New Harley-Davidson 72 and Softail Slim unveiled

Say hello to Harley-Davidson’s brand new ‘Seventy-Two’ and Softail Slim – its two major new model releases for 2012.

The XL1200V Seventy Two is based on the 1200 Sportster and inspired by the metalflake and ape-hangered customs of the early 1970s – hence the name.

Key features are its small peanut tank, high, pull back bars, big 21 inch wire front wheel, skinny whitewall tyres and rich metalflake paint. Prices start at £8695 OTR.

While the FLS Softail Slim is another variation on the ‘bobber’ trend in being essentially a fat-tyred Softail (the hidden rear shock range) but pared down to the bone – or ‘stripped’ as in the custom parlance.

As such it’s got black-rimmed, 16-in wire wheels, chopped mudguards (or fenders), a single seat and forward, cross-braced ‘Hollywood’ handlebars. It’ll cost from £14,695 otr. Both bikes will be unveiled at UK dealers on February 10. MCN will be bringing you our first test of the bikes in our February 15 issue.