Harley-Davidson starts cruiser revolution with new models

Harley-Davidson is to transform some of its best-selling Dyna bikes into new Softail versions, giving buyers who are after a cruiser more options than ever.

From 2018, the Fat Boy, Heritage Classic, Low Rider, Softail Slim, Deluxe, Breakout, Fat Bob and Street Bob will all fall into the Softail family.

Featuring stiffer and lighter frames, the bikes will also benefit from an engine upgrade – with either the Milwaukee-Eight 107 and 114 engines available on certain motorcycles.

Paul James, manager of product portfolio at Harley-Davidson, said: “The new Softails are the result of the most extensive research and development programme in the company’s history. Thousands of hours of research and testing were put into the complete ground-up design of these new cruisers.

“We focused on taking the total rider experience to a higher level, where authenticity, heritage and soul meet the modern edge of technology for a ride that must be felt to believe.”

Thanks to a new carbon-steel tubular frame, the new Softail design is 34 per cent stiffer than the previous model. This increase in rigidity is also down to a 50 per cent reduction in component parts and a 22 per cent reduction in welds. The new models are up to 17kg lighter than before, increasing acceleration and improving braking performance.

Prices for the new range of Softail bikes start at £12,295 for the Street Bob, rising to £17,995 for the Heritage classic – a blacked-out bike with styling inspired by Harley-Davidson models of the 1950s.