TRABUCO CANYON, calif. — Cook’s Corner in Orange County, Calif., has long been a haven for motorcyclists. But the legendary roadhouse was more jammed than usual Wednesday as scores of bikers had gathered to get a glimpse of two new motorcycles unveiled by Harley-Davidson for the 2012 model year: a laid-back Sportster called the Seventy-Two and a Softail Slim retro bobber.

Harley-Davidson typically introduces all its new models and updates in the summer, but with the market still soft in a tough economy, the manufacturer has wheeled out new bikes in the off-season.

“It helps to bring a sense of excitement around the brand and to bring people into the dealerships to see the new bikes,” Harley spokeswoman Jennifer Hoyer said.

Retail sales of new Harley motorcycles grew 10.9 percent globally and 11.8 percent nationally during the fourth quarter of 2011 compared with the prior-year period.

The Seventy-Two and Softail Slim represent Harley’s growth strategy as it approaches its 110th anniversary next year: attracting minorities and younger riders. The lowrider-inspired Seventy-Two, with its reasonable $10,499 starting price, targets the growing demographic of riders ages 18 to 34, as well as Latinos. The ’50s-style Softail Slim, with its chopped fenders, large 103-cubic-inch V-twin and $15,499 base price, pursues what Harley calls its “younger core”: men ages 30 to 45.

POSTED: 02/04/2012 MST
By The Associated Press