I am considering purchasing a 2007 Springer and would like some feedback from some of the owners. How is the ride quality with the springer front end? Is it an every day rider? Is it comfortable on long rides? I love the look of the springer but heard the maintenance on the front end is expensive. I currently own a 2010 Heritage and enjoy my ride.

 

I have both a Heritage Springer and a Heritage Classic. The Springer is a little bit heavier at the front but not really noticeable except when lifting the bike off the kickstand. 88 motor with 5 gears is different. Great bike and somebody always comes to talk to me about it.

 

The front ends are heavier because its almost all solid metals. It's most noticeable at REALLY slow speeds like say, through a parking lot. That said, it's not anything that you can't get used to. I learned on a Springer and I can't imagine that I had a harder time than anyone else who doesn't ride a Springer.

I used to commute on mine everyday over 80 miles one way but I can't imagine that that front end really is a factor in how comfortable it is or isn't for daily riding as much as the seat, bars or other such components are. I still commute on it about twice a week for that distance but have had to rely on my car more lately because of time constraints (I wear full riding gear to ride and sometimes I just don't have the extra 5-10 minutes it takes to suit up before riding).

It's a common notion that Springers are more expensive to maintain. This is certainly true if you are one of those types that rides your bike into the dealership every time a bulb on it goes out. However, if you're like me and many others who ride motorcycles and don't mind turning your own wrench then owning a Springer isn't any more expensive than any other model. The main difference is that most Harley's are scheduled to be maintained every 5k miles. In addition to that, Springers require that you check the neck bearing every 2500 miles. So people who own them and have them serviced by someone else find themselves taking them to the shop twice as often. However, doing this check is really easy and requires only one specialty tool that can be had for $45. It's something you can do while you are detailing your bike and shouldn't really be any reason to spend any more money than the owners of non-Springer models.

The other part that has to be checked on the front end is the rocker bearings and that doesn't have to be done but once every 10k miles. This is a little more involved but still doable by someone with a bit of know how. Even so, if you have to take it into the shop for this then it can just be balled up with every other 5k maintenance visit.

 

You're gonna have to let me pick your brain on those Carlinis. I want a set for mine once I change the look up a bit but have had some reservations, mostly concerning which style to go with and how they are made at the ends where the controls clamp on.

 

One last look (possible) at my 2008 Bones in it's current iteration. I recently purchased a Softail Slim rear wheel and am looking for a fender to fit with it. Will be looking to paint all the tins and maybe switch the style of tank badges plus do an overall batch of powder coating including blacking out some of the engine covers. Still tossing paint schemes around and debating on whether to in fact do tank badges or maybe do a custom hand painted job myself (I'm quite the artist but have never done such work).

 

One last look (possible) at my 2008 Bones in it's current iteration. I recently purchased a Softail Slim rear wheel and am looking for a fender to fit with it. Will be looking to paint all the tins and maybe switch the style of tank badges, new muffler, plus do an overall batch of powder coating including blacking out some of the engine covers. Still tossing paint schemes around and debating on whether to in fact do tank badges or maybe do a custom hand painted job myself (I'm quite the artist but have never done such work).

 

Sheez, I appreciate your feedback. The springer look is just so ole skool, I can't resist purchasing the bike, other than my wife giving me the thumbs down. I will see what happens after the test ride.

 

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BadBagger,

In addition to all of the great info already provided about Springer's, after owning/riding one for 8 years, I wanted to also say that the rebound is different than a traditional front end.

I ride hard and aggressive most of the time, and there has been a couple of times that the Springer front end threw me an unexpected surprise. Think it is a combination of the additional unsprung weight in the front end, the spring characteristics (rebound) and the lack of rack on these Springer's.

Normal riding isn't an issue, but there is a reason you do not see these Springer front ends on Ducati's at the track...LOL! They are not the best handling front suspensions on the market.

That said, I really enjoy riding it and will continue to have it in the stable.

Be safe and enjoy!

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1990 but new to me.

 

There is a reason you son't see Harley's of any kind on that track with Ducati's. That reason has little to do with the front end of the bike.

That said, in my experience, a properly maintained wide-tire softail Springer (FLS not FXS) with a quality front shock handles better than any hydraulic front ended softail I have ever ridden. A touring-framed Harley will be more stable/easy to ride on long straight super-slab highway, but will not be as fun on the street or in the curves.

I recommend you consider a Works front shock on your 2007 FLSTSC. You will not believe it is the same front end. The factory shock, unfortunately, wears out very quickly. Its degradation really affects the performance of the front suspension. Many/most folks with Springers are riding around with a failed front shock.

Ride safe!