They may have a different sound but every Harley I've had sounded like a sewing machine before I put new pipes on it. The louder pipes drowned out all the mechanical noise on those bikes, and I'm sure they will on these new ones too.

Sometimes it takes some people a little time to get used to a new design. I remover years ago I had a 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee, and in 1999 when they came out with the new body style I hated it....for a few months anyway, then I bought one. lol

 

But they sell. I bought mine new in 2013 because I liked the look.

 

Well, I bought the primer red so take my opinion with a grain of salt. Lol

I agree the gear whine at idle is what's freaking everyone out over the old clatter. Idle is definately not the old fun it used to be, but putting more seat time in I think you'll feel the trade for improvements while moving were worth it. I hear less of the gear whine as it breaks in and not really while riding. I'd like to hear it with proper pipes too, but if get another test ride, try to avoid other bikes with stage 1+...on my own I can hear the bike and it has a nice deep tone, especially 65+...but when I'm with friends I can't hear my own ride. Try to get some space or in my car I asked the sales guy to ride along on a stock bike. It helped me get a better sense of the bike I was actually riding.

 

Oh well..............I happen to like the gear whine...........

 

These new ones will sell too. I'd be interested to see the year to year sales numbers of the Heritage for the last 10 to 15 years to see if sales were steady, increasing, or declining.

 

NOT putting down the first generation softails. Owned 3, a new 90 Fat boy, 97 Heritage Springer and a new 01 Heritage Springer. Loved them all.

The facts are that the 17 down softails were not selling. Years ago they were the number one seller, touring bikes did not sell back in the day. As time changed and riders aged the baggers took over. Two years ago my local ( large ) dealer sold less than 10 new Heritage and Fat Boy models. They became sell proof. Not trying to **** anyone off, just the facts. Harley had no choice, they had to update the softails. In my opinion they should have named these bikes something other than a softail. Personally, I really like what they did.

Now that I'm freaking older, I need a smoother more refined ride. Will always love the past generation and the new one.

 

I love this sentence and it gave me a chuckle.

 

I agree. If the pre 2018 Softail's were flying out of the showroom I doubt we would have seen this redesign. Still curious about the numbers. Anyone know where to find them?