2018 Shockers From The Motor Company
After 25 years in the lineup, Harley shocked their dealers with the news that the Dyna was done. Ditto for the V-Rod after its 16-year production cycle. This was just some of the news that was presented to Harley-Davidson dealers at their annual dealer meeting held in the Los Angeles Convention Center August 21-25, 2017.
For 2018, H-D has reduced the total number of models by merging the Dyna and Softail Big Twin platforms. “The new Softail models are the result of the most extensive research and development program in the company’s history,” said Paul James, manager of product portfolio, Harley-Davidson. “Thousands of hours of research and testing were put into the complete ground-up design of these new cruisers.”
The new mono-shock frame replaces the Dyna’s long-standing setup, which hasn’t made the purists too happy, but will hopefully make sense to Wall Street… and the next generation of customers. “We focused on taking the total rider experience to a higher level, where authenticity, heritage and soul meet the modern edge of technology for a ride that must be felt to believe,” added James.
The eight new bikes feature a stiffer and significantly lighter frame mated to new dual-counterbalanced Milwaukee-Eight 107 and 114 engines. “With high-performance dual-bending valve front suspension and an easily adjustable hidden rear mono-shock, the aggressively styled 2018 Softail models are faster, lighter and better handling than any of their Big Twin cruiser predecessors,” according to Harley.
“The 2018 Harley-Davidson Softail Makes Once-Great Dyna Irrelevant,” proclaimed the headlines in Hot Bike magazine, one of the media outlets to get a chance to ride the new machines even before the dealers saw them. This shocking pronouncement comes courtesy of the new shock set up.
“The new mono-shock rear suspension preserves the classic hard tail look while revamped geometry improves ride quality, traction and control. The new easily adjustable mono-shock enables a 240-pound range of payload capacity for increased passenger comfort and enhanced dynamic handling compared to 2017 Softail models.”
What’s new? All eight of the new bikes share a number of upgrades, including: Daymaker Signature LED Headlamps, improved electrical system charging (more than doubled at idle), easily adjustable rear shock pre-load settings, steering-head-mounted USB charge port, new instrumentation, keyless ignition, security system standard and new fuel tanks.
FAT BOY
Unique to the Fat Boy is the modern-day interpretation of the classic headlight nacelle. It also gets a rear tire mounted up front: the 160mm front is the widest front tire ever found on a production model Harley. ABS also comes standard, and Lakester wheels in a package that is 31 lbs. lighter than the 2017 version.
HERITAGE CLASSIC
Vintage ’50s styling with modern technology. Highlights include detachable windscreen; rigid saddlebags, cruise control and ABS. The “taller” suspension offers increased passenger and cargo payload capacity. Like the Fat Boy, the Heritage Classic also went on a diet, shaving 32 lbs. off the total weight.
LOW RIDER
Harley says the Low Rider was inspired by the individualism of the ’70s custom chopper era. The throwback-style dual tank-mount speedo and tach gauges, headlight visor and fuel tank graphics all pay tribute to the ’70s. It gets 19-inch front and 16-inch rear Radiate cast wheels and 2-into-2 Shotgun exhaust.
SOFTAIL SLIM
The Softail Slim pays homage to post-war bobbers with a narrow rear end, trimmed front fender, solo seat and minimal chrome. Laced wheels, tuck-and-roll seat, front nacelle and fork covers are other styling cues for the Slim… which also trimmed 35 lbs. off the previous model.
DELUXE
The Deluxe gets LED lighting, Tombstone taillight and blade turn signals. Pull-back bars and ABS brakes. What it doesn’t get is 33 lbs. of suet from the previous hog.
BREAKOUT
Harley bills the Breakout as “dragster attitude and style” – the smooth-top 3.5-gallon fuel tank and raked out 49mm forks accentuate this perception. The18-inch rear and 21-inch front tires are mounted on powder coated cast aluminum wheels. It also gets ABS brakes and a 35 lb. weight reduction.
FAT BOB
Blacked-out take-no-prisoners looks help the Fat Bob stand out… so do the massive meats (150mm front and 180mm rear). Dual disc brakes, 2-1-2 upswept performance pipes, inverted 43mm cartridge forks and a 3.6-gallon fuel tank are the hallmarks. Fat Bob lost 33 lbs. of “fat” compared to last year.
STREET BOB
The bare-bones Street Bob has the lowest MSRP in the new Softail lineup. Styling cues include a smooth-top 3.5-gallon fuel tank, black spoke wheels with chopped fenders. It also features a 17 lb. weight reduction.
“The authenticity of Harley-Davidson design comes by sweating the details from start to finish,” claimed Brad Richards, VP of styling and design, Harley-Davidson. “Harley-Davidson motorcycles are not a commodity; they are handed down from generation to generation. We look at every nut and bolt on the bike, all the finishes, and every small detail. The new Softail frame is like a piece of art, and the more you take off the bike, the more beautiful it becomes. Its design speaks to the teamwork that our styling and engineering processes demand.”
There is a supply of clean low-mileage Harley inventory competing with new bike sales. Dealers need to embrace the pre-owned sector as well as what’s new. That being said, the decision to do away with the V-Rod seemed a forgone conclusion. However the jury is still out for the other changes for 2018. Will the demise of the old Dyna result in the rise in retail sales? The magazine pundits seem to think so, but dealers will have to wait to see what their customers have to say.
MEDIA REACTIONS
The demise of the Dyna came with plenty of online controversy, the V-Rod, not so much. While the keyboard warriors are all up in arms, the editors who have actually ridden the new Harley’s have have been universally positive.
“2018 Harley-Davidson Softail Makes Once-Great Dyna Irrelevant,” proclaimed Hot Bike magazine.
“All-new Fat Bob is the best-handling cruiser that The Motor Company has ever built! The Dyna Faithful, the Dyna-razzi, or whatever you want to call them will moan, “Oh, man, they killed the Dyna!” Well, not exactly. The new Softails kill the Dynas they succeed. They are that good,” said Hot Bike’s Ed Subias “All of the new models are head and shoulders above their previous year models,” noted American Iron’s Steve Lita “Some more than others.
However, all the bikes have taken on all new personalities. It’s no doubt that these models were created for the new generation of forward thinking rider.”
“Overall, I would say the new bikes have combined the old Softail and Dyna lines quite seamlessly, improving both in nearly every way,” said Peter Egan from Cycle World. “It’s hard to argue with cleaner, lighter, simpler, faster, more comfortable, and better handling, with no loss in character. I also think the new frame architecture and styling have made them better looking but in a traditional rather than revisionist sense, bringing the bikes closer to their elemental roots, without making changes purely for the sake of change.”
The editors were more charitable… and certainly more articulate than some the stuff we have seen spewed on the Internet. Change is inevitable, let’s hope the timing is right.
