Why a touring frame update?
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Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 50
Likes: 16
From: Northeast, Ohio
Why a touring frame update?
I was reading some of the posts about what some folks would like to see improved with the release of the 2018 touring models and some mentioned an updated frame. I ride a 2014 limited and it is the frame used on the 2014 - 2017 bikes. I don't know what improvement can be made to make it any better. Since they increased the front fork diameter, the front end is improved. Increasing rear swingarm travel may make using a belt drive impractical and have to move to a shaft drive (which I would not like at all). I guess my question is....what improvements would make it any better without making it worse? 
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,060
Likes: 157
I was reading some of the posts about what some folks would like to see improved with the release of the 2018 touring models and some mentioned an updated frame. I ride a 2014 limited and it is the frame used on the 2014 - 2017 bikes. I don't know what improvement can be made to make it any better. Since they increased the front fork diameter, the front end is improved. Increasing rear swingarm travel may make using a belt drive impractical and have to move to a shaft drive (which I would not like at all). I guess my question is....what improvements would make it any better without making it worse?
Club Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 21,768
Likes: 22,989
From: North Carolina
The 2009 and up touring bikes handled better than previous years in my opinion.
The Rushmore's handle fantastic!
What is coming next I do not know. What I do know is the MoCo has been slow to change over the many years prior to 2009. The fact that a whole industry was created selling devices to eliminate whobble speaks for itself.
Hats off to them for excellent improvements so far and those still to come.
It is kind of exciting to watch at this point. Makes you wonder what effect this has had on the Victory decision?
The Rushmore's handle fantastic!
What is coming next I do not know. What I do know is the MoCo has been slow to change over the many years prior to 2009. The fact that a whole industry was created selling devices to eliminate whobble speaks for itself.
Hats off to them for excellent improvements so far and those still to come.
It is kind of exciting to watch at this point. Makes you wonder what effect this has had on the Victory decision?
Club Member
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 7,618
Likes: 10,437
From: Des moines IA
This is how I understand it, as well. It makes good business sense to utilize a common platform, keeping production costs down. Not that the end user will see the cost benefit.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 11,476
Likes: 3,004
From: Charleston, SC
The 17 frame is like 99% the same frame as a 16. The difference is very minor as tiny changes were made to accommodate the M8 engine.
It's like the same difference from a 07 to 08 frame. Nothing changed in the overall design.
That said, the 18 frame is supposed to be a new modular design to marry the dyna and touring lines.
No one is sure if there will be any new "performance", and it sounds like it's just for saving the moco money in production/assembly/support.
It would be super cool though if they incorporated some performance in there. Like removing the rear donuts and hard mounting the swingarm.
Never know... could happen maybe.
It's like the same difference from a 07 to 08 frame. Nothing changed in the overall design.
That said, the 18 frame is supposed to be a new modular design to marry the dyna and touring lines.
No one is sure if there will be any new "performance", and it sounds like it's just for saving the moco money in production/assembly/support.
It would be super cool though if they incorporated some performance in there. Like removing the rear donuts and hard mounting the swingarm.
Never know... could happen maybe.
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Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 635
Likes: 388
From: Philadelphia Northeast
Well for last quarter century most major upgrades to touring platform were next year after anniversary.
Twincam engine in 1999
Databus based electronics in 2004
New frame in 2009
Project Rushmore in 2014
New BoomBox in 2019
exceptions are transition to new swingarm with narrower belt, ball bearings and delphi fuel injection in 2002, TC96+6speed in 2007, 6gal tank+brembos in 2008 and M8 engine in 2017 (they had to because of new EPA regulations)
So i bet for 2024 model year
Twincam engine in 1999
Databus based electronics in 2004
New frame in 2009
Project Rushmore in 2014
New BoomBox in 2019
exceptions are transition to new swingarm with narrower belt, ball bearings and delphi fuel injection in 2002, TC96+6speed in 2007, 6gal tank+brembos in 2008 and M8 engine in 2017 (they had to because of new EPA regulations)
So i bet for 2024 model year
Last edited by Ya Tigor; Jul 18, 2020 at 09:56 PM.