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Jun 19, 2026 | 10:34 AM

#21

Hathaway

Road Captain

Joined: Apr 2024

Posts: 573

Likes: 560

From: Northern plains

I ride somewhat conservative speeds - usually at the posted speed limit, whether on the interstate of on a two lane. I never experienced any "Death Wobble" on either my (06 & 08) Softails or my (06) Road Glide.

The only "wobble" I ever felt was on a metric that I bought with new looking, but DOT outdated AVON front tire. I reset and lubed the stem bearing, but it still wobbled. The tire looked great, but had evidently separated inside. A new tire fixed it.

Jun 19, 2026 | 11:50 AM

#22

cwhite6

Road Captain

Joined: Jan 2011

Posts: 543

Likes: 283

From: Pineville, LA

Quote:

Originally Posted by hattitude

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...

I agree completely. I am not a fan of the look of the rear end at all on the new softails. I understand technology advances and all, but sometimes things are fine how they are and should be just left alone. I have owned softails and touring bikes. Yes, my Limited rides better than the softails, but the softail to me is more fun. Plus, I am not an over aggressive rider nor to I ride at high speeds. I am have never had an issue with the handling of any of my softails.