Harley-Davidson has delved into its rich heritage of competition with the launch of the new Apex custom paint option for select models in its Grand American Touring range.
Primed to debut at the famous Sturgis Motorcycle Rally (which begins today, Friday 5th August)- which regularly attracts more than half-a-million bikers and revellers each year - the Apex custom paint is inspired by Harley-Davidson’s history of competition over the decades across myriad disciplines.
Tasting success in hill climbs, enduros and fairground flat track events, Harley-Davidson has since written a new, if somewhat unconventional, chapter in its racing history book as the title-winner in the 2021 MotoAmerica King of the Baggers.
The quirky racing series - which supports more traditional Superbike and Supersport races on the esteemed MotoAmerica bill - was borne as a one-off ‘grudge race’ between Harley-Davidson and its great American rival, Indian Motorcycles, at Laguna Seca in 2020.
With the unusual sight of Road Glides and Challengers plunging down the iconic Corkscrew gaining global coverage, King of the Baggers returned for a full season campaign in 2021, with Harley-Davidson’s Screamin’ Eagle factory team emerging victorious.
As such, it is the Road Glide that gets the benefit of the Apex custom paint option, as well as the Road King, Street Glide and Ultra.
Harking back to the legendary Harley-Davidson XR750 flat-tracker, the paint scheme mimics the shape of that model’s tank, while the lines on the front fender connect visually to those on the side covers and saddlebags to create what H-D refers to as a ‘flowing effect’ so it seems in ‘motion’ when stationary.
The colour scheme itself is a base of Vivid Black paint, with Gauntlet Gray panels adding a graphic element accentuated by a stripe of Jet Fire Orange, the original colour applied to the XR750 competition models. There is also a smart chequered fade effect before a clear coat paint is applied to the final layer.
“Apex factory custom paint gives riders the opportunity to express the thrill of speed and competition on the bodywork of their bagger,” said Brad Richards, VP of Design and Creative Director–Motorcycles.
“This paint scheme communicates velocity and forward momentum with lines and colours inspired by Harley-Davidson competition motorcycles.”
How much will the new Harley-Davidson Apex paint models cost?
The Apex custom paint will be offered globally for the remainder of the 2022 model ordering period as a factory-installed option for nine Harley-Davidson Grand American Touring models:
Road King® Special model - £25,795 including £1,900 Apex paint
Street Glide® Special Chrome model - £28,895 including £1,900 Apex paint
Street Glide® Special Black model - £30,095 including £3,100 Apex paint
Ultra Limited Chrome model - £31,095 including £1,900 Apex paint
Ultra Limited Black model - £32,295 including £3,100 Apex paint
Road Glide® Limited Chrome model - £29,995 including £1,900 Apex paint
Road Glide® Limited Black model - £31,195 including £3,100 Apex paint
Road Glide® Special Chrome model - £28,895 including £1,900 Apex paint
Road Glide® Special Black model - £30,095 including £3,100 Apex paint
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