Softail Dilemma
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3rd Gear
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Australia
Softail Dilemma
Hey There
Been riding a 48 for the past 3 years. Love it.
Thinking of upping to a new softail. Dollars are tight so thought try the Street Bob... didn't work, seating position not for me.
So took the Slim out for a test but something really odd about that bike, it felt uber heavy, top heavy. Stopped at the lights a few times and it just felt wobbly. Anybody else think they are kinda top heavy ?
The one I haven't ridden is the Low, but a bit concerned by that big nut skinny front wheel.
They reckon the sportsters are top heavy but dont find that on my 48.
Any advice or others I should be looking at ?
Cheers
Been riding a 48 for the past 3 years. Love it.
Thinking of upping to a new softail. Dollars are tight so thought try the Street Bob... didn't work, seating position not for me.
So took the Slim out for a test but something really odd about that bike, it felt uber heavy, top heavy. Stopped at the lights a few times and it just felt wobbly. Anybody else think they are kinda top heavy ?
The one I haven't ridden is the Low, but a bit concerned by that big nut skinny front wheel.
They reckon the sportsters are top heavy but dont find that on my 48.
Any advice or others I should be looking at ?
Cheers
Cruiser
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 178
Likes: 47
From: montecello
Hey There
Been riding a 48 for the past 3 years. Love it.
Thinking of upping to a new softail. Dollars are tight so thought try the Street Bob... didn't work, seating position not for me.
So took the Slim out for a test but something really odd about that bike, it felt uber heavy, top heavy. Stopped at the lights a few times and it just felt wobbly. Anybody else think they are kinda top heavy ?
The one I haven't ridden is the Low, but a bit concerned by that big nut skinny front wheel.
They reckon the sportsters are top heavy but dont find that on my 48.
Any advice or others I should be looking at ?
Cheers
Been riding a 48 for the past 3 years. Love it.
Thinking of upping to a new softail. Dollars are tight so thought try the Street Bob... didn't work, seating position not for me.
So took the Slim out for a test but something really odd about that bike, it felt uber heavy, top heavy. Stopped at the lights a few times and it just felt wobbly. Anybody else think they are kinda top heavy ?
The one I haven't ridden is the Low, but a bit concerned by that big nut skinny front wheel.
They reckon the sportsters are top heavy but dont find that on my 48.
Any advice or others I should be looking at ?
Cheers
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 5,250
Likes: 2,344
From: Florida
Change the seat and/or the bars on the Street Bob. I agree with you it feels weird at first, but it's a cool bike and the cheapest softail. Spend the money you save on the upfront with the accessories that will make it more cozy to you.
Apes, mini-apes, pull-back risers, reduced reach seat, tallboy seat, whatever. There's a million options.
Apes, mini-apes, pull-back risers, reduced reach seat, tallboy seat, whatever. There's a million options.
Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 224
Likes: 108
From: Tampa, FL
Can't speak from direct experience as I've never ridden a Sportster but wife, 5' 6", test road a 2019 Sportster 1200 Classic and a 2019 Softail Low Rider and bought the Low Rider if that tells you anything (she absolutely loves it). I have ridden a Street 750 and didn't find my 2018 Slim to be top heavy compared to the Street despite the ~160lbs weight difference. My advise would be to try some different saddles and see if that helps any.
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 965
Likes: 297
From: NoVa
Hmmm, my wife has been riding a 2007 Sportster 1200 Classic for the last decade and I just bought a 2019 Low Rider. The first time I sat on the LR, it felt more like a Sportster to me than it does like my 2003 Dyna Super Glide.
Now I don't have many miles on the Low Rider yet - been cold here - but I'd say it runs like a Sportster too, at least it feels like my wife's Sporty with the mid pegs. Definitely different than the Dyna. Not sure if this is good or bad - really like my Dyna.
Now I don't have many miles on the Low Rider yet - been cold here - but I'd say it runs like a Sportster too, at least it feels like my wife's Sporty with the mid pegs. Definitely different than the Dyna. Not sure if this is good or bad - really like my Dyna.
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3rd Gear
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Australia
Got Me Thinkin
Cheers Lads for the replies,
Yes it fits smashing. Not sure what that means is that like all those stage things ?
Probably sound stupid but only worry with the thin low rider wheel is that if the slim felt wobbly with that fatter front then I was thinking the low rider would be worse.
I'll need to take the low rider for a test, maybe the street bob with different controls,
The slim was the absolute max of my budget but since it was really top heavy for my wee 5'6 inch height, I ruled out the slim. Also harder to flat foot than the sportster because of that big primary.
Probably sound stupid but only worry with the thin low rider wheel is that if the slim felt wobbly with that fatter front then I was thinking the low rider would be worse.
I'll need to take the low rider for a test, maybe the street bob with different controls,
The slim was the absolute max of my budget but since it was really top heavy for my wee 5'6 inch height, I ruled out the slim. Also harder to flat foot than the sportster because of that big primary.
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Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 224
Likes: 108
From: Tampa, FL
The Low Rider has mid controls vs the forwards on the Slim so that might feel more natural coming from the Sporster plus it has the lowest seat height of any of the Softails (the saddle is also more comfortable than the Slims IMO as it has more lower back support). As I stated above my wife is the same height as you and her only compliant is shes not wild about the angular location of the brake pedal in relation to the peg which is rather flat.
Last edited by auburntsts; Jan 28, 2019 at 04:31 PM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 5,809
Likes: 2,549
From: UK
Cheers Lads for the replies,
Yes it fits smashing. Not sure what that means is that like all those stage things ?
Probably sound stupid but only worry with the thin low rider wheel is that if the slim felt wobbly with that fatter front then I was thinking the low rider would be worse.
I'll need to take the low rider for a test, maybe the street bob with different controls,
The slim was the absolute max of my budget but since it was really top heavy for my wee 5'6 inch height, I ruled out the slim. Also harder to flat foot than the sportster because of that big primary.
Yes it fits smashing. Not sure what that means is that like all those stage things ?
Probably sound stupid but only worry with the thin low rider wheel is that if the slim felt wobbly with that fatter front then I was thinking the low rider would be worse.
I'll need to take the low rider for a test, maybe the street bob with different controls,
The slim was the absolute max of my budget but since it was really top heavy for my wee 5'6 inch height, I ruled out the slim. Also harder to flat foot than the sportster because of that big primary.