Have ridden them all, but never a SPRINGER.

None of my mates have springers, and there's none around for test riding.

I've read all the reviews on the 'net for the Cross-Bones, but I want YOUR opinion!!

I've promised the wife that my next hog is my last, and as I've always loved the look of the springer front end - do they work well enough on Australian roads?

 

Mick8

 

I don't

This is the Thread of the Year....

Love them brother...like the old style look about them... they do ride different to a 'Normal" bike, pot holes let you know your alive, at times a wicked thump can be felt... at speeds they are stable enough, although i haven't travelled any great speed with either bike. but no major difference....had heaps of old timers say to me i had a bike like that once before.'..to me they are the iconic harley, but i'm biased and drunk...

Rodders ole mate, i sleep in the garge with them: and what happens in the garage stays in the garage......

Ive got a set with 4 inch over in a 70s fl frame with a 19 inch front wheel . I like it , it didnt improve the handling but then it never handled that well anyway.

tell me more whats a springer

Think they belong with the suicide shift and foot clutch.

And the left handed distributer advance / retard adjuster.

And front drum brakes.

And hard arse rear end frames

Like putting a grey motor into a 2010 Holden Commodore

Just my 2c

  i reckon they look sensational , never ridden one , wouldn't mind having a crack .

I run a 88cu pan in a hardtail with dna springer front end. Is good around town with the small shocker intact but can make it a bit hairy on the open road at speed. Without the shoker it just becomes a pogo stick, But YES I LOVE EM. Just gives the old girl the right look.

I have an '05 FXSTS with just on 50000kms, of which I have contributed 30000. Seat of the pants feel is very good. The Springer is firm & taught  and handles well in all situations I have encountered. I have travelled "at speed" and the bike remains stable right up to when the bike runs out of puff. I have read a technical article in HD magazine that compares stock HD springers with stock HD telescopic front ends. Springers have more verticle travel, smooth travel right through the range (until the limit of travel and then it just stops - although I have not bottomed out the front end) and very little flex compared to (say) a wideglide front end. In fact, a mate has a 05 FXDWG and the handling of the springer front end is far superior. As far as pogoing goes - my WLA used to pogo bad but these new puppies are worlds apart from the vintage iron. As for looks - it will either do it for you or it won't but for mine they look like a Harley should. 

I have no regrets and would recommend a springer to anyone who is interested. You won't be disappointed 

Cheers

Philthy

Very silly Rodders ....

I love the look of em and have always wanted one but I have never ridden one yet

I reckon they look awesome, haven't had the pleasure of riding with one yet, wouldn't mind it though!!

 

I've just bought a '98 Springer and though I've test ridden nearly every model in the HD range over the past few years, a Springer is the exception. I've always loved the classic look of these beasties and agree with the earlier comment about the iconic Harley 'look'.

But I've yet to ride a Harley I didn't like so I'm not concerned in the slightest. There's nothing that can't be jiggered with or modified if improvement is needed.

But it's currently in a container somewhere on the Pacific Ocean so I'll just have to wait for that first ride!

 

They look mean and mad....Long trips, be leery! Great bike and comfort but when going long distance, watch the bouncy bouncy bouncy and your head light always finds the monkey on the tree! Overall.....Love the looks and local ride of this scooter! Can not go wrong on the short rides!!!

been on many a long ride and IMO its no diffferent to any other bike.

I'm with Walker and Fangio, love the bones and the springer front end. Ride is just as smooth as my telescopic Rocket 3 for short / long trips and I find it stable enough in sweepers and at speed. It's the rear softail suspension that needs a touch up, but just add a sprung seat and all is good. Like all softies, the single disk doesn't stop all that well, 4 spotter PM helps that.

It maybe old technology but very sound. I recall a LTR or OBN mag article a while back which had springer suspension a 4 / 5 winner to other forms on things like travel, strength, serviceability etc etc.

They are classic (prehistoric) and unless HD brings the bones back in or adds the springer to another model, they will remain a 1:100 site on the road.

As per US Forum:

PRO+
They are the most cool thing to ever hold a front tire on a tire!
CON-
Plan on adding twenty minutes on your rides, because every where you go, people are going to stop you and want to chat about it!

I have never been on one but gota say I love the look,always have

I love 'em!!

If I had the coin, this would be sleeping in my bedroom with me instead of the Mrs.. http://harleydavidsonraffles.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/09-softail-01-full.jpg.

I have had an Evo springer which i did 90000k on then bought twin cam in 2004. The majority of miles are interstate.

Old thread rebooted by the looks !

I have had a 2008 CVO Springer since 2011.

Bought with under 10,000K's now has 38,000

All that time I had another Harley as well ( 2008 Softail Custom , 2013 CVO Breakout )

Kept the Springer and sold the others. Gives a "firm" ride and a telescopic fork bike now feels like riding a couch haha..

Simple , I like it the most ( by far !) AND it's well near unique around town. Handles well for a 300Kg+ lump too !

Mate of mine liked mine so much he bought himself a 2008 CVO Springer ( different colour) from an HD dealer in North Carolina in 2013