Harley Announces 2018 Lineup!

The Dyna’s dead…long live the Softail.

Harley-Davidson announced its 2018 lineup yesterday, and there’s been quite a shakeup. For 2018, the Dyna is dead, and many of those models have been absorbed into the Softail family.

The Street Bob, Low Rider, and Fat Bob will carry on the memory of the Dyna name, while the Heritage Classic, Softail Deluxe, Softail Slim, Breakout, and Fat Boy will add a new chapter to the Softail tradition. There will also be a 115th Anniversary model available as well, in a very attractive two-tone blue color scheme that’s as attention-grabbing as it is classy and subdued.

The Softail lineup will ride on a lighter chassis than the outgoing model, but one that is also stronger with better integrity. These developments should result in a better-handling bike that’s more fun for corner-carving as well as typical cruising duties.

While we’ll miss the Dyna considerably, the next big development – one that surprises absolutely no one – should soften the blow. That’s because for 2018, the Softail line is getting the Milwaukee Eight engine. We saw it coming, but we’re still just as excited for Harley-Davidson to confirm our suspicions and grant our wish.

While most will come with the 107 cubic inch version of the Milwaukee Eight, the Heritage Classic, Fat Boy, Fat Bob, and Breakout will be available with the big, bad, 114 cubic inch Milwaukee Eight. A lighter, faster, smoother, better-handling bike shouldn’t raise any complaints from the Harley faithful.

To quote just about every late-night infomercial you’ve ever seen, “But wait, there’s more!” All Softails include LED headlights, keyless ignition, and USB charging ports. Cruise control and ABS will be optional extras on most bikes and standard on a select few.

We’re thinking that one ride on one of these new Softails will make us miss the Dyna a whole lot less.

Related Articles