Driving report Harley conversion

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Driving report, Harley-Davidson Sportster 1200

Harley conversion

Well injected is half the battle. At least when it comes to low emissions. Challenge one, the Harley to stay clean.

It’s always the same. They are not satisfied with anything, they always think they can do everything better and they can never come to terms with the facts of life. One of these constantly dissatisfied is Jo Hubner, head of the Fast Bike Challenge company in Freirachdorf in the Westerwald. His contribution to the topic of a “better world” is called Challenge one and, according to the press release, is Germany’s first low-emission Harley.

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Driving report Harley conversion

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Harley conversion

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It quickly becomes clear that the complex conversion of a 1200 Sportster is not just a beautifully painted blender. This Harley is really different from others. The big difference to the masses is namely under the classic air filter cover on the right side of the engine. There is a lot of electronics under the chrome-plated bell, no trace of the ordinary 40s Keihin carburetor. Instead, an injection system from the American company Whitek takes care of the correct mixture preparation for the high-tech Harley.

That works? And how. The Challenge one takes on the gas flawlessly, impresses with its unusually powerful acceleration even from the lowest engine speeds and is even more lively in the upper range than a standard Sportster. It is hard to believe that the top performance of the Challenge one should hardly exceed the standard 58 HP of a Sporty.

The 4550 Mark (plus 250 Mark for the report) expensive injection system, which fits all models with flange mount intake manifold, makes all technology hearts beat faster, because the blue anodized cockpit offers endless possibilities for unlimited games. Three seemingly harmless buttons can be used to query data such as speed, engine temperatures or settings for the injection system. Furthermore, the entire arithmetic unit of the on-board computer can be programmed and thus the mixture composition and the ignition point can be changed in all conceivable ranges from idling to full load. To ensure that excessive play instinct cannot cause damage, a quick press of the right button is sufficient and all parameters are reset to the values ​​specified in the TÜV report. Monitoring such self-experiments using a mounted lambda probe and the display device in the cockpit is somewhat difficult, however. The small mobile device simply reacts too slowly and imprecisely for such purposes.

In contrast, the LED display on the far left in the cockpit is much better informed. The so-called shiftminder signals the right time to upshift to the driver. As the speed increases, one lamp after the other lights up. When the last of the six lights is on, it means: switching. The speed for the lighting of the individual lamps can be freely programmed. Not a vital thing, of course, but a nice toy for big children.

And while we’re at unusual gymnastics, the automatic switch shouldn’t be missing either. A quick step on the gearshift lever, and the next gear is barely audible and engaged without lifting the gas. And that with a Harley gearbox, hard to believe but true.

But not all the subtleties of Challenge one are as conspicuous and effective as injection, automatic gearshift and shift reducer. Only the true Harley connoisseur will delight in its inner values. For example on a Barnett clutch, aluminum tappet cover and adjustable push rods or the Crane “two in one” ignition coil.

Of course, this Harley should not only stand out technically from its peers. Banana tank and Badlander seat are just as good as a drag bar handlebars or the massive steamliner handles and footrests. And so that the Challenge one also cuts a fine figure from the front, the narrow series fork has been revamped with an impressive Jos 5 ° Wide Glide Kit.

Jo Hubner gave his baby powerful six-piston pliers from Billet and a floating brake disc, and not just because of the appearance. Nevertheless, the caller rider is dependent on the active support of the voluminous rear wheel stop. Because of the unfavorable weight distribution of the Sportster, the extra power of the front brake can hardly be converted into better deceleration. Unfortunately, the tire lacks the necessary grip, so the front wheel tends to overbrake.

The weaknesses in the chassis area, however, cannot upset the keen businessman and ex-racing driver Hubner. Although his creation comes from a Sportster, the name does not always reflect the program. Despite all the technical refinements and quite sporty high-tech such as automatic gearshift, digital tachometer or LED shift reducer, the Challenge one is primarily a fun and strolling mobile. And with a mere material value of 40,000 marks, it is far too good to end up in a shabby ditch.

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