So the new 2018 Softail frames have me wondering. How good are they really? It was always the debate or question people would ask over the years Softail vs Touring or Fat boy vs Roadking ect ect.. The awnser was always the Touring chassis was far superior then the Softail especially for longer rides. But is that still the case?

Lol. Basically everything has to be tested and rewritten. All the info online and everyones thoughts ,opinions and formation on the subject is now void. All the Softails from 2017 and earlier dont count anymore when asked which is better?

So is the Harley Davidson Touring frame still better? Or is it outdated and in need of a revamp just like the Softail. What will Harley do. Kinda makes you think especially when your on the verge of buying a new bike and is torn between buying the new 2018 Fatboy or 2018 Road King Special. What the new material of the New Softails Carbon Steel? Whats the Touring frame made from? Will they switch? Even just to make it lighter? Or is it perfect the way it is??

Some people that have tested the new Softails rave about how well they handle now. Should be interesting to see where this all goes. I feel like the question has to be asked all over again. So here it is officially 2018 Softail vs 2018 Touring ,now which is better??

 

Good thread.
I am more interested in ground clearance - lean angle and not dragging footboards.
At the present the only reason I stay with a bagger is for the ground clearance.

Do the 2018 Heritage footboards scrape as easy as previous years ?

 

Well you just mention the Heritage which is a good bike to compare but im talking about the Frame design of the new Softail in general. If you look at all the new Softails all those specs like lean angle are all different. I can tell you i have not rode one yet but i have watched videos on YouTube of guys doing the reviews on the new 2018 Fatboy and they try too scrape the foot boads in the turns on purpose but cant. And they say the handling is amazing 10x better then the out going Dyna even. Which brings up the question i asked how does this new Softail frame compare to the Touring frame and set up?

 

Just looked on Harley Davidsons website only looked at one of the new Softails specs the 2018 Fat Bob. The left lean angle is 31 the right is 32. Just shows the frame and set up can be set up for good lean angles as well. So that's not really an issue.

 

My question is that typically the sporty dyna's and the old soft tail line were aimed at smaller lighter couples and solo riders. Having two shocks in the rear to help with the changes in loading for larger couples and luggage may be an advantage. I haven't seen the full design yet but the other companies using a single shock rear usually incorporate a link system that varies the shock angle as it compresses making it a "progressive rate" design to help with that.

I look at it this way. The touring line is Harley's flagship money maker. The company reduced and simplified the dyna's and soft tails for economy as well as to test the waters. The want to make sure that the changes are well received before making the change to the touring bikes so they will remain for a little while.

Would it make sense to change to a solid mount, fully balanced motor with a single shock? Guys are already bitching about the partial balancing.

What would be nice is the increased saddle bag room going to a single shock especially if the pre-load can be adjusted remotely without removing the bag.

 

I dont know if a single shock should be the way to go on the Touring models. I dont know if it would keep up with the work load of a pully packed bike with 2 people vs two shocks. Im just curious if Harley might go un that direction or maybe just a different frame material to make the bike lighter. But i dont know if lighter would be better for touring even. Might make the bike less stable. Im simply just thinking out loud and curious of others opinions in the subject. I think a lighter frame if made correctly can possibly make the touring models more balanced and less top heavy. That would be great IMO.

 

Have owned both a Softail and a Touring bike (non-18s), the Softail handles way better, more motorcycle-y. Smaller, more agile.

 

The MOCO rumored plans from a few years back was to have one frame for all big twins. No one knows what HD will do in the future as they have excellent leak control. One frame for all big twins. Do I know what I am talking about for real and do I have a reliable inside source, of course not. Truth is it has been printed and it is anyone's guess if it is true. I would never buy a Indochinese HD that has parts made and available for 10 years and than you throw it out as far as HD is concerned. Foy all of this who have been around for a while, a HD was sought after because it is rebuildable and will last as long as you are willing to work on it. Once that happened it is worth more than what you paid for it.

Today's HD corporate culture is: drop the bike off at a HD only dealer and eliminate the trusted local INDY, perusing the racks of way overpriced "must have" Chinese T-shirts and footwear, while waiting to be raped by your service bill.

Like almost everything everything HD does, they copy someone ease's work (the aforementioned Softail frame as well as the original Softail frame), modify it to suit and mass produce it. Several INDY frame have produced this type of frame and all Japanese Sport Bikes I know about have a system with no rubber mounted swing arm and counter balanced motor for many years. I have the disposable funds (no financing needed) available to purchase any HD but due to the reasons, as well as other personal choices, choose to (never is a long time maybe) not ever think about purchasing a new HD. If I wanted a throw-a-way I would purchase a cheap Japanese bike with technology far more advanced than any HD. My friend just took possession of a new Kawasaki Ninja H2r for a MSRP of $55k (sold much cheaper/not the slow H2) with 310 HP, top speed of 249+mph & in the 9’s in the ¼ & 450#. That is before modification as this is a track version and will need lights & turn signals. My friend paid $26K street legal & registered in FLA. It does not have a tour pack and not near as comfortable as a 2002 FLH on a trip.

 

Trusted INDY where. Not all but most are a joke.
The Mono shock Idea has been a round a long time. Modern parts and manufacturing have greatly improved them and the are working on larger heavier bikes.
HD made a bold move that was needed . The time had come.
Touring bikes handle very well . Should know spent a lot of miles on them. Some maybe surprised to get so time in the seat and see how they do. The SG/RG with lower rear shots suffer a little but they are lower to look cool .
When HD changed the Touring in 2009 it was the end of the world. Seems it worked out well. Betting the current change will also.

 

changes are coming for the touring bikes. they're been using the same frame since 2009. Even with the rushmore upgrades and the m8 update, theres still room for improvement.(like the rubber mounted swingarm)