H-D HISTORY

The History of the Harley-Davidson^®Softail^®Motorcycle: A Legend Through the Years

Among the catalog of Harley-Davidson's legendary models, the Softail series stands as a testament to the company's pioneering spirit and innovative engineering. This motorcycle line, known for its unique suspension design, stylish look, and effortless ride, has written its own history in the world of cruisers.

Let's take a deep dive into the Softail® motorcycle’s rich legacy, understanding its unique design elements, its various iconic models over the years, and the important updates that have kept it at the forefront of the Harley-Davidson family.

WHAT IS A SOFTAIL^®MOTORCYCLE?

The Softail motorcycle owes its name to a unique rear suspension design that seamlessly marries comfort and aesthetics. By originally concealing the shock absorbers underneath the frame, the Softail models present a clean, classic “hard tail” look reminiscent of vintage motorcycles, while still providing the smooth ride and superior handling afforded by a full rear suspension. This ingenious design, pioneered by design engineer Bill Davis and later perfected by Harley-Davidson's own engineers, was first introduced with the 1984 FXST Softail motorcycle.

Beyond its distinctive suspension, Softail motorcycles feature a lower seating position, thanks to the placement of the horizontal, gas-charged shock absorbed beneath the lower frame tubes. This design, coupled with the classic horseshoe oil tank, first introduced on the 1936 EL model, gives the Softail motorcycle its quintessential Harley-Davidson cruiser style.

FAMOUS HARLEY-DAVIDSON^®SOFTAIL^®MOTORCYCLES THROUGH THE YEARS

From the introduction of the singular 1984 FXST Softail® motorcycle, an entire family of motorcycles has grown and captured the attention of enthusiasts. Over nearly four decades, the Softail family has steadily expanded, with its variety of models catering to different riding styles—all while staying true to the original design ethos.

Shortly after the Softail motorcycle’s launch, the 1986 line paid tribute to the looks of the 1950s. The FLST Heritage Softail® model, in particular, made its mark with its Hydra Glide-style front end and front hubcap. Since reviving an aesthetic that had become synonymous with Harley-Davidson, the motorcycle remains in the family as the FLHC Heritage Classic.

Of course, the journey was only just beginning. The 1988 model year saw the introduction of the FXSTS Springer Softail® motorcycle, which blended Softail design and performance with a distinctive “Springer” front-end. This motorcycle’s stylish, gleaming front forks utilize exposed springs—those known so well to Harley-Davidson customers from the 1920s through the 1950s—complimented the clean look of the Softail motorcycle that was quickly growing in stature.

This evolution set the stage for arguably one of the iconic motorcycles in the history of cruisers: the FLSTF Fat Boy® motorcycle, unveiled in the 1990 model year. Once again, a Softail motorcycle achieved a vintage look and feel. However, this time it was done with a streamlined, minimal theme. The original Fat Boy motorcycle, which Willie G. Davidson, VP of Styling, rode into Daytona Bike Week a year earlier to gather feedback from riders ahead of its release, possessed a striking monotone silver paint scheme, disc wheels, and the wide look that gave it its name. It’s truly a motorcycle for the ages—one remembered by even non-riders after Arnold Schwarzenegger showed it off in the classic 1991 film Terminator 2: Judgement Day.

In keeping with the pattern of using the Softail platform to build a modern-day classic, Harley-Davidson introduced the world to the FLSTS Heritage Springer for the 1997 model year. This motorcycle brought back a full-sized front springer forks and fender assembly that hadn’t been seen since 1952, and matched it with classic saddlebags, white sidewall tires, a front fender light, as well as a “tombstone” taillight.

Then, before the end of the century, the family saw perhaps the most radical of Softail® factory customs—the FXSTD Softail® Deuce™ model. The Deuce motorcycle featured a new “stretched” gas tank, sleek chrome front fork sliders, an all-new rear fender, and the new Twin Cam 88B engine. Its new speedometer and center gas tank panel would also eventually make their way into the rest of Harley-Davidson’s Sportster® line.

THE ROCKER AND MORE JOIN THE FAMILY

In the 2008 model year, the line saw one of its most important innovations, with the addition of the Rocker models. On these motorcycles, the rear fender was attached to the swingarm, allowing them to be placed much closer together and create a slammed, custom appearance without sacrificing handling.

That same year, the Cross Bones™ motorcycle was introduced, which played on the look of post-war bobber motorcycles with its denim paint finishes, pinstriping, a springer front fork, and a blacked-out appearance. This motorcycle earned Harley-Davidson yet another place in film history when a retrofitted Cross Bones model was made to look like a WWII Army WLA motorcycle for the 2011 film Captain America: The First Avenger.

Further innovation and a bigtime expansion of the Softail® line came in 2018, when Softail models benefitted from a new monoshock underneath the seat, replacing the previous dual rear shocks underneath the transmission. But that was far from the only added feature and benefit the new motorcycles saw. The result was a diverse set of Softail models with different steering head angles, two swingarm widths for wider variety, increased lean angles, and an almost-new Milwaukee-Eight® engine. And despite these exciting updates that brought the motorcycle's performance further into the present, the Softail motorcycle maintained its hardtail look. That means today’s riders can still enjoy the combination of classic styling alongside aggressive new design features in a line that now includes members of the Dyna® family, as well as the Low Rider®, Street Bob®, and Fat Bob® motorcycles.

WRITE YOUR OWN HARLEY-DAVIDSON^®SOFTAIL^®MOTORCYCLE STORY

From its unique suspension design to its timeless aesthetic, the Softail line has set the bar for Harley-Davidson® cruisers. Whether you're drawn to the nostalgia of the Softail Standard, the iconic style of the Fat Boy, or the unrelenting power of the Low Rider, there's a Softail or Softail-inspired motorcycle for every rider's taste.