Harley-Davidson Softail Heritage

Willie G. Davidson, grandson of one of Harley-Davidson's founders and chief designer from 1963 to 2012, was obsessed with „hardtails,“ the classic motorcycles from the 1940s and 50s with no rear suspension. These bikes, with their cleanly proportioned frames and lines that sloped sharply toward the rear, formed the basis of the relatively simple motorcycles. However, with the rear wheel rigidly mounted, there was little mention of rider comfort.

The perfect compromise between a classic hardtail look and comfort was achieved by tinkerer and designer Bill Davis, who in 1976 presented Harley-Davidson with a hardtail-look frame featuring shock absorbers located under the seat. By 1982, Davis had developed the design to such an extent that the Motor Company wanted to equip a production bike with it. With a triangulated swingarm, the lines of a rigid frame were now skillfully mimicked, while at the same time, two shock absorbers, now located under the engine, provided contemporary ride comfort.

The first „Softail,“ the FXST, was already on US roads in 1984. This first Softail also saw the debut of the then brand-new 1340 cc Evo engine. The successful mix of the aesthetic design of the original Harleys, contemporary comfort, and modern technology proved to be extremely successful: the FXST laid the foundation for a new Harley-Davidson series, which also included this Heritage Softail in 1999.