Softail® vs Touring Motorcycles
Two commonly sought after Harley-Davidson® families of motorcycles are the touring and Softail. Each family offers different approaches to riding: one prioritizes exhilarating performance while the other prioritizes rider comfort. One is ideal for thrilling highway rides while the other is well-suited for endurance riding. Keep reading to learn more about which motorcycle best fits your lifestyle. When you are ready to check out Harley motorcycles for sale, visit Willamette Valley Harley-Davidson. Our dealership is located in Eugene, Oregon, and we also serve those in Albany and Corvallis.
The Softail® Family
The focus of this H-D® family is performance. Everything about their design is tailored to deliver a stand-out riding experience. The improved chassis is 35% stiffer than older models, which allows these bikes to be more responsive to rider input. The frame is also 35 pounds lighter than past models. You'll love how agile and nimble this motorcycle is. Enjoy a smooth riding experience thanks to the hidden rear shock suspension system.
The newer Softail motorcycles use the Milwaukee-Eight® 107 and 114 engines, which gives the most amount of power on this line to date. Get faster turn-ins and smoother liftoffs as you ride. Thanks to the counter-balancing system, engine vibration will get canceled out while idling. The front suspension has reduced weight and linear damping characteristics. The rear suspension has adjustable high performing mono-shock. Enjoy hitting top speeds while almost gliding across the road's surface.
While Softail motorcycles can be enjoyed by anyone, it's a perfect fit for those who care most about performance. These riders hope to hit the highway, weave through traffic, and leave everyone behind eating their dust.
The Touring Family
Touring motorcycles are designed with long-distance riding in mind, which means their focus is on rider comfort. No one wants to end an endurance ride early due to aching joints and muscles. With a touring motorcycle, you won't have to. There are plenty of features designed to optimize rider comfort. Air deflectors keep the annoying engine heat from bothering your legs. Windshields block wind and kicked-up debris, which helps reduce wind fatigue and boost endurance. An ergonomic riding position helps reduce the strain placed on muscles and joints.
Long-distance riding requires more than a comfortable ride. It also involves bringing some supplies to keep the ride safe and comfortable. Touring motorcycles offer plenty of storage space to pack all the cargo you need. Bring waterproof outerwear in case it rains. Load up everything you need for overnight trips, such as toiletries, clothing, medications, and food. Different Harley touring motorcycles use a range of storage options such as saddlebags, top boxes, under the seat storage, and luggage racks. If you find that you need more space than the motorcycle provides, you can easily install upgrades that offer more storage space.
The touring motorcycle can be enjoyed by any type of rider, but they are ideal for those who want to enjoy long-distance riding. If you plan on taking lots of road trips, do it on a Harley touring bike. Or if you want an adrenaline-fueled commute, ride the touring motorcycle to work each day. These models won't have as striking of style or as intense of performance, but they will empower you to conquer the open road to your heart's content.
We hope you found this guide useful. If you’re in Albany or Corvallis, OR, and you aren't sure which motorcycle best fits you, let our expert staff help. They can help you find the right Softail or touring motorcycle for your needs, so stop by and visit our dealership today!