When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
After riding a street glide (2010-15)then a road glide(2015-18), I wanted to go back to more back to basic bike but didnt wanna give up the saddle bags. When I saw the new Sport Glide, I wanted to see it in person and ended up trading my road glide for it. I really loved my road glide, so I immediately began to miss it. But at the same time, I liked the new M8 engine and much lighter Sport Glide. Its much more fun to ride than full size touring bike. I just missed the wind protection I had behind full fairing on the touring bikes.
I ended up turning it into a lighter touring bike with aftermarket fairing. (Wedge fairing).
i then added the engine guard and hard lowers, floorboards, heel shifter....
my friends tell me I shouldve just kept thf road glide, but I now have best of both world! Lightness and great wind protection to go for s looooong ride without getting beat up! (Yeah it sucks getting old.... lol)
I was looking for a mid-weight tourer to replace my large adventure touring bike. Something a little lower for my shorter stature. The replacement rig had to have cruise control and heated grips (or at least the option to add them).
Softails never interested my in the past. The new generation of Softails caught my eye. The Sport Glide got me into the dealership...especially after I saw one in red
I had to add the heated grips
I got my first new bike in 2015. It was a '16 Iron in Olive Gold. Loved that bike put a lot of time, $ and put 12k miles on it. I really had it dialed in I didn't do any mods to it the last summer I had it because I had done everything I wanted to do to it. I had been on the fence about going to a new at the time '17 Dyna. When the M8 Softails were released I knew I would be getting one over a TC Dyna but I wasn't in a huge rush to get one after the M8 Touring release the year before had reports of teething issues. So this past September after the '19s started rolling into my local dealer they called me and said they'd give me 2k off MSRP on a leftover '18 Softail + 1k over book for my Sportster and 1.99% interest. It was just the right deal at the right time and I took it. They didn't have many '18s left but they did have a Wicked Red Slim still on the floor so I rode the Sportster in and the Softail out. I liked my Sportster but never will regret getting rid of it. The Slim is basically a stripped Heritage but I've got cruise, the 21" HD windshield and some footboard relocators on. Doing heated grips now and I'll do some bags in the spring, basically building it into a Heritage slowly as cash allows.
I started off with r6, 4 years later jumped to a street glide, in 2015 I traded the SG for RGS. Last week traded the RGS in for the Fat Bob 114. I wanted something that was more exciting to ride but upright. Dont get me wrong I ride my baggers hard and scraped both sides of the floor boards but its a different ride for me. I feel like Im on my couch vs riding. The Fat Bob suits my aggressive riding style and if I need something faster then Ill jump on my RSV4 RF. Also I cant wait for my Stage4 kit to be installed!
As long as I can remember, Ive lusted after the FLHP. I promised myself that when I retired I would try to make that happen. I retired last May and started my quest. When I finally found one I could test, I had to admit to myself that the seat height was a little too high for my short inseam.
The more I read up on the M8 Softails the more interested I got. The Heritage was hands down the best value in the model line but I didnt care for the blacked out styling, the two-tone windshield, or the fixed saddle bags.
Last year the H-D website still had the feature that let you configure each of their models to see what different options would look like. I found that I could take the Deluxe and add the quick detach saddle bags/windshield, and the cruise control and have exactly what I wanted (I really wanted the chrome and the whitewalls). I love being able to take it from a bare bike to touring trim in a matter of minutes. My wife rides her own so the solo configuration was perfect for me.
I bought my 2018 the day after the 2019s where introduced. I got a smoking good deal and the dealer was able to get the color I wanted. Im a real happy camper.
With that being said, there are some of the Softails that I just don't get, yet I see a lot of you with them. I can only assume one of two things....first that theres a butt for every seat out there...and second that everyone's butts are different. LOL.
In all sincerity, I'd love to know what thought process you went through that led you to the new generation of Softail model that you eventually purchased. Feel free to post a pic of your ride as well.
I'm really stoked about hearing what you have to say.....
thanks for asking this. It came down to my perceived value... getting the most for the least.
I picked the new street bob. I rode a few models and came to the conclusion that they are all equally very nice and comfortable. The torque is impressive on the new m8 too.
so, bottom line, I didn't see the need to spend any more money than what a new bob costs... new seat, throw over bags, windshield and I'm good. I'm about as happy I could be whether it is a m8 bob or an Ultra Classic Super Special cvo stage 9. I just need it to work, I am not embarrassed that it's set up l like I'm trying to be a bagger wanna-be. (it's hard to be a cheap-skate and also love harleys)
While I chose Sport Glide over all the other Softails, I have to say, if I had money for more than two bikes (also have a sports standard), I'd also get a Breakout 114 and Street Bob. All very different in my mind, and would not choose them as my primary ride, but so much potential to customize to a very specific look. The two that just don't do it for me at all are the FXDR and Fat Bob, but I know I'm in the minority at least with the Fat Bob, as it's a mover according to my dealer. Anyway, that's the beauty of the new Softail line, something for everyone!
2018 Deluxe. Electric Blue with Whitewalls. Wife took one look at it and said, "You should buy that one!" Well, alright dear. Setup with the Nostalgic windshield, detachable bags and tourpack. Great for cruising in town, and can do double duty for touring. Now just jonesing for warmer weather.
I haven't bought yet but I'm more-or-less decided on the Fat Bob. A small bike that fits a bigger man. I came from sport bikes when I was in my twenties and, after a 15-year layoff, I got my first Harley last year ('05 1200c) just to make sure I still like riding before fully diving in. I do, and the Fat Bob fits my style of riding best. And that beefy front tire should work much better on these awful Massachusetts roads. I won't buy new, but there are plenty of lightly used '18's out there.
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.
Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.
Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.
Setup with the Nostalgic windshield, detachable bags and tourpack. Great for cruising in town, and can do double duty for touring. Now just jonesing for warmer weather.
