The original Softail design was incepted in the mid-70s, but it was until 1986 that the factory blended the new Softail frame with the modern Evolution engine. This base model resembles the look of the 49 through 57 FL Hydra-Glides that came with hydraulic front forks and a stiff frame. Harley has kept their basics alive with their new 2016 Harley-Davidson Heritage Softail Classic coming with all the familiar basics of its predecessors plus an engine that’s future oriented.
An Overview of the Heritage Softail Classic
Designs
Its overall design has a rigid-looking triangular swingarm, fat fork sliders, and hidden shocks. The pimp lights and windshield complete its outlook and the laced wheels having gangster whitewall tires make it an attention grabber. The 45-degree black engine that has chrome tube shrouds portrays it as an American-made machine.
Chassis
The frame construction resembles its predecessor with the heavy tubular-steel forming a dual cradle frame that tapers off to nothing. The large front forks are inflexible, but one can adjust the rear shocks for preload.
It has a low saddle height with its unladen height being 27-inches and the laden height being 25.5 inches. The seat of the Heritage Softail Classic is low enough for the shortest rider to touch the ground while seating on it. Besides, the deeply scooped seat gives the rider comfort and places them well in the bike rather than being perched on top. This gives a rider more control at parking speed because it has lowered the center of gravity.
Drivetrain
The engine, just like the chassis, has predecessor roots as well. It has high-output Twin Cm engine that is air-cooled. The engine has been built on the success of Twin-Cam 96 and 88 to give the rider more inches and more power while keeping it in the historical 45-degree V-twin structure. It has an Electronic fuel injection that manages the induction. The engine produces a torque of 97.4 pound-feet at average of 42 mpg. The bike peak torque is 3000 rpm.
The Price And Release Date
The bottom-line price is $17,349, and the bike is expected to be released on the market before the first quarter of 2016 comes to an end.
