Yeah, I know this is Touring but this is the only place on here I go to. Anyway, was at the Springfield Mile on Sunday and H-D had their display along with several of the new Softails. They look like a cross between a Dyna and Softail, but with a horrible looking rear swingarm. They changed the angle of the lower strut to horizontal, instead of angled downward like the classic hardtail frame like they had been using on the Softail. Also the headlight treatment on a couple of them looked like something you would see on a Honda or something. They even have a somewhat narrow glide type front end on one model that is obviously the "Super Glide" of the Softail line.

Overall I did not like them and they appear too foreign looking to me. However, the frames were well designed with a mono shock mounted up top and definitely made stiff and of course they all have the Milwaukee 8 engine. You can tell the lack of ***** G's design and creative inputs.

 

If they don't have a radiator on them, it's STILL Willie G's design influence. LOL!

 

I agree, some will like the Softail changes and others not so much. And what's up with the turn signals on the Deluxe? The odd-ball of the line with everything else having the bullet-style.

New frame and combining the Dynas with the Softails was inevitable. I don't like the bags, but at least the Heritage comes in a 114 motor.

 

Gonna be the end of September before we get to see any '18 models here in the UK, so keep your comments coming - thanks!

 

Agreed. Not sure what I think exactly yet. Do like some of the changes, but not all. The new fatboy in black with a 114 looks a little intriguing. I do hope someone comes up with a decent cover for the plastic suspension adjustment ****... Perhaps someone already has. Also not too wild about the oil cooler mounted in the front of the frame. Not real obvious, but looks a bit like a metric radiator.

 

They're "Retro-Modern", according to Harley.

 

I understand the need for the changes, I think that the technical aspects are pretty good.... but...

It's neither softail or dyna. It's a new design with a triangular, overhead mono shock swingarm... I think it's wrong to call it a softail...

That said, nothing about them would make me get rid of my '03 Heritage and buy one....

 

GUNTOTER---That is progress for you, the new SofTail family will grow
on you, keep an open mind. A lot of Forum members like the redesign.

John

 

I dont like the looks of most of the 18's I have seen on HD site. Especiall the fugly headlight, makes it look like a yamahaha dual purpose

 

IMO the new HD has gotten to much like the metric bikes of years ago. The changes on some models are drastic but are up to date. I like some of the changes and hate some. I love the new fatboy but hate the headlight and the price. IMO they did to much for the old HD faithful but they have to keep up with the other manufactures.