Did I predict the future??

Even though I'm not a French physician writing in quatrains, I think I may have predicted the future last week when I blogged, "So, unless you're in an interview with the MoCo., let the Low Rider be in a Softail frame. It's adorable." But did I really perceive the coming of the new Softail frame through my crystal ball? (Yes, that is my crystal ball!) Let's review:

*In case you missed it, Harley-Davidson announced a new cruiser frame to house the Milwaukee-Eight motor for the 2018 model year. And now the Low Rider IS a Softail.

• The Dyna model family as we know it began with the Super Glide, when Harley combined the Sportster with the larger big
  
  twin models of the day, waaaaay back in 1971. That was 45 years ago.
• Nearly 35 years ago the Softail family was born from the brain of Bill Davis, who sold his patents, prototype and tooling to Harley, who produced the first FXST Softail in 1984. 
• For decades people have said that even though a new model year had been announced, the only real difference from one year to the next was engine displacement and/or paint. 
• Traditionally, the newest motor goes in the Touring lineup first, then it makes it down the rest of the family tree the following year. That happened with the Twin-Cam 96ci, 103ci & 110ci motors. But when it came to the new Milwaukee-Eight, it was
  
  too big to fit into the traditional Dyna & Softail frames.
• Earlier this year Harley announced they were moving the manufacturing of the Softail line from York, PA (where the Touring & Trike lines are produced) to the Kansas City plant, birth place of the Dyna, Sporster & Street bikes.
• It wouldn't be cost effective to continue to make four motors - the Milwaukee-Eight, Twin Cam, Evolution (Sportster), and Revolution X (Street). Harley has always been good at balancing the books as well as their bikes- that's one of the reasons they've been in business for 115 years (not many companies can say that). 

So yes, I'm a Witch (told you that crystal ball is mine!), but I really didn't use a anything to foresee the change coming. Anyone who knows the pattern of a successful company knows that they will continue to innovate and push the envelope.

I am proud to keep my 2004 Dyna Super Glide as well as excited to witness this moment in history. I might even possibly add to my collection with a new Heritage Classic 115th Anniversary edition.

Don't forget you're invited to FXCHD's Fall Open House, September 22-24 and you can see the new Softail family for yourself. Not in the area? Don't worry - just go to a Harley-Davidson dealership close to you.

Please allow me to introduce....

ICYMI, Harley-Davidson released two new bikes into their line-up

2016.5 FXSE CVO Pro Street Breakout

for 2016: the Dyna Low Rider S and the CVO Pro Street Breakout. This is not the first time Harley has released bikes half-way through the model year, but they did not release any 2015.5 bikes last year. Kate & I got a chance to see these bikes up close and personal while we were in Phoenix (these are the pictures I couldn't show you till today!) and now - after seeing the Screamin' Eagle 110 motor in a Dyna frame - I have a problem.

First though, let me go over the CVO Pro Street Breakout FXSE.

2016.5 FXSE in White Gold Pearl & Starfire Black

The Breakout model is in the Softail family which got their name because it has the look of a 'hardtail' (no suspension in the rear = a not so comfortable ride) but it does have rear suspension that's hidden. Also, the motor is counterbalanced, providing an even smoother ride. This bike has a seat height of 25 inches, weighs about 730 running order weight, has a 6 speed transmission, and a 5 gallon tank. Security, ABS braking and cruise control are all standard. According to Harley's specs this bike pulls 112 foot pounds of torque - which is pretty decent - and gets 43 miles to the gallon (but if you're buying a CVO (Custom Vehicle Operations), I'm guessing you're not going to be too worried about that). In Phoenix we saw the White Gold Pearl/Starfire Black version, but I much prefer the Black on Black version. Either way, I wouldn't be kicking this bike out of my garage should anyone buy it for me! The price tag on this bike is $25,699 before freight, tax, title & reg.

Now onto the Low Rider S FXDLS. This is not the first outing for

2016.5 FXDLS Dyna Low Rider at Phoenix RRE

the Low Rider - that made it's first appearance in 1977 as the FXS Low Rider (the Dyna family of H-D Motorcycles wouldn't be around till the 1980s - for more on the history, click here if you don't mind babes in bikinis). This bike has long been a favorite - bigger than a Sporster but nearly the same maneuverability. Easy to take for a quick trip or across the country. This version of the Low Rider has 26 inches for the seat height, 4.7 gallon gas tank, running weight is 674 pounds, 6 speed transmission, and is expected to fetch 44 miles to the gallon. And again ABS, security and cruise are all standard. But my favorite number is the 116 foot pounds of torque - yummy!! Plus a very affordable price of $16,699 before freight, tax, title and reg.

[Read even more detail about the bikes here.]

What's my problem?? Last year my 2004 Dyna Super Glide got

My 2004 FXD Dyna Super Glide getting new jugs

new Screamin' Eagle 204 Cams which gives her a nice 'lub/dub' sound to her motor. Now Jeff, FXCHD's Master Technician, has begun the process of putting new jugs onto my her and cleaning out the top end for better compression and performance. But Harley has to tempt me with this 110 motor in a Dyna frame!! Do I trade in my baby on the latest and greatest?? Or do I keep my one of a kind bike I love?? Decisions, decisions..... 

...for the new

the old...