Wide Glide or Softail Custom?
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Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 64
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RE: Wide Glide or Softail Custom?
First of all, don't forget that 04' and newer Sportsters are larger than the 03' and earlier years. I recently moved to an 07' Softail Heritage Classic (FLSTC) from an 05' Sportster 1200C. I found the Dyna's ride smoother than the 1200C but are not much larger. The Dyna WG has more rake than the other Dynas so a bit longer wheel base. The FX Softails don't compare to the FL Softails for ride, so if you're going to move up, move up to an FL Softail. You will find the FL Softails are much easier to ride than the Sportsters or Dynas, because they require much less ride input. I love my new Heritage, but I miss the "snap" and performance of my staged 1200C Sporty. I do not miss the 21" front tire. If my choice was between the WG or the Softail Custom, I'd take the Softail. My suggestion would be to keep the Sporty and buy the Softail, because you're going to miss the Sporty.
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6th Gear
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 13
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RE: Wide Glide or Softail Custom?
Thanks, everyone, so much. Your replies have been very helpful. One more question - don't go off on me too much - I've never ridden a Fat Boy. I sat on one yesterday, and the fit wasn't bad. Just wondering if I should even consider that - are the wide tires an advantage - less likely to lose traction on gravel?
Sorry, I really am not that familiar with the different bikes. I just like to ride!
I am leaning towards a WG at this point. It fits me best. I understand the Softail Custom could get close if I move the forward controls more forward.
Thanks again!
Mike
Sorry, I really am not that familiar with the different bikes. I just like to ride!
I am leaning towards a WG at this point. It fits me best. I understand the Softail Custom could get close if I move the forward controls more forward.
Thanks again!
Mike
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,513
Likes: 4
From: Midland, TX
RE: Wide Glide or Softail Custom?
Since you originally were choosing between the Wide Glide and Softail Custom, I'm not sure you would like the FL front of the Fatboy for no other reason than cosmetics. The Fatboy is a great ride though. Personally, I like the chopper look of bikes with the FX front.
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 711
Likes: 0
From: Syracuse, NY
RE: Wide Glide or Softail Custom?
Mike, Since you asked and you are the one that brought it up, get a Fat Boy. I did and I never looked back. About a month ago, I went to a "Demo Days" at a dealership and rode a Softail Custom. It was nice, very nice in fact. But I would never trade it and give up the FB. Just my 2 cents.
BA
BA
May our Moderator Rest in Peace
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 11,386
Likes: 35
From: Rochester, NY
RE: Wide Glide or Softail Custom?
IMHO the WG and the Softail are two sides of the same styling coin. They both have the same 21" front wheel and wide fork style. They both have the same style Bob tial rear fender.
Its the "in between" where things differ.
The oil tank and battery setup is different, the spring/shocks are different, the dash and gauge setup is different. The engine/tranny "looks" similar outwardly, inside is a different matter.
But the biggest difference, at least for me is the way they feel. The WG seems to be built for a taller or longer legged person. I'm very comfortable on a Softail with forward controls, but I can't reach (comfortably) the controls on a WG, or the ground for that matter.
The Softail seems to have been built as a more "laid back" style of bike, or even a factory "chopper". Not to say its a slug, its far from it. My Custom is plenty quick enough, for now. I just think of it as a bike that's built for a more relaxed riding style, and I happen to like the bigger 200mm tire setup better.
I think the WG might be a better bike for someone who likes the "chopper" look, but who likes a more agressive or even street racing riding style. Its slightly taller for better lean angles as well as being marginally lighter. The rear swing arm and sping/shock arrangment is better for twisting through hard corners and can handle more HP with less distortion.
You mentioned the Fatboy and to my thinking its kind of like a Hot Rod Lincoln. Its got the overall styling and some of an bulk of an FL. But for the extra weight of the FL front forks, and floorboards it would have the performance of Softail Standard, Custom, or Nightrain. In other words its a bagger minus the baggage. Might be a good choice if you like to go long distances but don't like a lot of extra stuff the bigger baggers have.
These are just "MY OPINIONS" based on my observations of the bikes in question. Others may, and often do differ.
Always remember that opinions are like Butts, everyone has one and they all stink.
Its the "in between" where things differ.
The oil tank and battery setup is different, the spring/shocks are different, the dash and gauge setup is different. The engine/tranny "looks" similar outwardly, inside is a different matter.
But the biggest difference, at least for me is the way they feel. The WG seems to be built for a taller or longer legged person. I'm very comfortable on a Softail with forward controls, but I can't reach (comfortably) the controls on a WG, or the ground for that matter.
The Softail seems to have been built as a more "laid back" style of bike, or even a factory "chopper". Not to say its a slug, its far from it. My Custom is plenty quick enough, for now. I just think of it as a bike that's built for a more relaxed riding style, and I happen to like the bigger 200mm tire setup better.
I think the WG might be a better bike for someone who likes the "chopper" look, but who likes a more agressive or even street racing riding style. Its slightly taller for better lean angles as well as being marginally lighter. The rear swing arm and sping/shock arrangment is better for twisting through hard corners and can handle more HP with less distortion.
You mentioned the Fatboy and to my thinking its kind of like a Hot Rod Lincoln. Its got the overall styling and some of an bulk of an FL. But for the extra weight of the FL front forks, and floorboards it would have the performance of Softail Standard, Custom, or Nightrain. In other words its a bagger minus the baggage. Might be a good choice if you like to go long distances but don't like a lot of extra stuff the bigger baggers have.
These are just "MY OPINIONS" based on my observations of the bikes in question. Others may, and often do differ.
Always remember that opinions are like Butts, everyone has one and they all stink.
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,323
Likes: 88
From: NJ
RE: Wide Glide or Softail Custom?
My second favorite bike is the Custom. I just love it's clean lines. I bought my favorite bike, the Heritage because I wanted bags and a windshield to ride back and forth to work, and make overnight stays a little easier. I have ridden a cust but never a WG. My guess is they would both be very close in comfort, so really it just comes down to which one you think looks better!
Thread Starter
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6th Gear
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
RE: Wide Glide or Softail Custom?
ORIGINAL: Citoriplus
IMHO the WG and the Softail are two sides of the same styling coin. They both have the same 21" front wheel and wide fork style. They both have the same style Bob tial rear fender.
Its the "in between" where things differ.
The oil tank and battery setup is different, the spring/shocks are different, the dash and gauge setup is different. The engine/tranny "looks" similar outwardly, inside is a different matter.
But the biggest difference, at least for me is the way they feel. The WG seems to be built for a taller or longer legged person. I'm very comfortable on a Softail with forward controls, but I can't reach (comfortably) the controls on a WG, or the ground for that matter.
The Softail seems to have been built as a more "laid back" style of bike, or even a factory "chopper". Not to say its a slug, its far from it. My Custom is plenty quick enough, for now. I just think of it as a bike that's built for a more relaxed riding style, and I happen to like the bigger 200mm tire setup better.
I think the WG might be a better bike for someone who likes the "chopper" look, but who likes a more agressive or even street racing riding style. Its slightly taller for better lean angles as well as being marginally lighter. The rear swing arm and sping/shock arrangment is better for twisting through hard corners and can handle more HP with less distortion.
You mentioned the Fatboy and to my thinking its kind of like a Hot Rod Lincoln. Its got the overall styling and some of an bulk of an FL. But for the extra weight of the FL front forks, and floorboards it would have the performance of Softail Standard, Custom, or Nightrain. In other words its a bagger minus the baggage. Might be a good choice if you like to go long distances but don't like a lot of extra stuff the bigger baggers have.
These are just "MY OPINIONS" based on my observations of the bikes in question. Others may, and often do differ.
Always remember that opinions are like Butts, everyone has one and they all stink.
IMHO the WG and the Softail are two sides of the same styling coin. They both have the same 21" front wheel and wide fork style. They both have the same style Bob tial rear fender.
Its the "in between" where things differ.
The oil tank and battery setup is different, the spring/shocks are different, the dash and gauge setup is different. The engine/tranny "looks" similar outwardly, inside is a different matter.
But the biggest difference, at least for me is the way they feel. The WG seems to be built for a taller or longer legged person. I'm very comfortable on a Softail with forward controls, but I can't reach (comfortably) the controls on a WG, or the ground for that matter.
The Softail seems to have been built as a more "laid back" style of bike, or even a factory "chopper". Not to say its a slug, its far from it. My Custom is plenty quick enough, for now. I just think of it as a bike that's built for a more relaxed riding style, and I happen to like the bigger 200mm tire setup better.
I think the WG might be a better bike for someone who likes the "chopper" look, but who likes a more agressive or even street racing riding style. Its slightly taller for better lean angles as well as being marginally lighter. The rear swing arm and sping/shock arrangment is better for twisting through hard corners and can handle more HP with less distortion.
You mentioned the Fatboy and to my thinking its kind of like a Hot Rod Lincoln. Its got the overall styling and some of an bulk of an FL. But for the extra weight of the FL front forks, and floorboards it would have the performance of Softail Standard, Custom, or Nightrain. In other words its a bagger minus the baggage. Might be a good choice if you like to go long distances but don't like a lot of extra stuff the bigger baggers have.
These are just "MY OPINIONS" based on my observations of the bikes in question. Others may, and often do differ.
Always remember that opinions are like Butts, everyone has one and they all stink.
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6th Gear
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
RE: Wide Glide or Softail Custom?
ORIGINAL: Heritage07
My second favorite bike is the Custom. I just love it's clean lines. I bought my favorite bike, the Heritage because I wanted bags and a windshield to ride back and forth to work, and make overnight stays a little easier. I have ridden a cust but never a WG. My guess is they would both be very close in comfort, so really it just comes down to which one you think looks better!
My second favorite bike is the Custom. I just love it's clean lines. I bought my favorite bike, the Heritage because I wanted bags and a windshield to ride back and forth to work, and make overnight stays a little easier. I have ridden a cust but never a WG. My guess is they would both be very close in comfort, so really it just comes down to which one you think looks better!
Mike
May our Moderator Rest in Peace
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 11,386
Likes: 35
From: Rochester, NY
RE: Wide Glide or Softail Custom?
ORIGINAL: mgellar
Thanks for the very detailed, informative response. I am leaning towards the WG as it fits me better. I inquired about a fatboy, which I have never ridden, just because of the wide front tire and wondering if that offered more control and safety, say if there was gravel on the road on a turn.
Thanks for the very detailed, informative response. I am leaning towards the WG as it fits me better. I inquired about a fatboy, which I have never ridden, just because of the wide front tire and wondering if that offered more control and safety, say if there was gravel on the road on a turn.
Its always been my opinion and practice to try to avoid places like that whenever possible. If I can't, I go through them at a deliberate, constant pace as straight as possible.
Its my opinion that developing some good common sense riding habits early will probably serve you far better in the long run than putting any kind of trust in any particular tire size.
Get the bike that fits your taste and riding style, most of all take what everyone else tells you as "advise", nothing more.
Get the bike YOU like. Its going to be YOUR bike, not mine, not Joe Crotch Rocket's down the block.
You are the only one that has to be happy with it so get what you want, and make it yours. That's one of the fun parts of Harley's, there's SO many goodies out there for them, and to hell with what anyone else thinks or says.
Then when you get it go find a big open parking lot and take your sweet time learning how it handles overall so you can ride it safely. Learn its little quarks, they all have some, and how to deal with them. Do it right and if you keep an eye out for stupid cagers the two of you should enjoy a long a pleasent and incident free riding life together.