With a removeable bag setup on the softail you have the best of both worlds...storage and a visible back end. With the bags off the bike looks cleaner withoput the visible shocks. If you remove the bags on a RK you're left with the brackets and the shocks showing.

 

The King is a great highway bike but if the majority of your riding is on the backwoods twisties than a ST is a better fit. In fact I got rid of my King because 90% of my riding was under 50MPH and that rubber mounted dance was enough to numb my wrists in under 40 mins. I like the balanced twin in the ST for my style of riding. If I decide to do more long distance touring, I might consider getting another King, but I suspect it will be a SG, perhaps an RG.

 

You gotta ride both to know.

 

love my tail.....

 

One thing I like about a softail bagger is that the bags don't have the cutouts for the shocks. A little more room goes a long way when your stuffing tons of crap in the bags.

 

I went to the Harley dealer and sat on every bike in the showroom. I really had no Idea what I wanted but the one thing I knew for sure is that I wanted to feel comfortable. When I sat on the deluxe I felt like I was part of the bike and I of course loved the entire look and profile. I bought the bike without ever even riding it. Took a real chance on that. When I rode it home everything just felt right and good about the ride I knew I made the right choice. IMHO I believe this is all about personal choice comfort and preference not about the visability of a set of shocks.

 

Yeah, without the bags it does look nice for sure…. I guess I haven’t seen many people detach their bags and ride it with the rear end open like that. I guess that’s the draw to the new CVO convertible………

Ok, just wondering…… some of these were points that I wasn’t aware of. Riding a Dyna I would have to question the rubber mounted engine making any difference at any speed above idle, but I can’t say that I’ve ridden a b motor to know the difference either.

I just know a guy like my cousin would never make the effort to make his bags detachable and I think he’s probably more the general rule than the exception as far as that goes – so, I thought I would ask and see if there were any really major points to it that I wasn’t seeing on my own.

Personally, I’m too damn short for anything but the Street Bob, but if I could make a Road Glide fit me – that might be the bike I would choose other than what I have……..and I know people HATE the Road Glide with a passion. I understand it’s all about your personal preference.

 

I don't own a Softail; I have an Ultra but I spent a whole day riding a Heritage a week ago so I now have a good comparison. While the ride on the Softail wasn't anywhere near what the touring ride was in terms of comfort the small nimble feel of the Softail was really nice; and as others have said you do sit "in" the bike. The Touring bikes are wider and more difficult for inseam challenged riders. Also, the difference in the motor was really nice at idle where it was smooth as glass. The touring frame bikes are smoother on the road but that's to be expected. The Softail is less expensive than the Road King Classic as well. As far as looks go; a Softail stripped of its bags/shield looks better than a King, which will give you the look you are talking about. Bottom line: They feel different and that preference will change from person to person.

 

The bags on the RK cannot be removed. At least not if you've see what's behind them. Lower profile of the softail and balanced engine.

 

Couple of buddies have RKs and they are great for the long hwy trips. I have a fat Boy, and although not quite as cushy on the hwy, still a nice ride, the around town handling is great though!

If I didn't pay so much frigin taxes every time I turned around.... I'd be haven both for sure!

Regards,
Larry