Choosing Between Sportster® and Softail® Motorcycles
Many Harley-Davidson® fans find themselves choosing between these two legendary families: the Sportster and the Softail motorcycles. Both offer iconic H-D aspects, such as the classic engine roar and the striking style. But each line is tailored to a different type of riding. The best fit for you depends on your experience level, your lifestyle, and your budget.
Below we cover details about the motorcycles to help you determine which is the right choice for you. When you are ready to explore Harley motorcycles for sale, head over to Willamette Valley Harley-Davidson, located in Eugene, Oregon. We welcome all of our customers coming from Albany and Corvallis.
The History of Sportster® Motorcycles
Sportster motorcycles came about in 1957. At the time, hot rod culture was growing in popularity. Customers wanted sleek motorcycles that offered great style and impressive speed. Harley had a quality line of cruisers, but these were getting passed over for the less bulky and more agile motorcycles of their competitors.
Harley then focused its efforts on creating the Sportster motorcycle, which offered the lightweight frame and top speeds that riders craved. This motorcycle gained popularity because of its incredible performance and how easy it was to customize.
The History of Softail® Motorcycles
This iconic Harley motorcycle got its start as an idea by a fan. Mechanical engineer and motorcycle lover, Bill Davis, owned a Super Glide. He loved the motorcycle, but its lack of rear suspension led to a choppy and bumpy riding experience. Davis modified his bike in the 1970s to have a hidden rear spring suspension system.
He shared his innovative idea with Harley-Davidson. At first, the company chose not to buy it. But then they reconsidered and purchased his design. With a few tweaks, it became the first Softail motorcycle in 1983.
The Performance of the Motorcycles
When comparing the Sportster and Softail families, a great place to start is performance. A Softail bike will offer you a more adrenaline-fueled ride. It's powered by the High Output Twin Cam 103B™ engine and delivers torque with 103 cubic inches of cylinder displacement. There are higher-end Softail motorcycles that run off of the even more powerful Screamin' Eagle® Air-Cooled Twin Cam 110B™.
The Sportster motorcycle may not be as powerful, but it will still provide an unforgettable ride. Most of these models run off of the 1200cc Evolution engine, providing plenty of speed to leave others behind eating your dust. There are also smaller models that offer great speed agility, which makes them a great candidate for racing.
The Aesthetic of the Motorcycles
Sportster and Softail motorcycles each have models that use a modern style and a vintage style. But most Softail motorcycles use a retro old-school look. These are great for riders who like to pay homage to the iconic stylings of older motorcycles.
Most Sportster models opt to use a sleek modern-day aesthetic. These are meant to be cutting-edge in the world of design. Some even take a more futuristic approach. These are great for riders who like to push the limits of what design can be and hope to stand out on the open road.
We hope you found this guide helpful. If you want personalized assistance in finding the right motorcycle for your needs, talk to the experts at Willamette Valley Harley-Davidson. Tell us your budget and what you are looking for and we can suggest the right Sportster or Softail motorcycle to match!