Chrome and Custom Cycles In the "News"
| Big Dog Motorcycles®: Key Features In 2005 Line Prove Its Reputation Rolls On | ||
| Dog Motorcycles®, the leader in the high performance, highly-styled cruiser niche and the second largest American V-twin motorcycle manufacturer, launches its totally redesigned 2005 line. Complete with all the aggressive performance and style-focused features – such as big engines and big tires – the new models dramatically reveal that Big Dog Motorcycles is continuing its leading-edge technology and cutting-edge style. Big Dog Motorcycles’ 2005 line includes two rigid motorcycles, the Pitbull and Ridgeback, and three with A-frame swingarm suspension, the Chopper, Mastiff and soon-to-be-released Bulldog. The company has retired the rubber-mounted Boxer. “This year’s line-up takes adrenalin-pumping motorcycling to an entirely new level” commented Nick Messer, president. “Our combination of power, technology and full-tilt custom styling will satisfy even the most demanding customers.” He continued, “This year, we will broaden the gap even further between Big Dog Motorcycles and the rest of our industry niche.” Dustan Hahn, chief technical officer, added, “The radical feel, rideability, and performance of the new motorcycles are absolutely revolutionary. Our product development curve continues to climb steeply upwards,” he added. With Big Dog Motorcycles’ 16-member engineering team working with its arsenal of suppliers, the OEM has developed a stunning line-up that blazes the engineering trail and will influence motorcycles for years to come. Four noticeable features promise to make the new cruisers the strongly favored choice in the marketplace: 117 cubic inch engine; super fat rear tires, including the extremely beefy 300mm on the 2005 Pitbull and Ridgeback; new BDM Balance Drive, a revolutionary right-side drive system that promotes superior balance and rideability beyond compare; and a smooth Americanmade 6-speed transmission. FOUR KEY FEATURES 117-Inch Engine Whether on the fast stretches of the highway or cruising the boulevard, dynamic performance is ensured by Big Dog Motorcycles’ new 117 cubic inch engine (1,916cc), standard on the entire 2005 line. The bigger engine has an aesthetically beefier look, capped with redesigned chrome rocker boxes, started with a new single-fire ignition, and fed by a Super E carburetor. Like its 107-inch predecessor, the 117 cubic inch power plant is hand assembled at Big Dog Motorcycles’ factory to its own exacting specifications using S&S components. “If someone is in search of a satisfying, performance-flavored cruiser, the new 117 should firmly place Big Dog Motorcycles on the top of their list,” said Hahn. 250 and 300 Rear Tires When Big Dog Motorcycles’ Super Fats Series debuted in 2002, its Pitbull prowled the road with an attention-grabbing 250 rear, a size nearly unheard of at the time. Now, three years later, Big Dog Motorcycles stays true to its name by combining its ferociously powerful 117 engine with even more muscular rear tires that beef up the bike’s unmistakable style. The company’s wide-tire crusade is now led by a massive single-arc 300mm rear on the 2005 Rigids – Pitbull and Ridgeback – while the Chopper and Mastiff are marked with a 250 cradled in an Aframe swingarm suspension. The radial construction of the tires provides added stability and performance while the well-balanced contact patch area holds to the road and improves handling. Regarding the wider, fatter tires, Hahn said, “Tires of this magnitude prove, more than ever, we are not at all shy about style and looks.” BDM Balance Drive System Right side drive is now standard on all 2005 models. The revolutionary drive train brings the final belt drive to the right side of the motorcycle, allowing for superior balance, agility, athleticism, and easier cornering, even with super fat rear tires. The system, together with a Baker 6-speed transmission and a road-ripping engine, allows for a sophisticated new riding experience. Hahn commented, “Last year’s right side drive was available only on the 2004 Bulldog. But we didn’t stop there. This year’s Balance-Drive is totally new breakthrough technology, allowing a complete redesign of the transmission, gears, primary and clutch. The improved drive train balancing makes our heavyweight cruisers even more manageable.” “This is the highest level of rideability ever achieved in this class of motorcycles,” he added. BDM Balance Drive begins with a dramatically redesigned primary, much narrower than its predecessors. Adding to the motorcycle’s improved balance, the thinner primary shrouds the chain drive in gleaming chrome, adding to its custom look. The final drive is belt-driven with a narrower, yet durable belt and anodized, Teflon-coated rear pulley. 6-Speed Transmission In its quest to build high-styled motorcycles that are made to ride in the real world, Big Dog Motorcycles has focused on the transmission as a core strategy. This year’s revolutionary Baker 6- speed transmission, together with an enhanced clutch design, is standard on every 2005 model. Effective shifting through six distinct gears takes the rider from the slowest speed to the fastest in seconds. Compared to earlier 6-speed transmissions, which have been standard since the 2003 model year, the 2005 version has been completely redesigned. First through third gears are straightcut for strength, while the higher gears are helical for low noise. Cruising is now quieter and more relaxed. A neutral detent system makes neutral easier to find, even while the motorcycle is running. “This year, with refined transmissions, new drive trains, and other enhancements, we have made extensive use of all available technology to build a motorcycle that will catch the eyes of the onlookers and the smiles of the rider,” said Hahn. Like previous model years, the Big Dog Motorcycles’ 2005 line will be noticed first for its looks. The styling is bold, purposeful, and dynamic. However, the style, in this year more than ever, is supplemented with performance, agility, technology, rideability, and handling. Through four main standard features, Big Dog Motorcycles will be set apart from the rest, as it set new standards in the industry. About Big Dog Motorcycles® Big Dog Motorcycles, LLC, started production in 1994 and has since become the Number Two American V-twin motorcycle manufacturer and the leader in its specialized niche. The company’s entire line of motorcycles uses high-performance V-twin 117 cubic inch engines, 6-speed transmissions, stretch tanks, right side drives, super fat tires, chrome components, and an extensive variety of custom paint colors and graphics. The 2005 line also includes Big Dog Motorcycles custom-designed electronics, hand controls, foot controls, mirrors, air cleaner cover, coil cover, and other components, all earning the company OEM status. The company’s motorcycles are distributed through nearly one hundred dealers throughout the United States, including Alaska and Hawaii – eight are Big Dog Motorcycles branded dealerships. Designing, manufacturing, and distributing are performed at the company’s 175,000 square-foot world headquarters in Wichita, Kansas by over 350 employees. For more information, visit the new, comprehensive website at www.bigdogmotorcycles.com. | ||