New to this side of the softail forum.

I ride a dyna and absoltuely love it.
Looking to add a bike to my stable, have set my eyes on springer & crossbones...

When I look at both the cycles it looks kinda similar.
Any owners would care to spill out the difference between 'em

Just wanna know which one has a overall better feel & ride compared between them

 

A crossbones is a springer..

So I'm a little confused.

 

 

The similarities between a Crossbones, a Springer Classic and a Heritage Springer are many. At their hear, they are all pretty much the same bike, especially if you are talking EFI models. Most of the differences are going to be cosmetic. In my opinion, the Crossbones is closer related to the Springer Classic by way of looks in that the Classic has a blacked out front end as apposed to the chrome forks on a Heritage Springer as well as some other subtle ques.

How they ride should be pretty similar across the three models since they all share the same front end as well as the softail rear suspension. The major difference for how you feel on each bike will probably be the stock seating and handlebars. The Crossbones has that solo sprung seat which rides very tall and the apes really open you up to the wind. It has a lowered suspension but depending on your height, it may still put the stock seat a bit taller for your liking.

Other main differences between the Crossbones and the other two springer models and how they may feel is the larger rear tire. The Bones rides on a 200m while the other I believe ride on a 150 or something along those lines? I've never ridden one of the other springers so I don't know how much difference it makes in regards to handling.

Cosmetically there are some unique features of the Crossbones that don't seem immediately evident but I think are very nice nostalgic touches that the other two models don't have. Obviously the fenders are the first and most noticeable difference. But besides that are the blacked out wheels, the cat eye style console and the half moon shaped floorboards as well as the replacement of the dual exhaust system with a shot gun style single side exhaust. Since the introduction of the Bones, some of those items have been showing up on other softail bikes such as the cat eye console on the Heritage Softail Classic and the half moon boards on the Fatboy Lo.

Another thing to consider between a Crossbones and the other two springer models is that the style of rear fenders will mean that the type of seating options both for you and a potential passenger are different based on what type of seats are available for each model. You'll have to research what is out there and consider the type of riding you will be doing and decide on which bike will offer the most potential based on what you want to get out of it. From my experience, I loved the Crossbone's stripped down style but learned almost right away that when it came time to doing some serious two up riding, the choices for making my passenger really comfortable were limited...at least not without making the bike look like a total freak show. I have since gone on a mission to convert it to more of a Springer Classic style of bike which opens up more possibilities both in looks and functionality...at least in my opinion.

Either way, I think you will love owning a Springer if you can get past the slightly heavier front end and the need to monitor your neck and rocker bearing on a regular basis. The ride in my opinion is top notch!

 

When I sat on the crossbones I liked that spring seat....

 

@Skeezmachine
absolutely loved your explanation.
Thanks for educating me, will test ride a decide

 

all stock harley's are just a building block...so its real simple, if you want a springer, then you should buy a crossbones, since its the most current springer platform offered by harley. you can make it look however you chose. take a look at my sig pic. thats a crossbones, but you'd never know it by the looks of it now

 

buy any harley you want, put springer forks on it... bam, done. I put springer forks on my night train

 

My pleasure. Although I have done extensive modding to my Crossbones I don't assume that it's the sort of thing you want to jump into right away and want to buy the bike that best suits you from the get go.

One other difference that I forgot to mention is that the Crossbones (because it is the newer version of the three FL springer models) comes with a 6 speed tranny. I believe the 2007 Springer Classic also came with a 6 speed but I am not sure and I don't think that any of the Heritage Springers had the six speed option. Which again, may or may not matter to you. I have only ever run a six speed. I hear all kinds of reasons why some like a five speed such as less shifting at low speeds. Since I do a lot of long haul riding most of the time including 80+ mile one way commutes to work, that six speed sure is a thing to love.

Then there is the whole FX Springer family which I did not mention both because I have never ridden one and because I just assumed that since you asked about the Bones you were thinking of FL springers.

In case you are curious what I mean by modding my bike to be more like a Springer Classic, take a look at the photos below. The third pic shows a more recent addition of Heritage Springer passing lamps and horn and a king size windshield. Still working on swapping out the exhaust and handlebars. Just waiting on some free time which is hard to come by with a full time job and three kids ranging from a freshman in college to an infant in diapers!

 

Beautiful work Skeezmachine! You've captured the best of the XBones and the Springer Classic.