Harley Davidson Softail Motorcycles | Harley Softail Motorcycles
The Harley Davidson Softail motorcycles capitalize on Harley's strong value of tradition. With the rear-wheel suspension hidden under the transmission, they are visually similar to the "hardtail" choppers popular in the 1960s and 1970s, as well as from their own earlier history. Harley offers Softail models with "Springer" front ends and "Heritage" styling that incorporate design cues from throughout their history. There's no doubt that the Softail's unique iconic status continues to attract riders to purchase or keep coming back to a Softail motorcycle.
The word "Softail" represents the use of a movable suspension system hidden on the rear of the motorcycle to make riding more comfortable. The first Softail manufactured by Harley Davidson was the FXST released in 1984. The Harley Davidson Softail continues to be popular with both casual bikers and enthusiasts. (more below)
The eight models within the Harley Davidson Softail family all start with the product code FL and FX:
- FXSTB Night Train
- FXSTC Custom
- FLSTF Fat Boy
- FLSTN Deluxe
- FLSTC Heritage Classic
- FLSTSB Cross Bones
- FXCW Rocker
- FXCWC Rocker C
Front Forks
The Softail range is the only range of Harley Davidson motorcycle that offers a choice of front suspensions within the range. Softail models may use either the X-type or the FL-type, or they may use the Springer leading link forks that have only been used on Softail models so far. The FXST designation is used when the X-type fork is used or when the Springer fork is used with a 21-inch wheel, while the FLST designation is used when the FL-type fork is used or when the Springer fork is used with a 16-inch wheel.
Engines
The Softail models do not have rubber-mounted engines. Current Softail models use a counterbalanced version of the Twin Cam engine instead of the regular Twin Cam engine used in the Touring and Dyna models.