Harley-davidson Rejected The Softail Before It Became A Hit

The iconic marque known for legendary cruisers specified arsenic nan Sportster, Heritage Classic, and Panhead very astir missed retired connected 1 of its astir celebrated series, nan Softail. Among nan iconic Harley-Davidson motorcycles made celebrated aft appearing connected nan large screen, it's difficult to hide nan Softail Fat-Boy, featured successful "Terminator 2: Judgment Day."

Traditionally, Harley-Davidson's bikes relied connected a rigid framework that offered a definite vintage look and was reasonably straightforward successful design. More importantly, it defined nan thrust and feel. With nary rear suspension, location was thing preventing nan backmost instrumentality from conveying each nuance of nan unfastened road, fostering a beardown relationship betwixt rider and motorcycle. However, you wouldn't precisely picture nan spine-jarring acquisition arsenic comfortable.

Then Bill Davis, an technologist and Harley-Davidson enthusiast, developed a caller framework that captured nan brand's vintage look but incorporated a rear suspension system, hiding nan spring/hydraulic daze absorbers beneath nan seat. When Davis approached Willie G. Davidson, chief styling serviceman of Harley-Davidson, successful nan mid-'70s pinch his unsocial frame, Davidson declined to move guardant pinch nan idea. But successful nan early '80's, nan motorcycle elephantine bought nan authorities and different associated materials from Davis, launching nan FXST Softail successful nan summertime of '83.

Historically, galore person associated Harleys pinch concepts for illustration rebellion, independence, and masculinity. The marque had cornered that conception of nan market, but successful nan 1980s whitethorn person been looking to lure different demographics into nan fold arsenic well. While nary charismatic sources verify it, nan Softail whitethorn person been an opportunity to pull those who wouldn't different beryllium willing successful nan brand.

"The different point that nan Softail did is that it lowered nan spot height, which is important because Harley wanted to bring successful much women riders astatine nan time," Buzz Kanter, who covered nan manufacture successful nan 1980s arsenic editor-in-chief of American Iron Magazine, said per RevZilla. (The tallness of nan bike's spot is important because awkwardly attempting to equilibrium connected tiptoes to stabilize tends to mar nan experience.) In 1986, nan Ladies of Harley connection group was established, and personnel Gail Anderson won its first ride-in show pinch a civilization FXSTC Softail. 

American women comprised a specified 6% of motorcycle owners successful 1990, according to Motorcyclist, but almost 2 decades later had reached astir 20%. The Softail bid has continued to beryllium celebrated among women, pinch Genevieve Schmitt, editor of Women Riders Now, speculating successful 2009 that nan Softail Deluxe FLSTN was a favourite owed to its short 24.5-inch spot height. Of course, Harley-Davidson hasn't been nan only marque looking to grow its appeal, arsenic Royal Enfield is creating a caller procreation of female motorcycle racers.

While galore female riders whitethorn bask nan Softail's little spot height, others person gravitated toward it for health-related issues. For example, personification Rem posted connected Harley Davidson Forums, "I person lumbar issues ... but still thrust a batch connected my 2 softails." Other riders described various backmost injuries, but pointed to Softail models for illustration nan Fat Boy as bikes that don't accent their conditions.

The Softail isn't needfully a bully beginner motorcycle, considering that its 2026 introduction value originates astatine $14,999; a Harley-Davidson motorcycle that's champion for caller riders mightiness beryllium thing for illustration nan Nightster, pinch its suggested starting value $5,000 cheaper. However, those who are much knowledgeable (as in, not apt to dump nan motorcycle connected relationship of a rookie mistake), mightiness bask thing for illustration nan affordable, punchy Street Bob ($14,999), aliases for longer distances a Heritage Classic Softail ($19,999) that tin accommodate a passenger.

However, this legendary bid mightiness not beryllium capable to thief propulsion Harley retired of its existent funk. Harley-Davidson unit income person been connected a downward trend, going from 134,413 bikes sold successful North America successful 2021 to 102,023 successful 2024. Much for illustration nan institution did backmost successful nan '80s, possibly it's clip to link pinch a caller group of riders. America's top-selling motorcycle marque successful 2025 isn't Harley-Davidson, and that has to do pinch younger riders favoring different brands, for illustration Kawasaki.