Harley-Davidson Softail History

Sometimes a motorcycle comes along that imprints itself in people’s imaginations. For Harley-Davidson, the Softail was one of those motorcycles. With iconic styling, amazing power, and the smoothest ride around, the Softail has earned a legion of fans throughout its thirty year history. So what exactly makes this bike so special? Read on to learn.

When you’re looking for a new Harley-Davidson motorcycle like the Softail in New Port Richey, Florida, you can’t do much better than Crystal Harley-Davidson. We’re located near Tampa, St. Petersburg, and Clermont, and we carry a wide variety of the latest and greatest from Harley.

The Birth of a Legend: The Softail

With its classic styling and excellent performance, the Softail stands out from the pack. Normally when form and function come together in such a powerful way, it’s due to the work of a master designer at the pinnacle of their craft. The Softail came about in a much more organic way.

Those who know Harley-Davidson motorcycles know that these bikes have a long history of being modified and customized by their owners. In the mid-1970s, a mechanical engineer named Bill Davis developed a way to adapt his 1972 Super Glide so that it looked stock but actually had the extra cushion of rear suspension. Using his own bike as the prototype, Davis eventually brought his design to Harley-Davidson, who tweaked and refined them until they were perfect, releasing the first true Softail in 1983.

New in the Softail Motorcycle Family

Over the course of 30+ year history, the Softail has developed into many exciting new bikes, and the newest line of Softails is no different. With distinct design built around a legendary chassis and huge powerhouse of an engine, you’ll want to take one of these bikes for a test ride.

Breakout

If you take the classic styling of a Softail as the launch pad, the Breakout is exiting orbit in terms of style. Riders who hate fitting in will love its flashy, flamboyant design based on big turbine wheels, and a unique exhaust design. Harley-Davidson designers mixed up the finishes with chrome, black, and custom paint coming together into one awesome design.

Softail Slim

The Softail Slim brings a unique low-slung design to the Softail family. Designers lowered the seat height making it easier for some riders to get a confident plant when they stop the bike. Although narrower than its siblings, the Softail Slim still lays down some impressive power thanks to the High Output Twin Cam 103B engine.

Softail Slim S

Like the Softail Slim, the Softail Slim S has a narrower profile and a lower seat than other Softail bikes. The advantage for the Softail Slim S comes from the muscled up Screamin’ Eagle Air-Cooled Twin Cam 110B engine. This bike is also fully loaded with features and designed with an aggressive, blacked out style that you won’t soon forget.

Fat Boy

On the other end of the spectrum from the Softail Slim is the Fat Boy, the large son of the Softail family. A brawny frame is powered by the High Output Twin Cam 103B engine that propels many of the Softail bikes down the track. You can recognize the Fat Boy thanks to its iconic solid disc wheels which add a shine of chrome to this already-unmistakable bike.

Fat Boy S

For those who like the heft of the Fat Boy but want an extra kick of power, the Fat Boy S is the perfect choice. The styling has been taken over with a sinister, blacked out look that pairs all-black components, a canon-style exhaust, and detailed engine to offer extra style. Powering this beast of a bike is the Screamin’ Eagle Air-Cooled Twin Cam 110B engine which has unrivaled power.

Heritage Softail Classic

If you can’t get enough classic styling, go for the Heritage Softail Classic, a throwback-style bike with nostalgic design. The wire spoke rims are wrapped in white wall tires, and flared fenders give a smooth but fast look.

Softail Deluxe

The Softail Deluxe keeps some of the styling of the Heritage Softail Classic but tones things down for a more original look. With white wall tires and wrapped fenders, you won’t stop looking for excuses to ride this awesome bike.