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old softail vs new softail

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  • WideglidingNZ
    WideglidingNZ
    4 years ago
    Quoting Ratbob on 12 Aug 2020 07:21 AM

    Yes mate, Carbs rule, if only unleaded fuel wasn’t so crap and Harley put in decent oil pumps.

    Quoting WideglidingNZ on 12 Aug 2020 07:48 PM

    apparently the later 2019 -2020 model oil pumps are pretty good now after quite a few upgrades, my M-8 lowrider S is the best bike i have ever owned as it handles and perform really well i think after 3-4 years HD might have the M-8's sorted now

    Quoting micathia on 12 Aug 2020 10:34 PM

    Did you compare low rider s with other softails before you buy? say street bob? fat bob? pro/cons?

    yes i took a fat bob and a breakout out from the dealers for a day on each i didn't really look at the street bob has i wanted a 114, i liked how the fat bob handled but was not sure about it's look, i actually liked the breakout once i got use to the fat rear tyre, but once i rode the FXLRS i new that it was the bike for me, I got forward controls put on from new though as i don't like the mids, i also had exhaust, cams and dyno tune done and i am really happy with it
  • RossW
    RossW
    4 years ago
    Quoting Smokey61 on 12 Aug 2020 03:26 AM


    Can't beat the original eighties models in my book. Later ones got too fat.

    Quoting Kato on 12 Aug 2020 05:49 AM

    Agreed . Great looking from the rear but simply cannot handle 

    Can’t have both I’m afraid - unfortunately ??

    Quoting Far Canal on 13 Aug 2020 09:46 AM

    I beg to differ.
    My 84 FXWG handles like a gem.
    Narrower rear tyres go round corners better than the stupidly fat ones.

    While that is true, not all the M8 softails have stupidly wide back tyres. 
    Breakout, Fatboy, FXDR do. 
    Lowrider and Sport Glide are only 180 and I have found it works pretty well. Slim, Deluxe Heritage, Street Bob and Standard are only 150, which these days is not wide at all.
  • Ratbob
    Ratbob
    4 years ago
    Quoting Birtyyy on 12 Aug 2020 05:15 AM

    I have an M8 Softail but nothing sounds like an old carbureted Harley, vibrations and all! I'm currently looking for an old evo Softail to add to my collection.

    Quoting Ratbob on 12 Aug 2020 07:21 AM

    Yes mate, Carbs rule, if only unleaded fuel wasn’t so crap and Harley put in decent oil pumps.

    Quoting Krash Kinkade on 13 Aug 2020 03:42 AM

    What's the problem with oil pump? ( like scavenging, oil pressure or what? )

    You taking the piss Krash, you’d know more than most of us. Low oil pressure at idle hence the usual 1000 or so rpm. My old shovel would give good pressure even at 650rpm. Used to idle it at 750.
    And sure, the ol Shovel wasn’t running a fuel pump, EFI, ABS systems etc either so it didn’t need to spin up so much electricity.
  • Baloffski
    Baloffski
    4 years ago
    It is such a strange motorcycle enviroment we live in now, matter a fact a strange world we a experencing atmoment. It is wat it is, as Grease man quotes, but we must contend with  wat we have, sorry off track again.
    I just wished had kept old soft tail. They were good fun.Maybe the new er softy is cool, I dont know why am even talking about, but Ididlove my 2006 Fatboy 1450 with front and rear suspension worked to the best, she was such a good girl and handled so well.
    Am a sucker-in love with Softies
  • wildchild
    wildchild
    4 years ago
    Talking about pre twin can/M8, I have a 1997 EVO Ultra Classic in mint condition that runs smooth as. Owned it since new, 27K on the clock and only changed the rear tire once, still on the original front tire. Hard to believe but the front tire still has good tread, probably a bit aged though.
    One day I might let her go but....




  • steelo
    steelo
    4 years ago
    Post some pics WC.
  • wildchild
    wildchild
    4 years ago
    Looking over Mount Beauty.

  • paulybronco
    paulybronco
    4 years ago
    Quoting wildchild on 14 Aug 2020 11:37 AM

    Talking about pre twin can/M8, I have a 1997 EVO Ultra Classic in mint condition that runs smooth as. Owned it since new, 27K on the clock and only changed the rear tire once, still on the original front tire. Hard to believe but the front tire still has good tread, probably a bit aged though.

    One day I might let her go but....




    If you dont change that front tyre your statement of "One day I might let her go" my mean something different.
  • Krash Kinkade
    Krash Kinkade
    4 years ago
    Quoting Ratbob on 12 Aug 2020 07:21 AM

    Yes mate, Carbs rule, if only unleaded fuel wasn’t so crap and Harley put in decent oil pumps.

    Quoting Krash Kinkade on 13 Aug 2020 03:42 AM

    What's the problem with oil pump? ( like scavenging, oil pressure or what? )

    Quoting Ratbob on 14 Aug 2020 03:58 AM

    You taking the piss Krash, you’d know more than most of us. Low oil pressure at idle hence the usual 1000 or so rpm. My old shovel would give good pressure even at 650rpm. Used to idle it at 750.

    And sure, the ol Shovel wasn’t running a fuel pump, EFI, ABS systems etc either so it didn’t need to spin up so much electricity.

    Hey Ratbob I'm no expert, just learnt from riding Harleys a long time. but low oil pressure not a bad thing in a Harley, about the only thing than needs oil pressure is the hydraulic lifter. the bottom end roller bearings  ( big end of rods on crank pin ) don't need high oil pressure. the biggest problem with oil pumps has always been scavenging the oil out the crank fast enough. But just what I think. In Old days , some racers used small electric pump they could turn on to pump oil out crank faster , for more speed.
  • Adam76
    Adam76
    3 years ago
    I was wondering the same thing.... I was looking for a 96" / 103"  Fatboy or heritage but people still chasing around  20K for them and they're 10 years old. 

    I can jump on a brand new 114" Street bob with slip ons out the door for a few grand more. I thought the used market proves would have dropped a bit more. 
  • liberator
    liberator
    3 years ago
    I've got a '95 softail and after a 100k ride on Victorias Country roads the following day I can't get out of bed, I'll be taking the Electra Glide next trip,


  • Ratbob
    Ratbob
    3 years ago
    Quoting liberator on 16 Feb 2021 12:49 PM

    I've got a '95 softail and after a 100k ride on Victorias Country roads the following day I can't get out of bed, I'll be taking the Electra Glide next trip,


    Changing bikes won’t help, I know it’s tough mate but try picking a 100k route with fewer pubs. 
  • Choco
    Choco
    3 years ago
    I owned a 93 Evo Heritage Softail which I loved. Now own a 2008 Twin Cam Heritage Softail which I love. I have have ridden a couple of M8's Softail's which I loved as well. So how do I answer this question well I can't. All I can say truthfully is that most of my Harley's were Sportster's or Dyna's but after buying my first Softail the 93 Evo I could never go back to a Dyna. Now before all the Dyna riders here start throwing stones at me the reason for my comment is because I have a crook back and suffer from sciatica and I find the Softail especially the Heritage the best bike for me to be able to keep riding. So doesn't matter which Softail you buy, ride while you can and enjoy it best advice I could give at this time.
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