An Overview of the Harley-Davidson® Softail® Family

The Harley-Davidson® Softail® is undoubtedly the king of the cruiser world. No other bike has the perfect blend of low-tuned torque and power, classic style with modern twists, and attitude pure enough to knock out a mule. With plenty of classic heritage to hold them up to, Harley Softail motorcycles are one of the most prestigious around, providing riders with street-borne thrills and classic style.

History

Bill Davis created the first Softail in the mid-1970s. A motorcycling enthusiast and engineer from St. Louis, Missouri, Davis, upgraded the bike with a cantilever swingarm that pivoted at the bottom and sprung at the top with a shock absorber hidden under the seat. Davis’ design was based on a 1972 Super Glide®.

Later on, Davis made a few adjustments, like switching the pivot and the springing points around so that the springs and shock absorber were beneath the frame and the pivot point was above the triangular swingarm. Davis tried to produce the design independently, but his efforts were ultimately not successful. He then sold his patents and prototype to Harley-Davidson in 1982, and within a year, they had released its first Softail.

There have been many Harley-Davidson bikes with the Softail frame, each with the same engine, transmission, and frame, differing mainly in the choice of fork, wheels, and accessories.

Engines

The first Softail motorcycles didn’t have rubber-mounted engines, which led to more vibration in their engines than in rubber-mounted touring models. To address this, later models used a counterbalanced version of the Twin Cam engine instead of the regular Twin Cam engine used in the touring and Dyna® models. The latest models used a Milwaukee-Eight® V-Twin engine.

Riding Performance

Cruiser motorcycles are all about easy riding, and you’re sure to find smooth, responsive handling on your Softail. A refined counter-balancing system cancels out engine vibration while idle but still maintains an iconic Harley-Davidson feel. High-performance front suspension enhances the racing-style cartridge fork for lower weight and linear damping. The rear suspension is equipped with a high-performance mono-shock that’s easy to adjust and allows up to 485 pounds of pre-load capacity, dynamic cornering, as well as enhanced acceleration and braking, all while maintaining the iconic hardtail styling.

The Harley-Davidson® Softail® family is full of great cruisers that fit a variety of specific styles. Whether you’re into true classics or modern bikes, Harley-Davidson has what you’re looking for. Head over to Wisconsin Harley-Davidson® in Oconomowoc, WI. Come in today to talk with our knowledgeable and friendly staff! We welcome all our patrons visiting us from Milwaukee and Madison.