I see this differently. I feel that HD has departed considerably from their traditional look, especially over the past several years.
I got back into riding in 2011 and purchased a 2011 Road King Classic because I loved the timeless look of that model in particular. You can still get close to that Road King look today, but you do have to swap out some parts. Quite some time ago someone on this forum posted the following picture. The bike on the left is a 1969 Electra Glide while the bike on the right is a late 90's Road King I believe. I don't think HD is really selling bikes "in the image" of the '57 Bel Air any longer. I think Indian has a more traditional styling compared to the recent HD's.
Family Photo
To me, that picture perfectly shows exactly what @jz78817 was saying... that they LOOK and AWFUL LOT like their 30-year old counterparts.
I think it was a bad idea to blend the dyna and softail models, and then call them a Softail. It's nothing like the previous Softail save for the attempt to look like a rigid frame. They should have just named it something else altogether.
Other than that the new "Softail" has arguably a better suspension (4+ inches of travel I hear, not to mention the inverted fork on some of them) than the 2018 touring line, which is a screw up imo. I'm sure the touring line is not far behind with the monoshock idea, but they should have released frame improvements on their flagship line first, if not at the same time.
As far as the poll - neither. No, I'm not buying. And yes, I like some of the changes made. The Street Bob looks like they made an attempt at building a better bike. Had they called it a new FXR and paid some homage to the original, I would probably be all excited about it. Maybe even bought one. But it's all about perception. So to me, it's still a softail. The mind is funny like that.
I think it was a bad idea to blend the dyna and softail models, and then call them a Softail. It's nothing like the previous Softail save for the attempt to look like a rigid frame. They should have just named it something else altogether.
Other than that the new "Softail" has arguably a better suspension (4+ inches of travel I hear, not to mention the inverted fork on some of them) than the 2018 touring line, which is a screw up imo. I'm sure the touring line is not far behind with the monoshock idea, but they should have released frame improvements on their flagship line first, if not at the same time.
As far as the poll - neither. No, I'm not buying. And yes, I like some of the changes made. The Street Bob looks like they made an attempt at building a better bike. Had they called it a new FXR and paid some homage to the original, I would probably be all excited about it. Maybe even bought one. But it's all about perception. So to me, it's still a softail. The mind is funny like that.
This is why I would wait to buy another touring bike. An upgraded frame and suspension can't be too far off.
I'm going to my dealership on Saturday to put a deposit on a 114" Fat Bob.
The only downside I can see to it is that bags will be difficult with that exhaust, and the smaller fuel tank. But I'll live with that.
I was going to buy an M8 touring bike this year (RGS or SGS), but with the new frame and the 114" in the Fat Bob that's a game changer for me. I'll add a windshield and a sissy bar with rack for touring until the Touring range get the new frame and the larger motor - hopefully next year...
08-24-2017 | 10:32 AM
