HARLEY-DAVIDSON SPRINGER SOFTAIL (1988 - 2003) Review

Version: FXSTS

Year: 1994

Annual servicing cost: £250

A bit old-school, if something goes wrong you can fix it, no need for computers, specialised equipment. And unexpected stuff just doesn't go wrong. Easy to service.. I don't spend a lot of time washing and waxing (bikini washes my preference), if the weather is nice enough to wash the bike, it's nice enough to ride, and I bought it to ride, not to clean and/or show.

Buying experience: Dealer purchase - used in 2007 with 12K miles on it.. less than a $ per mile. I do like you trophy hunters.. keep 'em garaged and shiny, trade 'em cheap 15 years later for another trophy garage-queen.

Year: 1998

Annual servicing cost: £150

I've been on my 1998 Springer for 17 years now. Ride is smooth as glass under 65 MPH. Gets a little buzzy at 75 or so on the highway. Solid in the turns and NOT bouncy at all. Plenty enough power to pass trucks at 75. How much power do you need? At about 60 HP weight to power ratio is good. You want a speedster get a crotch rocket. Never had a major problem mechanically. These engines are bullet proof. Many mechanics have told me the newer models are not as reliable as more Chinese enter the parts department. Good old carburator with no fancy electronic fuel injection. Easy to ride 600 miles a day (with a replacement Corbin saddle). MPG runs about 47 on the road at 75MPH. Good news is each year value rises. I'm sure as she turns 20 she'll just keep getting better. No corrosion anywhere (of course well cared for). Just recently voltage regulator crapped out. Back in action for about 200 bucks installed. Keep these old evos oiled and you can expect 200K out of them.

Buying experience: At the time the waiting list was six months or more for the Springer. $15,500.

anyone who buys a harley and thinks they are the ultimate in motorcycling will be sadly dissapointed . i have owned harleys for over 25 years and they cannot compare with jap reliabilty in anyway , but having said that they have something that a jap could never have and that is true soul. the bike i ride at present is a 1997 springer softail with the evo motor. this bike has toured some 17 countries and all over the uk , had a bottom end rebuild at 55000 and now getting a top end rebuild at 100000 miles . you really do have to keep on top of them making sure that after every ride they are cleaned otherwise they will soon start to look shabby. the motors are good for around 70000 miles then they need work but a harley will go on for ever so long as they are given fresh oil evey 4000 miles . the belt drive is good and needs changing at 60000 miles having said that i have never had one break on me in over 200000 miles . the brakes are woeful with only a single front disc stopping over 600 lbs of motorcycle, but as will all harleys they can be upgraded (at a cost).the ride i would describe as interesting if ridden hard and things will touch down with ease, the front end takes a little getting used. the rear suspenion is fine and i am still running the original shocks. gearbox is best described as clunky but i have never had any problems with it. to sum up there is a lot of bull written about harleys my view would be if you like retro dont mind working on the bike and cleaning then a harley is fine ,they look good they hold thier price as long as the miles are kept down (but if you dont ride them i dont see the point). a harley is unlike any other motorcycle ,the japs will never be able to produce what harleys have and even for all thier faults i would never sell my springer .so find a nice one clean and cherish it and keep it for ever just dont get sucked into the harley bull

anyone who buys a harley and thinks they are the ultimate in motorcycling will be sadly dissapointed . i have owned harleys for over 25 years and they cannot compare with jap reliabilty in anyway , but having said that they have something that a jap could never have and that is true soul. the bike i ride at present is a 1997 springer softail with the evo motor. this bike has toured some 17 countries and all over the uk , had a bottom end rebuild at 55000 and now getting a top end rebuild at 100000 miles . you really do have to keep on top of them making sure that after every ride they are cleaned otherwise they will soon start to look shabby. the motors are good for around 70000 miles then they need work but a harley will go on for ever so long as they are given fresh oil evey 4000 miles . the belt drive is good and needs changing at 60000 miles having said that i have never had one break on me in over 200000 miles . the brakes are woeful with only a single front disc stopping over 600 lbs of motorcycle, but as will all harleys they can be upgraded (at a cost).the ride i would describe as interesting if ridden hard and things will touch down with ease, the front end takes a little getting used. the rear suspenion is fine and i am still running the original shocks. gearbox is best described as clunky but i have never had any problems with it. to sum up there is a lot of bull written about harleys my view would be if you like retro dont mind working on the bike and cleaning then a harley is fine ,they look good they hold thier price as long as the miles are kept down (but if you dont ride them i dont see the point). a harley is unlike any other motorcycle ,the japs will never be able to produce what harleys have and even for all thier faults i would never sell my springer .so find a nice one clean and cherish it and keep it for ever just dont get sucked into the harley bull