We're not limited to buying the garbage H-D churns out for insane prices if we want an American bike any more.
Posted on 08/22/2017 11:02:13 PM PDT by nralife
Harley-Davidson has completely revamped its Big Twin cruiser model lineup for 2018, folding Dyna and Softail model lines into one all-new 2018 Harley-Davidson Softail range of motorcycles.
The entire new 2018 Harley-Davidson Softail cruiser lineup gets an all-new chassis, new underseat "hidden" single shock, and the new Milwaukee-Eight V-twin engine in 107ci displacement or, in select models, 114ci. The 45-degree, four-valve-per-cylinder Milwaukee-Eight V-twins now have dual counterbalancers. This means Dyna models, which previously had rubber-mounted Twin Cam 103ci and 110ci engines, will now have solid engine mounts, just as previous Softails had enjoyed since the introduction of the Twin Cam 88B (B for balanced) in 1999 models. All 2018 Harley-Davidson Softail cruiser motorcycles use an all-new frame that, as part of the larger redesign, reduces weight by up to 35 pounds and improves handling and ride quality.
The new frames offer three steering head angles in 28-, 30-, and 34-degree rakes, a "standard" and "high" ride height and "wide" or "narrow" swingarm, depending on model. With the parts commonality among eight new models (12 if you count the four 114ci variants), this will mean unprecedented parts and component interchangeability for a new level and ease of customization potential.
(Excerpt) Read more at cycleworld.com ...
Is there still a Biker Hooligan ping list?
The bags on the Heritage will never fly with flstc crowd. What is going on at HD?
Ooooh, look - more 1950s motorcycles with 1980s engine management tacked on being sold through nostalgia!
H-D really needs to modernize.
Sorry, can’t ride a Harley, I like to go fast........
You mean the Evo motor that still uses a separate transmission, which adds weight, complexity, cost and size? The one they are in the process of dumping in favor of the Milwaukee Eight?
I’d rather have a Victory/Indian. More modern design and more US made parts. Lots of Chinese bits on a Harley these days.
The Evo was introduced in 1984, so it's not exactly new. I test rode one of the very first Softails back then. It had a kick starter and chain final drive. I later bought a 1985 FXSB Low Rider that had the Evo, but it still had the old chassis with the 4 speed and kick starter. It's probably a collector's item now, as only that one year came in that exact configuration. I had a lot of fun on that bike.
We're not limited to buying the garbage H-D churns out for insane prices if we want an American bike any more.
Indians have more US parts than China-Davidson.
I’d rather have a Victory/Indian. More modern design and more US made parts. Lots of Chinese bits on a Harley these days."
The Evo you guys are speaking of was phased out in year 2,000 in favor of the Twin Cam 88. Now there is an Evo in today's Sportster that has the benefits you mentioned, single case and all, and is probably the most reliable of the whole bunch.... probably should have just built upon that for their bigger twins.
Oh, Polaris has announced the closing down of the Victory line. The company is shifting its focus to the Indian line.
That would be Datsun JSP
SPYKTER hates old men
One probably beat his ass once or took his girlfriend away from him
He hates muscle cars too in favor of nip cars....so u were right
For the record I have no issue with Harleys just never owned one
But I did ride an XR750 once ...just like Jay Springsteen and King Kenny
My rides
Rickman 125
Cow H2
Suzuki GS 1100 RS....one of a handful
Cow GPZ TRIPLE BORED OVER...DRAG BIKE...9s.
I’m old now
I drive a dodge hemi truck now....hope spincter approves
I’m just messing with the kid really
He’s a good boy
I have friends who jumped on the Indian bandwagon.
At least two of them wound up not actually having their bikes for over six months, due to chronic mechanical issues.
They were taking their bikes back to the dealer every week, when something new went awry.
It was stressful for them.
God willing, my 2003 Night Train will live forever.
WTF?
LOL!
“God willing, my 2003 Night Train will live forever.”
Amen to that... just keep an eye on your cam chain tensioners. The parts that ride against the chain are basically plastic. If one or both of them go, it could cause a catastrophic engine failure.
They’ve been replaced when he bored it out, added racing cams and put in a new clutch pack.
He pretty much rebuilt the whole thing up from stock
Luckily, he’s a motorcycle mechanic and things are usually good to go.
However, once in a while, he forgets to put back the bolts that hold my seat on, after fiddling with the wiring.
Lots of excitement, that.
:-\
The worst thing was when one of my pushrods had a catastrophic failure.
Other than that, it’s been very dependable.
[and now I’m gonna nag him tomorrow to look at the tensioners...just in case]
;D
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