Blacked-Out Production Bikes – Black is Mack
H-D FLSTSB Cross Bones
Darkness comes at you in a different way with Harley-Davidson’s FLSTSB Cross Bones (road test in HOT BIKE Vol. 40, No. 6 issue). This stripped-down Softail sports blacked-out parts, from the Springer frontend and mini-ape handlebars to the black and polished Twin Cam 96B power train to the gloss black cat-eye tank console, air cleaner cover, and oil tank.
H-D FXSTB Night Train
As its name implies, Harley’s FXSTB Night Train is the darkest creature of the night in the Dark Custom line. The black case aluminum monster is the Twin Cam 96 between the framerails, while the other blackest of parts like the oil tank, gas tank console, and air cleaner cover add to its stealthness.
H-D VRSCDX
Night Rod Special
Of course, other, darker things can lurk in the night, and Harley’s VRSCDX Night Rod Special is no exception. As the “dark horse” of the line, this blackest of black model sports very little chrome, from the straight-shot exhaust with black caps to the blacked-out motorboasting 125 horses.
H-D XL1200N Nightster
Chopped, stripped clean, dropped low, and blacked out, Harley’s XL1200N Nightster is like spending a month in the hole, but lovin’ every minute of it. The blackness creeps in from the headlight and the fork gaiters and travels to the air cleaner cover, primary, and oil tank before ending up in the fender struts.
Big Dog Mastiff
Limited to 125, Big Dog Motorcycles new Mastiff is a combination of the company’s popular pro-street model and all-black visual elements. Dressed in striking gloss black, eye-catching features include the stretched gas tank and steel fenders, which complement the black handlebars, headlight and struts as well as the black anodized 12-spoke wheels.
Victory Vegas 8-Ball
Low on chrome and high on good looks, Victory offers its blackest of bikes, the Vegas 8-Ball (road test in HOT BIKE Vol. 40, No. 6 issue). With little chrome shining through, the blacked-out parts range from the fork legs, triple trees, and pullback handlebars to the black fins on the cylinders and heads down to the all-black wheels.
Blacked Out
The motorcycle industry is experiencing a blackout-that is, blacked-out parts and accessories coming down the pipe from manufacturers and retailers. Even production motorcycle companies have joined our industry’s period of darkness with blacked-out bikes, such as Harley-Davidson, Big Dog Motorcycles, and Victory.
The H-D Dark Custom line of motorcycles is six current models that represent a legacy of stripped and no-nonsense custom bikes with rough and raw appeal. Not pictured in Harley’s lineup here are the Street Bob FXDB and the Fat Bob FXDF. BDM ushered in the riding season with the launch of its ’08 Limited Edition Mastiff, while Victory hit the blackout niche with its Vegas 8-Ball.
