Why did Harley stop making the Softail Standard (or Custom)?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 100,455
Likes: 19,811
From: Centennial, CO
Agreed. The Standard and others like it were/are a classic chopper look.
Having said that, I like what Jreichart is doing to his ride. But that is what it's all about!
Making it yours.
Having said that, I like what Jreichart is doing to his ride. But that is what it's all about!
Making it yours.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,636
Likes: 1,208
From: Ohio
I always like the FXSTC and FXSTB. I had a 2003 FXSTB and I should have kept it...bike was killer. But, a lot of guys complain about the bobtail fender and the small diameter forks look a little dated. Conversely, the 49 mm forks on the new Wide Glide look killer. I wish they would bring back the Night Train with 49 mm forks.
Thread Starter
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 3,747
Likes: 5
From: Central Cali
I always like the FXSTC and FXSTB. I had a 2003 FXSTB and I should have kept it...bike was killer. But, a lot of guys complain about the bobtail fender and the small diameter forks look a little dated. Conversely, the 49 mm forks on the new Wide Glide look killer. I wish they would bring back the Night Train with 49 mm forks.
Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 236
Likes: 113
From: Georgia
The so-called "Chopper craze" has pretty much died out, or come and gone at least in this country.
Look at Big Dog, Titan, Texas Choppers, Thunder Mountain to name a few.
Even OCC has been canceled. I mean geez. LOLOL.
I think that the only one that is left is Big Dog now, and I'm sure their sales suck compared to where they used to be.
Look at Big Dog, Titan, Texas Choppers, Thunder Mountain to name a few.
Even OCC has been canceled. I mean geez. LOLOL.
I think that the only one that is left is Big Dog now, and I'm sure their sales suck compared to where they used to be.
Even Big Dog has been reduced to just producing parts, they dont build bikes any longer.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 3,453
Likes: 249
Gotta say I don't mind the bobtail fender, I just wish Harleys had used less metal and made it a bit smaller and shorter so it did away with the overhang, as for classic the bike on the right has the typical classic Bobtail fender.
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 398
Likes: 0
From: pittsburgh, pa
i have an 06 softail standard and wont sell it till i need a geezer glide which im 30 so that wont be for quite a few years. i agree with everyone here the fxst was one of harleys best bikes. it was easily customized. I loved the night train too but couldnt see paying 2 grand for paint on the motor when i was just going to customize the bike anyhow so bars and such didnt matter to me. i dont know why they got rid of it for all these new fangled "custom bikes" but they did. im pretty sure it was for the rubs who didnt want to get their hands dirty doing their own customization to the perfect starting platform. but hey its gone. to me the 06 was the perfect year twin cam reliable motor, last year of the carb and first year of the 200 tire. thats why i bought one. i was going to build my exact bike from scratch but harley actually read my mind for once and went with the perfect starter bike for me.
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 398
Likes: 0
From: pittsburgh, pa
damn those are two nice pans. really love the black and orange flame one.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 66,948
Likes: 4,573
From: TOAK western branch
Right up there with wondering why they stopped making the Wideglide! Definitely a favorite of mine.
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 3,217
Likes: 90
From: Detroit
Marketing, marketing, marketing, just like women's clothing. If Harley doesn't keep changing the fashion, and a few other things, people won't need to by new ones.
Harleys don't really go out of style, but if you think they do, then you're Harley's ideal customer.
Bikes like the panheads in Magna's picture are timeless, and take us back too our roots, when you'd see how much you could take off a bike, rather than how much junk you could hang on it.
Also, a major part of Harley's market now is aging baby boomers, who are looking for comfort and convenience more than a lean and stripped-down bike. Doesn't mean the other bikes have gone out of style, or ever will.
Harleys don't really go out of style, but if you think they do, then you're Harley's ideal customer.
Bikes like the panheads in Magna's picture are timeless, and take us back too our roots, when you'd see how much you could take off a bike, rather than how much junk you could hang on it.
Also, a major part of Harley's market now is aging baby boomers, who are looking for comfort and convenience more than a lean and stripped-down bike. Doesn't mean the other bikes have gone out of style, or ever will.
Last edited by Warp Factor; Dec 27, 2012 at 08:47 AM.
Tourer
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 496
Likes: 46
From: Columbia sc
The first NEW Harley I bought was an FXST, first year 1984 model. I put low rider wheels with a little taller rear tire on it and it was perfect for me! It was one of the first ones on the floor at Vics HD in Augusta Ga and I had to have it the instant I saw it. It rode and handled like a dream compared to anything else I had ridden and it still ranks as the favorite of all the bikes I've had, even considering the outdated 4 speed and chain drive.
