Hey everyone, I'm facing a tough decision and would love some advice. I currently own a 2018 Fat Boy 115th Anniversary Edition with an M8 engine. It's a fantastic bike, but I've always had a soft spot for the classic Harley sound, especially the Evo engine.
I've come across a 1999 Softail Custom that's caught my eye, is for $4500 AND has like 30k miles on it. The Evo engine's rumble is exactly what I crave, but I'm hesitant to trade my modern Fat Boy for an older bike. What are the pros and cons I should consider? Any advice or insights would be greatly appreciated!

 

I have an '01 Springer, and '03 Heritage, and an '09 Cross Bones , along with my main bike which is a '16 Bagger (getting long in the tooth itself). As an owner of some older bikes I really love, this is all my personal opinion.....

The 1999 Softail Custom was/is an excellent bike. It is the last of the EVO Softails. I had an '89 EVO Softail, that was one of my most trouble free bikes....

Have you ever ridden an EVO softail....?

The good;
It is a reliable engine, is old school cool, and if well maintained should give you years and miles of trouble free fun...

The bad:
It is an unbalanced engine, rigid mounted to the frame. I never minded the buzzing in my hands & feet at certain RPMs, but it IS there, and you don't have that on your M8 engine. I would suggest you experience that difference before moving back to an EVO form an M8...

It is a 26 yr old bike. That alone presents some challenges. First, there are fewer and fewer HD dealers that will work on a bike older than 10 years. Fewer still that will work on an EVO engine. If you do not do your own work, you'll need to find a good, reliable independent shop that works on EVO engines.

As a 26 yr old bike, many HD brand parts are obsolete, with more and more, both HD & aftermarket becoming obsolete as time passes. You shouldn't have any issues maintaining an EVO for now, but it is something to consider.

As you mentioned, this bike is much less sophisticated than your M8, that's part of the charm. But having ridden shovel heads and EVO bikes, I appreciate my Twin Cams even more. I don't necessarily LIKE them more, but certainly APPRECIATE them more.

I would buy my old EVO bike back in a minute if I could find it, I would also buy back either of my old Shovel heads if I could find them... BUT.... I would not want them as my only bike...

I think this would be a great second bike, but only you can decide if you would want your main bike to be a 26 yr old EVO Softail....

Good luck with your decision and enjoy whichever bike you choose....

 

Just put a cam and tune in your current ride and it will sound the way you want and for way less than $4500.

 

First off when you say trade, I hope you're insinuating that the person with the 99 custom is going to offer you cash and the bike for yours. With that said, the Softail custom with an Evo motor is a great combination.

If it's something you want and for what it's going for and if it's in decent shape and has been well cared for, 30,000 mi is not a lot for an Evo motor but you have to ask the owner how many modifications he's made to the motor to know exactly where it's at and whether or not it's been beat up on..

 

Keep the M8 and buy the EVO

 

If thats what you want do it but sell and not trade your bike because your going to loose your *** on a trade. Then you will have cash and be able to negotiate.

 

Then you can compare at your leisure an not be rushed.
You can always keep the one you prefer and sell the other.
Only your *** can decide what fits you best.

 

60 rear wheel horsepower, 5 speed trans, poor brakes, older type suspension, no one to work on it..... are things to consider. I would buy it, but not as your only ride.

 

^^^that^^^

 

Work on it yourself, the EVO is the simplest motor Harley made.