I'm thinking about picking up a new HSC and wanted
to get some feedback on performance, maintenance, etc.
Anyone have any comments on a softail vs. other harley models?
to get some feedback on performance, maintenance, etc.
Anyone have any comments on a softail vs. other harley models?
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Re: Feedback on Softails
Mon, August 6, 2007 - 9:55 AMwhat a shame, no replies. I'm looking for a softail and would like to hear what others have to say about 'em. I guess they're not all that popular.
Can't be true, eh ? -
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Re: Feedback on Softails
Mon, August 6, 2007 - 12:17 PMon the other boards the 08' is getting laughs.... some of them -
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Re: Feedback on Softails
Mon, August 6, 2007 - 12:32 PMwell, the '07 doesn't have a carb. That's more than enough to laugh about....methinks.
Still looking for a nice lil FXST, pre-2005er (one with a real carb!)
curt -
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Re: Feedback on Softails
Mon, August 6, 2007 - 10:41 PMthere's plenty for sale here in SoCal- check ebay or the 'Auto Trader'. just don't buy one that you can't go & look at and ride. -
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Re: Feedback on Softails
Tue, August 7, 2007 - 9:02 AMthanks for the tip, Ron. I do believe I need to get one close by where I can test ride it before buying. Would you believe it : 95% of all Harleys here in my neighborhood are sporties. That wouldn't be much of an issue if not for these long legs and arms.
I've been checking eBay, AutoScout and two more websites for ...like over two months now. I'm kind of hoping the offers will get better as the temperatures drop. -
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Re: Feedback on Softails
Tue, October 2, 2007 - 12:26 PMNo more searching for a softail. I chose a european big twin 88, 2000 Springer with a carb. She had 8500 Kilometres on her. If I can get by the cold start problems I've been having and if the weather holds up a while longer before winter sets in (salt on the road = supra rust) I'll be ready for the 16000 K inspection sometime next year. Put 350 K on her the very first day and another 350 this past sunday. Rode another 200+ today and enjoyed the hell out of it !
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The pipes are too long for my taste so will be changing them soon.
Anybody have a tip how to deal with the cold start issue ? New plugs ? New battery ? Everything on this bike is 7 years old ! The previous owner was a newbie and kind of lost interest after a short while. I believe she was a garage case for a bit too long. Oh well.....I did stop by the Harley dealer today to shoot the shit and let him know we're alive. If all else goes wrong, we'll just roll her into that shop and have her tuned up.
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Re: Feedback on Softails
Tue, October 2, 2007 - 7:06 PMIf you do a lot of long distance miles the best comfortable ride is still a swingarm and shocks. If you don't do long distance runs and your back is in good shape go with the softail. -
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Re: Feedback on Softails
Wed, October 3, 2007 - 12:21 AMFar from being in any position to disagree with that, all I can say is that the softail lives up to its name. With a rigded frame optic, punctuating the word "optic", the softail has a swingarm. It has two shocks down under, lying in a horizontal position. Just under 1000 Kilimotres in less than 2 weeks, I can't buy into the idea of a softail being hard on your back and the combination of the springer forks and softail suspension are *stiff enough* to get me through the curves in a very smooth fashion. I've never rode a bike that is this good at taking curves like this one does...but for all I know, that may be a Harley trait.
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Re: Feedback on Softails
Wed, October 3, 2007 - 9:57 AM<I've never rode a bike that is this good at taking curves like this one does>
Now that's funny! Haven't rode many bikes have ya.
But anyway I really like the springers and it looks like ya got yourself a good one. Enjoy! :-) -
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Re: Feedback on Softails
Wed, October 3, 2007 - 12:58 PMThanks, Barry.
but
"Haven't rode many bikes have ya"
Well, I started out riding at age 8. That was Dad's 250 Honda Scrambler. Heavy mother for an 8 year old. I've been on a score of bikes since but only rode a few sporties and now the Softail (Springer). Most bikes I've been on were of Japanese origin, admitted. I think you're right about the Softail not being the best in the curves. It's just my lack of experience on other Harleys that makes this one feel so good. Oh, at age 47, that has me riding for the past ....39 years minus 20 years of not riding at all after two very very close calls, the last of which I survived with a slight shock but without a scratch. The bike didn't suffer a scratch and the driver of the dump truck filled with gravel didn't even notice what happened.
Just got back from yet another tour. This was the first time a bird ever flew into a leg, from the side. Last month, while still riding a Yamaha, I had to dodge two dear during a night ride. On the Harley, the animals appear to be aware of the bike coming a bit earlier than is the case on Japanese bikes. Just another reason to ride a Harley.
Back to Softails; ever heard of progressive suspension ? Or how the softail is considered as THE basis for customizing ? While still looking for a bike, I was wondering why most softails were listed at 20K +. Now that I know what the customizing kits cost, I know why the owners were asking so much....but even that leaves one question open ; why grab a softail and customize it and then decide to sell it ? -
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Re: Feedback on Softails
Wed, October 10, 2007 - 3:39 AMWhile I sit here and wait for the dealer to come get my bike : cold starts are near impossible, the battery is defective and this morning's attempt at getting back out there on the road while the weather is very very inviting for mid Oct., I've stumbleded across this good yet perhaps biased write up on Softails;
www.american-v.co.uk/roadtes...xst.html
nJoy !
P.S. something terrible is wrong with my carb settings, the fuel guage and who knows what all else. Looks like I have a lovely softie that is in dire need of repair after 7 years of not being properly ridden and/or taken care of and those are two big no-nos.
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Re: Feedback on Softails
Wed, October 10, 2007 - 8:48 AMI know how the softail is set up- and I'm aware that the softail suspension can be tuned. The bottom line is that I also know a few oldtimers who have back problems that gave up thier softail for a swingarm and don't experience as much pain as they did with the softail. These guys do the trip on the Alcan back and forth from Alaska to the lower 48 to Sturgis and other points south. -
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Re: Feedback on Softails
Wed, October 10, 2007 - 11:42 AMHank, softails HAVE A SWINGARM!
Okay, some say the softie is still hard. My experience is that it's soft enough.
For more on how to make a softie softer ; www.hotrod.com/techarticl.../index.html
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Re: Feedback on Softails
Wed, March 5, 2008 - 4:39 PMI picked up an '07 Dyna. The dude at the harley store asked me if I would be doing much 2-Up riding, and indicated yes, some. He recommended the Dyna model as the best balanced bike Harley makes, and good for limited 2 Up touring. He thought I would't be happy with the FXSTC (Softail Custom) I was drooling over--It looks like a chopper fresh out of the '60's riding 2 Up.
The wife really likes riding on the back, so I might have to trade up to a Road King....I kind of like the bare bones Dyna Street Bob. It seemed to be a pretty good bike for the price & runs like a dream. Had to add the pillion & sissy bar since the bob came with a solo seat. -
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Re: Feedback on Softails
Sat, March 8, 2008 - 2:04 PMWeel.........I have to revise my position and opinion on softails:
my back was outa whack last week. Looks like the badlander seat on the softie helped me slip a disk. Gonna have to get me a solo seat that is better for my back.
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