. Try a few Softails and see what you like. Welcome to the Softail family, you can't beat it.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 5,444
Likes: 104
From: Near Joliet, Illinois
If you want to break them (the Softails) down into groups.
There are three distinctly different base groupings.
The FLST's like the Fatboy, Deluxe, and the Heritage with fat tires at both ends.
Then you have the FXST's like the Nightrain and the Custom with the skinny front and 200mm fat rear tire.
And finally the Rocker and CVO's with the skinny front tire and really fat (240mm) rears.
Each 'grouping' has its own unique riding or handling characteristics, but within their 'group' they are mechanically the same bike with just trim, paint, and chrome parts changes.
The exception to that in the FLST's 'might' be the Heritage and its only because of the windshield. It has one and the others do not. Windshields are great for long rides in the country. Where they can help keep the wind and bugs off you. But on days where there are high cross winds some people don't care for the way it can get 'blown' around.
The FXST's are basically bar hoppers and day cruisers. Good looking and great fun to ride, but not as well suited to the long haul. There's nothing wrong with them, they can do it, their just not as well suited to the task.
The Rocker's and CVO bike's are another story altogether, They are the cruise night and bar bikes of the bunch. Again, nothing wrong with them and I imagine they (being largely the same as the other FXST's mechanically) they could well be riding all over the country (or world). I just don't see them as being as well suited to the task.
Like they said, sit on them all and pick the one that you like best. Its hard to make a bad choice in the Softail line. Unless your looking to beat the kids on the rice burning crotch rockets through the twisties.
While I may not be able to beat them through the turns on my Custom, I won't need a chiropractor to help me stand up straight after an afternoon of riding either.
There are three distinctly different base groupings.
The FLST's like the Fatboy, Deluxe, and the Heritage with fat tires at both ends.
Then you have the FXST's like the Nightrain and the Custom with the skinny front and 200mm fat rear tire.
And finally the Rocker and CVO's with the skinny front tire and really fat (240mm) rears.
Each 'grouping' has its own unique riding or handling characteristics, but within their 'group' they are mechanically the same bike with just trim, paint, and chrome parts changes.
The exception to that in the FLST's 'might' be the Heritage and its only because of the windshield. It has one and the others do not. Windshields are great for long rides in the country. Where they can help keep the wind and bugs off you. But on days where there are high cross winds some people don't care for the way it can get 'blown' around.
The FXST's are basically bar hoppers and day cruisers. Good looking and great fun to ride, but not as well suited to the long haul. There's nothing wrong with them, they can do it, their just not as well suited to the task.
The Rocker's and CVO bike's are another story altogether, They are the cruise night and bar bikes of the bunch. Again, nothing wrong with them and I imagine they (being largely the same as the other FXST's mechanically) they could well be riding all over the country (or world). I just don't see them as being as well suited to the task.
Like they said, sit on them all and pick the one that you like best. Its hard to make a bad choice in the Softail line. Unless your looking to beat the kids on the rice burning crotch rockets through the twisties.
While I may not be able to beat them through the turns on my Custom, I won't need a chiropractor to help me stand up straight after an afternoon of riding either.
Thread Starter
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 5,444
Likes: 104
From: Near Joliet, Illinois
Naw she has riding in her blood but she just can't any longer after 7 spine surgeries. That is why I'm going to just one bike now. Will seem funny after10 years of riding together. How ever I will get used to it in a mile or so.
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,597
Likes: 3
From: Inland Empire, So Cal
+1.....same here. I rented a Road King and a Heritage and put 300+ (2up)miles on each of them before I made the decision. The decision was easy at that point. Wife and I both agreed that the Heritage was the best. The only thing I liked better on the Road King was the brakes.
Softails are great machines and don't let anyone tell you that you won't want tour on one. I have put over 10,000 miles in four months of riding on my 09 Heritage including 500+ mile days with no problems. I would recommend an FL Softail though so that you at least get the touring front end. Makes long highway rides a piece of cake.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 5,257
Likes: 6
From: Leander Texas
i picked the bike that road the best and what i wanted to do with for mods. i liked the radial tires and i wanted tubeless. as far as fit you can change most bikes to fit you. mine only required a different seat and moving the handle bars closer.
Thread Starter
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 5,444
Likes: 104
From: Near Joliet, Illinois
Ok so now over the next 3-4 weeks I will be renting a Fatboy, Heritage,and a Deluxe to see which will work best for me. Will post when I make the decision on which works out best for me. Thanks for all you help.
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