The CEO Magazine Asia - February 2018

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LONG LIVE SOFTAIL
Just as Dyna replaced the FXR Super Glide in the
early 90s, so Dyna’s day has come, and the familiar
exposed twin rear shocks and rubber-mounted Twin
Cam 103 engine on H-D’s mid-size machine is no more
from this year.
In what some observers have described as “the
largest product development project in company
history”, the outgoing Dyna models like Street Bob
and Fat Bob have been seamlessly absorbed into an
expanded Softail range. The series comprises eight
machines, all with the new, clean-sheet design 107ci
Milwaukee-Eight (M8) V-Twin four-valve engine as
standard and hard mounted to the new, lighter, stiffer
frame. The bigger 114ci unit is offered as an option on
four models.
So confident are H-D’s development engineers,
they trumpet the reborn Softails as having
“phenomenal handling, improved power-to-weight
ratio and vehicle competence at a whole new level
never reached before”.

PROOF OF THE PUDDING
We took H-D up on its claims with extended test rides
of several new models supplied by Australia’s Harley-
Heaven Western Sydney and, as a result, we’ve found it
hard to disprove these boasts completely. The Softail
entry-point Street Bob, for starters, turned in sharper

• without the pegs digging in – and pulled out of the
  corners smoothly and effortlessly with only moderate
  throttle application. Confident and satisfying at the
  same time, the whole bike seemed focused on putting
  down the power to the tune of that trademark exhaust
  note instead of shaking like a mixmaster full of walnuts.
  Styling and road feel varies only minimally across
  our sample group, which also included Fat Boy and
  Breakout, the latter with the big, brutish 114ci option.
  The balance of the Softail range is made up of
  Low Rider, Softail Slim, Deluxe, Heritage Classic and
  Fat Bob.
  The rest of the 2018 model range comprises the
  familiar, compact Sportsters with both 883 and
  1200cc engines of ‘Evolution’ design in five models,
  as well as the tarmac-eating Touring and CVOs, which
  offer the range-topping 117ci M8.
  Let’s not forget that one of the defining qualities of
  all Harley-Davidson motorcycles is individuality, and
  every bike presents an almost limitless opportunity to
  customise and personalise with a wealth of practical,
  cosmetic and performance accessories.

For full details on the Harley-

Davidson range and to find your

nearest dealer, visit:

harley-davidson.com

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