the big takeaway here is that the op is trying to get a hammer to act as a screwdriver. you can lower your seat, put lower shocks on, etc. but you are still going to sit 'on' a tourer as opposed to sitting 'in' like you would on a softail.

but yeah, other than the front end, the frame is the same. but there was a big change to the front end with the rushmore bikes. 49mm forks, no grease fitting, completely different bearing adjustments and maintenance requirements.

 

Looking up the part numbers, they changed in 09, 14, and 17.

 

The rear back half bolt on section as well as the swing arm are still the same as the 2009.

 

It was widely rumourd that 2018 would bring a new touring frame. It did not. May be 2019?
Still it will be a touring bike, I doubt they change the ride feel very much...

 

here's the extent of the "frame changes" for the 14 Rushmore, still the same awesome frame as the 09

 

I don't know. The limitations of the Harley frame is the shocks. They need more length to get a better ride, but length adds height, which is fueling a rumor that the 2019 frame will be a mono-shock design.

Beary

 

Wow, might as well just go buy an indian

 

It isn't wise to concentrate on the frame alone IMHO, when considering the model years from 2009. There are many significant improvements on the 2018 bikes, if we are to believe the marketting hype, not least decent suspension, which is long overdue.

 

If the mono shock comes true, I personally believe Harley was looking at it before Polaris introduced it on the Indian. I wonder if Polaris did Harley a favor by breaking away from the nostalgic two shock swing arm. The one advantage most riders agree that Indians have on Harleys is the suspension.

Beary

 

The overall geometry hasn't changed so if lowering kits and low seat don't cut it then you might want to look at a Heritage softail.