Giving off-road capabilities to Harley’s iconic streetbike is a trend—and in our opinion, a very good one. The movement even reached the global stage at this year’s AMD World Championship, when Fran Manen of Lord Drake Kustoms (LDK) presented this off-road-minded, scrambler-style Sportster, called “Urban Tracker,” in the “Modified Harley” category.
How was it made?
Lord Drake Kustoms started with a 2010 Sportster XL883R and made it off-road ready by replacing the original suspension with a WP inverted fork and a sturdy set of Öhlins piggyback rear shocks. The longer Öhlins shocks not only provide more travel but also create extra clearance between the clean steel rear section and the rear wheel.
Although riding a Sportster on secondary roads is usually a solo experience, the rear section of the “Urban Tracker” includes a small passenger pad if you want to share the thrill with a friend. Even the foldable passenger footpegs remain in place!
Engine
Although the motorcycle started with an 883 cc engine, it now features an even larger 1,200 cc motor. The custom pipes are mounted high and produce the deep, powerful tone of the SuperTrapp exhaust. The notched tank will be useful for positioning your legs when standing on the foot controls during off-road adventures. A very short front fender, made in-house, is designed to deflect some of the debris kicked up by the 19-inch Metzeler Karoo 3 tire.
Handmade details
The elegant front plate, which serves as a support for the two offset headlights, was also made in-house. The bike even features an LED strip that functions as turn signals and brake lights under the rear section. And yes, the license plate holder is there too. All that’s left is to install a set of mirrors, and you could ride on your favorite path without fear of being stopped by local police. Then it will be time to test the grip of the Karoo 3 tires.
Several details on the bike reflect Manen’s personality. The popular phrase, “Four wheels move the body, two wheels move the soul,” is painted on the sides of the tank. On the lower panel of the rear section is another well-known quote with a twist: “Though I walk through the valley of death, I will fear no evil. For you are with me, and I also have a good horse.” And then there’s his race number, 69, which needs no further explanation.
Although scrambler Sportsters have long been popular here in the United States, it seems that the international scene is discovering just how fun it is to ride off-road with a well-prepared V-twin.
