Originally Posted by Fishrrman

Kingspoke asked above:
"Does that look like a new frame?"

Not yet.

2017 will be a "transitional" production year, with the new M-8 engine in the existing (old) frame. Similar to the 2008 production year, when you had the "new tank" on the older frame/swingarm setup.

2018 will debut the upcoming "common core" frame ("common" because the "core" frame assembly will bolt up to both the touring models -and- the Dyna models).

Pure speculation on my part, but I'll bet we see a re-designed Softail frame in 2018 as well, so the same M-8 motor fits in ALL the bikes.

All in all, I believe the changes across the product line in '18 will be as far-reaching or moreso than those in 2017 ...

Originally Posted by bad tappets

Interesting to say the least. According to the revzilla article, the leak was from someone at a test facility. Usually those facilities have some really tight non-disclosure agreements, someone is probably going to be in deep do-doo over this leak.

Originally Posted by MikeyTX

Unless H-D wanted it to leak. It does happen in the automotive industry and at this point they are only weeks out from the dealer show. Allowing such a leak can serve several purposes. It can boost sales to those sitting on the fence that don't wish to be lab rats while at the same time, wet the appetite of early adopters that were considering a left over '16.

Originally Posted by Ohiobellboy

EXACTLY!
I'll add to it that MoCo unveiled the new RG last year at Sturgis instead of waiting for the dealer meeting. Pressure from Indian putting out there new goodies at Sturgis is starting to keep MoCo on their toes. They can't afford to snub the possible customers by waiting another two weeks for their dealer meeting to introduce new stuff.

Originally Posted by bad tappets

Interesting to say the least. According to the revzilla article, the leak was from someone at a test facility. Usually those facilities have some really tight non-disclosure agreements, someone is probably going to be in deep do-doo over this leak.

Originally Posted by todd-67

As someone that has worked in new product development my entire career I strongly agree that anything leaked from a testing facility would be met with lawsuits out the wazoo. Most test facilltiies I have worked with won't even allow personal cellphones or any other camera type devices on the floor.

That being said I beilieve this is an intentional leak on Harley's part before Sturgis.

Originally Posted by hardheaded

i would like to see them fix other things like netural rattle , compensators, wheel bearings before coming out with a new engine.