Tought some of you softail owner's might want to pipe in on this discussion. I think the guy initiating the post might of already made up his mind by posting this question in the touring section. Probably should have posted in general discussion.

https://www.hdforums.com/m_775452/tm.htm

Let's let them geezer glides know what it's like to ride a softail!

 

I like both, but the baggers handle better, and i just feel more comfy in them. Let the flames roll!!!

 

Touring bikes handle better, ride better, and don't scrape the floorboards near a soon.

Having ridden both extensively, I would go with the Roadking, but that's just me.

Regards,

Bill

 

Touring bikes don't buzz the bars and boards at 70.

 

You are correct, they don't. However they do have an issue with vibration at idle and low RPM.

 

Hogaholic,
That's a beautiful Heritage. Do you get a "buzz" riding it?

 

I'm surprised this topic didn't get a lot more play. Maybe I should check the touring area and see what's up with it over there.

I'm also surprised at the votes for the handling of the baggers over the soft tails. I've spent a lot of time in the saddle of my '04 Fattie and also on my brother's '06 RK Classic. For rolling up the miles on the superslab, I'll give ya that the bagger's the better choice. But for back-road two lane twisty black top in the 50-70 mph range (my personal preference) give me a soft tail everytime!

That's just my opinion, I could be wrong.

-Randy

 

Fatboy and former heritage owner here.. Gotta tell ya.. depends on your tastes, plain and simple.. There's advantages and disadvantages to both frame/engine styles.

Softails can be made to sit lower if that's your thing, and of course have that classic frame line.. But, the RK's are pretty darn cool looking.. Got the blue RK custom from H-D's download site on my PC desktop right now.. GORGEOUS.. No Dadgum Pinstripes!!!

Engine comparisons.. 6 in one hand, 1/2 dozen in the other.. both now have transmissions mounted TO THE engine, finally.. This is the biggest improvement I think in the twin cam design from the old evo's.

A tourbike will have a fraction (probably undetectable) more power due to not having to pull the counterbalancers.. and that's a lot less "stuff" inside the crank to have to worry about in the long haul. On rubber-mounted verses counterbalanced.. The non-balanced just strike me as "more like a harley".. go figure.. They do indeed sound/run differently to me as well.. More "harley-like".

Handling.. Define "handle better".. Does this mean "ride better" or "take on the twisties better"?? I can't judge as I've not done any serious riding on a bagger, so just throwing out the concept. It's expected tourbikes ride better, due to better rear suspension and perception from extra weight, but how's the lean angle and how's the agility in the turns, compared to softails? Again, not implying softails handle turns better, just asking as I hadn't had the pleasure of ripping up some curvey's on a roadking. If the tourbikes did infact take on twisties better, I wouldn't be surprised either way.

I'd be in this boat probably if I had the choice infront of me right now.. I've enjoyed the fatboy, but considered a bagger myself, as I really liked the old heritage and classic FL looks. If it's got that classic teardrop tank and that unmistakable Vtwin underneath, I love 'em all.

 

I would compare the RK to a Mercedes sedan and the Softail to a BMW. Personally, I'll buy the BMW. I like to feel the rode beneath me. Luxuary sport sedan or luxuary sedan? Both go like a bat out of hell, but the BMW will let you know what the road surface below you feels like. I've ridden both RK and Softail and prefer the more solid feel of the softail over the RK. As far as touring ability, both bikes will go the long haul no problem, but I find the Softail to be alot more fun and a much better looking machine. A person can't go wrong with either bike, I just get furious when touring bike owners seem to think that you can't load up a softail, ride 500 miles a day, and be comfortable. And, I'm still trying to figure out what the touring bike owners keep calling a vibration at 70 mph on a Softail is. If anything, the wind and road noise are the only thing that bothers me at 70 mph on my Softail, but I had the same issue riding an RK. Both bikes have the FL front and same windshield hieght. Difference in HP/torque between a TC88A and TC88B. I think even the most experienced rider would be hard pressed to notice the difference!

 

I can say, I wouldn't trade my Heritage for anything...and I've looked at the RK's. The Heritage to me offers the best of all worlds, and I've done 400 mile days on it (could have gone farther), but I'm very much aware of the buzz at 75mph...it's not that big of a deal.