Softail vs Touring
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 879
Likes: 132
From: NOVA
I am on the fence right now, currently commuting with 2018 Sport Glide. My commute is only 20 miles each way at highway speeds for the most part. I also want to start doing long-distance rides, maybe overnighters. I know the Softail frame is very capable of doing long distances but I feel like the wind at times is a little too much. Thanks to @HuntWhenever I did the homemade "deflectors", put soft lowers and also have 12" windscreen (I'm 5'8). All of this does help but I'm not sure for long distances.
There is a good price 2019 EGS at a nearby dealer that I wanted to see but not sure if I actually NEED a touring model. For those of you have somewhat "stock" Street Glide or Electra Glide Standard, does the larger fairing actually deflect 99% of the wind or do you still get a lot of buffeting? I've contacted them but I'm not sure if 20-30 min test ride will actually give me the feel of a long distance trip.. I also like the top opening bags vs. my clamshell style, feel like I can put more in there.
I feel like my lifestyle (mostly commuting and maybe one or two long trips) does not warrant a touring frame bike with the added weight and price. I've done a lot to my Sport Glide and happy with it for the most part. Just that buffeting and wind at highway speeds (75+mph).
Oh and I normally wear a full face or 3/4 helmet and feel like 3/4 helmet does better with lessening the buffeting for some reason..
There is a good price 2019 EGS at a nearby dealer that I wanted to see but not sure if I actually NEED a touring model. For those of you have somewhat "stock" Street Glide or Electra Glide Standard, does the larger fairing actually deflect 99% of the wind or do you still get a lot of buffeting? I've contacted them but I'm not sure if 20-30 min test ride will actually give me the feel of a long distance trip.. I also like the top opening bags vs. my clamshell style, feel like I can put more in there.
I feel like my lifestyle (mostly commuting and maybe one or two long trips) does not warrant a touring frame bike with the added weight and price. I've done a lot to my Sport Glide and happy with it for the most part. Just that buffeting and wind at highway speeds (75+mph).
Oh and I normally wear a full face or 3/4 helmet and feel like 3/4 helmet does better with lessening the buffeting for some reason..
Last edited by ylwf3vr; Jul 31, 2020 at 10:48 AM.
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 978
Likes: 423
From: UK
I did a 20 day tour round Spain on a FatBob, no screen, just an Airwolf on the saddle. 75-85 mph for a couple of hours at a time between fuel /coffee stops was no problem. No buffeting, just smooth air. Bike was amazing, because it was also great fun on the twisty mountain roads.
You can seriously tour on a softail.
You can seriously tour on a softail.
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 290
Likes: 67
From: Fairfax, Va
I wouldn't want to run my FXLR at 75-80 for even a hour without effective wind protection. At those speeds, and even lower, I feel like I'm more hanging on it it than in control of it. I'm still looking for something that reduces the wind blast while still being preserving a more naked look. The screen I'm interested in, which several here have, is still out of stock.
As Yellow Fever can attest, you've gotta run 70-80 here in NoVa just to keep up with highway traffic.
As Yellow Fever can attest, you've gotta run 70-80 here in NoVa just to keep up with highway traffic.
Novice
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 17
Likes: 6
From: CNY
I am in the process of doing the same thing. Had an unfortunate deer vs. '14 Road King incident in June. Frame damage made for a total loss. Just bought a 2018 Heritage and can't wait to ride it. Broken wrist is almost ready to twist a throttle again! Short legs was one of the reason to move to a Softail, but the Heritage has always been a favorite. I guess I need to change my profile pic!
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 294
Likes: 92
From: USA
I did the opposite. Went from a 17 SG to a 20 Deluxe. I'm 5'8" and the street glide was getting harder for me to handle. I put 12,000 miles on it and I loved it on long rides but most of riding is local any more. I rode my wifes 114 Heritage a few times and I loved how much more nimble it was. So I got a deluxe. I'm much happier riding now, not stressed out, I feel like I can handle it in any situation. Confidence when riding is the biggest advantage for me.
-PH
Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 147
Likes: 79
From: Washington
I have a sport glide and I switched to a memphis shades road warrior fairing with a vented windshield (offers better wind protection in my opinion and I don't get buffeting). I also have mini floorboards from Kuryakyn and an Edward Richie sissy bar that I run Kuryakyn's freeloader bag on when I need more space. It's very very comfortable and I've ridden around for nearly 4 hours at a time and felt fine. I have gotten it up to 80 a few times on the highway and haven't had any issues. Granted, I'm living in Hawaii currently so the longest "trip" I can go on is around the island, but now that my sport glide is set up the way I want it to be, I can't imagine going to a touring bike. I've also never test ridden one, but I've never really felt the need to do so (the weight makes me hesitant). My softail does everything I need it to, and I commute on it daily with a few longer duration rides on weekends.
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 792
Likes: 258
From: N.E.Ohio
Rode touring frames thru 2014. Just too much weight for my mid 60's body anymore. Considered quitting though I started riding in 1968. Tried a couple softails in 2015 and ended up buying a Heritage and a Blackline. 5 softails since, don't need anything that weighs 900 pounds anymore and probably didn't even then.
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6th Gear
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 13
Likes: 2
From: Mass
Before this year my last ride was a '74 FLH that I sold in '94. Four-speed, 74" rigid mount w/chain drive. After all these years I bought a 2019 FLDE Deluxe and it is a joy to ride. Smooth, responsive, and powerful. Most of my miles are ridden on beautiful back-country roads in central MA and southern NH. The power of the M8 engine is tremendous and the new Softail frame and suspension are nimble and responsive.
Having said that, my bike was in the shop to repair a flat yesterday and my buddy lent me his twin cam Road King. As one might expect I found the touring framed bike to feel heavy and more cumbersome on my usual roads. Took it out on the highway and boy oh boy, suddenly I was riding a Cadillac! The bike was more stable at speed and very smooth. I have a windshield for my Deluxe, and it is good for short term use on the highway, but IMO the touring frame is just better suited for high mileage at high speed.
All that said, for what I (mostly) do, I like the Softail better.
And FWIW I think the FLDE is the best looking bike Harley makes!
=JR=
Having said that, my bike was in the shop to repair a flat yesterday and my buddy lent me his twin cam Road King. As one might expect I found the touring framed bike to feel heavy and more cumbersome on my usual roads. Took it out on the highway and boy oh boy, suddenly I was riding a Cadillac! The bike was more stable at speed and very smooth. I have a windshield for my Deluxe, and it is good for short term use on the highway, but IMO the touring frame is just better suited for high mileage at high speed.
All that said, for what I (mostly) do, I like the Softail better.
And FWIW I think the FLDE is the best looking bike Harley makes!
=JR=
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 9,238
Likes: 5,784
From: On the Big Blue marble
I went from an RGU to a Heritage. Im not going more than 6 to 8 hours away, I dont need a radio and for general riding, to me, the Heritage (I have a 19 w/a 114) is the best bike I ever owned and this is my 4th Heritage..