What Forum Members Don't Like about the New 2018 Softails
The 2018 Softail lineup brings a lot of controversy with it. Between the Dyna range being axed and an all-new frame for the Softail, many diehard Harley enthusiasts aren't happy.
1. One Step Forward and Two Steps Back
Anyone buying a 2018 Low Rider, Fat Bob or Street Bob will have to accept a few of the Softail drawbacks. Visible twin rear shocks, connecting the swingarm to the chassis, weren't just aesthetically pleasing, they ensured the Dyna range handled well. A mono-shock rear suspension unit will be used in favor of twin rear shocks on the Softails, which doesn't offer the same advantages in terms of performance. While the Dyna range uses rubber elastomer engine mounts, to isolate the engine's vibrations, the Softail range uses solid mounts. This means the rider feels every engine vibration. Some people think these vibrations are part of Harley Davidson's heritage but, for others, it's just too much.
One of the most popular motorcycles in the Dyna range, the Low Rider, also seems to be regressing instead of making progress. The 2018 model will feature just one disc brake up front, instead of two which the current model has. The 2018 Fat Bob has come under criticism over the styling of its pipes. Bronze, apparently, isn't something that belongs on a Harley-Davidson.
>>Join the conversation about the things wrong with the New 2018 Softails right here in HD Forums.
2. Death of the Dyna
Up to now, Harley's Softail and Dyna range have run alongside each other. But, as of 2018, the Dyna range will cease to exist and the Softail range will encompass the Low Rider, Street Bob, and Fat Bob - three classic Dyna motorcycles.
The Dyna range was developed in the 80's and early 90's before being launched in 1991. It embodied the Superglides of the 70's and 80's, which were even considered retro then. But, the look and feel of these motorcycles are what many Harley customers still want today. In fact, what some riders dislike most about the 2018 Softail range is that it represents the end of the Dyna lineup.
>>Join the conversation about the things wrong with the New 2018 Softails right here in HD Forums.
3. Gap in the Lineup
It isn't just the fact that the Dyna range is gone, it fills a specific need which the Softail doesn't fill. The Dyna is an upgrade for those who want more than the smaller Sportster can offer. So, whether you wanted to bypass the Sportster range completely or just step it up a notch the Dyna was there. The Softail range is there for those who value comfort over long distances and enjoy the aesthetics of an old, hard tail cruiser. Now that the Dyna range has been axed, Harley customers must choose between downgrading to a Sportster of picking a comfort-orientated Softail.
This isn't to say the Sportster and Softail ranges are bad, but they don't fill the Dyna shaped hole in Harley's lineup. Whatever way you look at it, three new models in the Softail lineup won't satisfy the needs of the Dyna fans.
>>Join the conversation about the things wrong with the New 2018 Softails right here in HD Forums.
4. Too Futuristic
For some, preserving this heritage means making subtle changes to models and not going overboard in attempts to make them look too modern. But this is exactly what Harley is being accused of with some of the 2018 Softails, namely the Fat Bob. As well as the bronze pipes (bonze doesn't belong on a Harley apparently), the futuristic-looking headlight on the Fat Bob has also come under fire. This has led some to compare it to the 'batcycle'. Although the LED headlight is effective, a number of riders feel it's not meant for a Harley.
>>Join the conversation about the things wrong with the New 2018 Softails right here in HD Forums.
5. Design Problems
The Softail frame design has remained relatively unchanged since its launch in 1984. The rear twin shocks were placed on the axis of the frame and hidden under the transmission. The frame remained like this from 1984 up to 2017 and will be getting its first major change in 2018. The twin shock absorbers will be replaced by a mono shock which finds a new home under the rider's seat.
The redesigned frame hasn't been well received, however, regardless of the fact that it has been stiffened significantly many think it's downright ugly. Asking Dyna riders to jump ship to a redesigned frame that's anything less than a noticeable aesthetic improvement is a bad idea.
>>Join the conversation about the things wrong with the New 2018 Softails right here in HD Forums.
6. Losing Their Customer Base
Some Harley customers believe the names Low Rider, Fat Bob, and Street Bob should only ever be branded on Dyna motorcycles -the fact that they will be on Softails is sacrilegious. Harley Davidson is making considerable changes to its lineup for 2018 lineup, in an attempt to move forward and get more millennials interested in riding Harleys. The problem is, these changes come at the expense of some lifetime Harley customers who maintain they will only buy older, secondhand models from now on.
>>Join the conversation about the things wrong with the New 2018 Softails right here in HD Forums.
For help with your maintenance and repair projects, please visit our how-to section right here in the forum.
