Sometimes innovation isn't the main course, it's the dessert. Harley-Davidson just came out with two new models, one of which is a unique soft tail design called the "Rocker". The big innovation on the bike went into the rear fender, which appears to "hover" over the over-sized rear wheel. It was a feat of engineering to accomplish this and the bike looks great. This particular model evokes a true "lone wolf" feel to it part of which is due to the appearance of the full rear fender which doesn't include a second seat. My guess is that part of the rationale behind the design was the influence of the custom-chopper craze (most choppers are one seaters) and like choppers, the Rocker is meant to be customized.
But Harley did a smart thing in the design process. The Rocker sports a "convertible seat design" which means this one seater rebel ride can be converted into a two seater in seconds. If I had to speculate, this design was possibly influenced by an insight into the modern Harley rider who's either a weekend warrior and needs an occasional spot for their significant other, or the rider who occasionally meets someone worthy enough to share a ride. I call this a "micro innovation" because it's not the main selling point of the bike--but as this video shows, it's one of the features that will probably get talked about, and more than likely get used. Not to mention that it's a great example of function that doesn't get in the way of form (or vice versa).
