, both solid and two-tone - presumably for unsold 2002 stock because no other colours than the anniversary ones are shown as available - and prices for these are unchanged from 2002.

We hear that US prices are being hiked more than over here, but it seems it is on a dealer-by-dealer basis accordint to the laws of supply and demand. If someone wants to send us the full US, or indeed any other country's price lists, we'll reproduce those too.

Andy

With apologies to Mark Twain
Rumours of Confederate's death have been greatly exaggerated.

For a large part of 2002 the site summoned by the URL www.confederate.com elicited nought but an error page. The digital version of "Not known at this address".

"Shame", we thought, the Confederado and Hellcat were really starting to show promise, but in the absence of contact details we asked anyone we could think of to let us know what was going on, but got nowt. It seemed the unthinkable had happened.

And then I got an email from Steve UKBEG asking whether I'd seen the new 135bhp Hellcat. Err ... the what? Must be something special for Steve to forsake his Buells and lust after something else, so I went for a gander and Lo!

T'was there.

And wow!

Seems that while we've been wondering, they've been tinkering, and the end result is little short of spectacular, so without further ado, rattled off an email to Matt and Brian at Confederate and a press release came back - and we now have the contact details for future reference.

There are a number of unique parts to the Confederate, as ever, and one notable thing is the choice of solo of dual-seats, but extends to having a variable rake - with an inevitable effect of the trail - to give the bike a Jeckyll and Hyde personality according to whether you're going to play in the hills or on the highways. I'll leave you to peruse the specs and the pics, while we work out how we can sneak one on the UK mainland.

Engine
Engine: 45-degree air-cooled OHV, two valves per cylinder. Hand built, blueprinted and balanced. One piece forged crank, machine heads, dual spark sparks, 48mm intake.
Bore x Stroke: 4.255 x 4 in
Displacement: 114cu. in.

Drivetrain
Primary Drive: Enclosed belt drive, aluminium machined case
Clutch: Confederate
Transmission: 5-speed close ratio
Final Drive: Chain

Brakes
Front Brake: 2 x 320 mm Brembo floating rotor with 4-piston caliper
Rear Brake: 240 mm Brembo floating rotor with 2-piston caliper

Dimensions
Wheelbase: 61.7 in or 60.2 in
Seat Height: 27.5 in or 29.75
Rake: 30 deg. or 27 deg.
Dry Weight: 485lbs

Frame & Suspension
Frame: Patented Confederate design, TIG welded carbon steel with 3-inch, oil-bearing backbone
Front Suspension: Paiolli inverted for Confederate, 46mm fully adjustable.
Rear Suspension: Confederate chrome-moly swingarm controlled by Penske Indy dual shock design for Confederate, fully adjustable.

Tyres
Front Wheel: Forged Aluminium 5-spoke, 3.5 x 18-inch
Rear Wheel: Forged Aluminium 5-spoke, 8.5 x 18-inch
Front Tyre: Metzeler 130/60 VR18 radial
Rear Tyre: Metzeler 240/40 VR18 radial

Colours
Colors: "Natural" - Carbon Fibre bodywork

MSRP
MSRP: TBC

Andy