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I don't see how the change into the mono shock system has really changed anything in the rear suspension.. They're still using the same Bearings since 2000.. I wonder if the newer softails have death wobble @100 mph and above...
I don't see how the change into the mono shock system has really changed anything in the rear suspension.. They're still using the same Bearings since 2000.. I wonder if the newer softails have death wobble @100 mph and above...
The death wobble was supposed to be FLHs with rubber mount engines as being theory why.
I don't see how the change into the mono shock system has really changed anything in the rear suspension.. They're still using the same Bearings since 2000.. I wonder if the newer softails have death wobble @100 mph and above...
The geometry, surely was redesigned/changed.
My nit pick is that it is a totally new mono-shock frame, not a "Softail". A softail frame was designed to look like a hard tail, but have some suspension. It does not look like a hard tail anymore to me...
It just looks like a motorcycle without shocks mounted on each side..
It's a very subtle difference to the casual observer, but it jumped right out at me when I saw my first mono-shock softail. To me it's a glaring difference.
The swingarm on a "new" M8 softail does not follow from the bottom of the frame like a true hard tail or a true "softail" frame. It starts several inches above the bottom frame rail.
I know I have OCD on many things Harley, but I cannot unsee that difference...
Last edited by hattitude; Jun 18, 2026 at 09:02 AM.
My nit pick is that it is a totally new mono-shock frame, not a "Softail". A softail frame was designed to look like a hard tail, but have some suspension. It does not look like a hard tail anymore to me...
It just looks like a motorcycle without shocks mounted on each side..
It's a very subtle difference to the casual observer, but it jumped right out at me when I saw my first mono-shock softail. To me it's a glaring difference.
The swingarm on a "new" M8 softail does not follow from the bottom of the frame like a true hard tail or a true "softail" frame. It starts several inches above the bottom frame rail.
I know I have OCD on many things Harley, but I cannot unsee that difference...
Did this new design change the handling characteristics of the older bikes?? I've never ridin one..
Hijack
The concept is not exactly new
The Scat used rubber bands in extension
The Vincent twin shocks in compression ( I suspect this was the inspiration for Yamaha )
The Cyclone a leaf spring
Last edited by eighteight; Jun 18, 2026 at 09:32 AM.
Did this new design change the handling characteristics of the older bikes?? I've never ridin one..
I've never ridden a new mono-shock M8 bike.
It surely seems, by the people praising its ride, that it is a substantial improvement over the true Softail frame/suspension.
Owning 3 true softail framed bikes, I have never felt the need to experiment with its suspension. I accept it for what it is. But I can also say that improving the ride of a softail was never a very high bar to achieve...
I have even read several reviews from people claiming it's a better ride than their previous touring bike.....
I have no doubt it's a very nice, capable mono-shock frame/suspension....
Salesmen kept telling me the newer Heritage Softails were night and day better than my 08 Heritage Softails...I test rode a 2019 and saw no improvement at all. I test rode a 23 Police FL with the 114 and saw no improvement over my 06 Road Glide. True - they were just test rides, but I guess I don't even consider the suspension configuration, unless I'm uncomfortable or feeling too many bumps!
My nit pick is that it is a totally new mono-shock frame, not a "Softail". A softail frame was designed to look like a hard tail, but have some suspension. It does not look like a hard tail anymore to me...
It just looks like a motorcycle without shocks mounted on each side..
It's a very subtle difference to the casual observer, but it jumped right out at me when I saw my first mono-shock softail. To me it's a glaring difference.
The swingarm on a "new" M8 softail does not follow from the bottom of the frame like a true hard tail or a true "softail" frame. It starts several inches above the bottom frame rail.
I know I have OCD on many things Harley, but I cannot unsee that difference...
I saw something different. For me, the difference wasn't at the bottom, but on top. The new 'Super Glide' actually looks more like a softail to me, but I think that's because of the dash and gauge being mounted on a 5 gallon tank. That extra 1.5 gallons is the difference between gas stops riding somewhere where they are few and far between. I was always stopping on the Street Bob well before I was ready to. With the LRS, it'S about right. I think the new Glide would be a welcome addition to the line up in chrome, with maybe a blue set of tins. Or even basic black. It's really a lot like a Street Bob, but the bigger tank, and dash sets it off for me.
Heck, once I saw it I even started shopping for a new dash for the Low Rider. I could do it with a new 5 inch tank mounted gauge from Dakota digital. I'd end up having to change the headlight out, lose the fairing, and swap back to apes. Is it worth it? Maybe down the road.
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