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I like the idea of having a softail with detachable bags and fairing. May not be the same ride for long distance though. I guess it depends on the kind of touring you plan to do. But being able to take it all off and ride nekkid around town works for me.
A Touring bike is much more nimble than a Softail (hard to believe, but it's true). Not only that, but the Touring's rear shocks are pointed in the right direction, so the ride is far more comfortable.
That said, if I had to pick one bike only, at my age (41) and with the amount of riding I do (also about 20,000 miles a year), I'd stick with my Night Train. As much as I may bitch about it on long trips, for all other riding I prefer the more elemental ride that it gives me.
But you'll be stunned at how much better your EG handles at low speeds than any Softail.
I agree a lot with what 159 is saying here.I've rode a couple 2010 street glides recently and while I think I want one it's not screaming at me to spend the money yet.The radio and bags would be nice on a long trip but I've been doing 5-600 miles weekends on the Train for 4 years now and get along just fine.The SG is easy to ride slow and in tight spots.The one thing that I don't think I can get over after softails and rigids for so long is the feeling of sitting on top of the bike as compared to in it. no comparison there that the softy gives me a much more confident feel of the road.I'm gonna rent one for a weekend here soon and take a longer ride to see if that will change my mind.G.
I've had a lot of trouble with this decision because I loved my Softails, but always *thought* I needed a touring bike. Either because I was "getting old" or because I needed the storage capacity or the comfort or whatever. Every time I bought one, I lost my love of riding after a month. Since I'm kinda dumb, I had to repeat this lesson several times.
Motorcycling is not about practicality. If we were practical, we'd be driving minivans.
Motorcycling is about passion. It's about what gives your soul a woodie. So ride what you love and deal with the inconvenience.
And remember, too much comfort makes you weak, too much convenience makes you a slave, and too much safety leaves you without joy.
AMEN !!!!!!!!!!!! Nice way of putting that. I have a 07 Fatboyand went real close to buying s SG, I love the look of the SG, but like you said it's not about having bags and a fairing, true the bags part is a very nice item, BUT the fun of a Softail is you can strip her down to nothing and get the badass look, VS your stuck with the fairing and bags on a SG, or EG.
Originally Posted by apehair
09,
I've had a lot of trouble with this decision because I loved my Softails, but always *thought* I needed a touring bike. Either because I was "getting old" or because I needed the storage capacity or the comfort or whatever. Every time I bought one, I lost my love of riding after a month. Since I'm kinda dumb, I had to repeat this lesson several times.
Motorcycling is not about practicality. If we were practical, we'd be driving minivans.
Motorcycling is about passion. It's about what gives your soul a woodie. So ride what you love and deal with the inconvenience.
And remember, too much comfort makes you weak, too much convenience makes you a slave, and too much safety leaves you without joy.
Depends on the type of ridding you do. Just got rid of my 07 SG great bike on the open road but I like to sit in my bike not on it. Im back on the Softails again but have plans to build a touring Softail air ride custom bagger.
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