Been shopping around for a touring bike for some time but can't seem to do it considering the fact that I also want a night train. Has anyone done any touring on a 07 or later night train? and how bad is the vibration from the balanced, rigid mounted 96?

 

I just got back off a 4300 mile trip on my FXSTC and I loved it. Throw some detachable bags on it and a detachable windshield and you have a super bike thats more than ready for some serious riding...take the bags and windshield off and you're back to a sleek cruiser.

 

The question is "are you ready for a geezer glide?"
only you can decide rent em go to the factory test rides.
I was thinking of a street glide and ended up on a rocker c
after having a Hertiage Softial for 14 years.

they are all nice see what fits & go go go!!!!

 

I just traded my Street Glide in on a Cross Bones. I go about 12,000 miles a year and EVERYONE said don't do it you will be sorry. I have already put a few hundred miles on my new bike and haven't looked back.

Look, it really depends on the rider. The local HOG chapter does a mileage contest every year. The winner: A guy riding a 2003 Sportster 883. 3.3 gallon tank, non-rubber mounted motor, no windshield. He rides 30,000 miles a year!!!!

Any Softail can be created into a touring machine on short notice. This is the beauty of the Softail family. My Street Glide had that fairing on it ALL YEAR LONG!!! UGH!!!

 

The only time I would say a softail would be a disadvantage over a touring, would be riding two up. Softails do ride harder loaded with a passenger. They don't vibrate enough to talk about with the "B" motors.

 

Smoooth IMHO, but just for shts and gIgGLeS take one out for a test ride. Some tails are more sensitive than others.

 

Thanks for the info. The touring bike I have been looking at is the RKC... white-walls, removable windshield, and low prifile make it a decent blvd cruiser and tourer, just not sure I want more tourer than blvd cruiser. Has anyone ridden the Night Train with a windshield? Experiences?

 

My '06 NT came with a quick detach windshield and I used it once. Too much helmet buffeting and I don't plan on using it again. That being said, I didn't buy the NT for the windshield look. When I went to the local HD dealer and drove everything they had, I still ended up liking the Train better than the Street Glide. I don't like the vibration at idle and even at 70mph on the freeway. My friends say I am nuts, but it's all about personal preference.

 

Now that my Heritage has the stock susp back in it AND the Mustang seat, I've done a few 300+ mi days w/little or no effort. If that was ALL I was doing all the time, yes, I'd bite the bullet and get a Bagger. Some of my rides are just 50 mi shortys (or to work)
Can't justify a new motorcycle at the moment.

I have different height windshields for summer or winter. Chrome wind deflectors for the forks for wintertime and soft lowers for the eng/guard. I've also added a luggage rack and I have one of those Harley bobtail rack luggage bags (Nylon w/the leather "looking" lid for $40 on ebay)

I run the Chubby 518's. All in all my bike is pretty damn comfortable.

 

I have a 07 Softail Custom and there's no vibration to speak of, NONE compared to the Touring models that don't have the balanced engine... rubber mount or not. Like some of the others, I didn't want all the fairings & bags mounted up full-time for all my local day tripping around locally, but you can dress a Softail up with as much of that long-haul stuff as you want if you're going to go long distance. I've taken several 300-400mi days this summer and I think the Softail is plenty comfy. Rent or test a few different models and see what works for ya. Cheers!