Spend the money on a air ride out back and some Racetec springs and emulators with good fork oil up front. It's a completely different bike now, no more diving or squatting in the turns (I'm 270) so my ground clearance stays consistent. Best of all it rides like a dream, I hit a bump with the stock suspension doing 65 on a parkway and thought my spine fell out, same unavoidable bump now is barely noticeable. I can't wait to get the concrete shoes off and put some Metzelers on there. When I dropped it off for the 107 kit I had them do the suspension too, in the neighborhood of $2500 for them to do it, but if you or your husband can wrench, a few bucks cheaper. I know the 114 is very temping, but you are going to lose your shirt on your bike now.

Just read in another thread that you already have the legends air, do the front end and tires and your golden.

 

Agreed. Jessica you would be better off doing a few more mods to your existing bike. The new one is not that attractive. Definitely not worth taking a massive bath on your existing bike.

 

No it's not. Just because you don't like it as much as the previous one doesn't automatically make it ugly. There are an infinite range of emotions between love and hate. Just because you don't like one thing as much as another, doesn't mean you have to love one and hate the other. To be honest, that's rather childish.

I think I would have preferred the larger tank, but the new one isn't ugly. It's a fuel tank for heaven's sake, What shape do you think it should be.

 

I have to continue with this as it's making no sense to me. Here's a picture that shows the new 2018 Breakout rear end next to the earlier bike. To find 2 at a similar angle I ended up using one of a 2016, but that's the same as 2017. Please look at these and tell me that the new one is as you say, while the previous one is apparently ok in your eyes. Seriously, given that there is a slight difference in the angle of each shot, I cannot tell the difference. If you are able to discern such a small difference that most observers will be unable to, how can that possibly make one bike ok and the other totally unacceptable. Sorry, but that's utter nonsense.

As for the swing-arm, pretty much the same thing. Ignoring the different exhausts, how can anyone claim the previous bike is Ok, yet the new one is so terrible and doesn't even look like a rigid rear end. Really?

You guys must be smoking something illegal to see such differences, let alone get so worked up about it.

 

I guess it's safe to simply go with it being a new design and either you like or dislike it. This is really the first rework of the softail frame in a LONG time. So people will notice the swingarm differences. Especially if someone goes with some aftermarket pipes like big radius or something else that stops short of the swingarm. I don't like the shape of the tank and certainly dislike the reduced fuel capacity. I also hated the fact that the earlier tanks had the fuel access on the right rather than streamlining it down the middle. But i'd take lop-sided and more fuel over this puddle jumper any day. And those fenders are absolutely different. It is easy to spot on the right corner. But obviously not worth getting in a bind over.

Point is, Harley has had a long history of brand/design focus that many people attach themselves to. People attach themselves to specific features...often down to simple things like the angle of the swingarm fork. To some, appearance is a dealbreaker. Nothing wrong with that. Hold out for a later model that meets you expectations. Lord knows the used market is flooded with gems that are ripe for the picking.

 

Sure they are a slightly different shape as you point out, but it's not only not worth getting in a bind over, it's not even worth mentioning as a 'problem' with the new bikes. Just a slightly different radius on the front side of the rear fender. Neither is right or wrong and cannot possibly make one of them perfectly acceptable and yet the other simply awful. Talk about storm in a teacup.

However, it wasn't specifically that overall shape for which I posted the pictures. The issue was that the fender to tyre clearance on the new bikes was claimed to be so much larger it was 'dumb', although the earlier bikes apparently did not have that problem. But as the pictures show, there is no significant difference. If you look at current Breakouts with fancy rear suspension that drops the rear and/or after market mudguards that hug the tyre, sure, far less clearance, but that is not what was being claimed. That was specifically that the 2018 bike has such an increase in tyre clearance it's dumb. But like so many claims I've read on here, it just doesn't fit the real facts. Why make such false claims? Just as a way to complain about the new bikes? Why do that?

I really like the Breakout and I'd like to be able to discuss the new one in reasonable terms, but it's hard when the threads get clogged up with such misguided hatred. Hey, there's lots of bikes I really don't like (many displayed by their owners on this forum if truth be told), but no point in mouthing off against them. If nothing else it would be rude. As the saying goes, "different strokes for different folks", only substitute "bikes" instead of "strokes". Just because you (no-one in particular) don't like a certain bike or feature does NOT make it wrong. Just not right for you. Only if something is universally condemned might you say in hindsight that the design department got it wrong. But it's clear even on this forum, opinion is very much divided on the new bikes. Personally, I think they'll do well as they are unquestionably better bikes. It's certainly not going to cause the demise of H-D, nor the sacking of anyone involved and certainly not the end of the world, as has been claimed on this forum. Well, not the last one, obviously.

 

Many thought my 2017 pro street breakout was ugly when it came out in 2016, I happen to love it. Am I a fan of the new 2018 Breakout? Not so much, I really liked the turbine wheels on the previous version. It probably wouldn't be a deal breaker for me, just preference. Obviously I'm not in the market for a replacement so I'm less critical of the changes. Out of the new bikes I would probably lean towards the new Fat Bob with a 114. The M8 engine is smoother, I knew that before I bought my TC and I also was pretty sure the 18 would have the M8 in it, but I wanted the CVO pro street so I bought it. I got most of what I wanted when I wanted it which is the realistic way to shop, you'll most likely not like 100% of any bike hence the aftermarket and making it your own. The sales numbers will speak more loudly than any one persons impression or opinion.

 

At this stage i am just dreaming there is no way i am going to take a loss of this magnitude ... i am very happy with my bike anyway

 

OMG i am inlove

 

There are things I like about the changes to the new bike and things I don't like. Love my 2015 BO its paid off and its been carefully tweaked to lightly enhance its looks and performance.

Just looking at the compairison pics of the rear end of the bikes I right away see the older bike's parts just look beefier and of a higher quality compaired to the new models. Yes maybe the shape of the new tank will grow on people but the reduced capacity is not subjective and may be a deal breaker for some people. Call me old school but IMO HD motorcycles have real oil tanks and the awesome looking steel braided hoses the old BO has. Plastic side covers made to look like oil tanks not a big fan.

Attributes this new bike has for sure, stronger engine, improved suspension/handling, lighter weight. Although I don't like the execution of the new rear suspension preload adjustment ****, love how easy it makes adjustments possible. For me super Happy I have my more traditional IMO 2015 HD and will not be letting it go. I do like the new Fat Bob as that bike always was a less "Traditional" HD. Might be fun to have that along side my Breakout and Victory bagger.

I saw a couple ride reviews online of the new BO and they seem to be very favorable.