2018 Softail Issues I’ve Found so far
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Stage II
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 2
Likes: 1
From: Panama City, FL
5. Gas cap rattles: The chrome cover on the gas cap rattles. Sometimes you can turn it a little and it will go away. Took it back to Harley, watched the guy pull another one off a brand new 19 and swapped me. Guess what, that one rattles too. Ordering the new flush mounted caps.
Last edited by Shortfatgasman; Oct 26, 2019 at 08:28 AM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 9,332
Likes: 3,873
From: Upstate New York
My only other complaint is that the new Softails are too much like the competition and not enough like a Harley-Davidson anymore.
If I’d wanted a Hondayamakawazuki I’d have bought one.
If I’d wanted a Hondayamakawazuki I’d have bought one.
Last edited by Uncle G.; Oct 26, 2019 at 11:08 AM.
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 689
Likes: 374
From: Kansas
Oh yeah, forgot about that one.
5. Gas cap rattles: The chrome cover on the gas cap rattles. Sometimes you can turn it a little and it will go away. Took it back to Harley, watched the guy pull another one off a brand new 19 and swapped me. Guess what, that one rattles too. Ordering the new flush mounted caps.
5. Gas cap rattles: The chrome cover on the gas cap rattles. Sometimes you can turn it a little and it will go away. Took it back to Harley, watched the guy pull another one off a brand new 19 and swapped me. Guess what, that one rattles too. Ordering the new flush mounted caps.
Dealer changed 3 gas caps for me but did not resolve the issue. I changed it to flush-mount fuel cap, no more rattles.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 19,982
Likes: 6,111
From: Florida
I guess things that were once manly are now getting wimpy.
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 1,215
Likes: 595
From: Living in a van down by the river
I no longer have my '18 FXLR but when I did I had same issues with 2 and 3. I just lived with the speedo, the jiffy stand is a real POS. I got in the habit of shoving my toe against it when I leaned the bike over. Don't ask me why.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 4,556
Likes: 1,846
From: Albuquerque, NM
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2. Jiffy stand sucks ***: Harley redesigned the Jiffy Stand. It is now shorter and moved further back on the frame (Softails only). The bottom of the new stand foot has square edges that cause it to dig into soft surfaces or to catch on rough surfaces such as asphalt. You have to be carful when letting the weight of the bike rest on the stand, if it does not “slide” and allow the bike to lean left try repositioning the bike.
...................
2. Jiffy stand sucks ***: Harley redesigned the Jiffy Stand. It is now shorter and moved further back on the frame (Softails only). The bottom of the new stand foot has square edges that cause it to dig into soft surfaces or to catch on rough surfaces such as asphalt. You have to be carful when letting the weight of the bike rest on the stand, if it does not “slide” and allow the bike to lean left try repositioning the bike.
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I've ridden a variety of bikes for quite a few years. The previous Harley jiffy stand was the best and most functional side-stand in motorcycling. The new one reminds me of the one on my old Suzuki, with the same limitations. I have no idea why they went to this new design unless it's substantially lighter or cheaper to manufacture.
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Tourer
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 386
Likes: 117
From: Beaver Falls PA
My 2019 Softail Slim has condensation in the speedo . How about the lean angle on the new Jiffy stand ! What lean angle ? The techs at the Harley Dealer told me their just waiting for the bikes to start falling over . I really think that my softail is almost straight up with maybe 1-2 degress of lean , not safe . If I could find an after market stand I would buy it .
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 10,833
Likes: 6,485
From: Canada Flats
My 2019 Softail Slim has condensation in the speedo . How about the lean angle on the new Jiffy stand ! What lean angle ? The techs at the Harley Dealer told me their just waiting for the bikes to start falling over . I really think that my softail is almost straight up with maybe 1-2 degress of lean , not safe . If I could find an after market stand I would buy it .
https://www.denniskirk.com/drag-spec...prd/508550.sku
https://www.denniskirk.com/arlen-nes...prd/507035.sku