View Poll Results: After seeing the 2018 Models are you now planning on buying one?
Yes, I like what I see
260
36.41%
No, I don't like any of the new models
454
63.59%
Voters: 714. You may not vote on this poll
After seeing the 2018 line-up, Are you going to buy?
#211
08-23-2017 | 10:15 PM
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,216
Likes: 242
From: Northern O H I O
I understand why HD is doing this. They cant continue to refine the touring lineup and leave the softy's and dyna's alone forever. They likely took the best sellers from both lines and came up with one frame to suit both lines as a method or reducing costs while trying to appeal to both styles of bike. That said, some things they got right and others they did not, IMO. The Fatboy is hideous to put it mildly. The Heritage looks cool IMO.
I waited awhile to see what they would do on the RG in 2018 and I am happy with the blacked out Salt colored version and may seriously consider getting one. But 27k for that vs the Heritage with a 114' motor at 21.3k? I will be riding both soon and deciding. If I don't like them, I'm with several others where I'll be keeping my 03 and 08 softails and my 13 RKC and may forever live in the realm of pre-2018 especially for a softail. The 16-17 Heritage in teal/white has got to be one of the most beautiful bikes ever built. 16/17's have cruise on the only two models I would ever consider buying (DLX and Heritage) so you can tour on them too.
I waited awhile to see what they would do on the RG in 2018 and I am happy with the blacked out Salt colored version and may seriously consider getting one. But 27k for that vs the Heritage with a 114' motor at 21.3k? I will be riding both soon and deciding. If I don't like them, I'm with several others where I'll be keeping my 03 and 08 softails and my 13 RKC and may forever live in the realm of pre-2018 especially for a softail. The 16-17 Heritage in teal/white has got to be one of the most beautiful bikes ever built. 16/17's have cruise on the only two models I would ever consider buying (DLX and Heritage) so you can tour on them too.
#213
08-23-2017 | 10:27 PM
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 13,402
Likes: 932
From: Illinois
Negative folks always come out in force. But they are always a minority. Just wait for the first quarter sales of the 18 models and the true answer will be there.
A M8 in a much stiffer frame Dyna and Softail will make past models so outdated that it is pathetic.
The M8 in my 17 RGS is great. In the non touring models it will be a winner. Only the S models in the Dyna and Softail models can come close to the performance of the M8.
I have bought two to four new models each year for many years. But at 77 and 23 bikes stuffed into my garage I may be done. However I will not say never again.
Will my old models go up? The 58 Pan, 97 Springer Heritage and 99 FXSTS sure.
A M8 in a much stiffer frame Dyna and Softail will make past models so outdated that it is pathetic.
The M8 in my 17 RGS is great. In the non touring models it will be a winner. Only the S models in the Dyna and Softail models can come close to the performance of the M8.
I have bought two to four new models each year for many years. But at 77 and 23 bikes stuffed into my garage I may be done. However I will not say never again.
Will my old models go up? The 58 Pan, 97 Springer Heritage and 99 FXSTS sure.
Last edited by lh4x4; 08-23-2017 at 10:29 PM.
#214
08-23-2017 | 10:29 PM
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,216
Likes: 242
From: Northern O H I O
Negative folks always come out in force. But they are always a minority. Just wait for the first quarter sales of the 18 models and the true answer will be there.
A M8 in a much stiffer frame Dyna and Softail will make past models so outdated that it is pathetic.
The M8 in my 17 RGS is great. In the non touring models it will be a winner. Only the S models in the Dyna and Softail models can come close to the performance of the M8.
I have bought two to four new models each year for many years. But at 77 and 23 bikes stuffed into my garage I may be done. However I will not say never again.
A M8 in a much stiffer frame Dyna and Softail will make past models so outdated that it is pathetic.
The M8 in my 17 RGS is great. In the non touring models it will be a winner. Only the S models in the Dyna and Softail models can come close to the performance of the M8.
I have bought two to four new models each year for many years. But at 77 and 23 bikes stuffed into my garage I may be done. However I will not say never again.
LOL
#216
08-23-2017 | 10:43 PM
Moderator
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 6,895
Likes: 4,845
From: Midwest
I think BMW, Triumph, Moto Guzzi and Ducati are offering better bikes now for the money.
Harley-Davidson was never cheap. But now they are pricing themselves where other premium brands are offering more sophisticated motorcycles. Harley went "modern". Sort of. If you take the money you would spend on a 2018 Heritage and get the R1200GS or R1200RT, the BMW offers the superior bike. With traction control, electronically adjustable suspension, lower weight, more power, superior brakes, better handling and added versatility, the BMW is clearly better.
What Harley had offered was a traditional look and feel that was somewhat more unique and authentic. With the new lineup, that's gone. The improvements they've made don't compete with today's real modern bikes.
Harley-Davidson was never cheap. But now they are pricing themselves where other premium brands are offering more sophisticated motorcycles. Harley went "modern". Sort of. If you take the money you would spend on a 2018 Heritage and get the R1200GS or R1200RT, the BMW offers the superior bike. With traction control, electronically adjustable suspension, lower weight, more power, superior brakes, better handling and added versatility, the BMW is clearly better.
What Harley had offered was a traditional look and feel that was somewhat more unique and authentic. With the new lineup, that's gone. The improvements they've made don't compete with today's real modern bikes.
#217
08-23-2017 | 10:44 PM
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 13,402
Likes: 932
From: Illinois
As far as the 3.5 gal tank goes it is meaningless. Range is the important data.
The M8 gets 8% more mpg in the touring frame. I have 10K on my 17 RGS with stage I and average 52 mpg. In the lighter bike it should be even higher.
So how many ride over 150 miles without stopping?
The cruisers should get 55 mpg. Low fuel light should come on at about 180 miles.
Edit: Checked the H-D website. It may only be 3% more but the specs on the tank is 3.6 gallons and the combined mpg is 47. So since I live in a rural area and only do highway miles which has resulted in 52 to 55 mpg on my 17 RGS through the 10K miles that I have on it, I am comfortable with my estimate of at least 180 range.
The M8 gets 8% more mpg in the touring frame. I have 10K on my 17 RGS with stage I and average 52 mpg. In the lighter bike it should be even higher.
So how many ride over 150 miles without stopping?
The cruisers should get 55 mpg. Low fuel light should come on at about 180 miles.
Edit: Checked the H-D website. It may only be 3% more but the specs on the tank is 3.6 gallons and the combined mpg is 47. So since I live in a rural area and only do highway miles which has resulted in 52 to 55 mpg on my 17 RGS through the 10K miles that I have on it, I am comfortable with my estimate of at least 180 range.
Last edited by lh4x4; 08-25-2017 at 10:58 PM.
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#219
08-23-2017 | 10:57 PM
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 39
Likes: 12
From: Marietta, GA
2018 Opinion
Yes, I will pick up a 2018 Fat Boy in Bonneville Salt Pearl as soon as it arrives at my dealer.
#220
08-23-2017 | 10:58 PM
Been waiting all year for a Road Glide Special, was hoping they would murder them like the RKS... I wish they had a black denim in it but vivid will have to do. Pretty disappointed on the price, $33k in canada and $6k more than the regular road glide. Almost considering just getting the regular road glide and then sending parts out to be powder coated over the winter. Waiting for my dealer to get their shipments in and will pull the trigger one way or the other.