Trade for different bike... what bike?
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Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2008
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Trade for different bike... what bike?
I have a 2008 FLSTC that I'm thinking about trading in on a different bike.
What I like about the Heritage,
-Floorboards give a little bit of room to move feet around on extended rides, and prevent sore legs from pushing feet into the wind like mid/forward pegs
-BIG BAGS! Useful for camping and grocery runs... but I guess I don't use them for much else really.
-Stripped down, it looks incredible. No windshield, no passenger seat. Hard to beat the looks.
Things I dont like,
-Complete lack of cornering clearance. Lots of floorboard scraping and occasional levering of rear wheel slightly off the tarmac.
-Scary brakes made of... cheese? Wood?
-Scary wobbly wet noodle chassis while cornering
-Feels a bit big and cumbersome at times, want to try something more nimble
-Fairly weak power
I've done 1,000 mile days a couple times and really like going about 250-550 to hit the nice roads and swing back around home at the end of the day. With the windshield, this is pretty easy on the softail. Hurts my tail a little but not bad. With the shield off my arms shoulders and neck start to wear out after several hundred miles.
I dont know which way to go from here. Thinkin about trading for a VROD Muscle, Dyna something, XR1200, Buell, Trimph Speed Tripple, or a big hole in my head. I just dont know. Strictly a solo rider. What'chall think?
What I like about the Heritage,
-Floorboards give a little bit of room to move feet around on extended rides, and prevent sore legs from pushing feet into the wind like mid/forward pegs
-BIG BAGS! Useful for camping and grocery runs... but I guess I don't use them for much else really.
-Stripped down, it looks incredible. No windshield, no passenger seat. Hard to beat the looks.
Things I dont like,
-Complete lack of cornering clearance. Lots of floorboard scraping and occasional levering of rear wheel slightly off the tarmac.
-Scary brakes made of... cheese? Wood?
-Scary wobbly wet noodle chassis while cornering
-Feels a bit big and cumbersome at times, want to try something more nimble
-Fairly weak power
I've done 1,000 mile days a couple times and really like going about 250-550 to hit the nice roads and swing back around home at the end of the day. With the windshield, this is pretty easy on the softail. Hurts my tail a little but not bad. With the shield off my arms shoulders and neck start to wear out after several hundred miles.
I dont know which way to go from here. Thinkin about trading for a VROD Muscle, Dyna something, XR1200, Buell, Trimph Speed Tripple, or a big hole in my head. I just dont know. Strictly a solo rider. What'chall think?
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 6,532
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From: SoCal
The only HD that I would possibly ever switch to would be a Road King. But I would have to try one first to see if it is what I think it would be. Otherwise I really like my StreetGlide. I had a Fatboy so I know what a softail is like and I like my streetglide much much better.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 2,325
Likes: 7
From: SE Illinois
You should look at the Dyna Switchback. The Dyna chassis will handle better than your Softail & the windshield and hard bags are easily removable for a stripped down look, or put them on for comfort & storage. If you're disappointed with the handling of your Softail & also want something more nimble, you're not going to get that with a touring bike...it's only going to feel more cumbersome & even less nimble.
For what it sounds like you're after, I think you should go ride some Dynas...in particular the Switchback.
For what it sounds like you're after, I think you should go ride some Dynas...in particular the Switchback.
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From: Springfield, Ohio
a KZ1000 
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From: Pacific Northwest
You've GOT to be kidding......
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From: coast to coast
+1 on the Switchback. I"d also try a Road King. Both will handle way better and give you significantly more turning clearance. You could also putting a shield and bags on a Fat Bob. My fat bob handles like nothing else (keeps up with my wife's Ducati on Angel's Crest) and hard to beat the twin disc front brakes. Much less weight too equals more response from the engine.
Last edited by Thingfish; May 12, 2012 at 01:23 PM.