2018+ Softails—HD’s big overhaul
Thread Starter
|
Banned
Joined: May 2025
Posts: 148
Likes: 60
From: United States
2018+ Softails—HD’s big overhaul
The M8 engine and new frame made them smoother and sharper, but purists still debate the loss of the old-school rigid look. The Heritage Classic kept its nostalgic style but rides way better. The Fat Boy got meaner with that 240 front tire, though some miss the old bullet holes. Street Bob fans love the lighter weight and improved handling, but that solo seat gets old fast. And the Low Rider S? Killer power, but good luck keeping the front end down.
What’s your experience? Worth the upgrade, or too much change? Let’s hear it.
What’s your experience? Worth the upgrade, or too much change? Let’s hear it.
HDF Community Team
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 4,347
Likes: 3,392
From: Seattle
If HD had never made the M8 Softail I doubt I would have bought one. wobbly dynas and squishy old twinkies dont get my interest like the rigid and precise M8 softail. I probably would have picked up a used sportster at some point, but M8 softail was the very kind of bike I was looking for.
It absolutely puts the Gen2 Indian Chief, the M8 Softail competitor, to shame.
I quite love the M8 Fat Boy once you put a 260 rear and 150/70 front on it.
It absolutely puts the Gen2 Indian Chief, the M8 Softail competitor, to shame.
I quite love the M8 Fat Boy once you put a 260 rear and 150/70 front on it.
Club Member
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 11,581
Likes: 8,408
From: Inland NW
The M8 engine and new frame made them smoother and sharper, but purists still debate the loss of the old-school rigid look. The Heritage Classic kept its nostalgic style but rides way better. The Fat Boy got meaner with that 240 front tire, though some miss the old bullet holes. Street Bob fans love the lighter weight and improved handling, but that solo seat gets old fast. And the Low Rider S? Killer power, but good luck keeping the front end down.
What’s your experience? Worth the upgrade, or too much change? Let’s hear it.
What’s your experience? Worth the upgrade, or too much change? Let’s hear it.
Club Member
Joined: Oct 2022
Posts: 653
Likes: 510
From: United Kingdom
My M8 Fat Boy "straight out of the box" is very good indeed with decent power, handling and brakes and, imo, a definite improvement upon previous iterations.
However, there are improvements that can be made due to the legislative prohibitions in the USA, i.e. a Stage 1 kit plus the state of the roads here in the UK.
I have mine setup now with Progressive suspension, DK Customs intimators, Lighter fork oil up front, Legend Air Ride at the rear plus a stage 1 kit, such that it's comfortable and an absolute joy to ride.
However, there are improvements that can be made due to the legislative prohibitions in the USA, i.e. a Stage 1 kit plus the state of the roads here in the UK.
I have mine setup now with Progressive suspension, DK Customs intimators, Lighter fork oil up front, Legend Air Ride at the rear plus a stage 1 kit, such that it's comfortable and an absolute joy to ride.
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2024
Posts: 567
Likes: 556
From: Northern plains
H.D.s overhaul was to make it into another metric cruiser! 😈
Last edited by Hathaway; May 24, 2025 at 09:56 AM.
Trending Topics
HDF Community Team
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 4,347
Likes: 3,392
From: Seattle
M8 Softail puts Metric cruisers to shame. Metric bikes are copying harley stuff like crazy right now. There was even a promo for the honda rebel 1100 that made it look like a mini lowrider S.
The only good metric cruiser left(non indian), is the M109R.
The only good metric cruiser left(non indian), is the M109R.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2024
Posts: 567
Likes: 556
From: Northern plains
Don't be too sensitive- just a little humor!
When I test rode the first M8, the salesman asked what I thought. I told him the truth, " My Kawasaki Vulcan 1600 was about the same: 8 valves, counterbalanced, rubber mounts, dual plugs, and smoother idle...so what's new about this?".
Metric cruisers are being fazed out because the market is changing. The M-109 isn't the only metric cruiser left. Honda calls the the Rebel a cruiser, but in no way does it look like a Harley, and the 1100 model puts some Harleys to shame, with a DCT automatic, 80 hp, and a very reasonable comparitive price. That's because what's "New tech" to Harley, is "Old tech" to everyone else. The Honda Fury looks like any generic custom. The Kawasaki Vulcans are getting pretty dated, too. Yamaha is out of the cruiser business. I think the Japanese know that as we Boomers fade out, the old style Harleys are fading out, as well. That's why the new Harleys are what they are. The Motor Company is playing "catch-up" in tech to a dwindling cruiser market.
To me, this is too bad. The reason I bought my Harleys was that I DIDN'T WANT the same bike as my Japanese clones. But make no mistake...I enjoyed the low maintenance and smooth dependability of my Metrics. It's just that I always felt more "genuine" and appreciated the "old tech" of my paint shakers, except the counterbalanced TC88B and 96B on my softails ( that was appreciated). Even so, it took H.D. decades while the metrics were already doing that. Still, like I said - I appreciated my Harley big twins. Their gone now...only my carbed evo 1200 is left for me...and that's fine.
Metric cruisers are being fazed out because the market is changing. The M-109 isn't the only metric cruiser left. Honda calls the the Rebel a cruiser, but in no way does it look like a Harley, and the 1100 model puts some Harleys to shame, with a DCT automatic, 80 hp, and a very reasonable comparitive price. That's because what's "New tech" to Harley, is "Old tech" to everyone else. The Honda Fury looks like any generic custom. The Kawasaki Vulcans are getting pretty dated, too. Yamaha is out of the cruiser business. I think the Japanese know that as we Boomers fade out, the old style Harleys are fading out, as well. That's why the new Harleys are what they are. The Motor Company is playing "catch-up" in tech to a dwindling cruiser market.
To me, this is too bad. The reason I bought my Harleys was that I DIDN'T WANT the same bike as my Japanese clones. But make no mistake...I enjoyed the low maintenance and smooth dependability of my Metrics. It's just that I always felt more "genuine" and appreciated the "old tech" of my paint shakers, except the counterbalanced TC88B and 96B on my softails ( that was appreciated). Even so, it took H.D. decades while the metrics were already doing that. Still, like I said - I appreciated my Harley big twins. Their gone now...only my carbed evo 1200 is left for me...and that's fine.
Last edited by Hathaway; May 24, 2025 at 10:27 AM.