Going to a SG from a Softail...your experience
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 818
Likes: 0
From: Jersey Shore
Went fom an 08 Fatboy to an 2011 SG. I love the upgrade to the different ride with the fairing and tunes. I had apes on the fatboy and just put them on my SG and I'm back in the comfort zone. The SG is an excellent handling bike and I like the looks and having the bags for storage.
Couldn't keep both ...
Couldn't keep both ...
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 3,846
Likes: 173
From: Simi Valley, CA
I'm lucky! I've had a Softail Duece since '02 and I got a '11 Limited a few weeks ago.
Rode the Duece cross-country 5 times but when I got back this past year I decided the next trip will be on a Tourer, primarily for the storage capabilities of the bags. Never had an issue with the comfort of the Duece but packing for a three week trip can be a pain. There were days on my trip when I'd shower and simply put the same clothes back on (3 days max lol) because I didn't feel like unpacking to get to my clean undies and socks.
After putting about 2,500 mile on the new bike I can tell you the "cushy" factor is definitely there and a long trip will be a pleasure. It actually handles suprisingly well too once you get rolling. But manuevering around in tight quarters can be a chore. The thing weighs a ton! Even pushing it up my driveway, which is on a slight incline, is a bitch. The Duece was a piece of cake.
The two bikes are night and day different but they're both great bikes. I'm keeping both!
One of the biggest differences other than the obvious, and the Softail gets the plus in this area, is the solid engine mount of the Softail. The solid mount makes me feel more "one-with-the bike". The seat of your pants feels more connected to the throttle and the rear wheel and the bike just feels tighter.
I love them both.
Rode the Duece cross-country 5 times but when I got back this past year I decided the next trip will be on a Tourer, primarily for the storage capabilities of the bags. Never had an issue with the comfort of the Duece but packing for a three week trip can be a pain. There were days on my trip when I'd shower and simply put the same clothes back on (3 days max lol) because I didn't feel like unpacking to get to my clean undies and socks.
After putting about 2,500 mile on the new bike I can tell you the "cushy" factor is definitely there and a long trip will be a pleasure. It actually handles suprisingly well too once you get rolling. But manuevering around in tight quarters can be a chore. The thing weighs a ton! Even pushing it up my driveway, which is on a slight incline, is a bitch. The Duece was a piece of cake.
The two bikes are night and day different but they're both great bikes. I'm keeping both!
One of the biggest differences other than the obvious, and the Softail gets the plus in this area, is the solid engine mount of the Softail. The solid mount makes me feel more "one-with-the bike". The seat of your pants feels more connected to the throttle and the rear wheel and the bike just feels tighter.
I love them both.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 7,439
Likes: 884
From: 'Noke, VA
I have both, and I'm glad I do 'cause they're two different animals.
The Night Train still gets ridden quite a bit (though not as much as I'd like). The Limited has got it all over the Softie when it comes to storage, which is really a bigger deal than I'd thought. I like being able to lock up my helmet and gear when I stop to get something to eat. Actually, in pretty much every dynamic way, the Limited is the better bike. It rides better, corners better, brakes far, far better, it's far easier to ride at highway speeds, and I'm not worn out after 14 hours in the saddle.
With that said, there ain't nothing like riding a Softail. Between the solid-mounted engine and the build I've got, the bike feels alive under me. It's more work to hustle the bike around, and it's not as easy to do low-speed parking lot stuff, but it's far more rewarding. With the suspension I've got, the ride's not bad at all, it just lacks the cush of the Limited, and with no fairing to block the wind, it wears me out at highway speeds.
The last year I only had the 'Train, I put almost 12,000 miles on it. This year, the Limited will be close to 30,000 miles, the 'Train's only gotten around 5,000. That says to me that I'm more willing to ride on the comfortable bike, and that means it was a great purchase for me. Anything that lets me ride more is good.
But I'll never get rid of the 'Train, and next year I'm gonna try to get closer to 10,000 miles on in. Then again, I'm also shooting for 40,000 on the Limited.
The Night Train still gets ridden quite a bit (though not as much as I'd like). The Limited has got it all over the Softie when it comes to storage, which is really a bigger deal than I'd thought. I like being able to lock up my helmet and gear when I stop to get something to eat. Actually, in pretty much every dynamic way, the Limited is the better bike. It rides better, corners better, brakes far, far better, it's far easier to ride at highway speeds, and I'm not worn out after 14 hours in the saddle.
With that said, there ain't nothing like riding a Softail. Between the solid-mounted engine and the build I've got, the bike feels alive under me. It's more work to hustle the bike around, and it's not as easy to do low-speed parking lot stuff, but it's far more rewarding. With the suspension I've got, the ride's not bad at all, it just lacks the cush of the Limited, and with no fairing to block the wind, it wears me out at highway speeds.
The last year I only had the 'Train, I put almost 12,000 miles on it. This year, the Limited will be close to 30,000 miles, the 'Train's only gotten around 5,000. That says to me that I'm more willing to ride on the comfortable bike, and that means it was a great purchase for me. Anything that lets me ride more is good.
But I'll never get rid of the 'Train, and next year I'm gonna try to get closer to 10,000 miles on in. Then again, I'm also shooting for 40,000 on the Limited.
Thread Starter
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Road Master
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 805
Likes: 4
From: The Live Free or Die State
One of the biggest differences other than the obvious, and the Softail gets the plus in this area, is the solid engine mount of the Softail. The solid mount makes me feel more "one-with-the bike". The seat of your pants feels more connected to the throttle and the rear wheel and the bike just feels tighter.
I love them both.
I love them both.
I went from a 06 Heritage to a 09 SG.First thing I noticed was SG was more top heavy and harder to move around while parking. There is nothing I hated about the Heritage but I wasn't crazy about the bags. The SG is just awesome, the look, the ride, the tunes everything. I miss the rides with no WS but my lower back doesn't. Yeah I do miss the Heritage but I don't regret getting the SG.
I test rode the SG pretty aggressively and other than buffeting around 70 mph (new windshield should fix that), there was nothing that turned me off about it. I didnt even think the vibration was that bad, but I expect it to be more noticable the longer I have the bike...especially compared the the Heritage. It is, after all, a Harley!
Last edited by knewt5; Dec 8, 2010 at 07:17 AM. Reason: speeling error ;0)
I miss my Night Train every day....except when riding more than about 45 minutes at a time.
But I love my Street Glide just as much.
I would have liked to have both a minimalist chopper-style softail AND a touring bike, but can't afford that right now (unless you count the wife's bike).
That's why I got the SG. All the Touring aspects I wanted, but keeping as close to the NT as I could. Yea, could have gone with a Road King, but wanted the full fairing and all that it has on it.
If the wife's Fat Boy doesn't keep me content when I want to roll in "no bags/fairing minimalist style", I figure I'll build my own chopper some day.
But I love my Street Glide just as much.
I would have liked to have both a minimalist chopper-style softail AND a touring bike, but can't afford that right now (unless you count the wife's bike).
That's why I got the SG. All the Touring aspects I wanted, but keeping as close to the NT as I could. Yea, could have gone with a Road King, but wanted the full fairing and all that it has on it.
If the wife's Fat Boy doesn't keep me content when I want to roll in "no bags/fairing minimalist style", I figure I'll build my own chopper some day.
Thread Starter
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Road Master
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 805
Likes: 4
From: The Live Free or Die State
But I love my Street Glide just as much.
I would have liked to have both a minimalist chopper-style softail AND a touring bike, but can't afford that right now (unless you count the wife's bike).
That's why I got the SG. All the Touring aspects I wanted, but keeping as close to the NT as I could. Yea, could have gone with a Road King, but wanted the full fairing and all that it has on it.
If the wife's Fat Boy doesn't keep me content when I want to roll in "no bags/fairing minimalist style", I figure I'll build my own chopper some day.
My wife has a Deluxe so I figure I can get a softail fix that way if it comes down to it
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 5,190
Likes: 5
From: Eastern Washington
Went from a 98 Fatboy to my SG. Love everything about my SG. The one thing I miss about my Fatty is the evo motor
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 3,780
Likes: 69
From: Al Bu Ker Key, New Mexico
After ten years on a FXR2 (not a softail) I decided I wanted a bagger for long distance touring. I bought the 2010 StreetGlide. I am as happy as a clam! Night and day differences between the two bikes. Mostly ride the StreetGlide now with an ocassional romp on the FXR2 when the mood hits. The StreetGlide may be sold someday but NEVER the FXR2.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,826
Likes: 1
From: Lynchburg, Va
I have both. I love my Fatboy (technically the wife's bike now), but my Street Glide is da bomb. It handles better (this includes parking lot speeds), rides better and looks........well it looks, different. Not as fast as the FB, but that will come in time. I just consider the SG the multi-function Harley.
Shakey
Shakey