To celebrate Harley-Davidson’s 115th Anniversary year, the company launched a complete custom revolution in India: Four all-new Softail models (Fat Boy, Heritage Classic, Fat Bob and Street Bob) that merge the hard-riding performance of the Dyna line with the unparalleled custom look of the Softail line.
- 2018 Harley Davidson Fat Boy price – Rs 17,49,000/- (ex-showroom Delhi)
- 2018 Harley Davidson Heritage Classic price – Rs 18,99,000/- (ex-showroom Delhi)
- 2018 Harley Davidson Fat Bob price – Rs 13,99,000/- (ex-showroom Delhi)
- 2018 Harley Davidson Street Bob price – Rs 11,99,000/- (ex-showroom Delhi)
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 engine.
With high-performance dual-bending valve front suspension and an easily adjustable hidden rear monoshock, the aggressively styled 2018 Harley Davidson Softail models are faster, lighter and better handling than any of their Big Twin cruiser predecessors.
Peter MacKenzie, Managing Director, Harley-Davidson India and China said, “Our new offerings strongly demonstrate Harley-Davidson’s focus on reinventing products for motorcycle enthusiasts and aspiring riders. The 2018 Harley Davidson Softail custom motorcycles have been inspired by Harley-Davidson’s history, authenticity and styling DNA through a modern lens. The response to the first look has been very positive and we are confident that the motorcycles will further enhance the sport of leisure motorcycling in India.”
The four new Softails feature all-new designs that strongly differentiate them from their predecessors and each other. And from a new base of style, comfort and performance the next generation of factory custom cruisers is ready for riders to elevate even further with their own personalisation.
NEW CHASSIS, FRAME / SWING-ARM & HIGH-PERFORMANCE SUSPENSION
The handling of the Softail now enters a new era with a lighter, more rigid frame that elevates form and function to a higher plane, while maintaining the classic look of a hardtail and delivering a thoroughly modern ride. Benefits of the new chassis include increased lean angles for many models, sharper turn-in response, quicker acceleration, nimble flickability, lighter weight and easier side-stand lift off than previous models.
A new high stiffness carbon steel tubular frame forms the core of the 2018 Harley Davidson Softail chassis and combined with the swingarm significantly increases the rigidity of the chassis. The frame itself is 65% stiffer than the outgoing Softail design, which leads to a 34% increase in overall chassis stiffness. Its design also achieves reduced complexity with a 50% reduction in component parts and 22% reduction in welds.
There are two unique swingarms, one for narrow and one for wide rear tires. The wide chassis is 5.89kg (15%) lighter, while the narrow chassis shaves 8.16kg (20% lighter). The swingarm transfers rear wheel movement to the under-seat monoshock while maintaining the pure, classic lines of a hardtail frame.
Brand new high-performance dual-bending valve front suspension – first introduced on 2017 Touring models – delivers damping performance that’s similar to a cartridge fork but with improved, more responsive damping characteristics. It’s optimised for both comfortable cruising and spirited riding with 130 mm of travel. Revised rake and trail also enhance handling ability.
The new monoshock rear suspension preserves the classic hardtail look while revamped geometry improves ride quality, traction and control. Easily adjustable for spring preload it enables a 217 kg range of payload capacity for increased passenger comfort and optimum handling.
The all-new 2018 Harley Davidson Softail models are up to 17 kg lighter than before, delivering an improved power-to-weight ratio that provides quicker acceleration, better braking and dynamic cornering capability combined with increased lean angles for many models. Some models feature new tires specifically designed to work with the new Softail chassis and feature optimised constructions and improved compounds for confident, long-wearing performance in all riding conditions. New seat designs and materials provide an improved fit for a wider range of riders and greater comfort for cruising.
NEW POWERTRAIN
All 2018 Harley Davidson Softail models get a new heartbeat from the most powerful engines ever offered in Harley-Davidson Big Twin cruisers, the new Milwaukee-Eight 107 V-Twin. Milwaukee-Eight engines retain the iconic 45-degree V-Twin cylinder angle with a broad-shouldered top end accentuated by a single camshaft design that tapers to a slim bottom end for a muscular contour.
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. Harley-Davidson’s trademark ‘potato-potato-potato’ sound comes through strong with less intake and mechanical noise.
Milwaukee-Eight 107 engine specifications
(107 Cubic inches; 1745 cc) Standard on all models
- 100 mm bore and 111.1 mm stroke, with 10.0:1 compression ratio
- 0-60 mph – 10% quicker acceleration than the High Output Twin Cam 103
- 60-80 mph/5th gear – 16% faster acceleration than the High Output Twin Cam 103
2018 Harley Davidson Fat Boy – key features
The legendary Fat Boy motorcycle that defined contemporary custom style for decades has outdone itself. Ripped and refined satin-chrome finishes deliver a bold, muscular styling statement showing off its powerful engine and new and improved ride and handling.
- Aggressive, steamroller stance and front end design
- – Modern-day interpretation of the classic headlight nacelle
- – A 160 mm front tire, the widest-ever on a Harley-Davidson production model, wraps the solid Lakester front wheel
- 16 kg weight reduction to previous model
- Standard ABS
- 240 mm rear tire with solid Lakester rear wheel
2018 Harley Davidson Heritage Classic – key features
Design cues evoke the blacked-out styling of vintage 1950s Harley-Davidson models, updated with a modern edge.
- New detachable windscreen
- New rigid, lockable, sealed, water-resistant saddlebags
- Taller suspension with increased passenger and cargo payload capacity
- 17 kg weight reduction to previous model
- Standard cruise control and ABS
2018 Harley Davidson Fat Bob – key features
Tarmac-eating traction, pothole-devouring suspension, agile cornering and a blacked-out take-no-prisoners look make the Fat Bob a groundbreaking motorcycle that could only come from Harley-Davidson.
- 2-1-2 up-swept performance exhaust with a custom finish
- Largest aggressively treaded tires from the Motor Company: 150 mm front and 180 mm rear
- Dual disc front brakes
- 13.2 litre fuel tank
- 15 kg weight reduction to previous model
- Inverted 43 mm cartridge style front forks
2018 Harley Davidson Street Bob – key features
A bare-bones bike with go-anywhere DNA, the Street Bob motorcycle has a fists-in-the-wind attitude with nothing extra to weigh it down.
- Smooth-top 13.2 litre fuel tank
- Black spoke wheels with chopped fenders
- Low-profile riser-mounted digital instrument screen
- 7 kg weight reduction to previous model
- Lowest MSRP in Softail line
NEW TECHNOLOGY FEATURED ON EVERY SOFTAIL
- 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: Street Bob
- – External hand adjustment knob: Fat Bob, Fat Boy
- – Under seat socket adjustment: Heritage Classic
- New instrumentation
- Keyless ignition and security system standard
- Steering head mounted USB charge port
- New fuel tanks
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