![]() ![]() traffic running upwards of 80 mph on the freeway proved too much of a chore as the fists-high-in-the-wind riding position means plenty of Popeye forearm strength is necessary to combat the windblast. Vivid Black or Big Blue Pearl are the other available colors. The Hard Candy Big Red Flake paint color with added pinstriping and prominent 72 front and center on the peanut tank is easily the coolest color scheme offered, and adds only $700 to the $10,499 base price. However, with 60-plus miles of freeway at the head of my initial ride it wasn’t long before I discovered that riding the Harley-Davidson Seventy-Two is ultimately always fun, but it’s less pleasurable to ride in certain settings than in others. Overall, the ergo layout felt well proportioned and natural to my 5-foot 8-inch and 30-inch inseam build. Riding high, the 10-inch tall mini-apes on 2.0-inch risers round out the rest of the rider triangle and complement the high seat and pegs. With right and left lean angle clearance at 28.6 and 29.8 degrees respectively, the Seventy-Two provides, at a minimum, 1 to 2 degrees more clearance than the Forty-Eight, Custom 1200 and SuperLow Sportster models (the sportbike-like XR1200X of course has lots more room to lean, and the Nightster and Iron 883 have a little more than 1.0 degree than the Seventy-Two). Continuing the shock and awe, the forward controls (footpegs) felt unusually high. With a comparatively tall seat height and roomy lean angle, this Sportster doesn’t drag footpegs as soon as many of Harley’s other cruisers.Īlthough the dual coil-over-spring shocks only provide 2.1 inches of travel (pretty typical of many late-model Harleys), a seat height of 28.0 inches towers over most other Harley cruisers and is a stark contrast to the way-low seat height theme of many other steeds in the H-D stable. However, visualizing the horn’s absence from that spot I could see how much cleaner and better highlighted the Harley Twin would look.Ĭruising urban settings is where the Seventy-Two is most at home. I realize the horn is a necessity its chrome cover looks good on its own, and H-D blacked out the bracket as best as possible. About the only item I’d ditch ASAP is the bulky, industrial-looking horn mount that’s bolted to the upper left-hand side of each cylinder. The skinny spoke front wheel and tiny tank create an airy, unencumbered presence. Your gaze is drawn to the gleaming engine and exhaust, yet the Seventy-Two avoids looking gaudy, like H-D went over-the-top with the shiny stuff. Numerous components wear liquid-like chrome with a high-luster, quality finish, and are nicely balanced by the muted tones of the tank, fender and oil bag paint. Harley has done well in keeping this retro-fied ride looking classy and classic. If you’re into the minimalist thing, and admire a bike with only the basics in view, then the Seventy-Two is a looker. The Seventy-Two has a skinny 21-inch front wheel, but the whole bike is darn skinny.Īs a modern representative of the early chopper scene, the Seventy-Two bears some signature chopper cues, like its 2.1-gallon peanut tank (on loan from another retro ride, the Forty-Eight), solo saddle, side-mounted license plate, mini-ape hanger handlebar, staggered dual exhaust, wire wheels rolling on white-wall tires, chopped rear fender and of course, metal-flake paint. ![]()
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