Harley Davidson has unveiled two new models to it's 2012 lineup (kinda late for 2012 models, but I digress). First up is a new Sportster called the Seventy-Two which is a very narrow, 1200cc powered ride covered in sparkling metalflake paint.

“In creating the Seventy-Two, we were also inspired by the vibe of the early chopper era,” says Frank Savage, Harley-Davidson Manager of Industrial Design. “Those bikes were colorful and chromed, but also narrow and stripped down to the essentials. You look at period examples and they are almost as simple as a bicycle. It’s a custom style that’s very particular to America and that California scene.” 

Key features of the 2012 Harley-Davidson Seventy-Two include:

• Air-cooled Evolution® 1200cc V-Twin engine with Electronic Sequential
  Port Fuel Injection (ESPFI), rated at 73 ft. lbs. peak torque
  at 3500 rpm.

• 

  Powertrain is finished in Gray powdercoat with Chrome covers.
• Paint color choices include Hard Candy Big Red Flake with period pinstripe
  details on fenders and fuel tank, Black Denim, and Big Blue Pearl.
• Classic 2.1-gallon peanut fuel tank.
• Dunlop® white side wall 21-inch (MH90-21) front and 16-inch (150/80B16) rear tires.
• Chrome Laced wheels.
• Ten-inch mini-ape handlebar mounted on a two-inch high riser.
• Chrome, eight-inch round air cleaner cover with center screw mount.
• Chopped rear fender exposes rear tire.
• Side-mounted license plate bracket.
• Chrome, staggered, shorty dual exhaust with slash-cut mufflers.
• Solo seat with black textured vinyl cover.
• Handlebar-mounted speedometer with chrome cup.
• Chrome rear fender struts.
• Chrome coil-over pre-load adjustable rear shocks.
• Forward foot controls.

Where the new Seventy-Two is all slim and skinny, the new for 2012 Softail Slim is actually quite chunky. It is, however, narrower than the regular Softail on which it is based. Also the Slim sheds some of the chrome and adds some nice "retro" touches the standard softail.

“It’s time to make the engine the focal point of the motorcycle,” says Harley-Davidson Senior Designer Casey Ketterhagen, “so we put a Softail on a diet to get the proportions back in check. Scale down the rear with a narrow tire and chopped fender and the heart of the bike, the motor, once again becomes the focus. We left a gap between the nose of the seat and tank so the rider can see the top of the motor. I
like to be able to look down and see what’s moving me.”

Key features of the 2012 Harley-Davidson Softail® Slim™ include:

• 

  Rigid-mounted, air-cooled, 1690 cc Twin Cam 103B™ counter-balanced engine
  with Automatic Compression Release (ACR) rated at 98.7 ft. lbs. peak torque at 3000 rpm.

• Powertrain is finished in Black powdercoat with polished covers.

• 6-Speed Cruise Drive® Transmission.
• Chrome, over/under shotgun exhaust with slash-cut mufflers.
• Gloss Black round air cleaner cover.
• Classic 5.0-gallon Fat Bob® fuel tank.
• Black “cat’s eye” console holds electronic speedometer with retro-style face.
• Dunlop® 16-inch (MT90B16) front and rear (MU85B16) tires.
• Black, Steel Laced wheels.
• Hollywood handlebar with cross-brace
• Gloss black headlamp with chrome trim ring.
• Gloss black nacelle with punched louvers.
• Half-moon footboards with retro-style foot control pads.
• Chopped rear fender exposes rear tire.
• Trimmed FL front fender.
• Side-mounted license plate bracket.
• Combination stop/tail/turn tail lights.
• Solo seat with black tuck-and-roll vinyl cover.
• Forged rear fender supports are finished in Gloss Black powdercoat.
• Gloss black “horseshoe” oil tank.
• Paint color choices include Vivid Black, Black Denim, and Ember Red Sunglo.
• Security Package Option (factory-installed option) includes: Harley-Davidson® Smart Security System with proximity-based, hands-free security fob and Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)