Latest News & Events

Introducing Two New Motorcycles For 2012

Join us at Dublin Harley-Davidson for the launch day on Saturday 11th February, where you can experience the all new Softail® Slim™ and Sportster® Seventy-Two™. But it’s not just about showing off our new motorcycles, it’s also an invitation to come down and see what’s new for this year. With more than 8,000 parts and accessories available, our team will show you just how easily your dream motorcycle can be achieved through our customisation capabilities.

NEW HARLEY-DAVIDSON® SOFTAIL® SLIM™

NEW HARLEY-DAVIDSON® SOFTAIL® SLIM™ IS A CLEAN, OLD-SCHOOL CUSTOM. Stripped-Down, Narrow Styling with Less Chrome and Retro Details

From its narrow rear end to its trimmed front fender, there’s simply less of the Slim; fewer covers, a solo seat, smaller wheels and tyres, and minimal chrome. Call it stripped. Call it old school. Call it lean and mean. What’s left is the elemental Softail profile and iconic Harley-Davidson style that recalls classic custom bobbers of the 1950s.To keep the rear of the motorcycle simple and clean, the Slim has combination stop/turn/tail lights. The rear fender struts are left uncovered, exposing the forged steel and fasteners. A thin formed-leather strap covers the fuel tank seam.

HARLEY-DAVIDSON® SEVENTY-TWO™

HARLEY-DAVIDSON® SEVENTY-TWO™ REVIVES A LEAN LOOK. A New Narrow Sportster® in Sparkling Metal Flake Paint

The Harley-Davidson Seventy-Two motorcycle is a metal flake dream machine, a Sportster on a trip back to the days when the cool kids rode a Sting-Ray and the big boys parked choppers in a row on the curb. Those motorcycles were long and lean; candy-apple color and gleaming chrome shimmering in hazy summer sunlight. From its Hard Candy Big Red Flake paint and ape bars to its narrow whitewall tyres, the Seventy-Two is a respectful nod to that era, and to the influence of the custom culture that still percolates today along Whittier Boulevard, the legendary cruising street in East Los Angeles also known as Route 72.

NEW HARLEY-DAVIDSON® SOFTAIL® SLIM™ IS A CLEAN, OLD-SCHOOL CUSTOM

Stripped-Down, Narrow Styling with Less Chrome and Retro Details

MILWAUKEE, USA (Feb. 1, 2012) – Pare down a Harley-Davidson Softail motorcycle to its essential elements and you have the Slim. From its narrow rear end to its trimmed front fender, there’s simply less of the Slim; fewer covers, a solo seat, smaller wheels and tyres, and minimal chrome. Call it stripped. Call it old school. Call it lean and mean. What’s left is the elemental Softail profile and iconic Harley-Davidson style that recalls classic custom bobbers of the 1950s.

“It’s time to once again make the engine the design focal point of a motorcycle,” says Senior Designer Casey Ketterhagen, “so we put a Softail on a diet to get the proportions back in check. Scale down the rear with a narrow tyre and chopped fender and the heart of the bike, the motor, becomes the focus. We left a gap between the nose of the seat and tank so the rider can see the top of the motor. I like to be able to look down and see what’s moving me.”

To keep the rear of the motorcycle simple and clean, the Slim has combination stop/turn/tail lights. The rear fender struts are left uncovered, exposing the forged steel and fasteners. A thin formed-leather strap covers the fuel tank seam. The powertrain is finished with polished covers instead of chrome, and the black cylinders left unhighlighted. The FL front fender is trimmed to expose more of the tyre.

“My personal street bike doesn’t even have a front fender,” says Ketterhagen, “but unfortunately we can’t go that far on a production model. The Slim is intended to be a direct interpretation of home-built customs of the 1940s and 50s, and we used a number of components that evoke that era, beginning with a Hollywood handlebar.”

The Hollywood bar, identified by its wide bend and cross brace, was originally an accessory for pre-war Harley-Davidson models with a Springer® fork. The name may have been coined because owners of that era who used the cross-brace to mount lights and bags had “gone Hollywood” with excessive accessorisation. For the Slim, he chose a cross-braced bar finished in gloss black, with matching gloss black hand controls and louvered headlight nacelle. Other period styling cues include a gloss black “cat eye” tank console with a retro speedometer face, half-moon rider footboards, a oval air cleaner cover also finished in gloss black, and gloss black wheel rims and hubs. The solo seat shape is specific to the Slim, and the upholstery is finished in a tuck-and-roll pattern.

“The seat really gives you the feeling of sitting in the bike, rather than on it,” says Ketterhagen. “The bars are nice and low, too, so when you’re riding you have an unobstructed view forward, which reinforces the idea that this is a very elemental motorcycle, a real back-to-basics ride.”

A counter-balanced Twin Cam 103B™ engine is rigid-mounted within the frame, creating a solid connection between rider and the machine. The Softail chassis mimics the clean lines of a vintage hardtail frame, but utilises rear suspension control provided by coil-over shock absorbers mounted horizontally and out of sight within the frame rails. With the combination of a 650mm seat height and rider foot boards, the Slim comfortably fits a wide range of riders and offers light side-stand lift-off. A pull-back riser from Harley-Davidson Genuine Motor Accessories can be installed to move the handlebars back two inches without changing control cables and lines.

Key features of the 2012 Harley-Davidson® Softail® Slim™ include:

• Rigid-mounted, air-cooled, 1690 cc Twin Cam 103B™ counter-balanced engine with Automatic Compression Release (ACR) rated at 132Nm peak torque at 3250 rpm.
• Powertrain is finished in black powdercoat with polished covers.
• 6-Speed Cruise Drive™ Transmission.
• Chrome, over/under shotgun exhaust with slash-cut mufflers.
• Round Oval gloss black air cleaner cover.
• Classic 18.9 litre Fat Bob® fuel tank.
• Black cat eye console holds electronic speedometer with retro-style face.
• Dunlop 16-inch (MT90B16) front and rear (MU85B16) tyres.
• Steel Laced Black wheels.
• Hollywood handlebar with cross-brace
• Gloss black headlamp with chrome trim ring.
• Gloss black nacelle with punched louvers.
• Half-moon footboards with retro-style foot control pads.
• Chopped rear fender exposes rear tyre.
• Trimmed FL front fender.
• Combination stop/tail/turn rear lights.
• Solo seat with black tuck-and-roll vinyl cover.
• Forged gloss black rear fender struts.
• Gloss black oil tank.
• Color choices include Vivid Black, Denim Black, and Ember Red Sunglo.
• Security Package includes: Smart Security System with proximity-based, hands-free security fob and Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)

For more information click here

Introducing Gaelic Chapter Ireland - Dublin Harley-Davidson's riding club

Do you know about our Harley-Davidson rider's club Gaelic Chapter Ireland?

We thought we'd give you a taster of Dublin H-D's HOG (Harley Owner's Group) Chapter and what they get up to.

In these austere times, why not join and get as much enjoyment out of life as we do - on the road, on a Harley-Davidson - Life must include fun!

Members

Currently with 175 members, Gaelic Chapter Ireland is all about "riding your Harley and having fun". That's it; no more, no less. Our members come from all walks of life; all great folks who just want to lose the stresses of the week, out on the road. We have lady riders as well as men and pillion riders, of all ages from 20's to 70's. You'll fit right in!

Rideouts

We meet to ride at least once a week (weather permitting) on official rideouts, at 10am every Sunday, leaving (after a coffee and a chat) from Dublin H-D. Our rides are split in two, usually with a full day out and a stop point along the way, where those tied to time can turn and ride home together. There are also the lucky few who are either retired or have time off during the week and meet up here and head out mid-week. Rideouts are structured, but there's no need to "put your name down" - members just turn up on the day. All rides are kept safe by our "road captains" who keep the riding groups in formation and within the law.

Other Events

During the year, we also enjoy the odd foreign trip, a St.Patrick's day event, Irish Bikefest, several charity events, a summer BBQ, social get-togethers, ladies night, a Christmas children's party and of course the member's Christmas party (there isn't usually much riding done the day after this one!).

Organisation

We have a dedicated team who run the show; all great folks and avid Harley riders, so members don't have to worry about arranging meeting points or routes or find hotels etc etc.. Our committee does it all. And we've no interest in structured meetings for meetings sake - there's plenty of time to chew the cud over coffee or lunch (or ice-cream stops!) on the rideout. Members can rest assured that the monthly committee meetings sort it all out.

Overseas

We are very proud to have several members from the U.S. and other countries; many whose ancestors left Ireland many moons ago.. and some who've left a little more recently! There is a reduced membership for those who would like to be a part of Gaelic Chapter Ireland and to wear our good name as they ride.

Benefits of membership include:

• First & foremost; riding safely with a great bunch of folks!
• Arrangement of rideouts, social events, and rider training.
• Organised Rideouts every Sunday during riding season (+ arranged rideouts every Sunday off season).
• SMS-text every week during riding season, with information of the Sunday rideout to come.
• The Dublin H-D / Gaelic Chapter rider lounge at Dublin H-D with free fresh ground coffee & biscuits before the ride.
• Dublin H-D opens exclusively for Gaelic Chapter Ireland on Sunday mornings.
• The Gaelic Chapter Ireland Newsletter email.
• Regular Rideout schedules & updates from our Activities officer (who is always available to contact at Dublin H-D)
• Full access to the Gaelic Chapter Ireland website, where information, newsletters & photos of previous rideouts can be found.
• Member's summer BBQ.
• Children's Christmas Party with Santa arriving on a Harley.
• Member's Christmas party.
• AGM night
• Preferential purchasing opportunities at Dublin H-D.
• Access to Gaelic Chapter Ireland merchandise
• All for only €45 per annum (€25 pillion or overseas)

INTERESTED?

Either reply to us or contact us at Dublin H-D at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Or better still; you can apply to join directly via the Chapter's website at http://www.gaelicchapterireland.com/index.php?option=com_artforms&formid=1&Itemid=99999

(The Gaelic Chapter Ireland website www.gaelicchapterireland.com is currently being updated - check back in a few weeks for more content)

A taster of some future rideouts (from our activities officer's recent email to members):

"...I am going to organise more overnighters rather than full weekend away so that way we can travel away more and keep costs down. There is a great opportunity for our members who are spread around Ireland to join us so my plan is to cover most areas of Ireland. Put these trips in your diary:

(date): Pembroke Hotel, Kilkenny. The plan here is to go for a spin down the N11 to Rosslare, across to Passage east (Stopping off at HOOK HEAD ON THE WAY) to catch the ferry, then from here straight up to Kilkenny for a night on the town. Contact the hotel on …..The rate is €... per room B/B (They are going to upgrade the first few that book).CONTACT THEM DIRECTLY

(date): Clifden Stationhouse. The plan is to meet up early for breakfast then head up the N4 to Longford from here jump onto the N5 to Westport. We will head out (what will be the highlight of our Road trip) to Louisburgh then onto Clifden (This is an amazing and beautiful part of Ireland, I kid you not).Expect a full day riding Sunday & Monday. Email the hotel.... or ring ....The rate is €... P/P Sharing €... Single room Supplement.  CONTACT THEM DIRECTLY

(date): Gougane Barra West Cork. The plan here is to head down the N7 to Limerick, towards Foynes to visit the Foynes Flying Boat Museum. From here head south to Abbeyfeale then onto Macroom finishing off in Gougane Barra.  I have contacted the hotel here so waiting for info, I visited here last year on our round Ireland trip and this is truly a beautiful part of Ireland…more details will follow soon. Again a long day so early start and a full bank holiday Monday returning home. …INFO TO FOLLOW

I have been in contact with all the hotels- some still have to tell me the rates and they are going to do the best they can, if you are interested please let me know. Contact them yourself to book it ASAP. Please when booking tell the hotels it’s under ......  if you are joining us. Hopefully you can join us this year...."

Thanks for reading and we hope you'll join us on the road! (and if you haven't got a Harley-Davidson, contact us - we can have you riding from scratch within weeks and we have great finance deals on your dream bike!

HARLEY-DAVIDSON® SEVENTY-TWO™ REVIVES A LEAN LOOK

A New Narrow Sportster® in Sparkling Metal Flake Paint

MILWAUKEE, USA(Feb. 1, 2012) – The Harley-Davidson Seventy-Two motorcycle is a metal flake dream machine, a Sportster on a trip back to the days when the cool kids rode a Sting-Ray and the big boys parked choppers in a row on the curb. Those motorcycles were long and lean; candy-apple color and gleaming chrome shimmering in hazy summer sunlight. From its Hard Candy Big Red Flake paint and ape bars to its narrow whitewall tyres, the Seventy-Two is a respectful nod to that era, and to the influence of the custom culture that still percolates today along Whittier Boulevard, the legendary cruising street in East Los Angeles also known as Route 72. A new generation of custom builder is tapping into that era and making a fresh statement, not just in California but in garages across the country, even around the world.

“In creating the Seventy-Two, we were also inspired by the vibe of the early chopper era,” says Frank Savage, Harley-Davidson Manager of Industrial Design. “Those bikes were colorful and chromed, but also narrow and stripped down to the essentials. You look at period examples and they are almost as simple as a bicycle. It’s a custom style that’s very particular to America and that California scene.”

Metal flake, an iconic design element of the ‘70s, appeared in everything from dune buggy gel coat to vinyl diner upholstery, and on custom motorcycles. Harley-Davidson brings the sparkle back on the Seventy-Two with Hard Candy Big Red Flake paint. This new finish is created by applying a black base coat, followed by a polyurethane system that carries hexagon-shaped flakes that are more than seven times the diameter of metalflake used in typical production paint. Each flake is coated with a thin aluminum film and then tinted red. Four applications of clear coat, combined with hand-sanding, create a smooth finish over the flakes.

“The final touch to the Hard Candy Big Red Flake paint is a logo on the tank top and pinstripe scallop details on both fenders,” says Savage. “Each was originally created by hand, and we recreated that art in a decal for production, so they still have the appearance of hand-applied graphics in that they are not exactly perfect. The graphics are then covered with a final clear coat application.”

A solo seat leaves much of the chopped rear fender – and more of that paint – exposed on the Seventy-Two. The powertrain is finished in Grey powdercoat with chrome covers and a new round air cleaner with a dished cover. A classic Sportster 7.9 litres “peanut” fuel tank adds a final period touch to the motorcycle.

Key features of the 2012 Harley-Davidson® Seventy-Two™ include:

• Air-cooled Evolution™ 1200cc V-Twin engine with Electronic Sequential Port Fuel Injection (ESPFI), rated at 96Nm peak torque at 3500 rpm.
• Powertrain is finished in Gray powdercoat with Chrome covers.
• Color choices include Hard Candy Big Red Flake with period pinstripe details on fenders and fuel tank, Denim Black, and Big Blue Pearl.
• Classic 7.9 litre peanut fuel tank.
• Dunlop white side wall 21-inch (MH90-21) front and 16-inch (150/80B16) rear tyres.
• Steel Laced Chrome wheels.
• Ten-inch mini-ape handlebars mounted on a two-inch high riser.
• Dished round air cleaner cover with center screw mount; eight-inch diameter.
• Chopped rear fender exposes rear tyre.
• Dual staggered exhaust with chrome mufflers.
• Solo seat with black textured vinyl cover.
• Handlebar-mounted speedometer with chrome cup.
• Chrome rear fender struts.
• Chrome coil-over pre-load adjustable rear shocks.
• Forward foot controls.