When is it time to pull the trigger?

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Oct 28, 2017 | 02:40 PM

#21

6 gun

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Mar 2008

Posts: 9,384

Likes: 1,776

From: Central Texas

When you get your cross hairs set on the bike you really want, and you can't see anything but that bike, then by all means pull the trigger.

Oct 28, 2017 | 03:28 PM

#22

Bestrafen

Outstanding HDF Member

Joined: Dec 2012

Posts: 2,699

Likes: 520

From: Palm Coast, Florida

Ain't a new bike made you can't make the color you love!

When is it time to pull the trigger?-vastuw9.jpg

Oct 28, 2017 | 04:29 PM

#23

hd4evr2008

Grand HDF Member

Joined: Jun 2008

Posts: 3,983

Likes: 2,144

From: Ohio

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bestrafen

Ain't a new bike made you can't make the color you love!

Everytime I see a bike with pipes like that, my shins start hurting!!

Oct 28, 2017 | 05:13 PM

#24

G'day

Cruiser

Joined: Apr 2017

Posts: 172

Likes: 68

From: Australia

Quote:

Originally Posted by cocky

After looking at some of the new softail bikes, i think the looks are ok, but the motor and frame seems to be the real deal.

I agree Cocky. M8 motor and the frame on 2018 is the real deal. A huge improvement over 2017 and older. HOWEVER... I have ridden 2018 114ci M8 on a Fatboy and I thought it was rough under acceleration. It was shaking like one cylinder was not firing. It was not, because the bike had plenty of power but it just felt ‘less smooth’ compared with 2017 107ci Touring M8 on a Road King.

Softail M8 are duel counter balanced but hard mounted to the frame, while Touring M8 is single counter balanced but rubber mounted to the frame. So duel counter should be smoother but something is not right. I am not alone. Other people have experienced Softail 114ci being rough. The worst part is not all Softail 114ci are like this. Some people are reporting that their Softail 114ci is as smooth as Touring 107ci. 😳

Something is messed up. They should all be one way or another. When they are inconsistent, something is not right.

Quote:

Originally Posted by cocky

...it's best to pull the trigger now or maybe wait

For the reason mentioned above, I would wait one more model year, possibly two. Keep in mind, 2018 is 2nd year of M8 production BUT it is the 1st year for Softail M8 with duel counter balance... always skip the 1st year model, imho.

Quote:

Originally Posted by cocky

...My tastes are that of the old style bikes and thay is why I have a deluxe, but the new deluxe just aint the same.

Bad news for you. Harley is clearly modernising designs. Will they apply the same brush to Touring range and Sporty next year? Don’t know but that would be telling.

I personally love the look of 2018 Fatboy but single disk brake, no cruise, no bags and floorboards still scraping will stop me from buying it. I would most likely aim for 2019 Road King Special once the touring frame has been updated and new instrument cluster, tank bib and LED headlight fitted (all just a speculation based on 2018 Softail range).

Quote:

Originally Posted by cocky

What opinions and or advise do you folks have?

So there you have it. When folks only have one bike, they might miss out on ride time but if you already have a ride, you can afford to wait for a bike that fits you better.

Oct 28, 2017 | 06:02 PM

#25

NORTY FLATZ

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Jan 2015

Posts: 16,021

Likes: 7,147

From: Sandy Eggo's North County

Haven't got past your avatar yet.

What was the question, again?

Oct 28, 2017 | 06:24 PM

#26

hdpearson13

Road Warrior

Joined: Dec 2006

Posts: 1,883

Likes: 17

From: Williamsport, Pa

I have a feeling in next couple of years they come back out with a fxr type bike as the dyna is dead to the swingarm setup. But I feel theres probally a prototype somewhere right now do to the design and the counterbalanced may be one of the best riding bikes to come from the factory. May not be a handmade frame but you see the geometry to be similar.

the original vrod prototype was neat looking other than radiator also

Last edited by ChickinOnaChain; Oct 29, 2017 at 12:38 AM.

Oct 28, 2017 | 06:39 PM

#27

shorelasHD

Ultimate HDF Member

Joined: Oct 2010

Posts: 5,456

Likes: 2,860

From: SW FL-Jersey Shore Emigre

Quote:

Originally Posted by G'day

I agree Cocky. M8 motor and the frame on 2018 is the real deal. A huge improvement over 2017 and older. HOWEVER... I have ridden 2018 114ci M8 on a Fatboy and I thought it was rough under acceleration. It was shaking like one cylinder was not firing. It was not, because the bike had plenty of power but it just felt ‘less smooth’ compared with 2017 107ci Touring M8 on a Road King.

Softail M8 are duel counter balanced but hard mounted to the frame, while Touring M8 is single counter balanced but rubber mounted to the frame. So duel counter should be smoother but something is not right. I am not alone. Other people have experienced Softail 114ci being rough. The worst part is not all Softail 114ci are like this. Some people are reporting that their Softail 114ci is as smooth as Touring 107ci. 😳

I personally love the look of 2018 Fatboy but single disk brake, no cruise, no bags and floorboards still scraping will stop me from buying it. I would most likely aim for 2019 Road King Special once the touring frame has been updated and new instrument cluster, tank bib and LED headlight fitted (all just a speculation based on 2018 Softail range)

I took an extended test ride yesterday on a 2018 Fat Bob with the 107, and I was, to put it mildly, impressed (I would have said astounded, but I have an M8 on my FLHR, so I was familiar with the new engine). The bike was a rocket, with plenty of power and torque (kept in in 4th for 30 MPH over the limit cruising in the twisties-there ARE at least some twisties in FL!-) and the new stiff frame was nimble as H3LL with a comfortable ride despite the hard-as-a-rock seat. Did I mention it stops on a dime? WAY better than any other Harley I've owned. It's probably the closest thing the MoCo has to a metric "naked bike".

Yet, at least to me, it STILL felt like a Harley.

I rode my Heritage with the twinky to the dealership, and it was all I could do not to do an on-the-spot trade and ride the 'Bob home, but I'm looking at another sportbike (BMW S1000RR?) to keep at my Florida home.

I hear the 114's are few and far between, and whether one is worth an extra $2K is a decision you have to make for yourself. BUT, if you can get a deal on an M8 "monoshock" Softail, I say do it.

Oct 28, 2017 | 08:19 PM

#28

cocky

Thread Starter

Stellar HDF Member

Joined: Jun 2014

Posts: 2,062

Likes: 153

From: Midlands of SC

All these are great points. I will Probably wait to see if any bugs develop. I just hate to wait to close to the end of an engine cycle to buy one like My last two. My Avitar isnt working quite right. Sorry.