The day the softail died, and the moco lost its mind.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 9,193
Likes: 494
From: Richmond, VA
Yeah. Those are words to live by. But Damnit, there's just no way around this crappy new technology, unless your (like me) willing to drive/ride antiquated and outdated technology. And this fly by wire stuff.... Not too sure. I have not had a lick of trouble with my '13 Road King. But my buddies 2012 Limited..... That piece of junk crap TBW sheet was beyond ridiculous. It failed in less than 5 years to the point he could only ride with the cruise control on. Then 400 dollars later.... Yeah. 400 dollars to fix something that should NEVER have failed. My friends 54 Panhead still has the original throttle cables!!!
Last edited by bikerlaw; Feb 2, 2018 at 11:40 PM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 9,324
Likes: 3,869
From: Upstate New York
HD sales in the US market are down 8.5%.. Outside of US sales are down 6.5%..
IMO HD made a mistake with the blacked out Heritage with no option for a chromed version. My plan was to buy another this year but I decided not to. I am an older rider who loves chrome and Harley just alienated me as a buyer.
IMO HD made a mistake with the blacked out Heritage with no option for a chromed version. My plan was to buy another this year but I decided not to. I am an older rider who loves chrome and Harley just alienated me as a buyer.
I am a fan of the old school ways of no electronics, but electronics is what is available now, it is possible to eliminate all of the electronic controls if you really want to, an engine runs on air-fuel, compression, and spark, and everything else is either a benefit or otherwise.
Personally, I am accepting the way it is because the new engine and chassis are very well designed, and it took Harley-Davidson's compiled knowledge and experience of 115 years of development to get here.
I like the new design so much that they got me to buy my 1st new motorcycle ever in my 43 years of riding!
BY THE WAY>>>> if you look at pictures of every other year of the Heritage, Deluxe, Road King, Ultra, Sportster, Street and Road Glide, they look almost identical nearly every year including 2018.
Personally, I am accepting the way it is because the new engine and chassis are very well designed, and it took Harley-Davidson's compiled knowledge and experience of 115 years of development to get here.
I like the new design so much that they got me to buy my 1st new motorcycle ever in my 43 years of riding!
BY THE WAY>>>> if you look at pictures of every other year of the Heritage, Deluxe, Road King, Ultra, Sportster, Street and Road Glide, they look almost identical nearly every year including 2018.
Club Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 22,841
Likes: 17,873
From: Lafayette, Louisiana
Fat boy looks completely different
Heritage looks a lot different
Breakout looks a lot different
Low Rider completely different
Street bob looks different
Fat Bob doesn't look like the same bike
All of the Softails are overall smaller, with less rake and half of them have half the fuel capacity they used to.
The exception to this is the fat boy with really wide tires on both ends, but still an overall smaller bike than the previous year
Not saying that is good or bad. What I am saying it is different
Heritage looks a lot different
Breakout looks a lot different
Low Rider completely different
Street bob looks different
Fat Bob doesn't look like the same bike
All of the Softails are overall smaller, with less rake and half of them have half the fuel capacity they used to.
The exception to this is the fat boy with really wide tires on both ends, but still an overall smaller bike than the previous year
Not saying that is good or bad. What I am saying it is different
Last edited by Prot; Feb 27, 2018 at 01:43 AM.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 5,649
Likes: 430
From: MASS_hole
As time progressed, new interests brought a need to redesign and introduce other genre of two wheeled implementations necessary to achieve their prospective goals.
As far as a cruiser is concerned, they really had no desperate or necessary MAJOR changes needed in order for them to achive their goal and perspectives.
What bothers some people, including me is that even tho the new bikes will eventually become the status quo, we prefer the looks the MoCo has been putting out the last 115 years best
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 5,809
Likes: 2,549
From: UK
Plus ça change, plus c'est la męme chose....
Club Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 22,841
Likes: 17,873
From: Lafayette, Louisiana
It was in response to the previous guy that said they dont look any different.
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Road Master
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,227
Likes: 30
From: FL
I like what HD did to their line, it is getting competitive in the motorcycle world. HD can't continue to satisfy us old guys (over 60), they need to attract younger riders. If you want old, buy old. Just my 2 cents.....
