I realize lots of people are getting The Vapors right now over the new 2018 Softail line, but really:
-Less weight
-smaller/tighter frame
-better factory suspension damping front and back
-increased suspension travel
-increased lean angles
-More powerful motor

Sounds better all around except maybe the 3.5 gallon tank. Losing the dual shocks out back is looks, not performance.
For everyone who's into modifying their Dynas to ride hard, it all sounds better to me. It's a shame the Low Rider is losing the second front disc, but the Street Bob still has a dual-disc hub, so it may be the bike of choice again for people building the 'club-style' bikes like before the 2014 Low Rider came out (or wouldn't have any of that 32° rake)

 

Can I have what your smoking?
-Less weight (smaller tank)
-smaller/tighter frame (not nominal)
-better factory suspension damping front and back (any true rider aint ever going to keep a stock suspension, they just make it 10x harder to change out now to Progressive, Hagons, Ohlins etc)
-increased suspension travel (see above)
-increased lean angles (1 degree... equivalent to changing pegs)
-More powerful motor (hardly, sounds like a sewing machine, performs about 3-4 bike lengths off the line, that's rider skill that can offset this)


All this for $2K+ ... sorry, but i'll stick with my Dyna. This new Harley is going to be tough to modify , especially that suspension now. Anyone that rides hard will be changing parts , and the suspension (w/that dial) and electric handle bar risers are going to be tricky, but smart on Harley. They are hurting the aftermarket industry.


Don't be fooled, all these changes are tiny weeny changes when it comes to performance. It's not like they used some new material for the frame or some crazy engine. The M8 has some very mixed reviews, and rightfully so. Nothing huge in real life performance besides making it pain to modify it looks like.


How many guys will be keeping those pipes? Most guys will be ripping those out for performance parts, now you gotta make special brackets out for those exhausts that point up if you want that look of the FB.


Check out the BMW S1000rr, now that is an industry leading bike, and with the 2018's coming out, it'll make another huge step. Harley is making baby steps in performace, increasing their prices, lowering their costs with the same frame, and reducing the aftermarket options. Decent bike still, but don't be fooled, you aint getting anything earth shattering here with the 2018 lineup.


Tank (bigger gas tank which most didn't need to do before), Pipes (Since the M8 sounds like a sewing machine), & Suspension. Those changes are going to cost you more now. I don't know many that keep their Hogs bone stock.

 

I also like factory oil cooler but that small 3.6 gallon tank sucks.

 

Sportster tank on a softail .

 

2018 Street Bob/Low Rider thread in the Dyna section? Move it to the softails! I don't know much about softails. Can you raise the rear by adding a taller shock? Don't think you can.

 

lol!!

 

$2K+?! more like $650, comparing Street Bob to Street Bob.
As far as upgrading suspension goes, the guy who would upgrade to something 'decent' like the Progressive 444 from the hot garbage on the FXDB shouldn't need to anymore, and they'll *save* money on something nice like Ohlins by only buying one shock versus a pair. Underseat monoshock placement isn't remotely new or cutting edge, nor is a remote preload adjuster. Oil cooler comes standard, LED headlight comes standard, security system comes standard, nobody keeps the 'sewing machine' exhaust on their Twin Cams anyways so that's a wash. The guy who rides across the desert in the few places where there's 150 miles between gas stations will need a fuel bottle or rotopax, and I feel for 'em, but he's an edge case. It may not be earth-shattering, but it's better in numerous ways for what amounts to chump change.

 

For the 2018 Low Rider, I like the fact that it's lighter and more powerful, I don't like that it's now a soft tail, and a single front disc brake. I'm surprised that the prices aren't even higher than what they are.

 

I think pretty much EVERYONE should withhold judgment until they actually ride one

 

Exactly! Or see one in person.