Ain't no slop whatsoever in the tail anymore. These are the stiffest framed and best handling bikes Harley has ever made.

Go ride a new 2018 softail with the monoshock frame. You will be surprised. Then tell us about the slop....

 

I'm 69 and I think I know the tradition he's referring to: the tradition of hating any change or improvement to Harley Davidson.

"People" hated swing-arm frames because "real" Harley's don't have shocks.
"People" hated Softail frames because "real" Harley's had shocks you could see, and weren't fake rigids.
"People" hated the FLT frames because "real" Harley's don't have rubber mounts, or have their steering stem in front of the fork tubes.
"People" hated FXR frames because "real" Harley's don't have side covers.
"People" hated Dyna frames because FXR's were the best bikes ever made, and where the hell is the oil tank?

"People" just seem to be louder with their hate of the 2018 Softails because of social media. BTW, get off my lawn!!

 

Don’t forget how “people” hated the electric starter because now “anybody can ride a Harley”.

 

I have ridden the new Heritage.........its not that much better! certain noticeable differences in suspension & power in 1st - 3rd gear, but you are giving up things too.

Nicer looking? they were nice & chrome lasted. Rode better - disagree with that, got more for your buck............yes you did!


I laugh when I hear this......every one keeps saying it & never can I remember dealerships basically begging for us to test ride their bikes as they are now - all I see are gratuities being offered to test ride the new bikes, food, bands, door prizes, micro fiber towels as gifts, etc... there is a poll on this site that is 60% to 30% that one will not buy a new bike.

I have rode the new bike - its attention to detail is not there as in previous Bikes of the same, they have reinvented the wheel, slapped a different look to bait the new generation, you get a bigger motor, you get a (dirt bike) styled mono shock & what else.....?, fender lights=no, back rest=No, a seat that sucks for 2 up, saddlebags that will hold a can of Copenhagen & not much more, a fake taped on fuel cap, a blacked out look with no option, a quiet engine un becoming a Harley & more in line with a Honda & I could go on & on....

right now I see the sales of the softail line up as a false positive - yep it lured some in & that bought it, give em a year with that 400+ dollar a month payment for 84 months & see where their at then? you'll get them as garage queens for cheap.

HD would have done better during re-inventing the frame to put on true duels since they removed the oil bag thus the saddle bags could have at least carried the same volume & instead of removing certain parts - leave em on - after all you`re paying more money for the bike, don't like those parts - then take em off when you get it home - that's the beauty of making it personal - this thing as is you will have a hard time doing that.
Another one................you will not be THAT surprised!

 

it's really hard to not like the 2018s once you ride one. really really hard. there are a few haters out there that are hating for hates sake.. but, the new bikes are stupendous.

 

Yep & even less people stating how STUPENDOUS the new bikes are.............Horseshit they are! BTW - I have rode them - couple times actually.

 

Well let me say it, Dynas were a cheap replacement for the FXRs and I say good riddance. I’ve never been a Softail fan including last years “S” models, I fell, in love with the retro Softail Slim S with the WLA paint but Jesus, those pieces of $hit won’t go around a corner, hell they almost grind floorboards going straight.
Now the new Softail/Low Riders can holy $hit handle, the Fat Bob and Herritage with the 114 is amazing.

 

True. I limited my critique to frames. The cacophony on every mechanical improvement from alternators to EFI has been loud and consistent.

 

People complain that HD never changes then complain when they do. Nothing stays the same forever. It's called life. Anything else would be boring.

 

OP, sounds like your heart and mind are just dead set against the new models and that`s just fine. I don`t think that even a test ride would sway your opinion and that`s okay too. Enjoy your lowrider, it`s a great bike also.