Harley-Davidson Softail Classic

Softail standard – This bike is a dream to ride after having my Suzuki boulevard I did have a Harley switchback but it had way too much vibration with the softail it rides like a limo I've done a lot of work as far as chrome goes and it's looking really nice now. I would definitely recommend to ride softail to the other bikes.

Harley Davidson 2005 Softail 'Standard' FXST Carby Version – I recently bought my first Harley after many years of riding cruisers all metric (Japanese Bikes). I also own a 2006 Yamaha XVZ1300CT Royal Star (read the separate review). I went for a low mileage 1 owner carby version. I preferred this as I can adjust the idle low for that 'classic' Harley 'potato' sound. The bike is factory standard except for Vance & Hines pipes. Let me say that nothing sounds like a Harley Davidson. Every time you start it up it puts a smile on your face.

Fit & finish of the bike is very good, I would say almost, if not equal to Japanese standards. The engine is an uncomplicated, air cooled V twin.

The ride is 'ok' as is the performance and braking.

It is nowhere near as refined as Japanese cruisers BUT riding the Harley is more of an 'experience',

It has 'heart & soul', something that Japanese cruisers (whilst superior - engineering wise) have in my view lacked.

There is a myth about Harley reliability, sure pre EVO engineered Harley's had reliability issues but modern Harley's are reliable. Don't take my word for it do your research.

Get yourself a proper service manual as there are many things you can do yourself and YOUTUBE has many how to videos and there are many HD forums where members will give you great help & advice.

As for size of the bike, I am 6'3 122 kgs and the softail and Harley's in general are in my opinion a small bike. The bike is low and smaller/average sized riders will find they can touch the ground easily.

The bike is heavy for it's size & has a raked out front with 21 inch tire, but it is very easy to get used to and you won't have any problems handling it.

I have been getting around 40 mpg in the old money, which is I think good for a bike like this and it will depend on your riding habits as to the economy of the engine (EFI motors are better for economy).

Harleys can let off heat in traffic on hot days, but for me its not an issue.

You can buy hundreds & thousands (literally) of aftermarket and OEM (seats,controls, pipes you name it) parts/accessories to make your Harley more comfortable, faster, shinier you name it, almost anything on a Harley can be customized.

But it can expensive, so shop around domestically and in particular the US. Even with a weakening Aussie dollar you can still save money.

Would I recommend a softail standard in carby form to you .... yes I would.

If you are after an image, icon, attitude, whatever you want to call it this bike delivers. It is an experience and I think everyone has to ride and/or own a Harley at least once.

Would I keep it and mod it etc no .... not because I don't like the bike, but I get bored and quite often change bikes, but that's my issue!

One other thing, Harley's hold their value well, whether its an Australian delivered model or us import.

Some people will say stay away from imports, but personally it has never been an issue with me providing the bike is fully RAWS complied and engineered.

If you do mod/customise your bike, keep the stock OEM parts. In my humble view apart from pipes sell it as near OEM standard as possible.

Much easier to sell when the time comes. Looks good, classic Harley sound (that other makers can only dream of), Makes you feel special in a mid like crisis biker kind of way, resell value is excellent compared to metric cruisers. Ride, engine & handling not as refined as Japanese cruisers but it has a heart & soul.

2014 Softail Standard – I have had many Harleys and other brands since I started riding at seventeen, Japanese, British American,Italian. The 1985 Softail was one of my most memorable bikes of all time. Ran like a Rolex that thing. I have had three twin cams and I am over them. Sure they put out way more power and still look good but I found the the knocking noises my 2014 Softail was making when hot intolerable. I just want to ride and not have to worry about the crankshaft falling out. Their warranty is not worth [censored word removed]. They are a premium priced product that is under developed.

They are built cheaper and cheaper every year, and are not made to the same quality as the older Harleys.

When I expressed my dissatisfaction to the dealer they suggested numerous changes worth thousands to rectify, naturally at my expense. It would be unthinkable for a Mercedes Benz dealership to expect their customers to change their exhausts and dyno tune and do other mods to make their cars work properly.

HD has lost the plot and gone over to the dark side. its a monumental scam that every body is hush hush about.

You cannot run them straight out of the crate and expect them to give service. I am going back to Japanese.

Excellent – Bought my Heritige Softail Classic FLSTC brand new , in July 07 to go for a ride around Australia . Rode the Softail Classic, 11400km from Adeliade , Perth , Darwin , Alice Springs ,Adeliade ,in 14 days straight out of the showroom floor , The Softail Classic didnt miss a beat on the whole trip , But Harleys fuel tank size is on the smaller size 19 litres , needs to be larger, Also the 96 cube motor runs very hot especially in city traffic , There a heavy bike 340 kilograms , Apart from that there comfortable when touring, but up in the Hills on tight twisty roads, and city roads , they can be a challenge ,The Saddlebags where a adequete size for all my clothes and wet weather gear. The Harley Davidson Heritge Softail Classic is happy out on the open road Great mile munching tourer, Look and Sounds Great, Comfortable long distance Tourer, Big Saddlebags Small fuel tank , Engine Heat , 340 kilo plus Weight, City riding and tight mountain roads can be challenging