American-V Blog

The FLSTC's facelift model might not have been as radical as the Street Bob's – but it underlines the Heritage of Harley's Softail soft tourer beautifully.

We found:

• It's an excellent alternative to the Road King Classic for the more traditional rider.
• Its QD removable screen almost gives you two bikes for the price of one.
• The QD removable pillion seat is irrelevant without a QD backrest.
• The smooth-running Twin Cam 96B motor is strong and economical in stock trim.
• The new half-round footboards reduce the cornering clearance, or else the frame has been stiffened improving the bike handling.
• It's a proper comfortable two-up motorcycle, with almost as much consideration given to a pillion as the rider.
• If you don't get your head round how the self-cancelling indicators work, you can get in a knot.
• The wide-band whitewalls, new dash, increased use of distressed leather and the new footboards make for a natural and logical progression for the Heritage Softail that will be welcomed by existing owners and makes it more attractive to new ones.
• Fitting the massive leather faced, preformed backed panniers to a QD system, along with a QD backrest, would make the bike even more attractive to a broader market sector - and would make it easier to clean.

For more details, see American-V issue 39: on sale in all good newsagents and most WH Smiths with a strong motorcycle section, by mail order or in a digital on-line form.