Softail vs Touring
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 1,302
Likes: 865
From: SW Ohio
Yep, as of the last time I tried them, every single locking latch has fitment issues. Either it'll latch and never come off again (hey! it's secure that way, right?) or it won't pivot enough to latch at all.
You'd think the MoFoMoCo would have at least tried a fit and function test before they shipped them, but what do I know...
You'd think the MoFoMoCo would have at least tried a fit and function test before they shipped them, but what do I know...
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 118
Likes: 34
From: Texas
Except it's not the case I'm talking about. It's the locking latch on the detachable mount. The Harley top case is fine, it's just that you can't get a functional docking point lock for the rack it mounts to.
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 1,302
Likes: 865
From: SW Ohio
Yea, my rack rattles some when I go over railroad tracks because the latch doesn't engage the spools very well. I never take my rack off, so I've considered bending the latch in a bit to get better engagement. I should just swap it out for a bolt-on rack. I'd probably have to fabricate one as I've never seen one for the newer Softails.
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 118
Likes: 34
From: Texas
Ah...gottcha.
Yea, my rack rattles some when I go over railroad tracks because the latch doesn't engage the spools very well. I never take my rack off, so I've considered bending the latch in a bit to get better engagement. I should just swap it out for a bolt-on rack. I'd probably have to fabricate one as I've never seen one for the newer Softails.
Yea, my rack rattles some when I go over railroad tracks because the latch doesn't engage the spools very well. I never take my rack off, so I've considered bending the latch in a bit to get better engagement. I should just swap it out for a bolt-on rack. I'd probably have to fabricate one as I've never seen one for the newer Softails.
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 689
Likes: 374
From: Kansas
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 110
Likes: 52
From: Maitland, NSW
I find the Detachable mount latches on to the spools securely enough, it's just that without a keylock, there's nothing to stop someone making off with it. Harley Heaven here in Australia had their tourpack detachable keylocks on special, so I've bought one and will see how it goes. The one I have on the sissybar doesn't fit.
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 283
Likes: 87
From: Somewhere in the Midwest
I did almost exactly what you are considering.
I went from a Softail Slim S to a Road King Special. But honestly I just could not get used to the heavier touring frame, and the higher center of gravity. Riding on the Road King made me feel like I was "balancing" on top of the bike. The Road King was great when going on highways, and was definitely a smoother ride. Also, the hard bags were definitely useful. But I did not like the ride overall - it was like riding on top of car, instead of in a car.
So, just after 3000 miles on the King, I traded back to a Softail frame (a 30th Anniversary Fatboy).
I just love the ride of the Softail frame. It has a lower center of gravity, and for me, I feel like I am "in" the bike, not "on" the bike.
Just looking now to mount some hard saddlebags on the Fatboy to get kind of a "Sport Tourer". So, if anyone has a lead on a good set of hard saddlebags for a 2020 Fatboy, let me know. Hogworkz is supposed to be coming out with the mounts for these, but not yet.
R,
Sanjuro
I went from a Softail Slim S to a Road King Special. But honestly I just could not get used to the heavier touring frame, and the higher center of gravity. Riding on the Road King made me feel like I was "balancing" on top of the bike. The Road King was great when going on highways, and was definitely a smoother ride. Also, the hard bags were definitely useful. But I did not like the ride overall - it was like riding on top of car, instead of in a car.
So, just after 3000 miles on the King, I traded back to a Softail frame (a 30th Anniversary Fatboy).
I just love the ride of the Softail frame. It has a lower center of gravity, and for me, I feel like I am "in" the bike, not "on" the bike.
Just looking now to mount some hard saddlebags on the Fatboy to get kind of a "Sport Tourer". So, if anyone has a lead on a good set of hard saddlebags for a 2020 Fatboy, let me know. Hogworkz is supposed to be coming out with the mounts for these, but not yet.
R,
Sanjuro
Saw the 30th Anniversary Fat Boy and it looks cool in the all black paint and blacked out engine and wheel finish. I guess, adding bags to the newer Fat Boys would make them look ugly but then again someone can come up with a cool design for the side bags.
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Tourer
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 283
Likes: 87
From: Somewhere in the Midwest
I'm in the same boat. I love the look and storage of my RKS. But hate the top heavy handling. I think guys with touring models lie to themselves. Go sit and ride on a new Softail. It feels like a toy compared to a touring model and is way easier to handle. Im really thinking of getting a new 2020+ Softail.