The pre 2018 Heritage had so many add on parts available, chrome lower belt guard, fender trim rails, rear axle hub cover etc. There is very little as far as options on the 2018+ models. Anyone have a clue as to why?

 

Because younger people tend to not like nor care for chrome.

A few of us do, but most dont, and its not just younger people too now that I think about it. A lot of people have been trending towards wanting blacked out bikes.

I'm like the only person I know in motorcycles that legit actually likes chrome and is replacing black with chrome.

 

Because the new Softails were a “clean sheet of paper” design, carrying almost nothing over from previous Harley-Davidsons. The aftermarket is still deciding whether it’s worthwhile to tool up to make accessories for the new Softails.

My ‘94 Heritage could still use a lot of parts and accessories that dated all the way back to the Panhead era. Nothing from earlier eras fit these new bikes.

 

Even though it’s been over 4 years since the new Softail models were introduced, two of those years have been during the pandemic, so that’s something to consider when it comes to availability of add-ons and accessories.

 

Another small issue is chrome needs too be kept clean or it looks like chit, during the weekend I want too wash my ride dry it off and roll on down the road.

 

Add in wide whitewalls and leather saddlebags and I was forever cleaning and detailing my former bike. My new bike with mostly black trim gets wiped down after a ride but has only been wet washed once this season.

 

If chrome is so much work, why would you go all black ? Nothing takes more time and labor than black. My last black Harley was a 1975 FX and I hated the swirls and spiderwebs in the paint and swore I'd never have another. I look at every vivid black paint and blacked out bike I see. Look close and every inch has swirls especially the front ends. Every stone, beetle, bug leaves another mark. If you don't know much about detailing, a 2 year old blacked out bike looks like a 15 year old bike. Go ahead and take a good look at your black finishes. Chrome is much harder than paint. To each ,his own.

 

"Black don't lie" as car detailers and painters say.

 

Long before I lost the ‘94 FLSTN to an accident, the chrome was dulled along the front edges of the forks, engine guard, primary cover and every other surface exposed to dust laden wind. Once that happens there’s no fix except to have the pieces stripped and re-plated.

At least black paint can be touched up and buffed out. I can hide much with black paint and an airbrush.

True, the black won't last 25 years like my old bike did, but then again, neither will I.

 

personally i like bling iam tired for seeing blacked out bikes they have no personality. at least to me