I love motorcycles. I especially love V-twin Harleys, but I like most others as well. Most of my riding have been on twincam touring bikes, but last November I ran into what I thought was a pretty good deal on a 99 FXSTC with about 33,000 miles. I bought the bike for a lot of reasons, but one was I need to own an Evo at least once in my life.

Short story is I bought the bike to putter around town. Compared to my 2011 RKC, the evo feels like a bicycle and is just easier to ride for the quick trips. But lately when I have a little longer ride, I'm finding myself grabbing the Evo instead of the touring bike.

I know that evos are very capable of long rides. This one now has 34,000 miles on it, so I know it has been around. But for me, it was just something for those quick rides to the store. Yet, the more I pull the choke and start the engine, the more I look forward to the vibrating mirrors and louder Vance and Hines.

Last night I had 30 minutes of free time to ride, so I stepped in the garage to grab a bike. I looked at the touring bike, then I walked over to the evo, turned the petcock to on, pulled the choke and fired her up. She seem to sound sweeter than ever.

Oh you gotta let these evos warm up a few minutes. Before I owned an evo, I thought that would be a hassle. Turns out that it's is part of the charm. The thirty minute ride turned into an hour, you know how it goes. It was a great hour. Nothing fancy, just riding. Why is this bike so much fun?

When I first starting riding this bike, I couldn't imagine taking her on a two day ride. But for some reason now, it wouldn't take much to consider it. I know the forward controls might get tiring on my 57 year old knees. And the vibration through the bike that I don't feel on the touring bikes might get old. But so far I haven't had those issues. On the contrary, I think they are part of the reason I'm choosing the evo over the RKC. I think I could ride it to Arkansas and back. I don't know.

As much fun as I’m having with this bike, I’m thinking about trading her. I've had so much fun with it that I'm wondering about Evo FXSTS Springer. My wife thinks I'm nuts, but I saw a Badboy the other day and the springer was calling my name. I think I need to own one at least once in my life.

Beary

 

Since you let the bagger sit more wouldn't it make more sense to sell it to get your bad boy?

Not a big fan of springers my self. Yeah they look cool but I like the suspension of forks.

 

I laugh every time somebody says that "Softails are just for running around town".

Last Friday, I turned 199,000 miles on my '94 FLSTN. I left Montpelier, VT at 1:45 PM and pulled into my driveway at 8:05 PM that evening. I'd ridden 650 miles in two days. Not bad for a 63 year old on a "bar hopper". No MP3 player or GPS either.

I've ridden springers myself but never owned one. I'm told they're a lot more maintenance intensive (requiring much more frequent head bearing replacement).

 

You will discover that Softails are definitely mmore than "around town" bikes. Late July I completed a 5-state 3K mile ride on my 88 Heritage.

Pic...Darby, Montana overnight stay on the way back.

 

There is a Bad Boy on CLT CraigsList for $10k this morning.

 

Softails may not handle as well as an FXR, Dyna, or Touring bike but for not riding very very fast or riding like a hooligan, they do very well. Honestly, I've considered selling my Dyna and picking up an evo FXST just for the simplicity with no rubber mounts or things like that.

 

I have never understood why people say that about softails.
Mine is stable at triple digits and anywhere below.
I have out run more than one dyna or touring bike (never tried an FXR).
It does vibrate a bit at 3k rpms but that goes away as you accelerate.
I have taken it through corners at exceedingly stupid speeds and she brought me out the other side just fine.
I have ridden her 918 miles in one day without a hick up.
It took me 14.5 hours.


I just really don't see the problem with them.

 

Then you were riding againt someone who didn't know how to operate their bike. Dyna's and FXR's have a shorter wheel base than your softail, as well as more ground clearance which equals more lean angle. Race me through the twisties on your softail.

 

Fair enough.
Gonna be a while before I get to your part of the country though.


My point was that softails just aren't that bad.
Everyone talks down about them and I just don't know why.

 

My last 2 ricers were based around the softail design and they ran fine and were fairly comfortable.