Current Softails vs Last gen?
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,976
Likes: 1,880
From: SF Bay Area
Yeah it's a 2018 Road King Special. Just sold it not that long ago. I like the styling of the new M8 Baggers. I think the Baggers look better then ever. Just don't like the top heavy feeling of them. I wish they had a lower center of gravity like the last gen Softails did. It's not so much the weight it's how its distributed. Not really an issue when riding but a pain when trying to jocky it around my steep stone driveway and tight places. 800 lbs of top heaviness gets old in those situations.
It's funny now that I have my first Harley, I'm seriously thinking of my second Harley. A Road King is at the top of that list
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 23,053
Likes: 12,327
From: Arkansas
There is no "fake oil tank". There is a metal side cover that, when removed, allows for access to the battery, the fuses, etc. Just like on any other bike I've ever had.
It looks reminiscent of the old Softail oil tank, but isn't. You know, kind of how the old Softail looks like a hardtail, but isn't.
It looks reminiscent of the old Softail oil tank, but isn't. You know, kind of how the old Softail looks like a hardtail, but isn't.
With my 250 lb *** sitting on it I dont think it has but maybe, 1 of travel.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 9,332
Likes: 3,873
From: Upstate New York
At least on the Evo Softail, the seat post was a structural member of the frame, even if if the top was pinched to clear the rocker box, rendering it non-functional as a seat post.
Last edited by Uncle G.; Dec 30, 2021 at 06:11 PM.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 1,372
Likes: 668
From: Texas
I posted old school looking bikes. As the Duo Glide dual shock style. That style has been around 50 to 60 years to the Dyna. Road around on a '65 stripped down ratty one in '70. Looked pretty much like a Dyna back then. My intent was no more dual shocks setup like the Dyna. .... Excluding the Road King I guess.... Should have been more clear for those that didn't read my post. Hope that clears it up.
Thread Starter
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 3,275
Likes: 669
From: The Rust Belt!
I thought it looked great. Just wish it wasn't so heavy up top. Also thought it could use a bit more chrome. Well see what the upcoming Softail Touring model looks like. If its a winner I might get that in Gunship Grey.
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Joe Kucinski
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 660
Likes: 352
From: Colorado
Are the current Softails really "better" then the last generation of a couple years ago? I feel like some of the Harley guru's are overly enthusiastic about them just to sell the new bike. The funny thing is in reality it's actually old technology that other Manufacturers have been using for decades.
One argument they're always pounding the table about is that it allowed Harley to make the Softail frame lighter! Um really? Not that I've seen. Just for a quick comparison I took 2 Softails one new gen and one last gen that are somewhat similar. 2021 Softail Low Rider S and a 2009 Softail Night Train and compared the weight. The Low Rider S weights 679lbs and the Night Train that is actually a bigger bike with a longer wheel base and it only weights 683! Where the Hell is the weight savings? For a taller Rider the Night Train is a more comfortable bike I can say that from experience.
And then there's guys that actually build and race bikes for a living that have actually question this as well.. I watched Kruesi Originals take an M8 Softail chop it up and turn it back into a dual shock set up and on race day destroy every single mono shock M8 Softail for the win. They even said after the race was over " Mono Shock what Harley"? Lol.
Now I'm not bashing the new Softails I'm really only thinking out loud. But are they really worth paying 8 to $10k more over a lightly used last gen with low miles? And thats just comparing suspension and weight..
As far as reliability goes I know 96 inch engines with almost 200k miles on the clock. so they are reliable. M8 that reliable? Who knows.
Sound? Well if that's important to you we all know the twin cam sounds 10x better. But I guess that's subjective so well leave that alone.
Power? Yep the M8 has more power stock to stock. But do you really buy a Harley for shear all out power? Or for style and sound? And let's face it any Harley engine Twin cam or M8 can be built into a Monster if that's important. He'll even on the conservative side of the build you can get a Harley stage 4 for a 96 engine for not that much money and get 119hp 120ft lbs torque and have reliable factory power and still come out saving tons of money over a new M8. And then you can get into the aftermarket with 124 builds for the TC and make Monster power. But like I said Is that really important? To each their own. I'm more of a style and sound guy and to me nothing looks better then a later model low slung stretched out Night Train or especially a Cross Bones with the black and chrome Springer front end. Those bikes have character. I feel something that's lacking in the current Softail line up.
One argument they're always pounding the table about is that it allowed Harley to make the Softail frame lighter! Um really? Not that I've seen. Just for a quick comparison I took 2 Softails one new gen and one last gen that are somewhat similar. 2021 Softail Low Rider S and a 2009 Softail Night Train and compared the weight. The Low Rider S weights 679lbs and the Night Train that is actually a bigger bike with a longer wheel base and it only weights 683! Where the Hell is the weight savings? For a taller Rider the Night Train is a more comfortable bike I can say that from experience.
And then there's guys that actually build and race bikes for a living that have actually question this as well.. I watched Kruesi Originals take an M8 Softail chop it up and turn it back into a dual shock set up and on race day destroy every single mono shock M8 Softail for the win. They even said after the race was over " Mono Shock what Harley"? Lol.
Now I'm not bashing the new Softails I'm really only thinking out loud. But are they really worth paying 8 to $10k more over a lightly used last gen with low miles? And thats just comparing suspension and weight..
As far as reliability goes I know 96 inch engines with almost 200k miles on the clock. so they are reliable. M8 that reliable? Who knows.
Sound? Well if that's important to you we all know the twin cam sounds 10x better. But I guess that's subjective so well leave that alone.
Power? Yep the M8 has more power stock to stock. But do you really buy a Harley for shear all out power? Or for style and sound? And let's face it any Harley engine Twin cam or M8 can be built into a Monster if that's important. He'll even on the conservative side of the build you can get a Harley stage 4 for a 96 engine for not that much money and get 119hp 120ft lbs torque and have reliable factory power and still come out saving tons of money over a new M8. And then you can get into the aftermarket with 124 builds for the TC and make Monster power. But like I said Is that really important? To each their own. I'm more of a style and sound guy and to me nothing looks better then a later model low slung stretched out Night Train or especially a Cross Bones with the black and chrome Springer front end. Those bikes have character. I feel something that's lacking in the current Softail line up.