Is their anything genuinely new on the 2018 Harley Softails?
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 436
Likes: 71
My take away from that thought is that I think what you really need is a time machine to back to that moment in Feb 2008 when you decided to join the forum and simply not do it. It's not that I don't enjoy your posts or point of view, I just can't imagine liking something so little and deciding to pay so much attention to it.
I was watching a Youtube vid of a kid who's key sheared off in the ignition because of his bike's ahem "character." If that's what you seek, you're welcome to my share of it.
I tried them. Fast, but cold as a fish. No thanks. If speed was my priority I'd take it from those that know how to deliver the goods with the proper spirit. Thank you Italians, Germans, and Japanese...To me Victory was like a wine cooler...drinkable but shallow. Harley is like good scotch...deeply enjoyable, even if it sets it's own terms. By the way I get that all this stuff is personal preferences.
As for throttle by wire, I prefer the old cable too, but I also like carbs. The delay you're talking about is software adjustable. Neither my TC RK or M8 Heritage have it so I don't know if my dealer fixes that before putting them on the floor, or if your dealer mis-calibrates them?
I was. I could own that as a primary bike and not make excuses or spend money correcting anything...cept maybe that throttle cal and some stirrup pegs.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 17,625
Likes: 1,665
From: Blairsville GA
Victory? Isn't that the brand that cratered because no one wanted them?
I did a test ride in Sturgis on one of the Flash Gordon touring bikes. Power and smoothness were OK. I told the marketing guy the bike was fine except for the hand controls which would have been more appropriate on a $500 mini-bike.
A complete non-issue any longer, save the occasional troll that escapes from a Victory board. Pretty slow over there these days, I would imagine.
I did a test ride in Sturgis on one of the Flash Gordon touring bikes. Power and smoothness were OK. I told the marketing guy the bike was fine except for the hand controls which would have been more appropriate on a $500 mini-bike.
A complete non-issue any longer, save the occasional troll that escapes from a Victory board. Pretty slow over there these days, I would imagine.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 4,584
Likes: 918
From: coast to coast
All good points you made. I'm on my phone so forgive the shorthand...I underlined my scribbles.
I'm right with you, This M8 has been the first progress for Harley in a long time that has really excited me. I think you'll find most of the guys jumping for joy are the older Harley riders who came from Shovels and Evos...especially the ones who've never fully lived the Twin Cam Harleys since 1999. I think Vic was a good bike, just didn't move me as well my Harley, even it moved more "modernly".
Hopefully we both get to enjoy Sunday rides today! Gonna be a nice one!
I don't spend that much time on it. I like bikes. Brand isn't a big deal to me. When new things come out I like to hear what others think and give my take too.
Amen to that. Ridden and enjoyed all makes and models. Garage between my wife and I currently has Duc, Triumph, BMW, Harley. Missed are the Guzzi and a few Hondas. I ride everyday and pretty much live on my bikes between commuting in LA traffic and pleasure riding/touring. I buy and enjoy Harleys because they are worthy road companions in every circumstance I've encountered. Not the name on the tank.
You seem to lack familiarity with the Vics. They were bulletproof engines 4 valve, air/oil cooled engines making 80 hp stock same as today's M8. Many guys would add a cam and pipes and get them putting out 120-130 hp and they were still bulletproof. You never read about their cranks scissoring or their tensioners falling apart and toasting the engine. They were so under stressed stock that they'll probably out last the earth...and the roaches too.
I've ridden Vic's, but not an expert for sure. Bulletproof is how I could also describe a Harley since 1986. Didn't always have the high performance output your talking about, but they worked, lasted and were satisfying to ride. Those problems are talked about, but very rare in occurance.
For the dawdling types who like the feel of under-engineered machines of yore, yes. Now Harley makes a smooth, good breathing head that makes power like a Vic. FWIW, I thought the old Softies made power much like the Vics too, just less of it. Many complained about the "lack of character" in those too.
I was watching a Youtube vid of a kid who's key sheared off in the ignition because of his bike's ahem "character." If that's what you seek, you're welcome to my share of it.
Well the new Fat Bob does have a mild syncopated rumble at idle. I can take it or leave it. It's not annoying to me like previous rubber mounted engines, and it does give Harley it's own thing. Really not that meaningful to me, because where I ride, I don't spend a lot of time idling.
lol, I'm not a dawdler either but I'm getting to be a bit of a grey beard. I confess to liking 60's Beemers,'70s Guzzis, 80's Hondas, 90's Harleys and Ducs. Idling is fun on a cammed Evo, but not where I spend my time. To me the M8 doesn't show it's character until your traveling with at least 2500rpms. To me the core pleasure of motorcycles was mastered decades ago. Tech and "improvementst" are nice but sometimes they eclipse where the joy comes from. Forgive the food metaphors, but V-twins are like steak to me. Been around forever and doesn't need much to be great as long as it's not over done
.
Could be. I rode two off a demo truck and two from a dealer and they all did it 107s and 114s. It's when just getting on the throttle it seems like twist a little...nothing, twist a little more...nothing, twist a little more WHAM! I'm glad to hear that can be calibrated out.
I was. I could own that as a primary bike and not make excuses or spend money correcting anything...cept maybe that throttle cal and some stirrup pegs.
Amen to that. Ridden and enjoyed all makes and models. Garage between my wife and I currently has Duc, Triumph, BMW, Harley. Missed are the Guzzi and a few Hondas. I ride everyday and pretty much live on my bikes between commuting in LA traffic and pleasure riding/touring. I buy and enjoy Harleys because they are worthy road companions in every circumstance I've encountered. Not the name on the tank.
You seem to lack familiarity with the Vics. They were bulletproof engines 4 valve, air/oil cooled engines making 80 hp stock same as today's M8. Many guys would add a cam and pipes and get them putting out 120-130 hp and they were still bulletproof. You never read about their cranks scissoring or their tensioners falling apart and toasting the engine. They were so under stressed stock that they'll probably out last the earth...and the roaches too.
I've ridden Vic's, but not an expert for sure. Bulletproof is how I could also describe a Harley since 1986. Didn't always have the high performance output your talking about, but they worked, lasted and were satisfying to ride. Those problems are talked about, but very rare in occurance.
For the dawdling types who like the feel of under-engineered machines of yore, yes. Now Harley makes a smooth, good breathing head that makes power like a Vic. FWIW, I thought the old Softies made power much like the Vics too, just less of it. Many complained about the "lack of character" in those too.
I was watching a Youtube vid of a kid who's key sheared off in the ignition because of his bike's ahem "character." If that's what you seek, you're welcome to my share of it.
Well the new Fat Bob does have a mild syncopated rumble at idle. I can take it or leave it. It's not annoying to me like previous rubber mounted engines, and it does give Harley it's own thing. Really not that meaningful to me, because where I ride, I don't spend a lot of time idling.
lol, I'm not a dawdler either but I'm getting to be a bit of a grey beard. I confess to liking 60's Beemers,'70s Guzzis, 80's Hondas, 90's Harleys and Ducs. Idling is fun on a cammed Evo, but not where I spend my time. To me the M8 doesn't show it's character until your traveling with at least 2500rpms. To me the core pleasure of motorcycles was mastered decades ago. Tech and "improvementst" are nice but sometimes they eclipse where the joy comes from. Forgive the food metaphors, but V-twins are like steak to me. Been around forever and doesn't need much to be great as long as it's not over done
. Could be. I rode two off a demo truck and two from a dealer and they all did it 107s and 114s. It's when just getting on the throttle it seems like twist a little...nothing, twist a little more...nothing, twist a little more WHAM! I'm glad to hear that can be calibrated out.
I was. I could own that as a primary bike and not make excuses or spend money correcting anything...cept maybe that throttle cal and some stirrup pegs.
Hopefully we both get to enjoy Sunday rides today! Gonna be a nice one!
Last edited by Thingfish; Oct 8, 2017 at 11:38 AM.
Tourer
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 467
Likes: 154
From: New Mexico
IMHO, with the new M8's HD has made a fully modern motorcycle that is unmistakably still a Harley.
The new '18 Softails are.....at last.......and finally.....a 100% modern motorcycle in all aspects of what a modern motorcycle can and should be.........and unmistakably still a Harley to even the most uninformed.
The new '18 Softails are.....at last.......and finally.....a 100% modern motorcycle in all aspects of what a modern motorcycle can and should be.........and unmistakably still a Harley to even the most uninformed.
Is there anything genuinely new on the 2018 Harley Softails?
If asking compared to anything other than previous year Softails...not really, looking at individual components. But the sum of the parts is very different than any other bike.
Compared to earlier MY Softails....they are very different.
I rode my 2012 Heritage Softail to the dealership, spent two hours with a 2018 Softail, and then rode away on my 2012 Softail.
Nothing even remotely related in how the two felt while riding.
If asking compared to anything other than previous year Softails...not really, looking at individual components. But the sum of the parts is very different than any other bike.
Compared to earlier MY Softails....they are very different.
I rode my 2012 Heritage Softail to the dealership, spent two hours with a 2018 Softail, and then rode away on my 2012 Softail.
Nothing even remotely related in how the two felt while riding.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 1,256
Likes: 620
From: Pittsburgh suburb
The M8 heritage is old technology revived, the mono shock is a modern version of what Vincent did back in the 50`s, the 8 valve head was on the HD 1931 - 36 V`s (original M8).
Ill give the new heritage this - it has more power & seems to handle somewhat better, however it is NEW.... we all know what that means, as far as everything else the moco did to it...............Blah, these are the things that have most disliking it: no back rest, passenger pillion sucks, fake fuel cap taped on, No chrome option & the Bags absolutely suck....! the HD sound we all love is somewhat more stifled than any other new model year release we have seen.
this version is a trade off & unfortunately many aren't accepting it, this is more a solo riders bike unless you spend a small fortune to upgrade it - HD is trying the blacked out more power theme but the group they`re trying to reel in cant afford it & those who can don't want it. IDK - time will tell
Ill give the new heritage this - it has more power & seems to handle somewhat better, however it is NEW.... we all know what that means, as far as everything else the moco did to it...............Blah, these are the things that have most disliking it: no back rest, passenger pillion sucks, fake fuel cap taped on, No chrome option & the Bags absolutely suck....! the HD sound we all love is somewhat more stifled than any other new model year release we have seen.
this version is a trade off & unfortunately many aren't accepting it, this is more a solo riders bike unless you spend a small fortune to upgrade it - HD is trying the blacked out more power theme but the group they`re trying to reel in cant afford it & those who can don't want it. IDK - time will tell
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 5,173
Likes: 177
From: East Coast
Is there anything genuinely new on the 2018 Harley Softails?
If asking compared to anything other than previous year Softails...not really, looking at individual components. But the sum of the parts is very different than any other bike.
Compared to earlier MY Softails....they are very different.
I rode my 2012 Heritage Softail to the dealership, spent two hours with a 2018 Softail, and then rode away on my 2012 Softail.
Nothing even remotely related in how the two felt while riding.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CyKi_CIvn6E
If asking compared to anything other than previous year Softails...not really, looking at individual components. But the sum of the parts is very different than any other bike.
Compared to earlier MY Softails....they are very different.
I rode my 2012 Heritage Softail to the dealership, spent two hours with a 2018 Softail, and then rode away on my 2012 Softail.
Nothing even remotely related in how the two felt while riding.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CyKi_CIvn6E
Road Captain
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 614
Likes: 79
From: Virginia
As a non Harley guy and former Vic owner, here's my take.
Harleys have always had nice paint and chrome and some of them look pretty good. I've never ridden one that I would use as a primary bike and I can't see spending that much to go out pimpin every now and then.
Victory made an excellent machine. Unlike Harleys of the time, it didn't float over the road, but was connected to it. It didn't rev too high, but made good power across the rev range and with 4 valve heads was a blast in the 3-5k rpm range. Most Harleys I've ridden feel asthmatic by 4k. And Vics could hang with sport touring motorcycles thru the mountains.
Victory didn't do as well with the paint and put a lot of things from sportier bikes on it like locking fuel caps and plastic brake reservoirs that seemed to turn the stomach's of the faithful. As someone who always ridden bikes so equipped, never bothered me any.
Anyway, what I find terribly amusing is that Harley seemed to fake out Polaris something fierce here. While Polaris killed their functional brand to concentrate on producing chrome tanks to battle with Harley, Harley built a line of Victories with Harley style.
To be honest, the best fueled Harley I've ever ridden was the last gen Fatboy with cable throttle. That probably had the best on/off throttle fueling I've ever encountered on a motorcycle of any brand. Never really cared for how it looked or that it would grind floorboards by simply thinking about turning, but man was it's throttle spot on.
I've demo'd 4 new Softies now. All are ride by wire and all seem to have a delay getting on the throttle. It's not show stopper, but the older Fatboy was better.
Three of the new Softies were good, but lacking in one way or another, which I have always found to be the case with Harley...then I rode the Fat Bob.
You want something "new" for Harley go ride one of those. I get that most Harley people are social and like to parade around pointing toes are pavement irregularities and such and function isn't a big issue for them. For those it is, they don't mind throwing money at them like coal in a furnace. The Fat Bob changes that. That bike will flat sh*t and git and does so with precision and finesse that no Harley I've ever ridden came close to. And is comfy ta boot. It needs nothing but a rider ready to go have fun.
So yeah, in my mind, Harley's got something new this year!
Harleys have always had nice paint and chrome and some of them look pretty good. I've never ridden one that I would use as a primary bike and I can't see spending that much to go out pimpin every now and then.
Victory made an excellent machine. Unlike Harleys of the time, it didn't float over the road, but was connected to it. It didn't rev too high, but made good power across the rev range and with 4 valve heads was a blast in the 3-5k rpm range. Most Harleys I've ridden feel asthmatic by 4k. And Vics could hang with sport touring motorcycles thru the mountains.
Victory didn't do as well with the paint and put a lot of things from sportier bikes on it like locking fuel caps and plastic brake reservoirs that seemed to turn the stomach's of the faithful. As someone who always ridden bikes so equipped, never bothered me any.
Anyway, what I find terribly amusing is that Harley seemed to fake out Polaris something fierce here. While Polaris killed their functional brand to concentrate on producing chrome tanks to battle with Harley, Harley built a line of Victories with Harley style.
To be honest, the best fueled Harley I've ever ridden was the last gen Fatboy with cable throttle. That probably had the best on/off throttle fueling I've ever encountered on a motorcycle of any brand. Never really cared for how it looked or that it would grind floorboards by simply thinking about turning, but man was it's throttle spot on.
I've demo'd 4 new Softies now. All are ride by wire and all seem to have a delay getting on the throttle. It's not show stopper, but the older Fatboy was better.
Three of the new Softies were good, but lacking in one way or another, which I have always found to be the case with Harley...then I rode the Fat Bob.
You want something "new" for Harley go ride one of those. I get that most Harley people are social and like to parade around pointing toes are pavement irregularities and such and function isn't a big issue for them. For those it is, they don't mind throwing money at them like coal in a furnace. The Fat Bob changes that. That bike will flat sh*t and git and does so with precision and finesse that no Harley I've ever ridden came close to. And is comfy ta boot. It needs nothing but a rider ready to go have fun.
So yeah, in my mind, Harley's got something new this year!
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 5,173
Likes: 177
From: East Coast
Victory? Isn't that the brand that cratered because no one wanted them?
I did a test ride in Sturgis on one of the Flash Gordon touring bikes. Power and smoothness were OK. I told the marketing guy the bike was fine except for the hand controls which would have been more appropriate on a $500 mini-bike.
A complete non-issue any longer, save the occasional troll that escapes from a Victory board. Pretty slow over there these days, I would imagine.
I did a test ride in Sturgis on one of the Flash Gordon touring bikes. Power and smoothness were OK. I told the marketing guy the bike was fine except for the hand controls which would have been more appropriate on a $500 mini-bike.
A complete non-issue any longer, save the occasional troll that escapes from a Victory board. Pretty slow over there these days, I would imagine.
