| To understand the allure and value of softtail | | | | manufacturers are Honda, Kawasaki, Yamaha, and |
| motorcycles, one must first understand what | | | | Victory Vegas. There are many more of course, |
| type of experience they would have riding a | | | | and others are sure to follow suit as they begin |
| standard motorcycle. The first thing you will | | | | to understand the usefulness of the softtail |
| probably notice is that a motorcycle provides a | | | | design. |
| rather rough ride. Engines in a standard | | | | Within the Harley Davidson lineup however, the |
| motorcycle are rubber mounted and as a result | | | | softtail range will include the Sportster |
| they will actually bounce around quite a bit. | | | | motorcycles and even the Dyna models with their |
| With a frame that is not meant to absorb the | | | | x-type telescopic forks. In addition, you will find |
| various bumps and potholes of the road, it won't | | | | the Springer Softtail, the Heritage softtail, the |
| exactly be smooth sailing from one end of the | | | | Heritage Spinner, Night Train, and even the Deuce. |
| freeway to the next. The softtail design was | | | | The softtail concept came to light in the early |
| meant to offset this however, and the features it | | | | 1970's and was revised again in 1984. It has |
| brings to the table make it far superior to other | | | | become an extremely popular variant in the |
| frame designs. | | | | cycling community and is recommended for those |
| The first thing you need to know is that the | | | | wanting a relatively smooth ride, or perhaps for |
| softtail bike closely resembles some of the | | | | those who cannot take the road in its purest |
| hardtail bikes from ages past. Though they do | | | | format. No matter the reason for owning one, |
| have this nostalgic appearance they are actually | | | | you will find that Harley Davidson has undoubtedly |
| quite versatile. There are shock absorbers | | | | provided some incredible softtail bikes. |
| stationed along the axis and beneath the | | | | Whether or not you choose to ride a softtail will |
| transmission. You will most likely not find the | | | | be up to you, and the smooth ride they give may |
| softtail bike advertised anywhere except a Harley | | | | not be your preference. Chances are however |
| Davidson store as the name has been reserved | | | | that you would prefer to view the scenery |
| by the company. | | | | around you as you cruise down the open road |
| That doesn't mean you will not find the concept | | | | rather than holding on for dear life as you feel |
| utilized in other stores and other models. As a | | | | every bump. That being said, the softtail |
| matter of fact there are more than a few bike | | | | motorcycles are definitely something to look into |
| manufacturers out there that have adopted a | | | | whether you wish to purchase one or not. |
| similar design. Some of the more popular softtail | | | | |