The intro to the new big twin range, the all-new Street Bob is more bobbed than before.<\/p>\n A new and smaller 13.2 litre, smooth-topped fuel tank gives a better view of the 107-inch Milwaukee Eight motor, and its instruments are concealed in the \u2018Digital Riser\u2019 that clamps the mini-apes. And even though it is the entry level model for the range, it has the USB charging point that is common to all 2018 Softail models and a signature LED Daymaker headlamp.<\/p>\n It has the same 680mm seat height, and weighs in at 297kg, fuelled, which will actually work out as slightly less than its predecessor at 304kg.<\/p>\n 2018 FXLR Low Rider<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Retaining its twin clock tandem dash on a classic 18.9 litre tank, the Low Rider is one of the least affected, but has lost its distinctive line, one of its front discs and looks a little too much like the Blackline for my massively biased tastes.<\/p>\n It is to be hoped that the stiffer frame and improved suspension \u2013 all conventional forks get the new Dual Bending Valve damping technology introduced on last year’s Touring range and the Low Rider gets under-seat preload adjustment for its mono shock \u2013 will make up for that, and it gets a lower seat than last year\u2019s mainstream model and loses the bolster.<\/p>\n It retains the chrome and cast wheels of recent Low Riders, and will work out at 11kg lighter when fuelled.<\/p>\n 2018 FXFB Fat Bob<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n The most radical of the new Dyna equivalents, and indeed the Softails, the Fat Bob was at the front of the queue when the parts were being handed out, and cuts a spectacular figure.<\/p>\n It\u2019s got something of the new Street Bob about it, so cropped is its rear mudguard, but it has a new and unique console on its 13.6 litre fuel tank, XR1200-style exhausts, inverted front forks and a shedload of attitude \u2013 apparently ready for the zombie apocalypse, especially in the Red Iron Denim which has more than a hint of red oxide primer about it.<\/p>\n US models get side-mounts, we get a plate hovering in space behind the rear tyre: both have the hydraulic rear shock adjustment.<\/p>\n At 304kg, running, it is appreciably lighter than the 321kg Twin Cam.<\/p>\n 2018 FLSL Softail Slim<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Perhaps the least radically altered of the new range, the Slim has still been pared back, with reduced tins letting the shape of the fork yokes come through.<\/p>\n It retains the bobbed mudguards, classic tank, Hollywood bars and black rims on laced wheels of the 2017 model, its tuck n\u2019 roll seat has a new cover and shape and the Daymaker headlamp lives in a conventional headlamp shell. The biggest difference will be when you ride it, and not just because of the motor: not only does it have the same weight reduction as the Fat Bob, but it has an additional 3\u00b0 of lean in the bends.<\/p>\n 2018 FLDE Deluxe<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Always the shinier of the Softails, the Deluxe has lost the trim round its front seat, pillion pad and the beautiful rack in the name of showing off the curve of its rear mudguard, but retains the twin spotlamps flanking the headlamp \u2013 all now LED \u2013 and has unique blade-style indicators front and rear, as well as a new LED tombstone taillight.<\/p>\n Whitewall tyres on laced chrome wheels complete its distinctive statement, and it is anticipated that it is still a short reach model.<\/p>\n 2018 FLFB Fat Boy<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n The iconic Fat Boy has undergone another major facelift \u2013 arguably more significant than the 2007 update, with radically redesigned wheels, fatter front tyre and a new sculpted nacelle.<\/p>\n Like all of the classic \u2018Softail\u2019 Softails it has retained the classic 18.9 litre tank and a conventional console, but is the first so far with any sort of pillion seat, and is the first so far to come with a 114-inch engine option as the FLFBS.<\/p>\n It is also the first that we\u2019ve looked at to come in an Anniversary colour scheme \u2013 in fact both as the Legend Blue Denim FLFBS ANX and two-tone Legend Blue\/Denim Black FLFBS ANV.<\/p>\n 2018 FLHC Heritage Classic<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n As if to underline this massive update, even the Classic has been brought up to date: no longer the saggy-bagged saddle tramp we\u2019ve known and loved for thirty years, it has got new lockable, leather covered hard shell panniers, and while it retains a decent pillion seat it has lost the backrest \u2026 and the whitewall tyres, and an awful lot of conchos.<\/p>\n It has gained cruise control, and is the first Harley in years to have the lower part of the blade screen blacked out.<\/p>\n As a capable tourer it makes sense to offer it with the 117-inch motor as the FLHCS, so they have, and it is also available in the Legend Blue\/Vivid Black Anniversary colour schemes as FLHCS ANV.<\/p>\n 2018 FXBR Breakout<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Having spent so long getting their FX Softail right, Harley must have sweated over the new Breakout but they seem to have pulled it off. Still hgalf drag racer, half custom bike, it retains the 240-section rear tyre under a cropped rear mudguard, a raked-out front end and looks great with its Gasser wheels, but I think that they’ve been brave to fit the smaller 13.2 litre tank.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/american-v.cso2w.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/608153.jpeg\")
<\/a>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/american-v.cso2w.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/08\/608128.jpeg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/a><\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<\/a>Always the performance bike of its family, it retains a twin disc front end, flat bars, fat high-profile tyres on fat wheels and is also available as the FXFBS 114-inch model as well as the base 107, but it will be most notable for its headlamp, which you will love or hate on sight.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/a><\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/a><\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/a>Add the stiffer frame, improved ground clearance and the Milwaukee Eight motor and it\u2019s a very different Fat Boy to last year but still very much an evolution of the original and a very striking bike to look at.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/a><\/p>\n