Yup that's right. The barrel key is no more also. You can cry and whine here while your at it

 

so no lock on the steering neck?

 

Yeah there's still a steering head lock but it looks like it takes a more conventional key.

 

Probably looks like my sportster key. It is flat, but short and works the ignition and fork lock.

 

You may think it's insignificant. But it's an indicator of who's in charge. Better, more secure technology: engineering. Cheaper, less secure: bean counters.

Do do you know why it was changed?

 

My thinking is it's less user serviceable and expensive when it fails out of warranty. What should cause most HD buyers pause is that the vast majority of them couldn't find all the spark plugs on a new bike. Ignorance like that is expensive.

Harleys have reached the same point music did for me decades ago. What's purported to be "music" these days isn't music to me. I'm not capable of hurting an "artist's" income by boycotting concerts or not buying their CDs because I don't know who they are. Everything changes with time.

 

I saw a video that showed one of the new keys and I believe it looked like an engraved key like the Audi/VWs in a way, not a traditional key with the normal teeth.

I would bet it is more secure (forgetting the brute force method to overcome the lock) than the barrel key. I have a couple picks for barrel keys and they are so much easier to defeat than a lock with more modern security. I can pick and defeat a barrel key lock in just a couple seconds with that tool.

The barrel lock picks are much easier to use than a traditional tension bar and pick and are available online for very little money.

 

..and the FatBoy I looked at didn't have an ignition switch anymore so the only key for the bike was for the steering lock.

 

Most high end new cars are doing the same. Without the FOB you can't get them started. The days of hot wiring are over.

 

Better hide a spare FOB battery on your bike then.