Harley Davidson knew they needed to do something to attract younger riders and the next generation since most of the loyal HD clientele is aging. It's a gamble they need to take and I agree they needed to do something. What I think they did, and got it terribly wrong, was they needed to introduce new models, radically different, while not changing up some of the current models so much. Motorcycles such as the heritage, deluxe, and fat boy are statements from the past that should've remained. Instead of changing up those types of bikes so much, I think they should've came out with truly new models to attract young people. In my opinion, what they've done is a complete flop. They managed to upset some of their loyal customers, while not doing enough to attract any new younger buyers. That's just my opinion, I think they really screwed up big-time. The so-called new models are nothing more than messing up where they got their success from, and really introduced nothing to attract new people.

 

I agree to some extent.I like the look of the fat boy I also like the idea of either engine size. If you are trying to attract younger people to a Harley it will be very difficult for them to have to spend 18,000 plus for their first bike. They need to offer incentives or discounts to entice other younger buyers like the other manufactures do.

 

Not gonna happen. Dealers still remember the days of MSRP+ and a waiting list to boot. They yearn for the days of old and I doubt they'll ever find themselves willing to admit that to attract younger buyers they'd need to offer discounts and/or rebates. The only reason we saw discounted '17 Softails was because the MOCO couldn't sell any with every potential buyer on the fence awaiting the arrival of the 2018's.

While the value of our trade-ins plummet, the price of the new models increase every year. One OP on another thread said she was offered $8,000 for a '17 FXSB with a stage 5 kit and barely any miles, while at the same quoted MSRP plus for the 2018. Harley needs to figure out what they'll do when their current owners refuse to pay the vig to upgrade their rides.

 

Al unfortunately your right. I just sold my 2016 freewheeler trike. My wife was upset when I did .What I was concerned with was the twin cams being worth less than what I owed since I financed the whole amount of the bike. I figured the m-8 engines would be introduced in all the bikes and the twin cam would be dropped. I'm glad I sold it 1 month ago and now I'm free to buy a tri- glide ultra

 

Paul,
It's not just you. As I said in another post, I was at the dealership looking at the '18 models and there were at least 10 USED 2017 bikes on the floor with way less than 5,000 miles. Every bike that was there had exhausts, air cleaners, seats, windshields, etc added on to them. So it's not JUST the depreciation of the bike versus what the new model costs, it's the $1000's of upgrades we do to our bikes then "give them away" to the dealership just to have the new flavor of the month.

 

They say opinions are like ani, everyone has one, and most if not all of them stink. That said, I have personal experience with any number of monoshock bikes, including track experience, and the MoCo has been almost the last holdout for dual external shocks. An adjustable monoshock is the state of the art. Couple this with a stiffer frame, more usable lean angle, and the M8 (yes, head and shoulders more torquey and powerful than the TC), and there's no question in my mind that the MoCo has a winning lineup with the new "Softails"-too bad they couldn't find a better name, engineering-wise, they're NOTHING like the dual-shock softails we've grown to know and love.

I was looking into getting an Aprilia RSV4 for a fifth bike in the next year or so, but now I'm leaning for a trade-in of my FLSTC for an '18 Fat Bob, formerly the best handling Harley Davidson-with the M8, stiffer frame, dual front discs, and monoshock suspension, should be AWESOME (for a Harley)!

 

Only sales will tell the whole story. Either the new ones sell or the used ones. I doubt they sell in equal amounts.

 

I'm sure not that younger rider you talked about, I'm a old time Harley rider ( since the late 80's ) have owned several new softail models.

That said, I really like the 2018's. In my opinion Harley did the right thing. I especially like the 18 Heritage Classic with the 114 engine. What's not to like, with the 114 M8, bet it runs. The new frame combined with a real suspension system should deliver a comfortable ride with great handling. Overall a real nice basic touring bike for around 20 grand. That's a buy in today's world.

 

Some of these new 2018s are a big hit on instagram, HD page is blowing up with glowing responses and from a lot of girls, of course the FatBob is the biggest hit.

 

Ok here's my millennial opinion

Harley should have made competitive new models to compete with super naked bikes as well as super sport bikes to make a statement and attract new younger buyers onto the brand - Harley should have entered the super bike and naked bike segment of the market to expand their brand.

They should have also just updated all the bikes with Milwaukee 8 2.0 engine and give their current bikes inverted front folks as well as dual front disc brakes and led lights all around along with traction control and abs as well as security as standard features for the premium prices they are charging.

Also Harley should have entered the new fat bob as a new model for the softail they are not going to get new younger buyers no matter what they do to the softail or dyna (they will get some but no in mass) - they needed to enter the super sport bike world in order to attract the younger generations.