Harley-Davidson Softail: Buying Guide
When thinking about buying a Harley-Davidson Softail, you must consider your needs and wants first and foremost. Here's some more information to help you make your decision.
This article applies to the Harley-Davidson Softail.
Did you see Terminator 2? Do you like the term "Fat Boy?" You heard that a Softail is a much cooler motorcycle than a Sportster? There are many reasons for considering buying a Softail from Harley-Davidson. They do look cool. They have that hard tail look. They are smooth to ride. People love 'em. They are lower priced than the big touring motorcycles, yet they can go long distances with ease.
You can't go wrong with a Softail model. As a comforting and well-equipped starter, cruising round town, or touring to a rally, this is not only a cool motorcycle, but one that adapts to all riding styles. Multiple color schemes are available, and customization is almost limitless. The Softail family warrants a second look.
Softail Specifications
A Softail has a hidden rear suspension and a counterbalanced motor. They hide the rear suspension to give the illusion they are a hard tail which adds to the classic look and cool factor. Most people who have a Harley-Davidson of a different family also enjoy a Softail, as they are visually appealing, nice to ride, and easily customizable.
My wife was searching for that perfect first motorcycle. The one that caught her eye was a 2007 Softail Deluxe in Black Pearl. It was used and therefore somewhat customized already. She was a new rider fresh from her motorcycle course. I asked her to sit on the motorcycle, and she quite enjoyed the lowered suspension. I had heard multiple times that a Sportster is not a good first motorcycle; it is considered too top heavy, resulting in a more 'active' ride. The Deluxe has quite a low center of gravity, and feels very solid and confidence inspiring.
We added some accessories before picking up her new Deluxe. It came with saddlebags already -- the style that match the Deluxe. We have since relocated the licence place to below the tail light, replaced the leather tank panel with a chrome piece, and added a combo speedometer / tachometer unit. Some of the issues with the motorcycle were that the handlebars and seat were modified for a shorter rider. Nothing a new seat and bars can't fix, but some work nonetheless.
On the Road: Softail vs. Street Glide
Once we had some time in the saddle, a distinct difference in the Softail was noted between her's and my motorcycle – a 2009 Street Glide. Her's had a much more precise feeling shift, as compared to mine. I attribute it to the counterbalanced motor. I also found the front steering was heavier than the Touring model at slow speeds. I looked at the compare "bikes" section on H-D.com and the rake is listed at 32.1 degrees vs. 26 on the FLHX. Lastly, the braking is different with the single disc on the front, which changes the braking distance for the 100 lb lighter motorcycle.
The first tour we embarked on was a 1,200 mile jaunt over five days to the Going to the Sun Road. This included some interstate, some sweepers, and some nice hills and rocky construction. Although I did not ride the Deluxe, my wife said she was happy with the experience. Later I found that the cornering isn't as nimble as other motorcycles, and it is more of a true cruiser than a mile eater hell bent for leather.
Softail Models
The current 2016 Softail models include the Deluxe, Slim, Heritage Softail Classic, Fat Boy [& Fat Boy Low], the Breakout and, this year, the new "S" model Fat Boy and Slim units. The Slim is a narrower Softail with a trimmed down package. It looks like it could have been from a WWII WLA catalog. The Heritage is a favorite amongst many riders; it comes tour-ready with a windshield and leather saddlebags. The Fat Boy is probably the most popular Softail model. It has a bulkier front end and a big front tire. It is very nicely chromed from the factory. The Fat Boy Lo has a lower seating position, but with a more rugged, Dark Custom look. The Breakout is a stretched-out model with a wide rear tire at 240 mm and a drag-style handle bar. Think tall guy Harley-Davidson.
Lastly, in order only, are the S models. They are a dark palette unit with a 110 ci motor. The Slim S has an available military style paint scheme and classic spoke wheels. The Fat Boy S has cruise control standard and a Screamin' Eagle Ventilator intake. Both are accented with a blacked-out drivetrain.
