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?
#301
08-25-2017 | 06:52 AM
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 7,616
Likes: 13,445
From: The Republic of Texas
Those who are happy with their current bikes are upside down in their loans.
Those who are trading up with less than 3 year old bikes don't care if they are upside down in their loans, as long as they get financed life's great.
The 18's are ok? But Id never finance one. The price of a new Harley (and new cars to be fair) is getting out of control. Sometimes I wonder if finance company's are the driving force behind price increases.
Those who are trading up with less than 3 year old bikes don't care if they are upside down in their loans, as long as they get financed life's great.
The 18's are ok? But Id never finance one. The price of a new Harley (and new cars to be fair) is getting out of control. Sometimes I wonder if finance company's are the driving force behind price increases.
#304
08-25-2017 | 07:07 AM
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 7,807
Likes: 5,947
From: WI
Those who are happy with their current bikes are upside down in their loans.
Those who are trading up with less than 3 year old bikes don't care if they are upside down in their loans, as long as they get financed life's great.
The 18's are ok? But Id never finance one. The price of a new Harley (and new cars to be fair) is getting out of control. Sometimes I wonder if finance company's are the driving force behind price increases.
Those who are trading up with less than 3 year old bikes don't care if they are upside down in their loans, as long as they get financed life's great.
The 18's are ok? But Id never finance one. The price of a new Harley (and new cars to be fair) is getting out of control. Sometimes I wonder if finance company's are the driving force behind price increases.
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benscratchin (08-25-2017)
#305
08-25-2017 | 07:14 AM
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 2,530
Likes: 545
From: Wayne County, PA
Nope. I cant stand the way Softails handle, never want to buy or even ride another one. Now that harley has stopped making a conventional rear shock light weight(by harley standards) big twin there is not one bike they build that intrests me. I'll just have to keep my evo until it can no longer be rebuild and repaired.
#306
08-25-2017 | 08:09 AM
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 243
Likes: 80
From: Nebraska
After riding the new Breakout and Fat Bob last night, I am very surprised by these bikes. I think they are a good step in the right direction for the future of Harley. They don't ride anything like a previous Softails. I think that those folks who are looking for the classic Harley look and feel may not like them. But those folks who are looking for a better motorcycle will love them.
The following users liked this post:
lh4x4 (08-25-2017)
#307
08-25-2017 | 08:53 AM
Supporter
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 6,856
Likes: 3,717
From: St. Charles, MO
One of two things are going to happen (IMHO).
Either MoCo executives have recognised that touring range of bikes are still purchased by older, traditional crowd and decided to leave it alone with traditional styling.
OR
2018.5 or 2019 model year may bring 'new design' to the touring range as well.
I think the introduction of Road King Special to test the water first in 2017.5... followed by 2018 Street Glide and Road Glide getting blacked out treatment seem to signal the start of that change to me but it all comes down to sales over the next year, I would assume.
Good thing about Harley is that any components can be changed straight out of Harley's massive Parts & Accessories catalogue. Don't like Fatboy headlight, can be changed. For decades, Harley feared this back lash from the loyal, long time Harley customers and refrained from changing the appearance.
Harley seeing drop in sales year after year, had to make a difficult call. Keep doing what they have done for another 20 years and there will be no one left to buy a Harley OR start targeting younger crowd and develop the next generation of riders. Young guys/gals don't want to rider 'old man' bikes.
Some of us may not like the steps Harley has taken but it was necessary if MoCo wants to celebrate 150th Anniversary.
I also suspect many more changes are in the pipeline. Remember, 100 new bikes in 10 years. 2018 launched 8 new Softail. There are many more surprises ahead. Including the production of Livewire electronic bikes.
We have enjoyed decades of dormant status. World has moved on. Harley is trying to catch up.
One last thing... one day in the next few years, we will realise that these new 'contemporary' designed headlights don't look all that bad. We just need a little time to get use to them. 😎
Either MoCo executives have recognised that touring range of bikes are still purchased by older, traditional crowd and decided to leave it alone with traditional styling.
OR
2018.5 or 2019 model year may bring 'new design' to the touring range as well.
I think the introduction of Road King Special to test the water first in 2017.5... followed by 2018 Street Glide and Road Glide getting blacked out treatment seem to signal the start of that change to me but it all comes down to sales over the next year, I would assume.
Good thing about Harley is that any components can be changed straight out of Harley's massive Parts & Accessories catalogue. Don't like Fatboy headlight, can be changed. For decades, Harley feared this back lash from the loyal, long time Harley customers and refrained from changing the appearance.
Harley seeing drop in sales year after year, had to make a difficult call. Keep doing what they have done for another 20 years and there will be no one left to buy a Harley OR start targeting younger crowd and develop the next generation of riders. Young guys/gals don't want to rider 'old man' bikes.
Some of us may not like the steps Harley has taken but it was necessary if MoCo wants to celebrate 150th Anniversary.
I also suspect many more changes are in the pipeline. Remember, 100 new bikes in 10 years. 2018 launched 8 new Softail. There are many more surprises ahead. Including the production of Livewire electronic bikes.
We have enjoyed decades of dormant status. World has moved on. Harley is trying to catch up.
One last thing... one day in the next few years, we will realise that these new 'contemporary' designed headlights don't look all that bad. We just need a little time to get use to them. 😎
#308
08-25-2017 | 09:01 AM
Supporter
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 6,856
Likes: 3,717
From: St. Charles, MO
Nope. I cant stand the way Softails handle, never want to buy or even ride another one. Now that harley has stopped making a conventional rear shock light weight(by harley standards) big twin there is not one bike they build that intrests me. I'll just have to keep my evo until it can no longer be rebuild and repaired.
My biggest gripe with killing the Dyna is they killed to "affordable big twin". But as far as engineering and design go, I suspect this is a homerun; but only sales will decide that.
#309
08-25-2017 | 09:14 AM
Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 203
Likes: 50
From: Orlando, Florida
Those who are happy with their current bikes are upside down in their loans.
Those who are trading up with less than 3 year old bikes don't care if they are upside down in their loans, as long as they get financed life's great.
The 18's are ok? But Id never finance one. The price of a new Harley (and new cars to be fair) is getting out of control. Sometimes I wonder if finance company's are the driving force behind price increases.
Those who are trading up with less than 3 year old bikes don't care if they are upside down in their loans, as long as they get financed life's great.
The 18's are ok? But Id never finance one. The price of a new Harley (and new cars to be fair) is getting out of control. Sometimes I wonder if finance company's are the driving force behind price increases.
Looking on Craigslist lately, what then seemed like the deal of a lifetime 2 years ago are pretty common. Bikes with under 10K miles, adult owned, in the $7K to $11K range.
#310
08-25-2017 | 09:36 AM
Moderator
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 6,895
Likes: 4,845
From: Midwest
Went to see a few of the bikes last night in-person. Dealer just got their inventory in yesterday and were email bombing everyone to come and check them out. My opinion on looks changed somewhat after seeing the bikes in person --for the good and for the bad.
The new Heritage doesn't look as crazy as I thought it would based on the photos. There is a difference with seeing it in person. To me, it is the best looking of the bunch. The breakout and street bob, however, just don't do it for me with that small 3 gallon tank. Looks like something doesn't belong. Some people will like it but my opinion is they destroyed the lines of the bike with that tank and I can't get past the digital speedo on the handlebar clamp. Fat Bob looks like a Ducatti. And almost all of the paint jobs were these toned down matte colors and lots of darked out trim everywhere. There was a street glide in matte blue with half a harley wing painted on one side of the fairing. Everyone was having one of those WTF moments.
Just looks though. I am sure the new bikes ride much better than past versions.
The new Heritage doesn't look as crazy as I thought it would based on the photos. There is a difference with seeing it in person. To me, it is the best looking of the bunch. The breakout and street bob, however, just don't do it for me with that small 3 gallon tank. Looks like something doesn't belong. Some people will like it but my opinion is they destroyed the lines of the bike with that tank and I can't get past the digital speedo on the handlebar clamp. Fat Bob looks like a Ducatti. And almost all of the paint jobs were these toned down matte colors and lots of darked out trim everywhere. There was a street glide in matte blue with half a harley wing painted on one side of the fairing. Everyone was having one of those WTF moments.
Just looks though. I am sure the new bikes ride much better than past versions.