2018 softtails
Banned
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 3,098
Likes: 474
From: Location location.
I had a 2016 Fatboy S. that black powder coat is soft and scratches very easy.
When the new Low Rider came out I just had to have one. (I wish the side covers were chrome.) My first Harley was an FX. I'm 64. Chrome is so much easier to take care of. I could even go for a Chrome rear fork. ( It's not called a swingarm any more.) To each his or hers there own. Just got to say: There weren't any blacked out bikes @ Woodstock! Those were the days!
My 17 Road King and 18 FXLR are the best Harleys I have ever owned, and since 1969 I have owned countless ones.
What's important is We all Ride. "LIVE FREE OR DIE"
When the new Low Rider came out I just had to have one. (I wish the side covers were chrome.) My first Harley was an FX. I'm 64. Chrome is so much easier to take care of. I could even go for a Chrome rear fork. ( It's not called a swingarm any more.) To each his or hers there own. Just got to say: There weren't any blacked out bikes @ Woodstock! Those were the days!
My 17 Road King and 18 FXLR are the best Harleys I have ever owned, and since 1969 I have owned countless ones.
What's important is We all Ride. "LIVE FREE OR DIE"
I have a 2006 Heritage classic that I love. I bought a 2018 Heritage, and the handling is great! The looks grow on you and I have received compliments on her looks. The best part is my wife likes it better that the Ultra we had, which was just too heavy.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 4,584
Likes: 918
From: coast to coast
Nice. Best of both worlds.
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 1,256
Likes: 620
From: Pittsburgh suburb
safer = How?, cooler = IDK about that - again compared to what? stronger frames = how do you know? no one has stress tested them to break point that's just a statement from HD - kinda like the dealers saying they didn't know there was an oil pump/migrating issue - its an unproven statement.
Better suspension - yep.
I wasn't gonna post anything in rebuttal but today I was on RT 422 in PA at the dealer passing through & he stated almost verbatim what you did here & when I asked him how he knew - he had no answer, even the tech had no answer, yep the engine & suspension are a given but the rest.....? Its someone telling you something "unproven" to move product.
Funny before I left I asked how the 18`s are selling...... He`s moved 1 bike since the big introduction & it was a fatboy, the Heritage - even he said they messed up.
I told him - the only thing they really messed up was the saddlebags & some of the colors - other than that I liked them. theres a mixed opinion out there right now & many feel the need to put down the New or the previous model for the sake of selling the New!
Honestly HD is a good product - I just hate the false statements both ways, sell the bike on its merits not by downgrading you own previous product & then when I call you out to prove it - you`re a deer in the headlights cause its sales tactic BS & many fall for it. Ride safe - love no matter what you ride & enjoy it for time is short & tomorrow is promise to no one!
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 4,584
Likes: 918
From: coast to coast
LXT - I wondered what pissed you off today. Damn dealer! It's Thursday....one more day! (Unless you're working this weekend).
Just to give you my .02
The frame definately feels much stiffer when pushed in corners. Don't know if it's "stronger", but it seems to flex much less, if at all.
Heat, I certainly feel much less as the rider. Might not mean it runs much cooler, but I'm happier in the saddle so I still count that as a gain.
Brakes, much better than my '09 Fat Bob (lighter) and '16 Road King (heavier) which both were dual disc. I'm guessing that combined with better handling might make some feel it's "safer". Anything that goes and stops better fits that bill.
Lighter, aside from the 30lbs I think has more to do with new geometry, and posssibly the impression off the stand. It certainly feels a lot lighter than 30lbs. It "feels" more like 100 less to me, but that's just a perception from things that aren't actually weight themselves.
Not saying any of this will make you happier, but I think that's were those comparisons are coming from.
Had a chance to look at a '17 Slim and '16 Heritage today...no question they are sexier looking to me. I'm going to see if I can improve my '18 in the looks and sound department. Otherwise really loving the bike overall. Maybe Harley will tweak the lines a bit down the road to regain some of the lost aesthetics and more people will be happy. Since virtually nothing else needs improving (for me) at least I'll have some aspect to tinker with in the mean time.
Just to give you my .02
The frame definately feels much stiffer when pushed in corners. Don't know if it's "stronger", but it seems to flex much less, if at all.
Heat, I certainly feel much less as the rider. Might not mean it runs much cooler, but I'm happier in the saddle so I still count that as a gain.
Brakes, much better than my '09 Fat Bob (lighter) and '16 Road King (heavier) which both were dual disc. I'm guessing that combined with better handling might make some feel it's "safer". Anything that goes and stops better fits that bill.
Lighter, aside from the 30lbs I think has more to do with new geometry, and posssibly the impression off the stand. It certainly feels a lot lighter than 30lbs. It "feels" more like 100 less to me, but that's just a perception from things that aren't actually weight themselves.
Not saying any of this will make you happier, but I think that's were those comparisons are coming from.
Had a chance to look at a '17 Slim and '16 Heritage today...no question they are sexier looking to me. I'm going to see if I can improve my '18 in the looks and sound department. Otherwise really loving the bike overall. Maybe Harley will tweak the lines a bit down the road to regain some of the lost aesthetics and more people will be happy. Since virtually nothing else needs improving (for me) at least I'll have some aspect to tinker with in the mean time.
Cruiser
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 180
Likes: 31
Same here. But instead of 1969 its 1973
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 5,173
Likes: 177
From: East Coast
Deal!!! To each his own. I'll take the '18!!!
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Banned
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 3,098
Likes: 474
From: Location location.
Compared too? if comparing to earlier model HD`s = maybe? more powerful - yep, Lighter = Hmmm by 30 lbs is it? put on the sissybar & pad, fender trim lights, the tour pak to make up for the lack of bag size (that's what she said) & is it really lighter? its actually heavier!
safer = How?, cooler = IDK about that - again compared to what? stronger frames = how do you know? no one has stress tested them to break point that's just a statement from HD - kinda like the dealers saying they didn't know there was an oil pump/migrating issue - its an unproven statement.
Better suspension - yep.
I wasn't gonna post anything in rebuttal but today I was on RT 422 in PA at the dealer passing through & he stated almost verbatim what you did here & when I asked him how he knew - he had no answer, even the tech had no answer, yep the engine & suspension are a given but the rest.....? Its someone telling you something "unproven" to move product.
Funny before I left I asked how the 18`s are selling...... He`s moved 1 bike since the big introduction & it was a fatboy, the Heritage - even he said they messed up.
I told him - the only thing they really messed up was the saddlebags & some of the colors - other than that I liked them. theres a mixed opinion out there right now & many feel the need to put down the New or the previous model for the sake of selling the New!
Honestly HD is a good product - I just hate the false statements both ways, sell the bike on its merits not by downgrading you own previous product & then when I call you out to prove it - you`re a deer in the headlights cause its sales tactic BS & many fall for it. Ride safe - love no matter what you ride & enjoy it for time is short & tomorrow is promise to no one!
safer = How?, cooler = IDK about that - again compared to what? stronger frames = how do you know? no one has stress tested them to break point that's just a statement from HD - kinda like the dealers saying they didn't know there was an oil pump/migrating issue - its an unproven statement.
Better suspension - yep.
I wasn't gonna post anything in rebuttal but today I was on RT 422 in PA at the dealer passing through & he stated almost verbatim what you did here & when I asked him how he knew - he had no answer, even the tech had no answer, yep the engine & suspension are a given but the rest.....? Its someone telling you something "unproven" to move product.
Funny before I left I asked how the 18`s are selling...... He`s moved 1 bike since the big introduction & it was a fatboy, the Heritage - even he said they messed up.
I told him - the only thing they really messed up was the saddlebags & some of the colors - other than that I liked them. theres a mixed opinion out there right now & many feel the need to put down the New or the previous model for the sake of selling the New!
Honestly HD is a good product - I just hate the false statements both ways, sell the bike on its merits not by downgrading you own previous product & then when I call you out to prove it - you`re a deer in the headlights cause its sales tactic BS & many fall for it. Ride safe - love no matter what you ride & enjoy it for time is short & tomorrow is promise to no one!
