I suppose this post was inevitable once I bought my first Buell and acquired a taste for the lumpy, shaketastic big twins that are manufactured and loved here in the USA.

Some of you will remember my spirited (and perhaps and bit naïve/ignorant rants about American motorcycles). Well I guess I’m getting old because I find these bikes more appealing now than I did in the past. Yes, I’ve started to change my opinion a bit.

I plan to eventually add a retro styled v twin cruiser to my small collection of mostly sportbikes and UJMs. I am in not in a hurry and want to make a well informed purchase.

What models should I consider? I think I probably want fuel injection, large displacement and classic/retro looks.

These kind of HDs are really starting to tempt me. What are good models/ engines to consider and why?

I like the Heritage Softail Deluxe but don’t know which years are best or what other models are similar and possibly better.

The HD’s that look like these are the ones I find tempting.

I'm sorry I can't offer any specific advice except to go fuel injected. I think anyone would say that. I didn't own mine long enough to really get to "know it", though I did have a Sportster 1200 before this 2001 Road King. I sold it shortly before a 1000 mile move.

I never was a fan of the rear suspension of the first model Softails, too mushy IMO. Progressive Suspension used to make a replacement shock, I’d definitely upgrade to that.

Fuel injection, Magnetti Marelli, run away fast. Too many parts were no longer available when I got out of the dealership parts in 2022, probably worse now. Aftermarket, good luck.

First generation Delphi, not much better. I had a FI problem with my 2002 FLHTPI, turned out it was a wiring connector as first indication was fuel pump had gone out. At least there are FI parts kinda around.

Cam chain tensioners are a trouble spot, Twin Cam first generation used a mechanical spring tensioner setup. Later (2006) Softails IIRC had the first hydraulic tensioners. Harley does make a retro kit as others like Feueling. I had the change made to my 02 several years back.

That’s all I can think of now.

2011 Street glide

Stick I had 88 TC engine but didn't put much time on it. Kids and life. Currently I have above and love it.

So some of the significant upgrades that I would research are

1. 2006-2007 Harley upgraded to hydraulic cam chain tensioners.

2. 2011 Harley upgraded Compensator to the screaming Eagle version. with tweaks pre and post that year.

Do a google search on those topics so you can check what model year acually got the upgrade.

Can't help much on the 88 TC engine. Hray

Personally I prefer Road Kings, like the blue one in your first image over Softails, only with cast wheels which gets you tubeless tires. I'd probably focus on 2009 and up because 2009 incorporated some major improvements for the Touring line which include the Road King family. Some of these improvements include a new stronger frame, exhaust system (they sound nice stock too), wider wheels, suspension, etc., and by then they were using the 96ci motor which had the new hydraulic tensioners and brembo brakes that really worked well.

I bought a new Electra Glide Standard in 2009 and was pleasantly surprised how well it handled and braked, at least as well as the 2001 GL1800 I had prior, and it was more comfortable.

Like you I always admired Road Kings so bought one in 2015. For 2014 Harley improved the 103 motor now referring to it as High Output with changes to the cams, compression, compensator, and a few other changes throughout the bike and referred to the changes as "Rushmore". It would be the last (and best IMO) of the Twin Cam series. This RK was essentially the same as an Electra Glide only with a detachable windshield instead of a batwing fairing, different seat, and bars. Unlike the EG, on the RK the seat had me too low and scrunched forward, the bars were too high, and so was the shield. These are easy fixes on Harleys though so I just ordered the bars and seat that came on the 2009 EG Standard and put them on the RK, then cut a few inches off the shield, and it was perfect. This bike ran *very* well with noticeably more power than the 96 ci Electra Glide, otherwise it was very similar.

Stock with the shield off soon after I got it.




After changing the seat and bars.

Do you specifically want a softail or a swingarm, you posted pics of swingarm models as well. I never had a softail but many FL swingarm tourers (FLHR 96, FLHP 103, FLHTC 88 stroked to 103, FLTR 80 and FLHX 103)

As mentioned, stay away from any engine with spring loaded tensioners, early years but may have been upgraded (demand documentation and have inspected). Might as well inspect all since problems lingered throughout the years.

All TC motors run extremely hot, at very least install an oil cooler and best to add oil cooler along with a fan cooling system. Earlier models had an idiotic design for the rear exhaust which placed a massive heat zone right below your left butt check and upper back of thigh. The rear cylinder shut off system was n mid to late models was an asinine attempt at a solution.

Yeah, TC’s had issues but with care and proper inspection/ maintenance can serve you well.

Pre-00 Softails and pre 99 Road kings have the Evo engine The EVO in the Softail, riding over 60 mph is like being in a paint shaker. Softails of pre 00's have the engine unbalanced and rigid mounted so it has tons of vibration, if you just cruise under 70 then it's no problem, it has the looks, feel and sound people want.

The pre 99 RK EVO isn't a paint shaker, it's rubber/isolation mounted and much smoother. The Evolution or EVO is the engine that pretty much saved HD, no leaks longer running, a good engine. I had a 98 RK and it was a great bike.

The 99 RK and 00 Softails got the TC or Twin Cam engines, prior to that the evo ran a single cam setup. Twin cams have two cams, a chain and thus the issue with the tensioner shoes. Great engine, it was in the lineup from 19999 to 2017, with different modifications along the way. It ran from 88,96 to 103 in the standard lineup and 110 in the CVO models. Don't let that scare you away, as Shovelhead stated, there are cam retrofit kits to update it, or my choice, gear drives with bigger cams from S&S, Andrews, or any of the other performance companies.

An advantage to the early TC bikes is you can get a carb, I would stay away from the MM (Magneti Marelli) EFI, it works but it's not good and as Shovelhead indicated MM was used from 95 to 01.

HD carburetors work well, and is a CV style, it is user friendly easily tuned and being CV you won't have issues with different elevations around the area when riding and there are plenty of CV carbs still out there.

The Road King is part of the FL or bagger line, it has a rear swingarm with two shocks and has the more plush ride of the two. The shocks are generally air shocks unless someone has replaced them.

This was my 98 RK, former cop bike, left it police white and painted the side panels and nacelle white, had the flames put on by a painter at Bike Week in 99, added leather bags, solo seat cams, pipes etc.




The Softail models have a triangle swing arm that pivots on a shaft and is controlled by two shock mounted under the transmission. This is the 00 Heritage after custom paint set, and $$ of more modifications, including an SNS 124 engine. My favorite bike I sold and should not have...



I've had both and you need to ride them to see which fits your style. I'm going back from and FL Road Glide to a Softail soon, it's lower seat height and 400 pound weight difference fits how I ride now.

Both are good for long day rides, neither is going to cut corners like the bikes you ride, but that's not saying you can't haul them up a mountain with the right shocks and the right rider and have a fun run.


You won't go wrong with either one.

My father in law has a 01 [Gilroy Era] Indian Scout. I believe this is pretty much a Softtail with an Indian suit on it. 5 spd S&S88.
I've put some miles on it & it eats up highway miles, just have to remember it has pretty lazy handling.

A previous owner converted it from belt to chain drive, but otherwise it's a nice riding bike.
Once he got the carb adjusted for Houston [from higher altitude CA jetting] it runs a lot stronger.

Now's a good time to buy Harley's. I'm kicking myself for not buying my old 2015 white Road King back (pictured in my previous post).
I sold it for $14,500 with 11K miles to a friend when I bought my 2022 Goldwing. My friend put 3,000 miles on it over the three years and recently decided he wanted to sell it. He listed in Facebook marketplace for $10,500 but got no offers. I was very tempted to give him $10K and bring it home but I'm out of room! I'd probably have to sell the Goldwing which might be difficult in the current market.

But for $10,500 or maybe less that bike was a steal. It was in perfect condition with an extra shield, solo seat and EG seat, CVO factory slip-ons, stainless headers w/o catalyst, fueling fine tuned with V&H FP3, HD heated grips, rear docking hardware with removable rear rack and passenger back rest. Plus all the stock take-offs.

Since he couldn't sell it he ended up trading it along with his BMW R1250GS on a R1300GS.

I have a 2002 Fatboy, 2006 RoadKing, and a 2023 RoadGlide.

I would definitely get a RoadKing over a Fatboy or Heritage - the RoadKing just rides so much better, being in the "touring" family of bikes.

I'd get a 2007 or newer - they put a 96 Cubic Inch Motor and a 6 speed that year ( I think ) - ever few years newer the motors got bigger and bigger. Also added a 6 gallon tank at some point.

MDS

6 gallon tank, up from 5, came in 2008. 2009 saw the major improvements. 2007 and 2008 96 were also a little over geared which was slightly lowered in 2009. Still geared tall but just works a little better.
Generally the newer the better through the twin cams which ended 2017. I'd probably avoid the early M8's 2017-2020.

quote:

Originally posted by stickman428:
shaketastic

Hahahahaha!

Unless you are of the I gotta have a Softail or nothing I’d definitely ride a Touring (Road King, Electra Glide, Street Glide, Road Glide) first.

My “Bagger” is a 2002 FLHTPI (Batwing fairing) ex police bike, came off lease with 800 miles Mine was the first year of the cartridge damper in the front forks, it had an annoying dive during braking. Combined with the rear air shocks and having to raise and lower air pressures, a PITA. So as a result, Progressive Suspension front forks and rear shocks. That and a Progressive Suspension Touring Link, a precautionary installation to reduce the possibility of death wobble, wasn’t a problem with mine but just in case.

Tires were another trial and error, I really liked Metzeler ME-880’s UNTIL the experience of a tread separation reared its ugly head while on my second set, a known problem for a period of time in the mid 2000’s. Tried Pirelli Night Dragons, they were ok I suppose but finally went to Michelins, Commander II’s and later III’s.

Stage 1 tune, biggest thing was the bump of the red line, don’t hit the rev limiter as often as I used to while merging on the expressway, that and a set of Screamin Eagle mufflers and air cleaner.

Changed all the lighting to LED, went with the H-D Daymaker after trying a couple aftermarket ones. Turn signals are H-D accessory parts, taillight is aftermarket, much brighter than H-D’s offering.

The six speed trans others have spoken about, I’d like it much better if it was a true overdrive like Baker’s. I thought about replacing mine with a Baker but I’d be putting in more money than the bike’s worth by the time I got done with labor.

I’m finally going to change handlebars this year, a set of FBI (Fat Baggers Inc) 10” rise, hope it helps my shoulders out.

The Softail refresh in 2018 is a game changer, the suspension improvement (monoshock) in the rear and beefy front suspension makes my 2023 Heritage the smoothest riding Harley I have ever rode. Better than my RoadGlide with $1000 rear shocks.

My 1996 FXSTC EVO with a carburetor is still on of my favorite bikes, but it is only used for short rides.

For classic looks and feel and Heritage Springer Softail is hard to beat. Just picked up a 2005 that I am doing a bit of cosmetic work to.

Rode Harley Davidson motorcycles for years. Got on a BMW once,sold the Harley and now have a garage full of BMWs. The best thing that happened to Harley was the Yamaha Virago. Harley had to go back and build a better motorcycle.AMF darn near put Harley out of business. When Willy stepped in and took over things started turning around for them.