I've searched for 3 days and can't really find answers, so I'll throw the question out here. My brother in-law is looking to buy, likes the looks of soft tails, but has been told they don't handle very well. I am finding lots of differant opions about which motors are best. Prices between new and used seem to be a non issue.. What he is looking for is a daily rider and occasional road trip.
Any thoughts and experances would be appreciated...........Thanks

 

A Road King or a Street Glide no question, MY second choice would be a new 09 heritage classic, that red sunglow and smokey gold is PURTY!!!
(but he really needs to ride them to decide, some hundred rental dollars well spent IMO)

Mark

 

I've not heard any issues on handling on the softail,I've ridden a few but did not notice anything that would keep me from having one.My personal choice is a Road King,but but that's just me.

 

This is my seventh street bike and I have no complaints about the handling of my Softail.
Tom

 

Well, here's 'my' take on it.
"Daily rider and occassional trip"
I'd lean towards a Heritage or the Road King.
Both give the real good option of strippin' off the barges, wimpshield, and jus' runnin' "light" 'round town and short haulin' on it.
Get ready to road trip it, on go the barges, wimpshield, trunk (optional for both),etc.
Softtails are 'solid' mounted motors. Get a bit of vibration thru the bars. (BUT if that is any issue, tell 'im to buy a ricer ) And some ppl say they ride 'rough/hard' compared to a tourer. There are after market shocks that work wonders, if that becomes an issue.

Road King is rubber mounted, some with air suspension, BUT not all.
I prefer the looks of the softtail, FAKE hardtail . But forward controls are an option on them, if leg room is issue.

IF he is more of a 'sport' bike sorta guy, can look at the FX series, but some believe they are not 'trip' quality, BAH HUMBUG.

And LAST BUT NOT LEAST, IF he is a metrosexual, or carries a "Man Purse", well, then git one of those Gurly Harleys that ppl seem to wanna rag on 'round here. (BUT that's cuz they ain't NEVER tried to kick start one )

Good luck and HAPPY shopping. He may want to rent just to compare. Lots of ppl on here do that.

 

....Sounds Like He's Worryin To Much..

 

There's no handling issues with the softails. Seems like most folks that say the softails have handling issues have never actually ridden a softail and are just repeating things they've heard. Had two softails and I could easily keep up with Sportys and Dynas...I've scraped hard parts with both softails and they never showed any signs of unsettling.

Any bike can make a tourer, I've been on several long distances trips on the softail Custom with no issues.

It's all what you make of it.