When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Back in 2008 When Harley came out with throttle by wire and a 6 gallon gas tank I was so dang thankful that I got an 07 RKC. Now here it is 2017 looking at all of the M8 motorcycles I am just as thankful now as I was in 2008. I'll be buying a used sportster probably next year just to buzz around town, and save my RKC for the long hauls
So many salty butt hurt comments about the new models. I particularly like all the "well, my XYZ model just went up in value!". Derp. No, it didn't.
If they didn't make any major changes except colors, they'd get ripped. If they make major changes, they get ripped.
I don't like everything I saw last night (3.5 gallon tank on the Street Bob? That's smaller than the Sportster cusom!?? WTF?), but I'd say most of the changes are positive. The two major knocks against HD, even among the faithful, is usually the suspension, and the lack of power. First thing everyone does is go out and do a Stage 1, 2, etc. on their new bike and bitch about having to spend the money to do it and ask why can't it be like that from the factory? Well, the M8's in the softdyna line are like that from the factory.
I think they advanced in major steps in those two areas, suspension and power.
Time will tell. Once folks get out and ride the new models, start in with the cusomizing. then we'll see how they do. Until then it's all speculation and conjecture. I think all the doom and gloom about how HD sealed their fate last night, and "I'll never buy another HD again", is funny.
And no, you can't go out and sell your Dyna for more today than you could yesterday.
Last edited by LonestarXL; Aug 23, 2017 at 01:45 PM.
I think the bikes look excellent, and I also think, for the price, you could a get nice Harley, or maybe a Hyundai Accent? Have you seen the prices on cars these days?
People are crying about cosmetics? When, in Harley's history, have you not been able to buy a chrome cover kit for one of their bikes? Nah, we know the motor is the same, but nah, no chrome for you. SRs?
News for you, the new demographic is both alive, and well. If I could lose another 50 lbs, I would be wearing skinny jeans myself. Besides, sipping lattes is not that bad of an idea if you are out riding. I hope they are able to style their new clothing line on both function and looks.
More suspension travel and better ground clearance. Wait until after you ride to pass a verdict on that. Bikes that look better being ridden than parked are a plus in the win column.
New exhaust? Meh. Might have to find a way to change that.
Other than all of that, banging job on the new bikes. Makes me wish I wasn't so vested in 16s right now, but hey, they were all the rage in my day.
What's up with all the hatred over the 2018 bikes? am I thrilled by all their choices they made? Nope. I love my Fat Boy. This bike has always been my favorite since they first started to make them. Do I like the new fat Boy? Not so much...I have never been a fan of the chopped fenders or the fat back tire..
With that being said the 2018 Heritage looks awesome!
And Just an FYI my first Harley was a Dyna Low Rider.....Just like Pontiac and Olds some things must come to an end
We go through this every year. There's always somebody who likes the new bikes and then there's those who hate it. Never gonna change. People are entitled to their opinions and being a very passionate group of people, Harley owners tend to speak the loudest.
As for me personally, I view this move as being necessary for the company to adapt to a sagging American market for motorcycles in general. The company has laid off workers, moved plants and now discontinued the Dyna line. I don't think the Execs in Milwaukee would have done any of it, if they didn't believe it to be absolutely necessary for the company to remain profitable. The other side of the equation here are the investors, many of whom are not riders themselves. Being a public traded company, Sr. Mgt. has a responsibility to the shareholders to meet earnings forecasts and ultimately ROI. So, was the move unpopular? Yes. Has it pissed off lots of Harley owners? Yes. Will Harley folks just give up on the brand entirely and switch to a Yamaha, Honda, Suzuki or Kawasaki? Not very likely. HD knows that the fans are fiercely loyal, but also very forgiving. This will blow over eventually as everyone begins to adapt to the "new norm."
All that said, Indian sales have been doing very well since Polaris bought the company and I do believe some of that is eating in to HD corporate profits. Indian has accomplished in a very short period what Victory was never able to do and they're surpassed everyone's expectations. Now that Polaris has killed Victory and putting all their corporate resources in to the successful Indian brand, I think HD views Indian as their only serious threat. It will be very interesting to see how 2018 turns out in many ways, but also from a sales point of view and how HD corporate earnings fair in response to the changes.
it is simple why i hate them they dropped the fxr to save money
it was a mistake imagine if they would have improved that platform and ditched the other silly crap they have done since?
we would have a four valve 7 speed with quick detach fairing and bags
bagger to bobber in 2 minutes
instead we get this crap
hate=change for the better vs change for the dollars
never thought the sportster would be the best thing of the year
democrats influencing style? antifa-glide comes with starbucks card and a red and black flag
Back in 2008 When Harley came out with throttle by wire and a 6 gallon gas tank I was so dang thankful that I got an 07 RKC. Now here it is 2017 looking at all of the M8 motorcycles I am just as thankful now as I was in 2008. I'll be buying a used sportster probably next year just to buzz around town, and save my RKC for the long hauls
As you probably recall, this forum was awash with naysayers who were bashing HD for going to throttle by wire and making claims that they'd never buy a Harley again. Blah...blah...blah. Well, I was one of those folks who saw the changes as a positive and I upgraded from my '03 Ultra Classic to an '08 Ultra Classic. The improvements included not only a larger 6 gallon tank, but also a six speed transmission, Twin Cam 96 engine, throttle by wire, ABS brakes and a new Harmon Kardon audio system and a few other smaller details like frame upgrades, etc. Overall, it was a huge year for the Touring line and look at how they've continued to evolve 10 years later. It's really quite remarkable.
I like most of the new models and I think that 50 new models in 5 years leaves a lot of room open for things to happen like a dyne style bike to comeback. This is just a guess, but I wouldn't be surprised to see another new engine outside of the M8 in a even lighter sportier chassis.
No hate here. I love 'em. They couldn't fit the 107 in the old Dyna frame so it had to done. Vast improvement. The hate is from those who won't be buying one. They're jealous.
It's a long seated tradition for Harley fans to hate the next iteration of the line. As in "Hear no Evo, see no Evo, speak no Evo". Given a little time we all seem to settle into it.
I always wonder if back in 1909 everyone was up in arms over that new fangled twin!
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.
Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.
Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.
