This year, Harley threw us all for a loop with the 2007 models . They took their wildly popular TC88, improved it, and made it bigger on all new models. They also took some of the lessons from last year’s Dyna Bobber’s six speed transmission and built a transmission specifically designed to harness the power in the new TC96. That just scratches the surface of the changes Harley made to their bikes.

Clayton Sharp took on the task of escorting me for the demo ride. Clayton is a gear head from way back. I would ask him questions and his wealth of knowledge sometimes floored me. He said he loves riding and didn’t mind going fast. I could tell we would get along just fine!

I took a look at the Pacific Blue Denim FLHX from Adamec Harley-Davidson at Regency in Jacksonville and was immediately pleased with the cool emanating from the bike. It offered everything a touring bike should have with a heavy dose of cool. The large fairing housed the easy to read gauges. It has the usual speedo and tach, but there’s also an outside temperature gauge and a oil pressure gauge.

Once I mounted the bike, I was able to see over the windshield with ease. Of course, I’m 6’3”, so the 4 inch windshield was no problem to see over. The controls were easy to find and use. I could control the radio right from the grips. The thought of having some tunes playing while I was riding was very appealing.

The bike cranked right up and let out it mellow deep rumble. It was a pleasing sound. The was also more of it. Harley made the new TC96 quieter. The transmission features new helical-cut gears that are quieter as well. This allows for more exhaust note to ring through.

I stood the bike up and lifted the kick stand. The kick stand is shorter, so the bike stands more upright. This makes it easier to lift. I also found that the rear brake pedal was further forward on this bike than in previous models. I could now get my whole foot on the floorboard without having to by any aftermarket brake pedals. I told Clayton, “Someone at Harley wised up and made this way more user friendly.”

I grabbed the clutch and had to actually press the ‘I believe’ button that it was engaged. Clutch resistance is non-existent on this bike. I shifted it into 1st with ease and was ready to roll.

We got on the road and I cranked up the radio. Ahh, nice. Cruising with tunes. But the real test was yet to come. Clayton and I headed for the highway.

Let the real test begin. After all I was more excited about putting the new motor through its paces than all of the little gizmos. This new motor did not disappoint.

It pulled through all of the gears like a big dog pulls you when you walk it. It took me no time to get to my desired cruising speed. I was there way before the end of the ramp. This may not seem like much to the average rider, but I like to cruise at 80-90 mph.

O.k., first test passed with flying colors. How did it react when I rolled on the throttle at cruising speed? Surprisingly well. In no time at all, I was going 10 mph faster than before. It was peppy at 80, 60, and 40. It was also nice riding at 80 mph at less than 3000 RPM. Not only is the motor designed to last longer, but the lower cruising rpm’s help reduce wear and tear as well.

The new transmission isn’t simply a five-speed with a six gear installed. That would be an overdrive transmission. Harley calls this transmission the cruise drive. Its gear ratios are designed to harness more power from the motor over the whole power range, which is quite large to begin with. I would say that they achieved their desired result successfully.

So now, the bike has impressed me. I had pretty high expectations, so impressing me wasn’t easy to do. The cons were few and far between and easily fixed.

The bike has no cruise control. If you’re going to ride 500-600 miles in a day, cruise control really makes a difference. The old right hand can get tired after a while. Cruise control is offered as a factory option.

The short four inch shield was way less than I needed. Once we got up to about 40, the wind noise make it impossible to hear the radio. 60 and up was very little fun. The wind came right over the fairing and seemed to concentrate right on my eyes. It was definitely not a good experience. A taller windshield will fix both of those things. A taller windshield is also offered as a factory option.

The bike also sat higher than I would have liked. The FLHX comes with air adjustable low profile rear suspension, but it didn’t seem all that low to me. Clayton said that it may have been adjusted to be taller. Easy fix, adjust it to be lower.

What’s my overall impression of the bike? Well, I love riding my ’99 Electra Glide. Since this bike is so well improved over the ’06 model with more torque, more overall peppiness, a lower cruising rpm, and a heavy dose of cool, an addition to the stable may just be in order.