Just in time for Sturgis, Harley-Davidson rolls out its stripped down, sub-$18,000 softail, dubbed Deadwood. “The Deadwood motorcycle embodies that spirit of rebellion and individualism that was so prevalent following World War II, when many returning GI rode a Harley-Davidson motorcycle to experience excitement and freedom,” explains Head of Design Bjorn Shuster.
“At that time, very few vehicles could match the thrilling performance of a stripped-down war-surplus Harley-Davidson. As designers, we find this era of customization and personalization, the early origins of the bobber-style custom, to be very inspirational. Our second key source of inspiration lies directly in the name Deadwood, a place linked to both the Sturgis Rally and to its own rebellious history. The graphic design for the tank art evokes a Western visual language which personifies that location.”
All the ornamental trim and bright finishes have been removed, and laced wheels add to the post-War design ethos. The Softail chassis hides the rear suspension below the seat to maintain the classic look of a vintage hardtail frame while offering a thoroughly modern ride. Despite the stripped-down styling, Deadwood features selectable ride modes to electronically control the performance characteristics of the motorcycle, ABS, Traction Control and even electronic tire pressure monitoring.
Dealer deliveries begin this month, and the Deadwood will officially debut August 7 during the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.
