Harley-Davidson takes its Softail design in a radical direction with the introduction of the 2008 FXCW Rocker and FXCWC Rocker C, new models designed to appeal to two totally different riders.

Introduction

The Rocker is developed around an all-new Rockertail rear section that faithfully reproduces the profile of a slammed, hardtail frame but delivers the smooth, comfortable ride of a modern suspension. A raked-out front end, new cast-aluminum oil tank, new saddle designs, original paint treatments and other details make the Rocker and Rocker C the most significant evolution of the Softail line since its inception in 1984.

The Rocker and Rocker C are part of a seven-model Harley-Davidson Softail line for 2008. Each Softail model represents a distinct branch of the factory-custom tree; the nostalgia of the FLSTN Softail Deluxe and FLSTC Heritage Softail Classic, the long chopper profile of the FXSTB Night Train and FXSTC Softail Custom, and the massive presence of the iconic FLSTF Fat Boy. Each Softail model interprets a styling statement with premium components and an appreciation for the kind of detail and craftsmanship that catches and holds the eye.

The Softail name is derived from the design of its rear suspension, which features a swingarm section that faithfully replicates the lines of an original, hardtail frame but provides a smooth, comfortable ride. The hidden horizontal coil-over shock absorbers for the rear suspension are mounted below the powertrain and out of sight.

The counter-balanced Twin Cam 96B powertrain is rigid-mounted in the Softail frame to give the rider a more-direct connection to the motorcycle, and also to enable a low seat height that gives the rider a feeling of sitting "in" the motorcycle. Harley-Davidson ESPFI fuel injection is standard on all Softail models, as is the 6-speed Cruise Drive transmission. A horseshoe-shaped oil tank located below the seat and a fuel tank-mounted console and ignition are other distinctive features of each Softail model.

New on all Softail models for 2008

• Top-Mounted Battery: The terminal attachment points have been relocated to the top of the battery for easier service access.
• Hollow Axles: New 25 mm hollow axles are assembled with new bearings, spacers and sleeves inside the wheel help stiffen the rear swingarm for a more stable feel on the road.
• 105th Anniversary Edition: A limited-edition, serialized 105th Anniversary Edition FLSTC Heritage Softail Classic, FXSTC Softail Custom, FLSTF Fat Boy, and FLSTN Softail Deluxe will be available in 2008 (see separate release for details on the 105th Anniversary package).

 

Harley-Davidson Softail History

In 1984 is the debut of the Softail design and its trend-setting method of "hiding" the motorcycle's rear shock absorbers. The all-new Softail featured a 1340cc V2 Evolution engine (the result of seven years of development) which produced more power at every speed, ran cooler, cleaner and it was oil-tight.

1986 - In another bold styling and engineering move, Harley-Davidson released the Heritage Softail.

In 1988, the springer front end returned in the FXSTS Springer® Softail.

In 2000, the FXSTD Softail Deuce was introduced to the immediate delight of riders and the motorcycle media.

The 2000 model year Softail models were outfitted with the Twin Cam 88B engine, a counter-balanced version of the Twin Cam 88.

Fuel injection was unveiled as a feature new to the Softail line of motorcycles for the 2001 model year.

In 2005, The FLSTNI Softail Deluxe added a sleek look to the Softail line and a paint scheme reminiscent of 1939 Harley-Davidson motorcycles. Also, the FLSTSC/I Softail Springer Classic revived looks from the late 1940s.

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2008 FXCW Rocker

The FXCW Rocker makes an anti-everything statement that appeals to a hard riding, go-your-own-way attitude. The Rocker stretches out on a 36.5-degree fork rake that extends the wheelbase to 69.2 inches. A 19-inch tapered five-spoke cast-aluminum front wheel is finished in durable Satin Stainless Metallic powdercoat. The same finish is applied to the fork lowers, triple clamps, headlamp, handlebar riser, tank console, swingarm, turn signal housings, hand controls, belt guard, oil tank and engine trim. The frame is custom color-matched to the bodywork.

A sculpted, two-piece five-inch curved riser supports independent, V-Bar handlebar with internal wiring. A new bullet-shaped headlamp rides over beefy 49 mm Showa forks. The bullet-style turn indicators feature bright LED lamps. The new Stop/Turn/Tail lights incorporate the stop and tail lamp functions with the rear turn indicators, eliminating the traditional tail lamp from the rear fender. A stretched, five-gallon fuel tank holds a low-profile console with a polished aluminum insert, integrated indicator lamps and an angled, speed-shop style speedometer housing. A machined 3-D Bar and Shield medallion is mounted in a deboss on each side of the fuel tank.

The Rocker is powered by the counter-balanced Twin Cam 96B with ESPFI fuel injection mated to the 6-speed Cruise Drive transmission, rigid-mounted in a frame that's color-matched to the bodywork. The powertrain is finished in Silver powdercoat with Satin Stainless Metallic powdercoat accents on the covers. Shorty dual mufflers with a new slash bend reinforce the bike's long, low profile. A low solo seat is mounted over a finned, cast-aluminum oil tank that recalls classic hot-rod bikes of the past. The Rocker is available in three solid colors: Vivid Black, Pacific Blue Pearl and Crimson Red Sunglo; and in Vivid Black Deluxe, which features pinstripe flames.

"Only Harley-Davidson could style and engineer a motorcycle as visually exciting as the new Rocker," said Bill Davidson, director of motorcycle product development. "To offer this level of customization in a reliable, production motorcycle is simply unprecedented. We've also got the Fat Bob taking the Dyna platform in a bold, new direction. And the beautiful copper-and-black 105th Anniversary models are icing on the Motor Company birthday cake for 2008."

For more than a century, Harley-Davidson motorcycles have stoked the passion of riders around the world with a distinctive combination of performance and visual appeal that simply can not be duplicated. The energy, dedication and pure enthusiasm of each individual at Harley-Davidson maintains that full-throttle intensity, season after season.

The Rockertail

It's the Rockertail rear end that makes a Softail a Rocker. The Rockertail utilizes an all-new rear section with elliptical tubes and no visible fender supports. As on other Softail motorcycles, the Rockertail rear shock absorbers are hidden away under the motorcycle. The rear fender is mounted just above a 240 mm x 18-inch rear tire, and the fender's broad surface is fully exposed behind a solo saddle. The Rockertail design creates the illusion of a bone-jarring, hardtail frame. But when under way, the fender and wheel move together as the rear suspension glides through 3.4 inches of travel for a ride that's comfortable mile after mile. Laden seat height of the FXCW Rocker is just 24.5 inches, one of the lowest seat heights available on the market today.

FXCW Rocker features:

• Rigid-mount, 1584cc Twin Cam 96B balanced engine
• 6-speed Cruise Drive transmission
• Silver powdercoated engine with Satin Stainless Metallic powdercoat covers
• Chrome Shorty Dual exhaust with new slash bend
• Finned cast-aluminum, horseshoe oil tank
• 240mm-18 rear / 90mm-19 front tire
• Satin Stainless Metallic powdercoat Cast Aluminum Tapered Five Spoke 19-inch front/18-inch rear wheels
• Rockertail rear section
• Stretched fuel tank with recessed medallion
• Solo saddle
• V-Bar handlebars on five-inch curved risers
• Console-mounted Speed Shop speedometer
• Satin Stainless Metallic powdercoat fork lowers, oil tank, headlamp bucket, swingarm and other components
• Integrated LED rear turn indicators/tail/brake lamps
• Color-matched frame
• Vivid Black paint with pinstripe flames option
• Optional Smart Security System

 

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FXCW Rocker SPECS

DIMENSIONS
Length: 95 in. (2413 mm)
Overall Width: 35.10 in. (891.54 mm)
Overall Height: 46 in. (1168.40 mm)
Seat Height:

• Laden: 24.50 in. (622.30 mm)
• Unladen: 26.20 in. (665.48 mm)

Ground Clearance: 5.10 in. (129.54 mm)
Rake (steering head): 36.5°
Fork Angle: 37.5°
Trail: 6.20 in. (157.48 mm)
Wheelbase: 69.20 in. (1757.68 mm)
Tires (Dunlop Harley-Davidson Series, bias blackwall front and radial blackwall rear):

• Front: D407 90/90-19
• Rear: D407 240/40R18

Fuel Capacity (warning light at approximately 1 gal.): 5 gal. (18.93 L)
Oil Capacity (w/filter): 3.50 qts. (3.31 L)
Transmission Capacity: 1 qts. (0.95 L)
Primary Chain Case Capacity: 1 qts. (0.95 L)
Weight:

• As Shipped: 660.90 lbs. (299.78 kg)
• In Running Order: 690.70 lbs. (313.30 kg)
• Gross Vehicle Weight Rating: 1175 lbs. (532.97 kg)

Gross Axle Weight Rating:

• Front: 415 lbs. (188.24 kg)
• Rear: 760 lbs. (344.73 kg)

ENGINE
Engine: Air-cooled, Twim Cam 96B
Valves: Pushrod-operated, overhead valves with hydraulic, self-adjusting lifters; two valves per cylinder
Bore x Stroke: 3.75 in. (95.25 mm) x 4.38 in. (111.25 mm)
Displacement: 96 cu. in. (1584 cc)
Compression Ratio: 9.2:1
Fuel System: Electronic Sequential Port Fuel Injection (ESPFI)
Air Cleaner: Fiber element, washable
Lubrication System: Pressurized, dry-sump

DRIVETRAIN
Primary Drive: Chain, 34/46 ratio
Final Drive: Belt, 32/66 ratio
Clutch: 9-plate, wet
Transmission: 6-Speed Cruise Drive
Gear Ratios (overall):

•             U.S.        HDI        JPN
• 1st:    9.312    9.312    9.030
• 2nd:    6.421    6.421    6.226
• 3rd:    4.774    4.774    4.630
• 4th:    3.926    3.926    3.807
• 5th:    3.279    3.279    3.179
• 6th:    2.790    2.790    2.706

CHASIS
Frame: Mild steel, tubular frame; rectangular section backbone; stamped, cast, and forged junctions; forged fender supports; MIG welded
Swing Arm: Mild steel, elliptical tube sections, forged junctions; MIG welded
Front Forks: 49 mm telescopic
Rear Shocks: Hidden, horizontal-mounted, coil-over
Wheels: Painted 5-Spoke Cast Aluminum

• Front: 19 in. x 2.15 in. (482.60 mm x 54.61 mm)
• Rear: 18 in. x 8 in. (457.20 mm x 203.20 mm)

Brakes:

• Caliper Type: 4-piston front and 2-piston rear
• Rotor Type (diameter x width): Patented, uniform expansion rotors
• Front: 11.50 in. x .20 in. (292.10 mm x 5.08 mm)
• Rear: 11.50 in. x .23 in. (292.10 mm x 5.84 mm)

Suspension Travel:

• Front Wheel: 5 in. (127 mm)
• Rear Wheel: 3.40 in. (86.36 mm)

PERFORMANCE
Engine Torque (per SAE J1349):

• North America: 87.90 ft. lbs. @ 2750 rpm (119.19 NM @ 2750 rpm)
• World: 84.80 ft. lbs. @ 3200 rpm (114.99 NM @ 3200 rpm)
• Japan: 81.60 ft. lbs. @ 2750 rpm (110.65 NM @ 2750 rpm)

Lean Angle (per SAE J1168):

• Right: 32.5°
• Left: 29.5°

Fuel Economy(EPA urban/highway test): 35/54 mpg (6.72/4.36 L /100 km)

ELECTRIC
Battery(per Battery Council International Rating): Sealed, maintenance-free, 12V, 19-amp/hour, 270 cca
Charging: Three-Phase, 38-amp system (439W @ 13V, 2000 rpm, 489W max power @ 13V)
Starting: 1.2 kW electric with solenoid shift starter motor engagement
Lights (as per country regulation):

• Headlamp (quartz halogen): 55-watt low beam, 60-watt high beam
• Stop/Turn/Tail Lights: Integrated LED
• Front Turn Signal Lights: 28W (21W) self-canceling
• Indicator Lamps: High beam, neutral, low oil pressure, turn signals, engine diagnostics, 6-speed, low fuel warnings, security system10 (optional)

STYLING/CONVENIENCE
Exhaust System: Chrome, staggered shorty exhaust with dual mufflers
Fenders and Supports:

• Front: Sport fender with painted brace supports
• Rear: 240 low profile fender

Foot Supports and Controls:

• Rider: Forward-mounted footpegs with brake & shift levers

Handlebar Style: Stainless steel, pull-back
Fork Lock: Common with ignition key
Hazard Warning: Integrated into turn signal controls
Smart Security System: Next-generation hands-free security fob; operates based on proximity to vehicle

COLORS:

• Vivid Black,
• Vivid Black Deluxe (new),
• Pacific Blue Pearl,
• Crimson Red Sunglo (new)

WARANTY
Warranty: 24 months (unlimited mileage)
Service Interval: First 1,000 miles (1,600 km), every 5,000 miles (8,000 km) thereafter