Harley-Davidson has launched it’s ‘largest-ever’ product development with eight new Softail models and two different Milwaukee Eight engine capacities.
The Dyna family is now gone, but in is the brand new Fat Boy, Heritage Classic, Low Rider, Softail Slim, Deluxe, Breakout, Fat Bob and Street Bob motorcycles.
Designed under the largest product development project in company history, the new bikes feature a stiffer and significantly lighter frame built to harness the high torque output of the
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, H-D says the the aggressively styled 2018 Softail models are lighter and better handling than any of their Big Twin cruiser predecessors.
Milwaukee-Eight powertrain options
All 2018 Softail models get a new heartbeat from the new Milwaukee-Eight 107 and 114 V-Twins. The new Softail frame’s rigid mounting points are engineered to tightly package the engine and reinforce chassis stiffness. Milwaukee-Eight engines for Softail models also feature a refined, dual internally counter-balanced system that reduces engine vibration while maintaining the familiar Harley-Davidson feel. The Harley-Davidson trademark ‘potato-potato-potato’ sound comes through strong with less intake and mechanical noise.
The two displacement options available:
Milwaukee-Eight 107
(107 CID; 1745cc) Standard on all models
• 100mm bore and 111.1mm stroke, with 10.0:1 compression ratio
• Up to 16% quicker acceleration than the High Output Twin Cam 103
Milwaukee-Eight 114
(114 CID; 1868cc)
• Available on four models: Fat Bob 114, Fat Boy 114, Breakout 114, Heritage Classic
114
• 102mm bore and 114.3mm stroke, with 10.5:1 compression ratio
• Ventilator Intake with 114 graphics and badging
• Standard ABS
• Up to 13% faster acceleration than the Milwaukee-Eight 107
Fat Boy
• Aggressive, steamroller stance and front end design
– Modern-day interpretation of the classic headlight nacelle
– A 160mm front tyre, the widest-ever on a Harley-Davidson production model,
wraps the solid Lakester front wheel
• 16kg weight reduction to previous model
• Standard ABS
• 240mm rear tyre with solid Lakester rear wheel
• Optional: Milwaukee-Eight 114 Engine
• Priced from $30,995 AUD rideaway
Heritage Classic
• New detachable windscreen
• New rigid, lockable, sealed, water-resistant saddlebags
• Taller suspension with increased passenger and cargo payload capacity
• 17kg weight reduction to previous model
• Optional: Milwaukee-Eight 114 Engine
• Standard cruise control and ABS
• Priced from $31,750 AUD rideaway
Low Rider
• Throwback-style dual tank-mount speedo and tachometer gauges, headlight visor
and fuel tank graphics
• 19-inch front and 16-inch rear Radiate cast wheels
• 2-into-2 Shotgun exhaust
• Priced from $24,250 AUD rideaway
Softail Slim
• Dark finishes adorn the laced wheels, Hollywood handlebar, and all-new front-end
design
• Low-slung tuck and roll seat
• Bold and smooth new front nacelle and fork cover styling
• 17kg weight reduction to previous model
• Priced from $26,250 AUD rideaway.
Deluxe
• Signature all-LED lighting from front to back: headlight, Tombstone taillight and
blade-like turn signals
• Signature pull-back handlebar
• 17kg weight reduction to previous model
• Priced from $29,495 AUD rideaway
Breakout
• New smooth-top 13.2 litre fuel tank
• Long and wide with low-slung raked out 49mm front forks
• 18-inch rear (240mm tyre) and 21-inch front (130mm tyre) Gasser-style gloss-black
powder coated cast aluminium wheels
• Distinctive Daymaker Signature LED headlamp
• Low-profile riser-mounted digital instrument screen
• 17kg weight reduction to previous model
• Optional: Milwaukee-Eight 114 Engine
• Priced from $31,250 AUD rideaway
Fat Bob
• 2-1-2 upswept performance exhaust with a custom finish
• Largest aggressively treaded tyres from the Motor Company: 150 mm front and 180
mm rear
• Dual disc front brakes
• 13.2 litre fuel tank
• 15kg weight reduction to previous model
• Inverted 43mm cartridge style front forks
• Optional: Milwaukee-Eight 114 Engine
• Priced from $27,495 AUD rideaway
Street Bob
• Smooth-top 13.2 litre fuel tank
• Black spoke wheels with chopped fenders
• Low-profile riser-mounted digital instrument screen
• 7kg weight reduction to previous model
• Lowest rideaway RRP in Softail range
• Priced from $23,495 AUD rideaway.
New standard technology
• Unique Daymaker Signature LED Headlamps on all models
• Improved electrical system charging, more than doubled at idle speeds
• Easily adjustable rear shock pre-load settings (method varies by model)
– Under seat spanner wrench: Softail Slim, Street Bob, Low Rider
– External hand adjustment knob: Fat Bob, Fat Boy, Breakout
– Under seat socket adjustment: Deluxe, Heritage Classic
• New instrumentation
• Keyless ignition and security system standard remains standard from previous
models
• Steering head mounted USB charge port
• New fuel tanks
