Touring to Softail?
Thread Starter
|
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,922
Likes: 3,056
From: USA
Touring to Softail?
Greetings all. I have an 09 Street Glide. Great bike but I haven't found that perfect comfortable position between seat and handlebars. I was going to put on a set of mini-apes that would entail changing the wires and cables. A buddy of mine suggested I sit on his Heritage and man, I loved it. I went from a sportster (still have it) to my SG, but now I am thinking instead of dumping about $1200 into my SG, maybe I should get a new Heritage (I just paid off my SG so I would have that available as a trade or $ from a private sale). So I am looking for some feedback from people who have switched from a touring bike to a softail. I am 5'08", 210 lbs ("Big Boned" not fat) with a 30' inseam. Thanks for your replies.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 4,177
Likes: 62
From: Michigan
There are a few guys here that have went from tourers to softails and I am one of them. I rode tourers for over five years (09 RKC and 11 ultra limited) and they were great touring motorcycles. I had never rode a softail before and I got the tourers because my wife wanted to ride with me which was also the reason we got into Harleys in the first place. After awhile my wife decide she didn't really like riding long distances and said we should check the softails.
I had came to this very forum and used the search option to find out how the owners liked their softails and I found out that most softail owners seem to love their rides and I hardly ever seen any complaints. That told me a lot so I scheduled a test ride at my local dealer. I test rode the only softail they had available which was a fatboy lo. It wasn't long into the test ride I knew I had to have a softail. I ended getting two softails and one of them is the 2013 softail heritage classic you see in my sig. The heritage is the easiest, smoothest, and most nimble bike I have ever ridden. I have done ten hour trips and short city trips and it is amazing at both.
I would recommend you test ride the heritage first and see if it fits you because in the end that's all that matter. Best of luck bro
I had came to this very forum and used the search option to find out how the owners liked their softails and I found out that most softail owners seem to love their rides and I hardly ever seen any complaints. That told me a lot so I scheduled a test ride at my local dealer. I test rode the only softail they had available which was a fatboy lo. It wasn't long into the test ride I knew I had to have a softail. I ended getting two softails and one of them is the 2013 softail heritage classic you see in my sig. The heritage is the easiest, smoothest, and most nimble bike I have ever ridden. I have done ten hour trips and short city trips and it is amazing at both.
I would recommend you test ride the heritage first and see if it fits you because in the end that's all that matter. Best of luck bro
didn't switch from a Touring bike to a Softail, but I can vouch for the comfort of a Heritage. I take mine on both short and long trips. Handles very well on the highway (where I use my windshield) as well as the local back roads (without windshield). HAve spent many hours on it without aching arms or a sore a$$. Can't imagine a more versatile bike. Good luck with your decision!
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 810
Likes: 24
From: Arkansas
I just switched from a 14 SG to a Softail Deluxe , I
am 5'6 about 160 and only switched because I feel more comfortable on a bike with a lower seat and actually feel more in control. I did however give up some comfort but for me it was the right decision. Lots of people tried to talk me out of it but in the end it was me riding the bike and not them. Just my two cents , I am not new to riding, I went from a shovelhead rigid to the SG to the Deluxe and have owned approximately 19 bikes over the years from dirt to street etc..
am 5'6 about 160 and only switched because I feel more comfortable on a bike with a lower seat and actually feel more in control. I did however give up some comfort but for me it was the right decision. Lots of people tried to talk me out of it but in the end it was me riding the bike and not them. Just my two cents , I am not new to riding, I went from a shovelhead rigid to the SG to the Deluxe and have owned approximately 19 bikes over the years from dirt to street etc..
Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 168
Likes: 6
From: Pittsburgh, PA
I'm 5'9 and bought a FB Lo.
I raced motocross as a kid but never owned a street bike.
I added the detachable bags and windshield to it for long rides.
I absolutely love this bike and the way it handles. I feel unbelievably secure on it with how I sit "in" the bike and how well it grips the road at any speed. The low center of gravity is great also.
With that being said, I'm going to try and get some free time to demo a SG this year.
The two things that I really want with the SG are a radio and cruise.
However, just sitting on the SG in the showroom, it's no where near as comfy to ME as my Lo is.
IF I get the SG, I will never give up my Lo.
Ride a few and you will know instantly if they're for you or not.
I raced motocross as a kid but never owned a street bike.
I added the detachable bags and windshield to it for long rides.
I absolutely love this bike and the way it handles. I feel unbelievably secure on it with how I sit "in" the bike and how well it grips the road at any speed. The low center of gravity is great also.
With that being said, I'm going to try and get some free time to demo a SG this year.
The two things that I really want with the SG are a radio and cruise.
However, just sitting on the SG in the showroom, it's no where near as comfy to ME as my Lo is.
IF I get the SG, I will never give up my Lo.
Ride a few and you will know instantly if they're for you or not.
Club Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,760
Likes: 47
From: N. Texas
A long test ride will tell you a lot about the Heritage. I suggest you also try a Road King with Heritage bars on it. I have several friends loving that combination.
Trending Topics
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,644
Likes: 439
From: Mount Rainier, Washington
I've gone from Softail's to Touring and back again. I've hade two FLTCU's and a Road King and I prefer the Heritage to them. Now if all I did was tour long distance two up I'd stay with the touring bikes but for everyday riding the Softail works better for me. I'm 6'2" and 250 Lbs.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Novice
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From: Asheville, NC
I have a 2013 Heritage Softail Classic and love the way it rides and handles. The ride is smoother and more controlled than touring bikes and the seating is spot on. It has the comfort and performance I want in a bike. Riding two-up is absolutely no problem either. Try it, you'll like it.