The jump, which will occur in Sydney, Australia, will be broadcast live at 4:30 p.m. (CST) Monday at www.harleyworldrecordjump.com, and a post-event video will be broadcast on H-D’s YouTube channel and to Harley’s half-million Facebook fans.

“To many, Evel Knievel was the original extreme athlete – long before there were extreme sports,” said Mark-Hans Richer, Harley-Davidson Senior VP and Chief Marketing Officer. “This latest generation of riders still revere Knievel – even as they attempt to smash his records. A new generation of counterculture riders are embracing Harley-Davidson motorcycles, just like the generation before them.

“The XR1200 and our new Dark Custom motorcycles, like the nearly sold out Iron 883 launched a year ago and the new Forty-Eight introduced last month, have given them an authentic way to express themselves. In fact, we now sell more bikes to this generation of young riders than to the young adult generation before them.”

Enslow Will Attempt Breaking Knievel and Blackwell Long-Jump Record

This Harley Davidson special has been created by Storz Performance and is based on the XR1200. Aside from its great looks, the main achievement here is the weight reduction with 15 kg being shaved off the original weight.

The XR1200 Storz Performance was completed by Steve Storz, the head of the company, and has been updated with new suspension, wheels, brakes, exhaust, handle bars and seat. The wheel rims have a gold finish, the shock absorbers are in aluminium, and the spokes have a polished stainless steel finish. The front upside-down fork is from Storz/Ceriani.

Storz has described his XR1200 as “Clubman Style”, meaning less dirt track looks than the original. It’s certainly an eye-catching special with an impressive makeover. For more information on this and other Storz products, see the Storz Performance website.

For the Buell and MV loyal, Harley-Davidson’s latest earnings report should provide all the information as to why the Milwaukee manufacturer had to close and sell those brands respectively. Reporting a nearly 90% loss in annual income, Harley-Davidson earned only $70.6 million in 2009, compared to the $684.2 million Harley earned in 2008, which results in a staggering loss of income for the iconic motorcycle company.

For Q4 of 2009, Harley-Davidson actually operated in the red, and lost $218.7 million in net income by staying in business (Asphalt & Rubber actually made more money during the same time period than Harley-Davidson did, if that puts things into perspective). Additionally, Harley-Davidson is reporting a $147.2 million loss in revenue during its fourth quarter operations. The loss is associated with the reduction in production, and the $167.1 million in restructuring costs incurred because of the closure of the Buell Motorcycle brand.

“Our full-year 2009 results were affected by the difficult economy, as well as the planned actions we took that resulted in restructuring charges of $224 million. We believe these actions are critical to restoring greater profitability and long-term growth to Harley-Davidson,” says Keith Wandell, Harley-Davidson, Inc. president and chief executive officer. “We are confident we have made the right decisions for our future, and we are executing our strategy with focused intensity.”

Despite the focused intensity, Harley-Davidson still believes it has a shakey 2010 ahead for itself, which is a fancy way for the company to say that it expects to report further losses in the future. On top of that, Harley-Davidson is planning to ship between 5%-10% less motorcycles in 2010, when compared to 2009 shipments.

“Focusing our investment behind the uniquely strong Harley-Davidson brand provides the most attractive path to sustained, long-term growth,” says Wandell. “We also expect to achieve substantial gains in the efficiency of our operations through continuous improvement.”

For 2009 Harley-Davidson reported $4.78 billion in revenue, which was a 14% drop from the $5.56 billion in revenue reported in 2008. Harley-Davidson reported its 2009 annual income at $70.6 million, down 89.7% from the 2008’s $684.2 million.

As expected, Wandell’s strategy involves circling the wagons around the Harley-Davidson brand. “Focusing our investment behind the uniquely strong Harley-Davidson brand provides the most attractive path to sustained, long-term growth,” says Wandell. “We also expect to achieve substantial gains in the efficiency of our operations through continuous improvement.”

Due to economical hardship, Harley-Davidson will begin performing final assembly on its trikes beginning with the 2011 model year.

The Tri Glide and Street Glide trikes will start being assembled this summer at the York Vehicle Operations facility in York, Pa. Harley said final assembly of these trikes has been performed under a supplier agreement with Lehman Trikes, Inc. in Spearfish, S.D.; Lehman was listed as “strategic supplier” to The Motor Company since 2008.

“The restructuring of Harley-Davidson’s York operations provides the opportunity for us to build trikes in-house and streamline trike assembly and distribution,” said Julie Chichlowski, Harley-Davidson’s Director of P&A Trike Platform Parts and Accessories. “Lehman Trikes has been a responsive, high-quality supplier to Harley-Davidson for trikes and it has been a pleasure to work with them.”

The Harley-Davidson Sportster Forty-Eight (or is it 48?), has made its way out of Milwaukee in time for the 2010 model year. Based on the Sportster 1200 platform, the Forty-Eight is the latest addition to Harley’s “custom” offering. It differs from its Nightser et al counterparts with a bobber meets cafe racer appeal, but keeps the ubiquitous orange and black color schemes.

Fatties on the front and rear rims, the black on polish Forty-Eight gets its motivation from the 1200cc Evolution v-twin motor that’s wedged into the Sportster chassis. The bike is certainly an attractive piece from Harley-Davidson, but also fails to really distinguish itself from the rest of the Harley line-up. Mirrors are underslung, the license plate is side mounted (we doubt the DOT saw that), and a 2.1 gallon fuel tank keeps things a strictly “around the town” sort of affair.

While Harley-Davidson is clearly targeting the under 40 crowd with the Forty-Eight, we’re still not sure the cruiser brand has really figured out to appeal to the next generation of rider yet. As such we’d probably never buy a Harley, but if we did, the Forty-Eight is probably closer to what we’d be looking for from Milwaukee. Pricing starts at $10,499, and the Harley Davidson Sportster Forty-Eight comes in Vivid Black with Brilliant Silver, and Mirage Orange Pearl is also available.

Harley-Davidson Press Release:

HARLEY-DAVIDSON® FORTY-EIGHT™ IS A RAW AND RADICAL RIDE

New Sportster® Model Brings Brawn as Chiseled Custom with Power and Performance

MILWAUKEE (January 22, 2010) – The new Harley-Davidson Forty-Eight motorcycle is a factory custom in the legendary tradition of the hot rod Sportster line with the raw, elemental appeal of the Dark Custom™ bikes.

Riding low with a slammed suspension and featuring the classic 2.1-gallon “peanut” fuel tank, the Forty-Eight backs up its bulldog appearance with the performance of its blacked out and polished rubber-mounted Evolution® 1200 cc V-Twin engine. The low solo seat, under-mounted mirrors, side mount license plate, clean rear fender and tall and fat front tire emphasize the Forty Eight’s focus on chiseled customization.

And while the Forty-Eight model may break bad when it comes to radical attitude and straight-on style, it won’t break the bank starting at just $10,499 MSRP in Vivid Black.

“With its classic bulldog shoulders stance, the Forty-Eight strikes a distinctive look and low profile that could only come from Harley-Davidson,” said Ray Drea, Harley-Davidson Senior Director of Styling. “The Forty-Eight model has a collective past life experience and broken-in look that is raw and authentic.”

As a Harley-Davidson Dark Custom motorcycle, the Forty-Eight is ready to ride as a radical custom and also primed to take on its rider’s character and personality. Dark Custom accomplices of the Forty-Eight include the Nightster®, Iron 883™, Cross Bones®, Fat Bob® and Street Bob®. Check out more on Dark Custom motorcycles at www.harley-davidson.com/darkcustom.

Harley-Davidson Sportster models like the Forty-Eight have retained an aura of rebellion since their introduction in 1957, when the foundation of custom culture was being formed by hot rod gear heads hanging out on city street corners, in gritty garages or at dusty dragstrips. Sportster motorcycles became an iron canvas for many legendary choppers of that hot rod era and beyond.

Lying low from tire-to-tire, the Forty-Eight model showcases more of its black 1200 Evolution V-Twin engine with polished accents and other components with a clean look highlighted by the traditional peanut fuel tank, small solo seat and lightening holes in the backbone mounting bracket. The Forty-Eight has more than just custom cool styling with the smooth ride on new front fork sliders, a tall and fat front tire and slammed rear suspension.

With Electronic Sequential Port Fuel Injection (ESPFI) and performance tuning with a broad torque curve, the Forty-Eight motorcycle delivers a powerfully responsive ride with smooth clutch effort. The pipes on the chrome, shorty dual exhaust pound out the distinctive Harley-Davidson American V-Twin sound.

The Forty-Eight embraces the street up front with forward foot controls, low profile custom handlebar, under-mounted mirrors, fork-mounted turn signals, slammed speedometer mounting bracket and fork brace with lightening holes. A unique dual texture solo seat with a height of 26 inches fits the lone rider, while a passenger pillion, footpegs and backrest are some of the many accessories that can be added.

The black chopped rear fender with combination stop/turn/tail lights and a side mounted license plate help show-off the 150 mm rear tire and 16-inch Black Steel Laced wheels. The front tire also rides on a wide black wheel.

The Forty-Eight model comes in Vivid Black, Brilliant Silver and Mirage Orange Pearl colors and will be available soon at Harley-Davidson dealers.

Forty-Eight features and highlights:

Blacked out rubber-mounted Evolution 1200 cc V-Twin engine with polished covers
Electronic Sequential Port Fuel Injection (ESPFI)
Steel 2.1-gallon peanut fuel tank with lightening hole mounting bracket
One-piece, solo Sportster classic seat
26-inch seat height
Tall and fat 130 mm Dunlop MT90 front tire
16-inch Black Steel Laced wheels
Low profile custom handlebar
Under-mounted mirrors
New front forks with wide triple clamps
Chopped front fender mounted on fork brace with lightening holes
Blacked components including air cleaner cover, clutch and brake levers and turn signals
Chopped rear fender
Stop-turn-tail lights
Side-mounted license plate
Two-year factory warranty
Optional Harley-Davidson Smart Security System

Harley-Davidson Motor Company produces heavyweight custom, cruiser and touring motorcycles and offers a complete line of Harley-Davidson motorcycle parts, accessories, riding gear and apparel, and general merchandise. For more information, visit Harley-Davidson’s Web site at www.harley-davidson.com.

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In consideration of new AMA rules for Class C racing, a new Sportster®-based motorcycle, the XR-750 racer is introduced in 1970.

In 1970 on the Bonneville salt flats near Wendover, Utah, racer Cal Rayborn breaks the world record for land speed set by a motorcycle. The vehicle is a sixteen foot streamliner powered by a single Sportster engine, and averages just over 265 mph.

In response to the customizing craze in 1971, Harley-Davidson introduces the FX 1200 Super Glide®, which combined a sporty front end (similar to that of the XL series) with the frame and powertrain of the FL series. A new class of motorcycle, the cruiser, is born.

1971 was the first year of Harley-Davidson snowmobile production.

In 1972 the new, more powerful, more reliable aluminum alloy XR-750 debuts. It becomes the dominant dirt track racer through the next three decades. Dirt track racer Mark Brelsford wins the AMA Grand National Championship on the XR-750 this year.

In 1973 motorcycle production is upgraded when all assembly operations are moved to a modern 400,000 square foot plant in York, Penn. All other production operations remain in Milwaukee and Tomahawk. The Capitol Drive plant in Milwaukee begins production of engines.

in 1975 the first of four more consecutive years of Harley-Davidson AMA Grand National Championships in dirt track racing. Gary Scott wins in 1975. The following three years are won by racing legend Jay Springsteen.

In 1977 Harley-Davidson introduces the FXS Low Rider® to the public in Daytona Beach. With drag style handlebars, unique engine and paint treatments, the Low Rider lives up to its name by placing the rider in a lowered seating position than was typical. Later in the same year, Willie G. Davidson’s dynamic version of the Sportster, the Cafe Racer, is released.

1979 was the introduction of the FXEF Fat Bob, “Fat” because of the dual gas tanks, “Bob” for the bobbed fenders.

In 1960 the Harley-Davidson Topper motor scooter is introduced and is the only scooter platform the Motor Company ever produced.

Harley-Davidson purchases a half interest in Aeronatica-Macchi, forming Aermacchi Harley-Davidson, a European division that will produce small, single cylinder motorcycles.

In this year of Brad Andres’ 1st place finish at the Daytona 200, the top 14 finishers are also riding Harley-Davidson 750 KR models.

The Sprint Model was introduce in 1961.

In 1962 Harley-Davidson purchases 60 percent of the stock in the Tomahawk Boat Manufacturing Company. H-D recognizes the rising relevance of fiberglass in motorcycle production, and begins manufacturing its own components. As a result, the Tomahawk Division is established and is operational as a Harley-Davidson facility by 1963.

In 1963 Ralph White resumes the winning of the Daytona 200 for Harley-Davidson, again on a 750 KR motorcycle.

In 1964 Roger Reiman wins the AMA Grand National Championship for Harley-Davidson. Reiman also scores the first of back-to-back Daytona 200 victories on a 750 KR. Also in 1964 the three-wheeled Servi-Car becomes the very first Harley-Davidson motorcycle to receive an electric starter.

In 1965 the Electra-Glide® replaces the Duo-Glide and is updated with electric starter. The Electra-Glide is the first FL available with electric start, and the Sportster® line would receive electric starters soon after.

In 1965 the Electra-Glide® replaces the Duo-Glide and is updated with electric starter. The Electra-Glide is the first FL available with electric start, and the Sportster® line would receive electric starters soon after.

In 1965 Harley-Davidson dirt track racer Bart Markel wins the AMA Grand National Championship in 1965 and 1966.

In 1967 the first of the “Shovelhead” engines is introduced on the Electra-Glide models, replacing the Panhead.

In 1968 Cal Rayborn wins the first of back-to-back victories at the Daytona 200 on a 750 KR model.

In 1969 Harley-Davidson merges with the American Machine and Foundry Company (AMF), a longtime producer of leisure products. Also in 1969 Mert Lawill wins the AMA Grand National Championship for team Harley-Davidson in dirt track racing.

Harley-Davidson is issuing a recall on its 2009 & 2010 touring line made between June 6, 2008, and Nov. 19, 2009, which consists of 111,569 motorcycles in total. The recall is due to concerns over the fuel tank mounts on these motorcycles, which might distort in a collision, possibly leaking fuel, and thus causing a fire.

Affected Harley-Davidson owners may call (414) 343-4056 for more information, or visit the NHTSA’s website at safecar.gov. The safety recall is expected to begin around Dec. 14. H-D dealers will install left and right front braces to reinforce the front mount, free of charge.

No word on how much the recall will cost Harley-Davidson, but on the day the NHTSA recall was issued, HOG stock opened at nearly 2% lower than on the previous day.

The affected models are as follows:

In 1950 Larry Headrick wins the AMA Grand National Championship for Harley-Davidson in dirt track racing and Harley-Davidson riders win 18 of 24 National Championships and set six new racing records.

In 1952 the side-valve K model is introduced with an integrated engine & transmission to compete with smaller, sportier motorcycles coming mainly from Great Britain. The K will eventually evolve into the Sportster.

In 1953 Harley-Davidson celebrates its 50th Anniversary in style. An attractive logo is created, depicting a “V” in honor of the engine which had brought the Company so far, with a bar overlaid reading “Harley-Davidson” and the words, above and below, “50 years–American made.” A medallion version of this logo is placed on the front fenders of the 1954 models.

In 1954 the dirt track racer Joe Leonard wins the AMA Grand National Championship. Over the next eight years, the Grand National Championship will be won by Harley-Davidson racers.

1955 was the beginning  of a seven-year consecutive run of victories at the Daytona 200. The victories will be shared by racers Brad Andres, Johnny Gibson, Joe Leonard and Roger Reiman. All ride Harley-Davidson KR models. Reiman’s victory in 1961 is on the new speedway course.

In 1956 a new young star Elvis Presley poses for the cover of the May Enthusiast sitting on a 1956 model KH.

In 1957  motorcycling public met a new motorcycle called the Sportster®. It premiers as a 55 cubic inch overhead valve engine, and within one year of its debut, becomes known as the first of the “Superbikes.” Another Harley-Davidson tradition and legend is born.

in 1958 the first rear brakes and hydraulic rear suspensions appear on the Duo-Glide.