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[SteveO]

Has anyone made a long distance trip on the Softail.  Planning on a 3000 mile trip out west this summer and not sure if this bike will be very comfortable.  Always had Ultra Classics and Goldwings on my long trips.  Interested to see what others think.

[Jasray]

SteveO

I did a 4500 mile ride in 2011 on my ConV, my buddy and I have done a long ride every year for the past 10 years with the exception of 2012.  My favorite cross country bike was my old BigDog but my back just couldn't take that anymore (getting to old).  I love my ConV, to me it is the right balance of weight and ride comfort.  I had a super fine road glide for a couple of years, very nice highway ride but to big and bulky for around town.  Until the MoCo makes a CVO Heritage, I will keep lovin my ConV.  Keep in mind that this is no Goldwing or UltraC, nowhere near that kind of ride, especially if you like all the electronics.

[etudeguy]

SteveO
My wife and I have ridden my 2011 Convertible out West for the past two summers. We've traveled around 4,600 miles both years and we are leaving at the end of June for another western adventure for more than 5,000 miles. We both have loved traveling on the Convertible and we plan to keep riding it. I almost get comments about my bike daily when we are touring.

Riding out West is simply the best. The scenery is amazing, the weather is ALMOST always great, the people are friendly and there is very little traffic.

Etudeguy

[JC1973]

Did a 2000 mile trip this past summer from GR to Detroit then up to the U.P. and back.......love my CVO Conv........through rain and wind she was solid, when guys on their earlier model Street glides were getting all squirly on that skinny tire. Cant wait to get back from Afghanistan and head south to Key West for some much needed two wheel therapy. JC

[jjohn581]

Did a 2000+ last summer out west and bike was great. I did use an air hawk seat cushion and I think it helps over the stock seat.

[Mach]

Did 800 in 3 days, 2 nights camping at Primitive sites. avoided the interstate like the plague.  I'm hoping to do 2 of these trips this year.  very happy with the bike.

[Charlie]

 
1000 miles over 2 days with no problem! great ride,

[FADBOY]

Hi
I have done two trips around Europe on my FLSTSE2, one from the UK to Croatia via the Alps which was 3250 miles, and One from Uk to Portugal Via the Pyrenees which was 3500 miles,
Both with the standard Screen and I am 6ft 2" found it a perfect touring bike for mileage of approx 300 miles per day (non motorway).

Check out the trips on my youtube channel.

This Years trip is 2500 miles and going to Amsterdam, Berlin, Prague, Munich, Austria, Switzerland, Black Forest, Luxenbourg.

http://www.youtube.com/user/BIG5108/videos

[Charlie]

Hi
I have done two trips around Europe on my FLSTSE2, one from the UK to Croatia via the Alps which was 3250 miles, and One from Uk to Portugal Via the Pyrenees which was 3500 miles,
Both with the standard Screen and I am 6ft 2" found it a perfect touring bike for mileage of approx 300 miles per day (non motorway).

Check out the trips on my youtube channel.

This Years trip is 2500 miles and going to Amsterdam, Berlin, Prague, Munich, Austria, Switzerland, Black Forest, Luxenbourg.

http://www.youtube.com/user/BIG5108/videos

Hi Fadboy,
I'm originally from Brum, now out in Dubai, loving the Convertible and year long sunshine, do miss Birmingham but certinly not the weather!
They sound like some awsome rides your getting on!
Ride Safe,
Charlie

[FADBOY]

Hi Charlie

I'm so jealous, Yes Brum has frozen over for the last three months and its trying to snow again today, this time last year we had already been on a couple of ride outs when will it end???

[Charlie]

Hi Charlie

I'm so jealous, Yes Brum has frozen over for the last three months and its trying to snow again today, this time last year we had already been on a couple of ride outs when will it end???

Been here in Dubai for nearly 9 years now, never seen snow, rained about a dozen times in total, never been below 18c and don't pay taxes! have ridden every Christmas and news years day just to prove a point! no tax! happy days,
But i do miss the UK, or maybe the idea of the UK as i left it!
All i hear is stories saying its going down the pan!
Good luck with that British weather!!

[FADBOY]

this is the view from the office window 4 weeks ago nuff said

[Charlie]

this is the view from the office window 4 weeks ago nuff said

Should be on a post card!

[glodigger]

My hats off to  all who drove these bikes stock that far ;
 So far got a clear View wind screen that works fantastic  I made a error and got the 19"  at 5'7" the envelope is a a full 6" over my head and four over the wife I need the 17" to not be looking though the shield
Sitting behind that big screen is very comfortable.
Installed the crash bar and zippered lowers and a ultimate seat with back rest.

Now if the weather will get nasty this weekend I will head to reno over Donner summet to test this baby in the wet and white stuff. hopefully.
No I'm not crazy but plan on coast to coast  L.A. to D.C . with a detour to Maine in may. 
Two years ago pushed 4 inch's of slush snow into Williams AZ. and the rain in Ohio though Michigan are legendary


 

[gunnyjeep]

this is the view from the office window 4 weeks ago nuff said

view from my hotel room in Dubai last year - will be there Friday actually

[hadye]

I had more than 3000 Miles on my 2012 convertible with my wife across Europe. It was comfortable & I had all my luggage on the bike.
IMG_2568 by Hady.me, on Flickr

[Charlie]

I had more than 3000 Miles on my 2012 convertible with my wife across Europe. It was comfortable & I had all my luggage on the bike.
IMG_2568 by Hady.me, on Flickr

What route did you do around Europe?
Have been looking at taking a couple of months off and doing it myself!

[gunnyjeep]

I love my 2011 for Road Trips, this picture is a 4000 mile trip (total mile when I returned to WV) from North WV to Melbourne Fl, Cruise Control makes a world of difference.

[hadye]

What route did you do around Europe?
Have been looking at taking a couple of months off and doing it myself!

Here is a link to our road through Europe http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF&msa=0&msid=204765495884399427353.0004c5a61f0fb2cffc04a

We shipped the bikes to London from Kuwait by sea freight & started our trip for 2 weeks.

[Charlie]

Here is a link to our road through Europe http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF&msa=0&msid=204765495884399427353.0004c5a61f0fb2cffc04a

We shipped the bikes to London from Kuwait by sea freight & started our trip for 2 weeks.

Wow! Awsome trip!!
What did it cost you to ship the Bike to the UK?

[hadye]

Wow! Awsome trip!!
What did it cost you to ship the Bike to the UK?

less than 2000 US$  but it took a lot of time , 25 days inbound & around 40 days outbound. I would assume that it was delayed cos the shipper was not so experienced in logistics 

[Charlie]

less than 2000 US$  but it took a lot of time , 25 days inbound & around 40 days outbound. I would assume that it was delayed cos the shipper was not so experienced in logistics 

I have a couple of spare weeks holiday that i will have to take around August (get out of the Dubai Heat) and am fancying a trip to Italy! ill look into it!
Thanks,

[hadye]

I have a couple of spare weeks holiday that i will have to take around August (get out of the Dubai Heat) and am fancying a trip to Italy! ill look into it!
Thanks,

I think it is better to check for a quotation to ship to Genoa, it will drop you at a much near location & you can a have a nice trip around the Alps

[Charlie]

I think it is better to check for a quotation to ship to Genoa, it will drop you at a much near location & you can a have a nice trip around the Alps

Thats what i was thinking! going to get a couple of quotes over the weekend,
Thanks,

[hdbrad03]

2006 wife did 8000 miles on a Softail Deluxe. First thing when she got home was to purchase an CVO Roadking with Cruise Control.


 


   Brad

[Blackhawk]

I had more than 3000 Miles on my 2012 convertible with my wife across Europe. It was comfortable & I had all my luggage on the bike.
IMG_2568 by Hady.me, on Flickr

Nice job packing.  Would you do anything different?

[hadye]

Nice job packing.  Would you do anything different?

Well, it differs when you alone or with a team. We were 14 bikes (majority Goldwings)

[12cvosoftail]

I did a 4000+ mile trip last September. I did 700 miles the first day and 770 miles the second day to arrive at Grand Teton NP. The bike was great. The only discomfort I had was after the 500 mile mark I wished I had a way to extend my legs. I will be buying something to resolve that the next time I plan on long days.

[FADBOY]

Yes I have the engine crash bar with flip down pegs attached and its great to get your feet on them and push back so your bum (butt) can get some blood back in it.

[CVOgaree]

As a fellow Mishigander now living in Fla. & owner of a CVO Conv. I can't go for more than an hour without my ass hurting. I love my seat and don't wanna replace it. Gary.

Did a 2000 mile trip this past summer from GR to Detroit then up to the U.P. and back.......love my CVO Conv........through rain and wind she was solid, when guys on their earlier model Street glides were getting all squirly on that skinny tire. Cant wait to get back from Afghanistan and head south to Key West for some much needed two wheel therapy. JC

[2 ROSE]

I have a 2012 cvo convertible and road Pittsburgh to Laconia, NH, to Bar Harbor, ME. and back for a total of 1800 miles in eight days and had no issues with the seat.

[Ozoneman]

My wife (66 years old) rode her 2012 Softail Convertible from Indiana to Colorado last year.  And this year she followed me to Maine.  She has about 40K miles on it now.

[2 ROSE]

My wife (66 years old) rode her 2012 Softail Convertible from Indiana to Colorado last year.  And this year she followed me to Maine.  She has about 40K miles on it now.

Damn you guys do some riding...and I thought I was doing ok on my 2012 with my 16k miles. I am humbled. Although it does show how comfy the bike is. I have done pittsburgh to Indianapolis, ID only stopping for fuel and rode to Laconia, NH and Bar Harbor, ME this past June. Wish I had more time to ride.
You guys stay safe.

[Mrs C]

 I have 52,000k on my 2012 and she still has a couple of away weekends before storage

[2 ROSE]

I have 52,000k on my 2012 and she still has a couple of away weekends before storage

Hey Mrs C,
When does your riding season end up north there? So how has the convertible held up after 52k miles? Any major fixes needed? I see you have the blue...thats my second favorite 2012 convertible color.

[Mrs C]

2 Rose
No major issues thus far.  Have replaced the tires twice.  Riding goes until the frost hits the ground, usually the end of October.  It's getting a wee bit nippy now.

[Ozoneman]

2 Rose
No major issues thus far.  Have replaced the tires twice.  Riding goes until the frost hits the ground, usually the end of October.  It's getting a wee bit nippy now.

52K miles and only changed tires twice?  My wife only gets about 10K on her tires on her Softail Convertible.  Be careful and make sure to replace them when they get down to 2/32 tread.

[ozarke]

52K miles and only changed tires twice? 

That is what I thought!  I am on my 4 set of tires with a little over 30k on mine.  Just put on Metzler 880's to see how they do.

[2 ROSE]

That is what I thought!  I am on my 4 set of tires with a little over 30k on mine.  Just put on Metzler 880's to see how they do.

Yeah I got 10k (9500 to be exact) miles on the original front and rear tires and may have been pushing that some.  Most people I've talked to do not get much more than that.

[senorjeem]

Rode one from Tucson home to British Columbia.  Luggage behind as a backrest was pricelist.  Nice easy rider kind of posture.

[2 ROSE]

Yeah the larger size HD luggage sitting on the passenger seat is very comfy. Also highway pegs do come in handy. And that cruise control...how did I ever survive without it???

[finn]

Did a 2000 mile trip this past summer from GR to Detroit then up to the U.P. and back.......love my CVO Conv........through rain and wind she was solid, when guys on their earlier model Street glides were getting all squirly on that skinny tire. Cant wait to get back from Afghanistan and head south to Key West for some much needed two wheel therapy. JC

thanks for serving and GOD bless you......served 1969 to 1975.

[Old Spice]

Just returned from a 7,800 mile 3 week vacation. Last year it was 9,000 miles in three weeks. I have had my 2012 Convertible for about a year and a half and I have put more than 25,000 miles on it. It only had 2,000 on it when I bought it. As far as comfort goes I agree that the pack on the passenger seat makes a great backrest. I guess I have a hard ass because the seat really isn't an issue for me. If I were to find something to complain about, the things that I found myself dealing with were: 1) I was riding with two other people, one on a Honda F6B and the other was on a HD Ultra. We rode in several downpours and I was the one that suffered the most. Not a bike that will protect you from the weather. 2) I am short (5 ft.) and love that I can flatfoot this bike but on long trips where I am straddled across it all day, I am finding that the cap on the oil bag is branding me. I purposely wear heavier jeans but it still is so hot that I have a large purple place on the back of my thigh on long trips and for a few weeks afterward. 3) When I first bought it my left hand would just ache after a long day. Now I guess that I have gotten used to the clutch and now it is not a big deal. I have noticed that I now have a pronounced tendon from my thumb to my middle finger though. What I would say to you....If you love this bike, ride it! You will adjust or you will decide that this is not the bike for you.