Softail Custom questions.....
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,192
Likes: 4
From: Columbus, OH
RE: Softail Custom questions.....
The only time I have noticed a difference between a skinny tire and a fat is on a gravel road, the deeper the gravel the worse it gets. The 21 will try to wash out more, so you have to pay attention, and dirt biking foot dab skills can save your ****.
May our Moderator Rest in Peace
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 11,386
Likes: 35
From: Rochester, NY
RE: Softail Custom questions.....
I think that this may be the only time in your life where "listening to the voices" isn't a bad thing.
L2R has covered the basics, and done it well. All I could add is that his impressions of the bike as a whole are more the norm around here then the exception. We all like ours for very much the same reasons. The "style" may have been what first caught the eye. But the bike out performs any and all of a riders expectations of what they "think" a semi chopper style bike should feel like.
The sucker in stock trim will flat out get the job done, one up or two up. Once you push it out of the garage and get it moving it really doesn't feel at all like a bike that tips the scales atover700 lbs. It can even stop "fairly" well, something that Harley's in general are more infamous than famous for. Butaftermarket pads (Lyndall) can improve that some. With replacement rotors and calipers doing even more.
Now I love the hell out of mine, but if I had to list one thing that can actually spook you, it did me anyway. Its that you need to be a bit cautious with the throttlein tight low speedturns, like from a stop light.
Until you get a few miles under your beltI'll caution you to resist the temptation to grab a handful of throttle before the bike is upright and aimed the way you want to go. That nice big fat rear tire looks great, but if your riding solo its real easy to put a little too much of that lovely low to mid range RPM grunt to the rear. If your upright,no problem, but if your leaning over it canstart to skip sideways on you. I haven't had the problem on good cementorasphault roads. But anyplace where they have usedtar as a crack filler or the road surface is bumpy it can make life"interesting" if not downright scary.
Good Luckand ride safe no matter what you ride.
L2R has covered the basics, and done it well. All I could add is that his impressions of the bike as a whole are more the norm around here then the exception. We all like ours for very much the same reasons. The "style" may have been what first caught the eye. But the bike out performs any and all of a riders expectations of what they "think" a semi chopper style bike should feel like.
The sucker in stock trim will flat out get the job done, one up or two up. Once you push it out of the garage and get it moving it really doesn't feel at all like a bike that tips the scales atover700 lbs. It can even stop "fairly" well, something that Harley's in general are more infamous than famous for. Butaftermarket pads (Lyndall) can improve that some. With replacement rotors and calipers doing even more.
Now I love the hell out of mine, but if I had to list one thing that can actually spook you, it did me anyway. Its that you need to be a bit cautious with the throttlein tight low speedturns, like from a stop light.
Until you get a few miles under your beltI'll caution you to resist the temptation to grab a handful of throttle before the bike is upright and aimed the way you want to go. That nice big fat rear tire looks great, but if your riding solo its real easy to put a little too much of that lovely low to mid range RPM grunt to the rear. If your upright,no problem, but if your leaning over it canstart to skip sideways on you. I haven't had the problem on good cementorasphault roads. But anyplace where they have usedtar as a crack filler or the road surface is bumpy it can make life"interesting" if not downright scary.
Good Luckand ride safe no matter what you ride.
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 395
Likes: 1
From: Cave City, Ky.
RE: Softail Custom questions.....
Rode mine 4200 miles in 12 days, including a 2 day layover in Vegas, last fall and could not be more pleased. It handles better than I expected and is a pleasure to ride.
Cruiser
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 145
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Softail Custom questions.....
Ditto to everything said so far. I have had a great time with my custom and enjoyed every one of the 7500 miles so far. To make it fit me a little better, I've put on some buckhorn handlebars. For my wife's comfort I went with a Mustang seat & back rest on a HD detachable sissy bar. She has a bad back and had trouble with the stock seat. She is very happy with the new seat & sissy bar. As you can see I've thrown on some bags and a detachable windshield which is great for two up traveling.
I have not been the least bit sorry I went with the custom. So far it has met all my expectations and more.
I have not been the least bit sorry I went with the custom. So far it has met all my expectations and more.
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 295
Likes: 1
RE: Softail Custom questions.....
Well, I went home at lunch, uncovered the EG and sat on her for a while...stroked the tank a little...you know, the things you do when it's cold. Went from there to the Harley dealer, sat on a Custom, walked over to the motor guy I know there....and ordered a 103 for the EG. LOL! I appreciate your responses and advice. The Customs are bitchin', but I just dig the heck outta my EG. I've grown fond of the girl...and now with a new set of jugs....yee haw!!!!
Banned Camp
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,176
Likes: 3
From: Simpsonville, SC
RE: Softail Custom questions.....
Hell yeah, man! EGs are nice bikes. My dad picked up a '08 Ultra. He loves it. I've ridden it a couple times, and I wouldn't mind addin' one to the garage one day. You'll fall in love with your bike all over again once you have that motor work done. Enjoy and ride safe!
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,635
Likes: 58
From: Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
RE: Softail Custom questions.....
You won't have any regrets buying the FXSTC. I'm having the saddle leathered and dyed to match the bags.
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Tourer
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 409
Likes: 0
From: Ruffin, North Carolina
RE: Softail Custom questions.....
Go hit a dealer up for a test spin, then your fate will be sealed. Find you a good used 06 FXST, too many people here gripe about the 6 speed noise and the 96 ci. heat on the 07 and 08 models. There are more goodies than you can shake a stick at to make a softail standard a true custom.
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Road Master
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,070
Likes: 0
From: Vermont
RE: Softail Custom questions.....
I had a 97fxstc,put 64000 miles on it,I put a 16" front tire on it with a fatboy fender ,dragbars/8" risers and put the fxstc paint job configuration on the fender.What a machine!!!.This is where I screwed up.I Fell into the flat black trap and traded for an 06 streetbob.Traded that after a year when they came back with the "custom".Now I got an 07 and It's the greatest feeling in the world to be back on one.the 21" wheel is no problem except on dirt like one fella' said.Seating is like a barcolounger,two up is great,long rides are a joy except in a headwind without a windshield.(I never had one).Aside from that,I say fxstc's forever!!!!
It's a classic bike!
Ridesafe,
CaptainM.
It's a classic bike!
Ridesafe,
CaptainM.