Posted on 08/22/2017 11:02:13 PM PDT by nralife
Harley-Davidson has completely revamped its Big Twin cruiser model lineup for 2018, folding Dyna and Softail model lines into one all-new 2018 Harley-Davidson Softail range of motorcycles.
The entire new 2018 Harley-Davidson Softail cruiser lineup gets an all-new chassis, new underseat "hidden" single shock, and the new Milwaukee-Eight V-twin engine in 107ci displacement or, in select models, 114ci. The 45-degree, four-valve-per-cylinder Milwaukee-Eight V-twins now have dual counterbalancers. This means Dyna models, which previously had rubber-mounted Twin Cam 103ci and 110ci engines, will now have solid engine mounts, just as previous Softails had enjoyed since the introduction of the Twin Cam 88B (B for balanced) in 1999 models. All 2018 Harley-Davidson Softail cruiser motorcycles use an all-new frame that, as part of the larger redesign, reduces weight by up to 35 pounds and improves handling and ride quality.
The new frames offer three steering head angles in 28-, 30-, and 34-degree rakes, a "standard" and "high" ride height and "wide" or "narrow" swingarm, depending on model. With the parts commonality among eight new models (12 if you count the four 114ci variants), this will mean unprecedented parts and component interchangeability for a new level and ease of customization potential.
(Excerpt) Read more at cycleworld.com ...
They said that about the Japanese bikes back when too, but a 1968-1969 Honda CB750 fetches over $140k today. The original purchase price was less than $2000 back then. http://www.motorcycleclassics.com/black-side-down/honda-cb750-sells-for-148100
There are multiple 80s Japanese bikes that sell for 15 times or more what they did new. Meanwhile there are multiple genuine Harley models from the AMF years that are worth nothing but scrap.
I just remember what my dad said the first time a family member showed up at his house driving a Jap car, “those people tried to kill me on Iwo Jima”.
-shrug- And now they’re our allies. Same goes for the British.
Speaking of which, the British make better bikes than Harley now too.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MqpDP7HQMtg
Unlike Harley, they aren’t just limited to cruisers. And even their cruisers are far more powerful and agile, as the above video shows.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-1X6RttqjIc
I ride an 2014 Indian Chieftain. Put 32K on her last year. 26K so far this year. 86k miles total. Rides much better than my Ultra Limited. More power, better handling, smooth riding, MUCH lower cost to operate (first and only back to dealer issue was a failed rear wheel speed sensor at around 50K miles, covered under warranty). Tires, oil and brakes is all I have to do. I do oil and brakes myself and I pull the wheels and have the new rubber mounted.
My bike is bone stock and I can out run a 2015 Ultra 103 with intake, V&H 2 into 1 exhaust, Andrews 248 cams and Screaming Eagle tuner. And I weigh 300lbs. I’m still pulling in sixth gear when he is topped out.
I have owned around 18 motorcycles in in my life, including nine Harley’s. I am a member of 1%er club that was in the news a lot after Waco, so I take my motorcycles very seriously. For me and my club, they are life or death.
P.S. a number of my club brothers have switched over to Indian and a number of others have said to me that their next bike will be an Indian.
P.P.S. I paid 24K for mine, so... not a cheap knockoff.
There are naked 900cc fours that weigh in at 428lbs, you know. 400 isn’t all that light any more. If you want a ~400lb twin, you can go buy one of the 700-800 class Ducati Monsters or the Guzzi V7 or if you want to go ‘heavy’ at 471lbs, there’s always the Triumph Bonneville.
Uh, Kenny never rode a XR750 other than as a guest of some HD rider.
Hatin’ on Harley is so 90s.
They still haven’t brought back the Springer... I loved my ‘05...
It was good enough for Sonny so they say
True and I should have known black and yeller
Yeah. Well, long time ago I owned a Triumph car and a BSA bike. I am too old for another love/hate relationship with a British vehicle. ha ha.
Last time I rode a Bonnie it was the mid 70s. I had the BSA and my friend the Bonnie. Different animal now.
Anyway, just had the carb re jetted on the S40. Took it out this afternoon for about 60 miles in the country. Nice. Screw the EPA.
LOL, just thinking if any HD rider from that era would have been able to ride the TZ750 2 stroke flat track bike. Cal Rayborn (RIP), maybe.
Has to be like guiding the Queen Mary around.
Grand Prix motor in a flat track bike essentially
You know he rode it recently before his heart attack
In 2009 I think at 58
Indy Mile
He’s unique in motor cycle racing
He and Russ Collins were my favorites back in my hot bike days
Terry Vance too
And Dick Mann
And Jöel Robert
Joey Dunlap.....
Man I’m going back....
Actually, while it’s no Goldwing (which is surprisingly agile even at over 800lbs) it’s still on the nimble side, unlike H-D products.
Also, if you know how to do it, even a petite woman can pick up a fallen 800lb touring rig.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I5k4Uj3YTnY
Until her recent passing, little 80 year old grandmother and intercontinental touring master Ardys Kellerman used to ride big BMW touring rigs and would demonstrate how she could pick up the rig if it went down at gatherings.
A comparable Harley rig in the same weight range has the weight carried way too high and is in fact like driving the QM2 around. The Goldwing and many other modern touring rigs are... substantially more agile.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=37XLJNLpzxQ
That big, bright yellow bike is a 900lb GL1800 Goldwing on Tail Of The Dragon. Seems to be doing just fine corner carving at higher speeds. (Yellow Wolf is rather famous.)
My old Snortin’ Norton weight less than 400 pounds.
The ‘72 850 was a fun bike...
My Harley is right around 700lbs and is a breeze to pick up. Years ago, I got caught in a snow storm with a girl on the back and we fell over three times while I was getting used to how to ride it.
I don’t know about weight being too high. Maybe. But Harley’s are low and the engines are short. (OHV’s... none of that OCH/DOHC up there.) Maybe the dry sump with the tank under the seat?
Regardless, yeah my Hog handles like a pig. Not going to dispute that. Still my favorite bike ever owned though. Followed closely by my little RM125 that was stolen and then the RC51. A bike for every need.
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