A Few Softail Custom questions
Here are my questions:
1. I noticed that the Custom has a VERY narrow front tire (which with the forks is what I love about the look of the bike), but how does that affect handling/steering?
2. I will be riding some trips with my brother here and there, but primarily I'll be using it to ride to work and back (which is 5 miles from my house). Between the Heritage and Custom which would be more comfortable/fun for the type of riding I'll be doing?
3. You folks that own a custom how comfortable are they are extended rides? We plan on riding for two hours and taking breaks, but I was just curious.
4. Does a windshield on a custom help a lot for fatigue?
1. I noticed that the Custom has a VERY narrow front tire (which with the forks is what I love about the look of the bike), but how does that affect handling/steering?
2. I will be riding some trips with my brother here and there, but primarily I'll be using it to ride to work and back (which is 5 miles from my house). Between the Heritage and Custom which would be more comfortable/fun for the type of riding I'll be doing?
3. You folks that own a custom how comfortable are they are extended rides? We plan on riding for two hours and taking breaks, but I was just curious.
4. Does a windshield on a custom help a lot for fatigue?
Bottom line, I don't think you can go wrong with either bike.
If you like the look of the custom, go for it. Meaning... don't let the 21" front tire worry you. I have a Wide Glide, with the same tire. It will follow the pavement grooves until you replace it with a new Metzeler 880me.
Thread Starter
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Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
Ok you Custom folks won me over. The wife just wants me happy (God bless her) I'll just get different pegs if she's not happy with the stock ones.
Just wish I didn't have to wait to get one. I want to get our Van paid off first, but I could always get a second job I guess.
Just wish I didn't have to wait to get one. I want to get our Van paid off first, but I could always get a second job I guess.
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,635
Likes: 58
From: Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
I've got about 31k on my '08 FXSTC, loving every mile.
Not enough ruts, bridge grates, grooves cut into the road, etc. to worry about them.
21" front tire handles them just fine.
I live in Tx., been on long trips (Key West, Sturgis twice, all over Co., Big Bend and more) and never had one complaint about the bike.
Makes a great solo touring machine.
Not enough ruts, bridge grates, grooves cut into the road, etc. to worry about them.
21" front tire handles them just fine.
I live in Tx., been on long trips (Key West, Sturgis twice, all over Co., Big Bend and more) and never had one complaint about the bike.
Makes a great solo touring machine.
Last edited by silvrbill; Aug 30, 2009 at 03:46 PM.
R.I.P. BROTHER
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 3,076
Likes: 6
From: Colorado Springs
I'm really suprised after reading this thread how the skinny tire crew really came out strong....
I'm a skinny tire guy and dig it.
The neat thing about these bikes is how you can turn a skinny tire bike into a fatty and vice versa. These softails are literally like lego's. That being said I have no issues with the skinny tire.....I'm almost certain I'll go for a fat front tire no fender look at some point down the road but for now I'm cool with skinny.
The biggest deal is gonna be seat and bar choice. The wrong seat or bar choice makes for a long grueling ride. A good seat and set of bars that fit you makes for a much more comfortable ride for you and the miss'es.
Ride both and choose wisely. Any softails a good softail....IMO its just a matter of what you wanna start off on.
I'm a skinny tire guy and dig it.
The neat thing about these bikes is how you can turn a skinny tire bike into a fatty and vice versa. These softails are literally like lego's. That being said I have no issues with the skinny tire.....I'm almost certain I'll go for a fat front tire no fender look at some point down the road but for now I'm cool with skinny.
The biggest deal is gonna be seat and bar choice. The wrong seat or bar choice makes for a long grueling ride. A good seat and set of bars that fit you makes for a much more comfortable ride for you and the miss'es.
Ride both and choose wisely. Any softails a good softail....IMO its just a matter of what you wanna start off on.
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 341
Likes: 0
From: Ft Leonard Wood
Sweet bike
I was evenly torn between the Fat Boy and the Custom...wife said the custom was more comfortable for her so that is what we got and I love it!! Got it last year and just never get tired of riding it. Only thing is that my wife wants a bigger sissy bar so that she can lean back farther but that is small in the grand scheme of things....
When I know its not gonna rain I take off the front fender....combined with my turn signals moved down on the frame it gives it a badder chopper look. Really dig it...hit the rain though and you get that rooster tail.
Pretty comfortable ride for me on long trips. I'm 6'2" and just rest my legs over the pegs and stretch out. The seat ROCKS....just want the same seat a little taller for my wife.
I have to ride on gravel almost everyday for work and the front tire gives me no problems except with fresh gravel....then I'm a little more careful.
The windshield.....never really thought of it....just got a full helmet for downpours....
Great bike and I highly recommend it to everyone...
When I know its not gonna rain I take off the front fender....combined with my turn signals moved down on the frame it gives it a badder chopper look. Really dig it...hit the rain though and you get that rooster tail.
Pretty comfortable ride for me on long trips. I'm 6'2" and just rest my legs over the pegs and stretch out. The seat ROCKS....just want the same seat a little taller for my wife.
I have to ride on gravel almost everyday for work and the front tire gives me no problems except with fresh gravel....then I'm a little more careful.
The windshield.....never really thought of it....just got a full helmet for downpours....
Great bike and I highly recommend it to everyone...
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Tourer
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 279
Likes: 1
From: WV
The narrow tire does not handle nearly has well as a wider one (I changed to a 120/70/21 made a big difference).
As for the long trips, do your a$$ a favor and get a sundowner or mustang seat. My stock seat would have me sore after 30 minutes.
As for the long trips, do your a$$ a favor and get a sundowner or mustang seat. My stock seat would have me sore after 30 minutes.
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 786
Likes: 0
From: Edmonton, AB.
Before I bought my custom I had a lot of advice to stay away from the skinny tire on our brutal Canadian roads. Apparently, I'm also going to die the first time I hit a gopher. Well, I have to say that I have yet to have an issue with road snakes or gophers. My previous bike was a metric with a fat front tire that seemed to grab the snakes worse than my custom.
I second the comment about adding a windvest if you need to get a windshield. They work great and look good on the custom. Check e-bay for deals. I found mine for $100 shipped.
I second the comment about adding a windvest if you need to get a windshield. They work great and look good on the custom. Check e-bay for deals. I found mine for $100 shipped.