Custom Ducati

A Vintage-Styled Chopper For Keeps: The 2009 Harley Davidson Softail Custom

It's hard not to like the 2009 Harley Davidson Softail Custom. While any other bike manufacturer would just appear a bit goofy trying to pull off this look, Harley hits it right on the head. Whether it's the 2009 Harley Davidson Softail Custom's ape-hanger handlebars or King and Queen saddle, all you need for the Peter Fonda/ Jack Nicholson feel is that iconic helmet. The 2009 Harley Davidson Softail Custom is well-proportioned, classically styled, and comes in a range of custom, two-tone, and solid colors to suit any taste. Furthering the chopper look of the 2009 Harley Davidson Softail Custom is a 21-inch chrome spoked front wheel, adding to the visual effect of the rake and making the 2009 Harley Davidson Softail Custom look lower and longer. The Fat Bob fuel tank of the 2009 Harley Davidson Softail Custom finishes off the look, and provides plenty of capacity for long trips between fill-ups.

New to the 2009 Harley Davidson Softail Custom is the rigid-mounted Twin cam 96B engine, that just looks right at home in the frame rails of the Softail Custom. Dripping in chrome, the 96B delivers 86 lb/ft of torque at 3200 RPM, and thanks to the Electronic Sequential Port Fuel Injection, offers the rider a pleasant 54 miles per gallon highway fuel economy, and 35 miles per gallon in the city. Compression ratio is 9.2:1, and air cooling keeps temperatures down to a manageable level. A tank-mounted electronic speedometer with odometer keeps you appraised of speed and distance, while other instruments and indicators include clock, trip meter, fuel gauge, low oil pressure indicator, engine diagnostics readout, and six-speed transmission light. Indicators include high beam, fender running lights, neutral, turn signals, security, and low fuel warning. Braking is handled by 4-piston calipers on the 21" front wheel, and 2-piston calipers at the rear.

Color options for the 2009 Harley Davidson Softail Custom are numerous, including three new colors, as well as a handful of custom colors. Vivid Black, Dark Blue Pearl, and Red Hot Sunglo round out the solid color choices, with Red Hot Sunglo the new color for the 2009 Harley Davidson Softail Custom. Two new two-tones are available, and three custom colors. Pricing starts at $16, 999 for the Vivid Black 2009 Harley Davidson Softail Custom, while the other two solid colors are a few hundred bucks more at $17, 344. The two-tone bikes start out at $17, 654, and custom colors top the scales at $17, 824. An upgraded wheel option is available for an additional $225, and security can be had for $345.

Whether you think that the 2009 Harley Davidson Softail Custom is a bit much of a throwback or just right, you've got to admit that it's a good looking bike all in all. It's true what they say about the classics never going out of style, I guess. If so, compare the 2009 Harley Davidson Softail Custom not to Honda, Kawasaki, Ducati, or Triumph, but to that pair of Blue Jeans in your drawer that you look forward to all week. That's about the time you begin to understand the best part of the 2009 Harley Davidson Softail Custom.