Howdy,

Planning a big trip from SF to Phoneix / Grand Canyon etc. in a couple of weeks (riding in the early mornings only) with a ladden deluxe. Will adjust the shocks ans such.

Has anyone taken extensive tours with their Deluxe or other softails? Feels really comfortable on 3-4 hour trips.

Any suggestions or things I should be aware of? How is the deluxe for touring?

thanks,

Arthur

 

Your Deluxe should be fine, especially 1 up. Two up might be a little less comfortable.

Wife and I rode her 2001 Heritage (same basic bike) from Jerome, Az. to Bloomfield, NM a couple of years ago. It wasn't great comfort with both of us, but not bad. We made about 450 miles that day, so you should have no problems.

Regards,

Bill

 

The only problem I would have would be trying to get that goofy grin off my face after a great trip like that!

 

rode 400 miles a few weeks ago. no problem at all. just sit back and relax and enjoy the ride!!

 

I went up to the soap lake rally in Washington State last year on my 05 Deluxe. It was almost 100 degrees most of the way. All the leather was off and it was a fun trip. I found the seat to be quite uncomfortable after 3-4 hours in the saddle. Stopped often to walk a little. Rode two up with a full tour pack on the back. No adjustments to the shocks but followed the manual for the extra air in the tires. 40 psi rear, 35 front, I believe.

I am retired so not as tough as you young bucks so I intend to swap out the seat to find a better touring model. The deluxe seat does not have much padding since it is much lower to the ground, thats one way they do it. The heirtage seat is much more comfortable. Harley has a new sundowner two up seat listed for $325 on the web site, I intend to buy that. A good back brace belt, Kidney Belt, and a gel pad on the seat has helped me a lot.

Rented a new 05 heirtage while in Kauai, Hawaii recently and found the bike to be much more comfortable for two up riding. The heirtage softail is designed for touring, the others are , I hate to say this, more of a "city bike". My friends with the Road King Touring bikes kind of laugh at me. They say there is a great deal of difference on long distance rides between the softails and the touring bikes.

But you have to admit the Deluxe is the best looking bike in the bunch. In my humbel opinion.

 

If you want to save some money, don't buy the new Sundowner seat for the Deluxe, Let me explain. The New Deluxe is no different then the regular Sundowner that's $26 cheaper. Your paying for the matching weave pattern that matches the weave pattern on the bags, windshield bag and original seat. [:@] But the Sundowner from 2000 listed below (51576-00) also fits the Deluxe when you buy the right bracket for $14. Here are the links.

Here is the New Sundowner seat for the Deluxe, #51841-06 $325 Link


Here is the Sundowner seat for Softails, #51841-06 $299 Link


Here is the Sundowner seat that I bought at the Stealer, #51576-00 $239 Link


When you click the link, it takes you to item # 51468-06 for $269. Search the web for 51576-00, it's on closeout and I bought mine for 20% off for a net of $191.96. You'll need mounting bracket 51799-06 for it to fit the Deluxe, but you'll save a bunch of money.

As for the original question, I rode to Sturgis last year, 652 miles one way all in one day, on my Deluxe after I purchased the Corbin Young Guns seat, what a great solo seat. The better half and I ride 200 miles in one day every weekend two-up with the Sundowner without a problem.

Here are pics, it's why I love the Deluxe, I can take the detachable windshield and sissy bar off, loosen one screw and swap out the seats and I go from touring to cruiser in 4 minutes.

 

went solo camping in the U.P. last year...anything that touches paint will scuff it up

 

First, I have to agree the stock seat on the 06 Deluxe isn't terrible, but isn't great either. Apparently the stock passenger pillion is unusable. I replaced stock seat and pillion with the sundowner, and it is a big improvement. Arthur, I don't know if you're riding two-up but if you are number two will thank you. We do about 200 miles every weekend, no complaints.

RetroHarley, I wish I had seen your post before I bought my sundowner. Looks like you could have save me some cash. I like the look of that corbin too. What did that run you? And which pipes are those? Do you have any problems with them dragging? I find myself dragging my floor boards now and then.

Thanks,
DC

 

The Corbin is the Young Guns that I bought last July for around $359 minus my 10% HOG discount. The pipes are V&H Longshots and I put them on over the winter. Since April I have not dragged them once, I must not be turning right.

 

Um yeah Retro, if thats your old lady in your avatar and she's been a pain lately, send her to Nevada ive got an extra bed (no I dont) and im a real understanding guy. [sm=alcoholic.gif]