The Harley-Davidson® Softail®
Harley-Davidson® coined the term softail for its first model in this line, the FXST Softail in 1984. It marked the beginning of a new design aesthetic for the company, focused on a style that echoes the rigid framed bikes of the past while retaining the comfort of a rear suspension. Today, the Softail line is one of the company’s most popular motorcycle categories. At St. Charles Harley-Davidson in St. Charles, Missouri, we have a great selection of Softail motorcycles at competitive prices. Come see us when you’re ready to shop, and our friendly and experienced sales team will be happy to help you find the bike you want. We also serve customers in St. Louis and St. Peters.
History
In the mid-1970s, engineer Bill Davis, a dedicated Harley-Davidson® rider, first came up with the design for the Softail motorcycle. The first models had a cantilever swingarm that pivoted at the bottom and sprung on top with the shock absorber and springs hidden under the saddle. His first prototype was based on the 1972 Super Glide that he had designed. Davis’s further development and improvement of his design, including switching the pivot and swing points and allowing the oil tank to be placed under the seat, eventually led to Harley-Davidson buying his patents, prototype, and tooling in 1982. As discussed above, the first model, the FXST Softail, was released by the company in 1983 for the 1984 model year.
Through the years, the company has continued to improve and update the line, introducing a Twin Cam engine in 2000. The company completely overhauled the model line for the 2018 model year, changing the shape of the swingarm suspended by a rear shock absorber mounted underneath the saddle. The company states that this new design is stiffer and lighter than the prior generation’s platform, producing better power and performance.
What Makes Softail® Unique
The Softail frame is designed to hide the rear suspension and shock absorbers to present a look that resembles a rigid-frame bike. In Harley-Davidson® models, the shock absorbers have been placed along the axis of the bike, under the transmission, and under the seat in 2018 and forward. This eye-catching design really makes the Softail bike stand out from the pack, and makes for a guaranteed conversation-starter on long group rides.
Softail models have multiple front fork designs, including Springer leading link forks, which are designed to echo the sprung front-ends used in classic bikes of the 1940s and earlier. “FXST” refers to 21 inch front wheel bikes, or when these bikes use a Springer fork; “FLST” refers to 16 inch front wheel bikes with a Springer fork.
The engines in these bikes are not rubber-mounted, leading to greater vibration than in some other models. Later Softail models compensated by using a counterbalanced Twin Cam engine, which was in turn replaced by a version of the Milwaukee-Eight® engine in 2018.
Customization
As with a lot of Harley-Davidson® models, Softail motorcycles are ripe for customization. Enthusiast riders of all stripes can make these bikes shine with individual touches like wheels, fenders, and tanks that can really give a unique style and look to these bikes. Softail models are often used as show bikes, and they always draw the eye.
The Softail line is one of many great bike designs on offer from Harley-Davidson, a company that is synonymous with American motorcycle culture and tradition. From the early 20th century to the early 21st, the company has delighted generations of dedicated bikers, gaining a reputation for quality craftsmanship, unparalleled style, and dependability on the road that continues to impress year after year. If you’re in the market for a new bike, or you need parts or accessories for your current ride, come see us at St. Charles Harley-Davidson. We look forward to seeing you!