2006 softail deluxe on the highway
#1
2006 softail deluxe on the highway
My question is how well does this bike handle on the highway? I have the opportunity to pick one up for a decent price and only has 5000 miles. Not looking to do a lot of touring but want to know I can get on the highway and not have the feeling that it's struggling. It's 88 ci with a 5 speed and I know that changed the next year, they went with a 96 ci and 6 speed. Any input would be appreciated Thanks!
Last edited by marti375; 04-28-2018 at 06:35 AM.
#2
#3
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#4
I had a 03 fxd with the 88 motor upgraded to a stage one. It was good on the freeway for 75 mph cruising. I had no trouble keeping up with traffic. I will say that after owning 2 bikes with the 96 and 6 speed i would have to find a heck of a deal to convince me to go back to an 88. While you don't need the 6 speed for freeway driving it is smoother. However if the majority of your driving is around town with just an occasional trip on the expressway the 5 speed would probably suit you fine.
Last edited by dagnabit; 04-29-2018 at 09:44 AM.
#5
My '06 Deluxe does OK on the highway. I prefer to take side roads though. My local HOG chapter seems to like highways tho. Mostly people with bigger cruisers like Ultras. I don't ride with them much because of that. The fastest I've been on it is 80. But as I said, I like slower side roads because I'm never in a hurry to get somewhere when I'm riding.
The clip on windshield doesn't shield as well as a full fairing does, and there is a significant amount of buffeting at higher speeds. I'd imagine that with some work with "fangs" or other deflectors would help if I were inclined. However, I wouldn't hesitate to take a long road trip with it as is (cut down wind screen that puts my helmet in "clean air"). Of course this limits the distance I can put on in a day's ride. 500 miles in a single day is as much as I've done. I will typically plan for 400 a day on a multi-day ride.
The clip on windshield doesn't shield as well as a full fairing does, and there is a significant amount of buffeting at higher speeds. I'd imagine that with some work with "fangs" or other deflectors would help if I were inclined. However, I wouldn't hesitate to take a long road trip with it as is (cut down wind screen that puts my helmet in "clean air"). Of course this limits the distance I can put on in a day's ride. 500 miles in a single day is as much as I've done. I will typically plan for 400 a day on a multi-day ride.
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My question is how well does this bike handle on the highway? I have the opportunity to pick one up for a decent price and only has 5000 miles. Not looking to do a lot of touring but want to know I can get on the highway and not have the feeling that it's struggling. It's 88 ci with a 5 speed and I know that changed the next year, they went with a 96 ci and 6 speed. Any input would be appreciated Thanks!
Last edited by SPRINGER; 04-29-2018 at 06:20 PM.
#10
someone who's done it might chime in but if you're worried about speed or dropping rpm's you might be able to swap a 66 tooth rear pulley on. you'd lose some pull off the line though. I'm going to go the opposite way, 66 to 70. It might be my imagination but I swear the front end of my softail feels more secure an planted with a windshield on, giving a little down force.