Thinking about a 99 FXSTC - School me!
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Club Member
Joined: May 2018
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From: Tampa Bay Area
Thinking about a 99 FXSTC - School me!
I am considering a 1999 FXSTC. Ive been noodling on an EVO for a long time and I love the FXST design. I am at the closest point I have ever been to actually taking one home.
I am comfortable working on my own bike (though admittedly, I am more of a natural carpenter than mechanic). That said, I am happy to acquire the right tools and tackle most work myself. Actually looking forward to it.
I love my current Street glide / wannabe Ultra Classic and dont plan to ever let it go. The EVO is intended to be a second bike for a lightweight, solo run-around - and something to build-on. Not looking to find / restore to original, but rather looking to modernize / improve for comfort, performance and reliability.
Any thoughts, experience, words of wisdom re: model, the year, etc. would be helpful.
Thanks!
I am comfortable working on my own bike (though admittedly, I am more of a natural carpenter than mechanic). That said, I am happy to acquire the right tools and tackle most work myself. Actually looking forward to it.
I love my current Street glide / wannabe Ultra Classic and dont plan to ever let it go. The EVO is intended to be a second bike for a lightweight, solo run-around - and something to build-on. Not looking to find / restore to original, but rather looking to modernize / improve for comfort, performance and reliability.
Any thoughts, experience, words of wisdom re: model, the year, etc. would be helpful.
Thanks!
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Apr 8, 2025, 10:53 PM
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,644
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From: Mount Rainier, Washington
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 2,856
Likes: 127
From: Middle of Kansas
I purchased a 99 Softail Custom in 2009 with 17,000 miles on it. I now have close to 70.000 miles on it. I am 84 years old so do not ride long distances anymore. I have owned several bikes since my first one, a 1942 "45" flat head in 1955 when I was 14. I rode an 84 Iron head Sportster for 23 years. I can say without a doubt, that the 99 is the most fun bike I have owned. I love the simplicity of the carbed EVO. Most of my riding is on the back roads around where I live. Nothing like the laid back riding position with the pillow seat and buckhorn bars. I love listening to the drag pipes and watching the sun reflect off the head light, and who needs a radio anyway.
Maybe it is just me, but I have no use for anything newer. At 25 years old, it still looks and runs like new. It is all no frills machine. My wife of 65 years always says when I come home from riding, "you had a good time didn't you". Hard to wipe that grin off my face.
There is something about the EVO Softails that cannot be explained till you ride one for a while. It gives you something you can get from no other Harley. After riding one you will know what I mean.
Maybe it is just me, but I have no use for anything newer. At 25 years old, it still looks and runs like new. It is all no frills machine. My wife of 65 years always says when I come home from riding, "you had a good time didn't you". Hard to wipe that grin off my face.
There is something about the EVO Softails that cannot be explained till you ride one for a while. It gives you something you can get from no other Harley. After riding one you will know what I mean.
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From: Tampa Bay Area
I rebuilt and tuned carbs in the early 80s on my Honda and Kawasaki bikes…. I am comfortable with the computer and the EFI table adjustments on my current ride, but looking forward to a more straight-forward and mechanical ride. 
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: The Wasteland
You cant go wrong with a well maintained Evo. Thye are reliable and simple. I have a 95 Dyna and love it. Ride all day long in comfort and style. They require very little maintenance. Keep oil and gas in it and it'll go where you want to go.
Go for it, buy the Softail. You wont regret it.
Go for it, buy the Softail. You wont regret it.
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 414
Likes: 112
From: illinois
I bought this 1998 Softail Custom a couple of years ago. At the time I also had a 2009 Night Train, then a 2009 Street Glide, and currently a 2013 Heritage Softail Classic. When I go for a ride without the Mrs. I take my evo. It's simply a blast to ride. I have a connection with the evo that I don't and didn't have with the others. Maybe it's from riding shovelheads back in the 70s. The evo still rides and feels like Harleys used to and that's what appeals to me.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 21,103
Likes: 19,257
From: The Wasteland
I bought this 1998 Softail Custom a couple of years ago. At the time I also had a 2009 Night Train, then a 2009 Street Glide, and currently a 2013 Heritage Softail Classic. When I go for a ride without the Mrs. I take my evo. It's simply a blast to ride. I have a connection with the evo that I don't and didn't have with the others. Maybe it's from riding shovelheads back in the 70s. The evo still rides and feels like Harleys used to and that's what appeals to me.
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Thread Starter
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Club Member
Joined: May 2018
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From: Tampa Bay Area
As a late teen / new rider in 1979, Harleys were intimidating and I needed reliable transportation. Honda filled the need.
I worked at a Honda dealer in Brooklyn and I was very into the industry during these years - I remember the Evo launch and the impact at the time, but I was into racing-around during these years.
Ive always had in the back of my mind to get one of my own one day - appreciate the support here! 😎
I worked at a Honda dealer in Brooklyn and I was very into the industry during these years - I remember the Evo launch and the impact at the time, but I was into racing-around during these years.
Ive always had in the back of my mind to get one of my own one day - appreciate the support here! 😎
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 21,183
Likes: 12,762
From: South Carolina
The difference between a modern bike and an EVO Softail is pretty big.
The EVO Softail is a shaker, and the OEM brakes are weak (especially `95 and earlier).
But...compared to modern Harleys, especially touring bikes, the Softail feels lightweight because of the low center of gravity.
You may find that the other bikes don`t get ridden a lot once you own that Softail.
The early EVO`s had their issues, but by `99 those issues were long since fixed.
Very few things to look out for on a `99 Evo Softail.
Go for it.
The EVO Softail is a shaker, and the OEM brakes are weak (especially `95 and earlier).
But...compared to modern Harleys, especially touring bikes, the Softail feels lightweight because of the low center of gravity.
You may find that the other bikes don`t get ridden a lot once you own that Softail.
The early EVO`s had their issues, but by `99 those issues were long since fixed.
Very few things to look out for on a `99 Evo Softail.
Go for it.
