News out of MILWAUKEE -- Wow! The new 2008 Harley-Davidson FLSTSB Softail "Cross Bones" takes it's style and mean profile from a custom bobber, but with dark, old school twists that deliver a wickedly fun riding experience. This new Softail model (that's right 'Softail') was recently announced at the Harley-Davidson Winter Dealer Meeting in San Antonio, TX and it's a real head-turner. Just take a look. With that 50's retro look, Springer front end and other post-war era bobber stylings - like a sprung solo seat, half-round rider footboards, round air cleaner cover and chopped front fender. The Harley Cross Bones rolls with a Black, Polished Twin Cam 96B powertrain and 6-speed Cruise Drive transmission between your legs coupled with a truly unique Softail suspension.

"Only Harley-Davidson could do this bike," said Bill Davidson, Harley-Davidson Vice President, Core Customer Marketing. "It's a motorcycle inspired as much by our early Knuckles and Pans, as by our desire to deliver innovative technology and content to make the ride today as magical and transforming as only a Harley-Davidson can. This Harley makes me want to strap a blanket across the handle bars, hit the campgrounds on my next road trip and get totally in touch with what's right about this land."

As the latest in a line of several Harley-Davidson 'Dark Customs', The Harley Cross Bones melds stripped and chopped custom features with the lastest tech and raw finishes. The Harley-Davidson Cross Bones sibilings include the Nightster, Night Train, Night Rod Special and Street Bob. As each Harley-Davidson Softail motorcycle declares its styling independence with exclusive components and inspired craftsmanship, the Cross Bones is a bold addition to this already free-spirited 'Dark Customs' family.

The Softail name originates from its rear suspension design, with a swingarm section that honors the lines of a vintage rigid frame, while delivering a smooth, comfortable ride. Hidden horizontal coil-over rear shock absorbers are strategically mounted out-of-sight below the powertrain. The counter-balanced Twin Cam 96B powertrain is rigid-mounted in the Softail frame to give the rider a core connection to the motorcycle. Harley-Davidson Electronic Sequential Port Fuel Injection (ESPFI) is standard on all Softail models, as is the 6-speed Cruise Drive transmission with its accommodating clutch lever effort.

The Softail Harley Cross Bones takes on the road with a "screw the rules attitude" accentuated by it's Gloss Black painted Springer front end, chrome springs, black bucket headlamp and black mini ape-hangers. While the chopped front fender exposes more of the front wheel, a Bobtail fender does the same for the wide 200 mm rear tire. Tires with matching treads ride on Steel Laced wheels with Gloss Black painted rims. The sprung solo seat, gloss black round air cleaner cover and old-style half-round rider footboards form a nostalgic focal point for the Cross Bones, recalling images of by-gone era on this contemporary Harley. With two coiled springs underneath, the adjustable two-position Cross Bones seat rides in modern comfort at a height of 26.6 inches. A distinctive Softail horseshoe-shaped oil tank with the time-honored Harley-Davidson patent badge is located below the seat.

An authentically old-school designed five-gallon fuel tank sports a gloss black "cat-eye" styled console with accessible ignition switch and a new speedometer face. A hand-laced leather tank panel on the console compliments this mean looking Harley-Davdson. A straight shot exhaust system with chrome slash-cut mufflers provides optimum performance and stands out in contrast to the 'Drak Custom'. The FLSTSB Cross Bones is available in premium custom graphics with wicked striping and paint featuring new Dark Blue Pearl, Dark Blue Denim, as well as Vivid Black, Black Denim, Olive Pearl and Pewter Denim. This is one Harley-Davidson Softail I hope stands the test of time.