Shadetree Surgeon Predicts A Softail Renaissance
With a nice older Softail cycles changing hands for cheap, it may be just the thing to get younger riders into Harley-Davidsons.
We’ve covered Shadetree Surgeon videos before. He’s probably our favorite motorcycle YouTuber. He’s funny, he’s informative, and he loves all motorcycles, but especially Harleys.
In this video, he’s checking out a friend’s minty fresh 2001 Softail, which he’s selling for just $4,000. Don’t get us wrong, the new Softails are great, but the prices for used ones make them a great choice for motorcyclists who are just getting into Harley-Davidsons.
In fact, Shadetree Surgeon thinks that these used Softails will be the next big thing among Millennial riders. Even though this bike is carbureted, it’s dead-simple to work on. As Shadetree Surgeon explains, Harley-Davidson had carburetors more or less figured out by this point.
Be a Trendsetter
That’s to say nothing of the excellent Twin Cam 88 motor. The fact that Harley built so many of the older Softails means that there’s a very healthy aftermarket scene. Like Sportsters, you can make an old Softail into anything you want it to be with enough work.
That simple fact, combined with the nearly bulletproof drivetrain on these bikes, makes them an attractive choice. There are a ton of well-kept used bikes out there, and they’re usually offered for a great price like this one.
They’re very easy to work on, too. If you’ve never worked on a motorcycle before, an older Harley-Davidson is a great place to start. They’re simple, intuitive, and due to their popularity, there’s a host of useful online resources to help you if you get stuck — namely, H-D Forums.
Despite the buzz around the excellent new Softail, we think that Shadetree Surgeon is right. We’re about to see a renaissance for the old Softails, and it’s going to be the under 40 set who will be leading the charge.
Perhaps the Millennials that buy and customize Softails will find their way behind the bars of a brand new one when their fortunes improve. Ironically, the bike that helped to save Harley-Davidson back in the 1980s may indirectly save them again.
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