If you see the F-150 Harley-Davidson Edition in a bar, don't hassle it. You're liable to get a pool cue across the bean.
Its jet black and chrome exterior styling are a warning: Beware, mad dog inside. Of course, that's the only reason to buy the F-150 Harley-Davidson Edition instead of a regular Ford pickup: because you think it's bad. Bad to the bone.
Ford readily admits this limited-edition pickup (only 7,500 will be made and 6,500 of those sold in the U.S.) is all about image. None of its modifications enhance its performance, including the special paint job, extra chrome details and Harley-Davidson badging (on the seats, consoles, dash and tailgate, to name just a few places the famous motorbike nameplate appears). The ride height has been lowered 1 inch (from the regular 2WD F-150) to enhance its look and a custom suspension has been added to accommodate that difference. It also has 20-inch chromed aluminum wheels that are the only 20-inch wheels available on a Ford production vehicle.
These changes may look great, but they don't make the truck any badder. Instead they actually make it ride and handle like a plush sedan. There's a good, solid weight to its steering and it's very stable, even at high speeds, never suggesting the tippiness of other, regular, pickups. Very little sound, save the special exhaust note, enters the cabin, creating a secure, comfortable atmosphere. The F-150 Harley-Davidson Edition is a great cruiser. But, of course, cruising is what Harley-Davidson's all about.
The Milwaukee-based motorcycle company worked very closely with Ford in the design of this vehicle. In fact, says F-150 brand manager Jack Turner, Harley-Davidson was very particular about its vision for the truck. The wheel design took three months to finalize. The exhaust note was modified to mimic the distinctive "potato, potato" sound of a Harley. The motorbike company didn't want four-wheel drive or a Ford SVT (Special Vehicle Team) performance powertrain. Those features, Harley-Davidson said, were not in keeping with its carefully constructed corporate image. The 260-horsepower, 5.4-liter V8 engine is the same powertrain that is optional on the regular F-150 SuperCrew. It's not a tire-shredder, but, again, that's not what Harley-Davidson's all about.
Harley didn't even want a long bed on the truck so bikers could transport their Hawg (Harley-Davidson bike). People, said the motorbike makers, might assume the bike was going for repairs. So, the Harley-Davidson Edition has a 5 1/2-foot cargo box that doesn't offer a lot of utility. Even the optional bed extender, which increases the load floor to 7 feet, won't allow you to carry a sheet of 4X8 plywood. But, who's going to use something this pretty for work anyway?
Last year was the first year of this limited-edition pickup. This year's most significant change was the addition of two full-size rear doors, changing the truck from last year's SuperCab to a SuperCrew. Despite the extra doors, however, the 2001 truck seats one less passenger than the 2000 model, which featured a bench seat in back. Even though the truck has a cavernous interior, it still only seats four with its rear buckets.
But those four are treated to commodious accommodations to be sure. Head, hip and legroom are so generous that all aboard can splay themselves out in any posture they deem comfortable. The all-black interior and four black leather captain's chairs with Harley-Davidson chrome badging (like motorcycle jackets) will lend attitude to the lounging. The center consoles (front and back) are like black, vinyl-covered ottomans embroidered with the famous motorbike name and are big enough to hold a duffel bag. Chrome accents abound, from the shift lever and control stalk to the seat levers and other controls.
Like a biker bar, the F-150 Harley-Davidson Edition is not for the fainthearted. You can almost hear them in Milwaukee, "So, you don't like it, don't buy it."
Its jet black and chrome exterior styling are a warning: Beware, mad dog inside. Of course, that's the only reason to buy the F-150 Harley-Davidson Edition instead of a regular Ford pickup: because you think it's bad. Bad to the bone.
Ford readily admits this limited-edition pickup (only 7,500 will be made and 6,500 of those sold in the U.S.) is all about image. None of its modifications enhance its performance, including the special paint job, extra chrome details and Harley-Davidson badging (on the seats, consoles, dash and tailgate, to name just a few places the famous motorbike nameplate appears). The ride height has been lowered 1 inch (from the regular 2WD F-150) to enhance its look and a custom suspension has been added to accommodate that difference. It also has 20-inch chromed aluminum wheels that are the only 20-inch wheels available on a Ford production vehicle.
These changes may look great, but they don't make the truck any badder. Instead they actually make it ride and handle like a plush sedan. There's a good, solid weight to its steering and it's very stable, even at high speeds, never suggesting the tippiness of other, regular, pickups. Very little sound, save the special exhaust note, enters the cabin, creating a secure, comfortable atmosphere. The F-150 Harley-Davidson Edition is a great cruiser. But, of course, cruising is what Harley-Davidson's all about.
The Milwaukee-based motorcycle company worked very closely with Ford in the design of this vehicle. In fact, says F-150 brand manager Jack Turner, Harley-Davidson was very particular about its vision for the truck. The wheel design took three months to finalize. The exhaust note was modified to mimic the distinctive "potato, potato" sound of a Harley. The motorbike company didn't want four-wheel drive or a Ford SVT (Special Vehicle Team) performance powertrain. Those features, Harley-Davidson said, were not in keeping with its carefully constructed corporate image. The 260-horsepower, 5.4-liter V8 engine is the same powertrain that is optional on the regular F-150 SuperCrew. It's not a tire-shredder, but, again, that's not what Harley-Davidson's all about.
Harley didn't even want a long bed on the truck so bikers could transport their Hawg (Harley-Davidson bike). People, said the motorbike makers, might assume the bike was going for repairs. So, the Harley-Davidson Edition has a 5 1/2-foot cargo box that doesn't offer a lot of utility. Even the optional bed extender, which increases the load floor to 7 feet, won't allow you to carry a sheet of 4X8 plywood. But, who's going to use something this pretty for work anyway?
Last year was the first year of this limited-edition pickup. This year's most significant change was the addition of two full-size rear doors, changing the truck from last year's SuperCab to a SuperCrew. Despite the extra doors, however, the 2001 truck seats one less passenger than the 2000 model, which featured a bench seat in back. Even though the truck has a cavernous interior, it still only seats four with its rear buckets.
But those four are treated to commodious accommodations to be sure. Head, hip and legroom are so generous that all aboard can splay themselves out in any posture they deem comfortable. The all-black interior and four black leather captain's chairs with Harley-Davidson chrome badging (like motorcycle jackets) will lend attitude to the lounging. The center consoles (front and back) are like black, vinyl-covered ottomans embroidered with the famous motorbike name and are big enough to hold a duffel bag. Chrome accents abound, from the shift lever and control stalk to the seat levers and other controls.
Like a biker bar, the F-150 Harley-Davidson Edition is not for the fainthearted. You can almost hear them in Milwaukee, "So, you don't like it, don't buy it."
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