The rumor of a new frame ?
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 555
Likes: 75
From: California
I think they really need to redesign the frame for better suspension. There simply is not enough travel in the rear of the current frame set up. Indian and Victory had 5 and 6" of rear travel and it was felt by the nice plush ride. Harley needs to go to a monoshock to keep the ride height low and have the kind of travel we need on our touring bikes. My 2017 M8 RGS is better this year, but still not where it needs to be.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 11,814
Likes: 5,120
From: SW Ohio
The first thing 99% of Harley buyers would do is Install lowering blocks or shocks with 2" of travel.
Club Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 66,125
Likes: 51,446
From: Niles Canyon Ca.
It boggles my mind these guys buy a low riding heavy wide bike then slam it down so it can't clear a decent speed bump then bitch about the ride and how the tech is so old.
Last edited by TwiZted Biker; Mar 5, 2017 at 12:14 PM.
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 1,295
Likes: 485
From: St Louis
Aluminum frames are probably going to happen one day, but in the meantime, I sure do appreciate that "heavy" touring frame when I am on the highway with 20 mph cross winds hitting me. I hate getting blown around on the highway.
I doubt if we ever see a touring frame on the dyna and softail models. that would really be against what the riders of those models want. But you never know.
I doubt if we ever see a touring frame on the dyna and softail models. that would really be against what the riders of those models want. But you never know.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,060
Likes: 157
You would think an aluminum frame would save weight but often since they need to make the aluminum strong enough for a motorcycle, it winds up weighing just about as much as the steel frame. Ask Honda about that when they went to an aluminum frame on the 2001 Goldwing 1800. Didn't really lose any weight when compared to the prior steel frame Goldwing 1500. And to this day, they are still having problems with the aluminum frame cracking.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 2,651
Likes: 1,278
From: PA
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 9,332
Likes: 3,873
From: Upstate New York
You would think an aluminum frame would save weight but often since they need to make the aluminum strong enough for a motorcycle, it winds up weighing just about as much as the steel frame. Ask Honda about that when they went to an aluminum frame on the 2001 Goldwing 1800. Didn't really lose any weight when compared to the prior steel frame Goldwing 1500. And to this day, they are still having problems with the aluminum frame cracking.
Think about that next time you get on a commercial airliner.
2nd Gear
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 6
Likes: 1
From: Tucson, AZ
I think they really need to redesign the frame for better suspension. There simply is not enough travel in the rear of the current frame set up. Indian and Victory had 5 and 6" of rear travel and it was felt by the nice plush ride. Harley needs to go to a monoshock to keep the ride height low and have the kind of travel we need on our touring bikes. My 2017 M8 RGS is better this year, but still not where it needs to be.