Posted July 17, 2006   Email   Print

The FXSTC Softail Custom is one of the new Harley-Davidsons for 2007 and is powered by the all-new 96B engine.

Harley introduces new engine and six-speed for 2007 Big Twins; carbs are history as full line gets fuel injection

With its competitors' cruisers getting bigger and bigger in displacement, Harley-Davidson is adding more cubic inches and another cog in the gearbox to its Big Twin models for 2007.

Harley's all-new fuel-injected Twin Cam 96 engine (and the 96B version, which has a counterbalancer) will power all models in the Dyna, Softail and Touring lines, the company announced. The engine will be mated to the new six-speed Cruise Drive transmission that was introduced this year.

Also new for 2007 are two new models in the VRSC line that began with the V-Rod, an all-new FXSTC Softail Custom (shown top), and a limited-edition model celebrating the 50th anniversary of the introduction of the original Sportster (left). The Sportster also gets fuel injection, meaning Harley-Davidson will be the largest motorcycle manufacturer in the world that builds no production bikes with carburetors.

"The V-Twin engine has always been the centerpiece of a Harley-Davidson motorcycle," said Bill Davidson, Harley-Davidson Director of Motorcycle Product Development. "The new Twin Cam 96 and six-speed Cruise Drive transmission offer enhanced performance, while maintaining the traditional aesthetics of the Harley-Davidson Big Twin."

"The Twin Cam 96 has been the biggest new-engine program in the history of Harley-Davidson," said Skip Metz, Program Manager-Big Twin Powertrain. "There are more than 700 new part numbers associated with Twin Cam 96. The only areas that didn't change are the cylinders, rocker arms, rocker boxes, and items in the top part of the engine. Crankshafts, connecting rods, crank cases, transmission cases, and all the transmission parts are new. We think this next-generation Twin Cam will set the standard for the industry."

The Twin Cam 96 displaces 1,584cc (96 cubic inches), compared to 1,450cc (88 cubic inches) for the Twin Cam 88 engine it replaces. The added displacement was achieved by increasing stroke from 4 inches to 4.38 inches. The Twin Cam 96 cylinder bore is 3.75 inches, the same as that of the Twin Cam 88. The Twin Cam 96B (shown above) is designed to be rigid-mounted in Harley-Davidson Softail models, and is equipped with internal counter-balance shafts to provide a smooth and powerful ride.

The six-speed Cruise Drive transmission, which was introduced on the Dyna family in 2006, features gear ratios optimized to match the torque curve of the new Twin Cam 96/96B engines. The addition of a higher-ratio sixth gear reduces top-gear rpm by 11 percent, compared to the previous five-speed Big Twin transmission. At 75 mph, engine speed is reduced by 368 rpm, from 3227 rpm to 2859 rpm. Second through fourth gears have helical-cut teeth for quieter operation, and load carrying capacity has been increased significantly.

Two new models join the VRSC line of liquid-cooled Harleys. The VRSCDX Night Rod Special (left) is distinguished by blacked-out styling, while the limited-edition VRSCX features gets increased displacement (72 cubic-inches instead of 69) and styling and graphics that pay tribute to the NHRA champion Screamin' Eagle / Vance & Hines Pro Stock Motorcycle racing team.

The limited-edition 50th Anniversary Sportster features special badging, a traditional peanut fuel tank, and other classic components to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the 1957 Sportster introduction.

The new FXSTC Softail Custom incorporates classic chopper styling cues, with a 200mm rear tire, king-and-queen seat, and Bobtail rear fender.

We'll have riding impressions of some of the new 2007 Harleys at AMADirectlink.com in a few days. Meanwhile, get details on all the new models at the Harley-Davidson website.

© 2006, American Motorcyclist Association