1998 Softail Advice
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Road Warrior
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 1,420
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From: Columbus Ohio
1998 Softail Advice
As a short person I have been a happy sporty rider but have always loved the look of the softail - and love the more "old school" looks of the older 80s-90s models.
I ran across this one and have a couple of questions as I am considering it.
How does is it ride compared to the newer ones? I ask because after riding my '95 rigid mount sporty I ended up with a sore lower back and eventually had to sell it - I loved that bike. I now have a 2014 rubbermount sportster and can go all day with no problems. I ask because I have never ridden a softail. So, will an older model be a lot of vibration at highway speeds? I know people say dynas are smoother but I have always preferred the softail.
How are the '98s as compared to the newer ones? I'm not looking for speed, just something I can take out and cruise all day, or two, or three or ... for how long I want.
I look forward to hearing your thoughts.
I ran across this one and have a couple of questions as I am considering it.
How does is it ride compared to the newer ones? I ask because after riding my '95 rigid mount sporty I ended up with a sore lower back and eventually had to sell it - I loved that bike. I now have a 2014 rubbermount sportster and can go all day with no problems. I ask because I have never ridden a softail. So, will an older model be a lot of vibration at highway speeds? I know people say dynas are smoother but I have always preferred the softail.
How are the '98s as compared to the newer ones? I'm not looking for speed, just something I can take out and cruise all day, or two, or three or ... for how long I want.
I look forward to hearing your thoughts.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
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From:
It sits lower and has a lower center of gravity so it should be easier to ride than your sporty. All of my softails have a mild buzz from the rigid mounted engine. Nothing to be concerned about. Any friends have one you could try out? I think you will be pleasantly surprised in the ride. The FXSTC also has one of the best seats Harley ever made.
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 717
Likes: 15
From: San Dimas
It sits lower and has a lower center of gravity so it should be easier to ride than your sporty. All of my softails have a mild buzz from the rigid mounted engine. Nothing to be concerned about. Any friends have one you could try out? I think you will be pleasantly surprised in the ride. The FXSTC also has one of the best seats Harley ever made.
His is a 97 with an S and S engine.
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 717
Likes: 15
From: San Dimas
Seems a bit high with your trade in ...
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 717
Likes: 15
From: San Dimas
By the way, that is a great year and I prefer this model engine over the newer Twin Cam engine (my FXSTS is a twin cam) . Your 98 Evo engine should be robust, easy (er) to work on, and quite reliable. Looks like it has a decent exhaust on it already. Any other performance upgrades?
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Dirt don't hurt
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 21,065
Likes: 4,561
From: Haslet Texas
+1 for too much money.
Especially because of the trade in.
I wouldn't pay that much straight out for the bike.
5k to 6k would be more like it.
Especially because of the trade in.
I wouldn't pay that much straight out for the bike.
5k to 6k would be more like it.
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Club Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 22,857
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From: Lafayette, Louisiana
$7,800 with no trade in would be a fair deal. If you go $7,800 plus trade, you are giving your current bike away.
A set of Works Performance light shocks will improve the ride immensely.
In my opinion, carbureted Evo's were the best bikes Harley ever produced. Not hating on twin cams or EFI, but the simplicity, interchangeability, and dare I say it, reliability is great with these carbureted Evos. Newer bikes have newer technology and every gizmo imaginable with the guys that work on them having to know more about computer wizardry than actual mechanics.
I was buying a part for my 95 Heritage today and while they had plenty of expensive shiny new bikes on the showroom floor, there was not a single one I would trade my 95 Heritage for.
Ask the same question in the Twin Cam forum and they will talk you out of it due it's old tractor technology and will tell you to buy a 2014 or 2015 Street Glide Special since that is apparently the current "in" bike there. That and ridiculously large diameter front wheels on Street Glide Specials and other touring models since that is the current fad, although I deem it to be a nonfunctional mod, besides being hideous.
So, that's a decent bike but get the price down some and don't give away your current bike for free.
A set of Works Performance light shocks will improve the ride immensely.
In my opinion, carbureted Evo's were the best bikes Harley ever produced. Not hating on twin cams or EFI, but the simplicity, interchangeability, and dare I say it, reliability is great with these carbureted Evos. Newer bikes have newer technology and every gizmo imaginable with the guys that work on them having to know more about computer wizardry than actual mechanics.
I was buying a part for my 95 Heritage today and while they had plenty of expensive shiny new bikes on the showroom floor, there was not a single one I would trade my 95 Heritage for.
Ask the same question in the Twin Cam forum and they will talk you out of it due it's old tractor technology and will tell you to buy a 2014 or 2015 Street Glide Special since that is apparently the current "in" bike there. That and ridiculously large diameter front wheels on Street Glide Specials and other touring models since that is the current fad, although I deem it to be a nonfunctional mod, besides being hideous.
So, that's a decent bike but get the price down some and don't give away your current bike for free.
Dirt don't hurt
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 21,065
Likes: 4,561
From: Haslet Texas
You might want to look around a while
http://austin.craigslist.org/mcy/4816327272.html
Granted this isn't a softail but what the hell
http://austin.craigslist.org/mcy/4812644754.html
http://austin.craigslist.org/mcy/4816327272.html
Granted this isn't a softail but what the hell
http://austin.craigslist.org/mcy/4812644754.html