Local dealer had 2018s for test rides today and I decided to try the 2018 Fatboy 114. Wow the engine had lots of power but I couldn't believe the vibrations coming from the engine. It was really shocking. For a counterbalanced engine I was surprised. Almost felt like my fillings would come out. Another thing I noticed was how small the bike felt. I honestly felt like I could throw the bike around. I'm used to a SGS and this felt like I was riding a moped. Anyone else have the same opinion?

 

I rode one today too. I didn't notice the vibration you speak of. I was dealing with the wind noise that I dont have on my Limited, so I doubt I would have noticed the vibration.

The bike was super light, compared to my bike. I liked the bike, handled nice, even drug a board in a curve, and had torque all day long.

 

Find somebody to let you try out a shovel head.

 

I didn't mess with it much but the thing that might have helped was a tachometer. Hard to tell what RPM I was running. I just noticed how much vibration it had. I did expect lots of power considering the bike weights 150 pounds less than my SGS.

 

A tach would be nice.... actually a must for me.

The new Fat Boy is way smoother. LOL

 

I would hate to see a TC then.

 

Of course it's going to feel that way. I've got a 2002 Fat Boy that I bought new. At various times over the years I've had an Ultra, a Street Glide and now a 2001 RKC as a backup bike or cooler weather ride. When I jump back on the FB it feels like I can pick it and throw it after riding those other bikes. That's just how it is going from a larger, heavier bike to a smaller, lighter one.

 

I didn't ride it, but I did sit on one yesterday.

Unlike a lot of other people, I thought the 18 looked okay in the pictures I'd seen. The headlight is definitely different, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. However, in person I can't say the bike did anything for me. The headlight, in particular, just looked kind of plain and perhaps even a little cheap.

That surprised me.

 

That's what my point was. If he thinks an M8 with two counter balance shafts vibrates his fillings loose, I would love to see his response to a shovelhead or even the Evo powered Heritage in my signature.

I tried a 2017 Street Glide last year, and I was like, is this thing on? I liked a lot of things about it but my old bike still feels right after all these years.

I haven't had a chance to try the 2018 Softails.

 

Never road a Shovel but I'm used to vibrations. I used to ride dirt bikes, ATVs and my previous Harley which was a Switchback which had some pretty good vibrations itself. To me, it felt like the new Fatboy seemed to have more vibrations than I would expect for a counterbalanced motor. I don't mind some but the whole bike was shaking pretty good during acceleration. That was more of the shock.