New leaner, meaner Softails
Just a few ingredients gives you a dozen new Harley-Davidsons. Paul Owen rides the new Softail range
Harley’s been at it again, creating a 12-model new range of ‘‘Softail’’ cruisers from just a few ingredients.
There’s a new frame with three steering head rake angles, two new dual counter-balanced engines based on the acclaimed ‘‘Milwaukee Eight’’ of the Touring range, and two new rear swingarms to link either awide or a narrow tyre to the new Showa monoshock suspensions mounted beneath the seat of all the new Softails.
The 12 models also replace the Dyna range, much to the chagrin of many Harley dealers and commentators, but let’s not sweat what some are calling the demise of the working man’s Harley, OK? Let’s jump on eight of these leaner, meaner, and more dynamic machines, and go for a ride!
Heritage Classic (107ci: $33,250; 114ci: $35,250)
The most improved player in the new Softail team, the Heritage feels like it’s been skinny-dipped in the fountain of youth. Especially when sampled with the new 114ci (1868cc) engine, which develops a heap more torque over the first part of the rev range than its 107ci (1746cc) amigo. That gap closes a little as revs climb and the smaller 107 gets fully into its stride, but there will be many who will willingly pay an extra two-gees for the increased grunt of the larger motor.
Both engines are totally smooth, thanks to the twinbalancers that snuff out the vibes and allow the engines to be solidly mounted to the frame. This increases chassis rigidity and the Heritage turns into corners willingly, thanks to the shedding of 20kg of mass and the 30-degreeraked steering head shared by all but two models in the range. It also looks a lot less gaudy. Only Elvis impersonators will miss the tassels, chrome studs, and rhinestones of the old model.
Low Rider ($25,495)
Available only with the 107, the affordable pricing of the LR makes it the model most likely to occupy the space of the deleted Dyna models in the range. Like the HC, it’s a narrow-rear-tyre model steering with 30-degree geometry, equipped with a larger 19in front and a similar 16in rear. Like that bike it’s just as biddable, and although Harley isn’t boasting about any maximum cornering lean angle increase, there’s definitely more thanks to the more robust yet compliant new suspension with 130mm of travel.
AMF-era graphics, dual ‘‘shotgun’’ exhausts, and white paint make this the new Softail that most resembles the original Super-Glide of 1971. Pity then, that Harley didn’t go the whole Hog, and name it Super-Glide as well.
Fat Boy (107ci: $32,495; 114ci: $34,495)
The phat-est model in the new range looks as muscular and welltoned as a younger Arnie Schwarzenegger, thanks to the new satin finishing and the new 160mm-wide front tyre (the widest ever fitted to aHarley).
Be warned that the supercarsized rubber does create a lot of steering inertia, and you have to put a fair amount of upper body strength into getting the Fat Boy leaning over. Ticking the 114ci option is also recommended if you want to overcome the rolling resistance of the new Aussie-made ‘‘Lakester’’ solid wheels, although the bike is said to be 15kg lighter than the previous model.
Deluxe ($30,995)
A Heritage Classic stripped of touring hardware and given added bling, the white-walled Deluxe is the new Softail that’s most likely to be parked in someone’s lounge as a piece of mobile art. Shame there’s no 114ci option available.
Softail Slim ($27,250)
The Slim also gets the Jenny Craig- treatment, and ends up 17kg lighter, although it does retain the more practical 19-litre tank of the HC, LR, Fat Boy, and Deluxe, rather than the 13.2-litre reservoir fitted to other new Softails.
The ‘‘Hollywood’’ handlebar can be a bit of a stretch when doing U-turns, but this is otherwise another nice n’ neutral-steering 107ci to ride, particularly if you’re partial to Bobbers.
Breakout (107ci: $32,750; 114ci: $34,750)
The only model to share the 240mm-wide tyre of the Fat Boy, but this time it’s mated to a 40-degree raked front end fitted with a 21in wheel and a 130mmwide tyre.
Many preferred the handling that results from these changes to that of the ponderous Fat Boy, but I felt both models sacrifice cornering dynamics for style. Best then to look below if you seek a more backroad-friendly ride.
Fat Bob (107ci: $28,750; 114ci: $30,750)
The only new Softail model that I didn’t mercilessly smear bits of its undercarriage all over the mountainous roads chosen for the launch ride, the Fat Bob is the Harley most likely to attract riders from sportier brands like Ducati. It is the only bike here with dual front discs, a cartridge-equipped set of inverted front forks, and a sporty wheel/tyre package. Sharper 28-degree steering geometry makes this a very inspiring bike to ride along with the more feel-some and powerful stoppers.
If only it didn’t have such an unathletic model name, and that puny 13.2-litre fuel tank…
Street Bob ($24,495)
… which makes the Street Bob my pick of this litter. It’s everything an entry-model should be in a Harley range, and represents a blank canvas that’s ideal for owner personalisation. It offers better cornering clearance than the slightly more expensive Low Rider, while the darker finishes of the Street Bob look less retro to my eye.
The overall result is an excellent stepping-stone from the existing Sportsters to the new Softails.