touring bikes vs softail
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 6,975
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From: NJ
touring bikes vs softail
Was at my local dealer today who was having test rides on various 09 harleys. I decided to try out a touring bike. Only one available was the streetglide. I was impressed with it's power especially low end torque. Seemed like a lot more than my Heritage. But I found the shaky d shake very annoying and the seat wasn't anywhere near as comfortable as my Heritage. I was hoping to maybe "upgrade" to a tourer but I fear the softail has done spoiled me.
Tourer
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 374
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From: Royal Palm Beach, Fl.
I know what you mean......the best way I can describe it is that .....you "ride on" and Road King or Touring bike, but you "ride in" a Heritage. You know that feeling....when you climb on that Softail and just sink into that sweet spot...you just can't beat the ride!!!! JMHO.....but I am biased
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 122
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From: Uxbridge, MA
My first Harley was a '07 Electra Glide Classic. I picked it up new in May of 2007 and by July of this year, I put 9,100 miles on it. While I really liked the bike and loved the radio, I felt isolated from the road and that the bike was overkill for the way I was riding (commuting, long day trips and a couple of three days trip a year).
This past week I traded it for a '07 Fatboy with 4,600 miles. I've been riding it non stop. While it came with a windshield, it hasn't been on the bike since I've owned it. To me, this is what motorcycling is all about. Back to basics and fundamental.
LeonD
This past week I traded it for a '07 Fatboy with 4,600 miles. I've been riding it non stop. While it came with a windshield, it hasn't been on the bike since I've owned it. To me, this is what motorcycling is all about. Back to basics and fundamental.
LeonD
Club Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,404
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From: Haymarket, VA
I know what you mean......the best way I can describe it is that .....you "ride on" and Road King or Touring bike, but you "ride in" a Heritage. You know that feeling....when you climb on that Softail and just sink into that sweet spot...you just can't beat the ride!!!! JMHO.....but I am biased
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 3,718
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From: Punta Gorda,FL
My previous 2 bikes were touring models. I have had the Fat Boy for 2 years and much prefer riding it. If I was doing a lot of long distance traveling, it would be better on a touring model.
Tom
Tom
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Joined: Apr 2008
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Y'all are right. It is impossible to beat a softail when it comes to the ride. Hell, I did an iron butt on my heritage and wasn't sore or tired. I have added a Dragonfly to the heritage and completely love it. I have the great 'around town' ride and have the ability to ride across country in comfort, in style and with tunes. 
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 4,357
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From: The Lone Star State
Yeah, I agree you seem to be able to get in the groove on a softail. Sitting lower to the ground is where it's at IMHO. The tourers may be better for long hauls, but I've rode my fatty for 1800 miles in 4 days and 700 miles in a day and the guys on the tourers were just as tired as me. I want to get a little more low end and mid range grunt though, so I guess a big bore kit is in store.
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2007
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From: NJ
Yea, the dragonfly makes me wonder why the MoCo doesn't make a touring style bike with a softail frame. For those like myself who like the lower seat and hard mounted engine. I just did 2600 miles on my Heritage and it handled the bumps in the roads just fine so that's not a big issue for me.
Last edited by jimmers1817; Aug 10, 2008 at 05:58 AM.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,381
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This is the only Harley I've ever owned or ridden. Not my first bike though. It is the best riding bike I have ever been on. It's big but without all that fiberglass stuff hanging out everywhere blocking the wind. Love this bike.
Big Al
Big Al