Well Lucky? I truly believe Harley has many changes on the drawing board but until now they had really no one pushing them to make the changes. "if it ain't broke, don't fix it mentality". Now, due to Indian and Victory, their listening to the riders of all bikes and hearing what they need to do to make a comfortable and efficient motorcycle, not that it may be any better. Like someone said earlier, they make em' cheaper but put more dollars to the end result...
I'm not sure what changes were being pushed by whom or that anything they've done is any more reliable, efficient, or comfortable than those motorcycles that had the EVO motor. Fuel injection? A waste; coupled with the possibility of more problems a rider can't diagnose, let alone fix. While the O2 sensors make some great automatic adjustments for altitudes, '98 EVO (carb) always managed an average over 40 mpg. Whatever EVO bike I had was never uncomfortable; comfort is a personal issue easily addressed anyway.
Gear ratio? There was nothing wrong with the 5-speed. Response/Torque? Certainly the twin cam 88 delivered but honestly, there wasn't a thing wrong with the EVO 1340. And now you have the 103 that to me is just a marketing gimmick. It's a waste of "power" that doesn't really materialize. Harley got the point (reliability) back in 1984 with the new EVO. There's nothing new at Harley today that is anymore reliable than the EVO motor was. I mean hell, I'm a avid shovel head fanatic but it was the EVO that let me ride without having to wrench in between (or during) rides. But like my shovelhead, the EVO is easy to work on. My first EVO was a 1988 FXR and I didn't have to do a thing (not one thing) to it for nearly 65K miles. True, the newer bikes may be just as durable but you'll need to take a loan out to do complete rebuild on one.
The new bikes were designed so we have to dig (deep) in our pockets. Nothing is interchangeable like during the EVO years. Owners have no recourse but to be at the mercy of the manufacturer. If Harley listened for anything from anyone, it was how to put more money in their coffers. Ya know? The nostalgia of the Indian; see if you can readily do maintenance (real maintenance) on one of those new bikes.
Yeah, I have a 2012 Heritage because I've always wanted a Heritage. So, I ain't knocking Harley as much as I'm not going to be fooled by all their hype. They've added nothing special over the EVO.
Peace
!!!