subject: Harley Davidson Softails 101 - A Great Place To Start [print this page] What is the big deal about the Harley Davidson Softail motorcycles you may wonder? They are the undisputed king of the road when it comes to anything on two wheels. However, many individuals will consider the softail the best ride on the road regardless of the number of wheels. Although, the softail did not become amazingly popular until after the first few years when Harley Davidson introduced it in 1984, it has developed a huge following since. It may not have been an overnight sensation, but production continued and new designs in mechanics, design and other technological advancement improved the quality. There is no doubt the softail is here to stay and make its own statement, since its following of softail enthusiasts grows daily.
The term softail is used due to the fact the rear end suspension system of the bike is able to move and absorb the shock of hitting bumps, potholes and other minor road hazards using shock absorbers or springs. The cool thing about the softail suspension on the Harley softail is that the shock absorbers or springs are out of view and installed underneath to give the appearance of a rigid or hard-tail frame. Over the last 28 years, Harley has produced several different softails designs such as the Rocker, Bobber, and Fatboy. All three of these types are ruggedly individualistic and true Harley Davidson's. Let's take a look at these three types of softails.
The Fatboy Harley Davidson softail motorcycle is a very popular within the Harley Davidson culture amongst softail enthusiasts. Some riders like the classic Sportster look that the Fatboy offers, as well as the dual seating arrangement so that they can take a traveling companion with them on those long hard rides. The handlebars are also set so that the operator can comfortably reach the throttle, brake, and clutch making it safety easier to maintain. The foot pegs are also in an optimal position to reach the foot brake and the shift pedal. This bike is popular with most softail riders and these riders will more than likely be the family man.
The Fatboy is a softail motorcycle that is very popular with some Harley Davidson lovers. It makes you think of a Sportster motorcycle with its dual seating, making any long trip a delight for your traveling companion. The unique handlebar setup offers an easy reach to the brake, throttle and clutch. It also features optimized foot peg positions its rider can reach the foot brakes and shift pedal with no problems. The design of this popular bike attracts, among others, family guys who want to enjoy a smooth ride.
The Bobber softail motorcycle by Harley Davidson makes you think of some of the old classic motorcycles of the 30s, 40s and 50s. These old school bikes were the best for racing in the past. However, the chopper design and the Bobber are nothing a like. This is because anything that deals with acceleration and gaining high speeds are removed from the modern edition. There are no buddy seats for dual riding, no turn signals, no saddle bags and no fenders. The Bobber is truly a purist type of bike. Last, but not in the least on this list is the Rocker softail motorcycle by Harley Davidson. These bikes are mass produced and not authentic customized motorcycles. However, they are stylish and edgy in appearance. Although, these are not authentic custom bikes they can still reflect the personality of the owner, this model has its own place in the hearts of Harley Davidson riders. People who generally love to ride this type of motorcycle are well grounded in their own unique and individual character, the bike adds a nice touch.
