Softail Models Standard, Custom, Night Train, Deuce, Springer, Heritage, Fatboy, Deluxe, Rocker and Cross Bones.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:
Old Feb 13, 2015, 01:41 PM
How-Tos on this Topic
Last edit by: IB Advertising
Everything Breakout! Find out everything you need to know! Some topics include:

• Customizing you bike
• Seats
• Risers
• And much more!

For more information check out these threads:More Threads
Print Wikipost

The Everything Breakout Thread

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Apr 23, 2019 | 08:38 PM
  #6811  
NSR's Avatar
NSR
Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 635
Likes: 47
From: North Jersey, USA
Default

Originally Posted by Superdog3:16
Don't go on what I say, but I thought 18 & 19 are the same????
That is correct. The "New" Softails are 2018 and newer. These bikes have a completely new frame and use the M8 engine.

The 2017 and older bikes use the "Old" Softail frame and the Twin Cam engine. These are last of the air cooled H-D engines...kinda.

The new M8 engine requires an oil cooler (looks like a radiator). The Twin Cam engine in the older Breakout does not require a radiator.
 
Reply
Old Apr 23, 2019 | 08:43 PM
  #6812  
Hdbkstl's Avatar
Hdbkstl
Road Master
5 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 913
Likes: 322
From: St. Louis
Default

Originally Posted by Superdog3:16
Don't go on what I say, but I thought 18 & 19 are the same????
Except for the primaries right. 18's have the wide and the 19's run the narrow. I could be wrong so please corect me of i am.
 
Reply
Old Apr 23, 2019 | 09:07 PM
  #6813  
vtchopperdude's Avatar
vtchopperdude
Road Captain
5 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 533
Likes: 140
From: Blacksburg, VA
Default

Originally Posted by Slopok_KS
I understand the 18 and 19 are completely different.
Completely new frame and swingarm, among many other things. For me personally, the swingarm was a no-go. It takes away from the softail look. The 18+ swing arm is no longer continuous with the frame like on the 17 and older bikes. The swingarm on the 18+ looks odd IMO due to the lines not matching up with the frame...or anything. Once you take off the stock exhaust, you'll see what I'm talking about. There is huge gap between the rear of the frame and the rear wheel, unlike the 17 and older models. I'm sure Harley did it for a reason, but like many things they do, they are god awful ugly. Again, just my personal opinion, but in the long run, can't go wrong with a newer Harley. Very reliable, always run strong, and look pretty damn good after you put about 3-5k into them.
 
Reply
Old Apr 24, 2019 | 07:15 AM
  #6814  
Slopok_KS's Avatar
Slopok_KS
6th Gear
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Kansas
Default

After reading a few pages of the m8 thread I'm very leery of picking up a 18 holdover.. Granted most of the m8 problems seem to be on different bike platforms and not so much the breakout, just my luck getting a shop queen..lol... Doing all the research I can, I hear the ride is much better on the 18+. But honestly would rather deal with a not as good of a ride rather than worrying if my bike is going to spend more time in the shop rather than my garage... I have read very little negative on the 103 dependability.
I value y'alls opinions, y'all most likely know these bikes better than anyone. Ideally I would like a 114 so the power loss compared to my bike that was stolen won't be as noticable, but if the 103 is just flat more dependable it makes more sense..
 

Last edited by Slopok_KS; Apr 24, 2019 at 07:39 AM.
Reply
Old Apr 24, 2019 | 07:23 AM
  #6815  
Superdog3:16's Avatar
Superdog3:16
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 3,421
Likes: 726
From: Tiffin,Oh
Default

Originally Posted by Slopok_KS
After reading a few pages of the m8 thread I'm very leery of picking up a 18 holdover.. Granted most of the m8 problems seem to be on different bike platforms and not so much the breakout, just my luck getting a shop queen..lol... Doing all the research I can, I hear the ride is much better on the 18+. But honestly would rather deal with a not as good off a ride rather than worrying if my bike is going to spend more time in the shop rather than my garage... I have read very

little negative on the 103 dependability
Here's a novel idea?
GO TEST DRIVE BOTH! Bet ya buy the M8...
 
Reply
Old Apr 24, 2019 | 07:38 AM
  #6816  
NSR's Avatar
NSR
Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 635
Likes: 47
From: North Jersey, USA
Default

I was thinking about trading for a 2018, but the oil cooler/radiator between the frame's downtubes was a deal breaker. If someone ever comes up with a way to relocate that thing I might give the M8 bikes a second look.
 
Reply
Old Apr 24, 2019 | 07:44 AM
  #6817  
Slopok_KS's Avatar
Slopok_KS
6th Gear
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Kansas
Default

Originally Posted by Superdog3:16
Here's a novel idea?
GO TEST DRIVE BOTH! Bet ya buy the M8...

Damn, why didnt I think of that. A test drive is bound to tell a person who doesn't know squat about Harleys which is a better way to go right?
 
Reply
Old Apr 24, 2019 | 08:11 AM
  #6818  
Superdog3:16's Avatar
Superdog3:16
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 3,421
Likes: 726
From: Tiffin,Oh
Default

Originally Posted by Slopok_KS
Damn, why didnt I think of that. A test drive is bound to tell a person who doesn't know squat about Harleys which is a better way to go right?
Good point. ********
 
Reply
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Apr 24, 2019 | 08:17 AM
  #6819  
Superdog3:16's Avatar
Superdog3:16
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 3,421
Likes: 726
From: Tiffin,Oh
Default

Originally Posted by NSR
I was thinking about trading for a 2018, but the oil cooler/radiator between the frame's downtubes was a deal breaker. If someone ever comes up with a way to relocate that thing I might give the M8 bikes a second look.
I got one. I know what ya mean. I'm not crazy about them either. They make chrome covers, but to me, it just draws more attention to it. The engine sure likes it! Lol
 
Reply
Old Apr 24, 2019 | 08:30 AM
  #6820  
Slopok_KS's Avatar
Slopok_KS
6th Gear
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Kansas
Default

Originally Posted by Superdog3:16
Good point. ********
Look who is talking keyboard *****.... Whats the point of having a forum to bounce off other people's knowledge? For all I know the 103 is a much more dependable bike. You don't have to be a ***** about it, but I'm sure you cant help it..
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:31 PM.

story-0
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson built its reputation on nostalgia, but every so often, the company took a hard left turn into the future.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 11:18:19


VIEW MORE
story-1
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-2
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-4
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-5
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-6
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-7
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE