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Harley-Davidson FXSTS/FXSTSI Springer Softail ...
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GeorgeChabot's Review
Harley-Davidson FXSTS/FXSTSI Springer Softail - 2000 Motorcycle Review
Overall 5.00 of 5
(by 1 user)
The Wind is Your Brother: Harley-Davidson Softail Springer
love boy toys, motorcycle rider, City commuter
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FEB
29
2008
As a motorcycle enthusiast of long standing - my first was in 1971; a 1956 Harley - I have never quite been able to get the desire to ride out of my blood. It's like a disease.
I had gotten rid of my previous motorcycle a few years back and thought I had finally shaken the last vestiges of the virus. Well, you know how that goes; a friend waxed enthusiastic about the wonderful Harley-Davidsons down at Granite Mountain -the local dealer - and how she was going to get herself a Sportster 883.
One afternoon I took the time to go down to Granite Mountain H-D and see what they had. There was a long line of bikes parked outside and I began to go over them visually trying to get a general idea on the quality and price range of the bikes. After all, I knew all about Harley-Davidson, didn't I? Well, it turns out I didn't know as much as I thought I did.
I was taken aback by the great appearance and build quality of these new 2008 models. I looked at a few critically to find the flaws and there weren't any. No orange peel paint, crappy frame welds, or leaky crankcases like I expected. The polished chrome and billet aluminum accessories were first class with everything looking solid and professionally done. I began to doubt my notion that I knew everything about Harley-Davidson, just a little.
2008 is the 105th anniversary of the Harley-Davidson company and the special color scheme for this year is Metallic Copper and Black. There were several bikes with this color motif and they were just gorgeous and very special looking. Bright orange was also prominent in several 2008 H-Ds. By this time a salesman had come out and was standing at my elbow. I began a casual conversation about the positive changes I had seen in my examination of the new bikes.
He explained that the late model Big Twin bikes had 96 cubic inch engines (1600 cc), and the biggest H-D bikes had a mammoth 110 cubic inch displacement (1800 cc). These 2008 models have fuel injection and 6 speed transmissions. My resolve just beginning to weaken, I asked if any of the bikes were used.
We went in and the showroom was jam packed with gorgeous Milwaukee Iron, roughly the size of a regular Wal-Mart. About half the vehicles were new and the other half was used. Again, I critically examined the bikes to see the flaws. There weren't any. This was not computing too well, and I felt my resolve weakening further.
As I learned the various models and accessories my attention was fastened on the Big Twin with the chrome springer fork. The Springer Fork is a throwback to the 40s and earlier H-Ds, where the front suspension was exposed and not hidden inside cylindrical tubes. Two forks, linked to the wheel and acting against dual acting springs provided what could best be described as a bone jarring ride.
"How do these ride?" I asked. "The springer rides great," he said. This modern rendition of the springer fork was extended a few inches over the old original ones and had a different rake at the gooseneck. To top it off, it is gorgeously chromed, as was nearly every other part of the engine.
There were a couple used Softail Springer models that I looked over. It was difficult to tell them apart since they were both black and had virtually every moving part chromed. They were both flawless in build quality and had been maintained in perfect condition. I picked the one that had the better price.
The 2000 Softail Springer FXSTS is an elegant treatment of the classic California Chopper with sweeping lines, an extended front end and a large tire in the rear and a smaller tire in the front. The bike has Harley's Softail rear suspension with a pair of hidden shocks combining the comfortable ride of a sprung frame with the clean looks of a rigid frame. Hydraulic disk brakes, front and rear, provide better stopping power than the old Harley's had.
For 2000 Harley Big Twin has the patented Twin Cam 88 cubic inch (1450cc) engine, which was introduced in 1999. This engine uses two cams to run the valve train and also has a pair of mechanical vibration dampers buried within the engine mechanism rather than rubber mounted engines like some other H-D Big Twin models have.
Harley V Twin engines have never been known for the horsepower they produce but rather the low end torque which is outstanding due to the long stroke. The torque is what gets you off the line with a leap and allows you to drive with less downshifting when you want to accelerate. Just crank on the throttle and the Big Twin will provide all the power you need without lugging. And it does it on regular gas.
The starter is electric and the transmission is five speed, 1 down and 4 up, coupled to the wheel with a belt drive. The controls are mounted on pull back bars with turn signals on each grip, emergency flasher, horn, kill button, and dual throttle cables. A pair of chrome teardrop mirrors graces the handlebars and the speedo is mounted in the traditional chrome console on the tank. A neutral indicator light and the ignition switch is also on the console.
The 2000 Softail Springer is a cruiser motorcycle, more given to boulevard cruising than long tours, although windshield and saddle bags can be added. The traditional five gallon tank limits the range between stops. This is a traditional Chopper and is made for cruising and turning heads. And turn heads it does with the immaculate build quality and stunning chrome appearance of the engine and accessories coupled with the throaty exhaust note that only a Harley Big Twin has.
The turning circle is a little larger with the extended front end but a good rider can still turn the bike around in the width of a city street without backing up. The ride is smooth and comfortable with no apparent difference in feel from a conventional hydraulic suspension. And when you goose the throttle from a slow roll, feel the Harley accelerate and hear the glorious singing of the 88 cubic inches!
I'm glad I walked into H-D that day and bought that bike.
Wear appropriate safety gear and come back safe and sound. Happy motorcycling! ;>
Last edited on Mar 01, 2008
Harley-Davidson FXSTS/FXSTSI Springer Softail - 2000... is recommended by GeorgeChabot
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