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[SteveO]

Thinking about downsizing from my Ultra SE3 to the 2011 Softail Convertible.  Wife no longer rides and I want something smaller and different.

My question is; Can the Softail CVO really be considered a "touring" bike, going on 300-500 mile weekend rides without getting beat up from the wind and the discomfort from the small seat?  Or is the bike really only good for short trips and as an around town cruiser?

Your thoughts would be appreciated.

[Midnight Rider]

Thinking about downsizing from my Ultra SE3 to the 2011 Softail Convertible.  Wife no longer rides and I want something smaller and different.

My question is; Can the Softail CVO really be considered a "touring" bike, going on 300-500 mile weekend rides without getting beat up from the wind and the discomfort from the small seat?  Or is the bike really only good for short trips and as an around town cruiser?

Your thoughts would be appreciated.

Seats can be changed to be more comfortable, but windshields are a different story.  At my age, I wouldn't want to do 500 miles on one of those bikes.  I COULD do it, but choose not to, unless I had no other choice.  250-300 miles would probably be OK in good weather.  Not dissing the bike at all...it's a beauty...but for me, just not a "trip" bike.  Overnighters would be fine though.

[mjb765]

It's a great bike--but if you plan on long distance the Ultra is much more comfortable. I'm sure it could be done, but I think you will miss your old bike. I would like to buy the convertable, but wouldn't give up my SESG for it.  The Convertable owners may disagree, but that's why there is a different a** for every seat (and bike). I don't think I would be as comfortable doing a 750 mile day on the Softail. 

[Thundercloud]

If it were me! Think I would consider a Street Glide, so I still had a fairing and radio, and would get a detachable chopped tourpak for the longer trips. And that would lighter than the Ultra, but have the same comfort.  

I agree the Softtail is a sweet looking bike!!  But after, having all the aminities, don't think I could do without anymore.

[RCFlyer]

I put on the Fat Boy windshield and the fork deflectors.  I rented an Electra Glide in Vegas and would take my Softtail any day over one of those.  It rides better and is more comfortable to me.  I still don't like riding over 300 miles in a day on any bike. I rode from Vegas to Phoenix on the Glide and I was quite sore afterwards.  Just IMHO

[myanoch]

I think its fine ride
my back gets sore from no back rest
I dont know about the batwing
lots of bike to man handle
but never owned one  so dont really know
brotherlaw has one
seems like he like it
they are popular

[cliffy]

SteveO, I've had my 2011 convertible for nearly 3 months and already I've done 7,000 miles, so obviously a lot of touring miles, and I love it. That mileage included about 2,500 with a pillion. She hated the back rest but thought the seat was ok. I had a new higher back rest made and she's now happy. The bags with a T Bag provide adequate luggage space, if you're careful. So far we've managed a 2 week trip and a long weekend trip on it with no luggage problems. With a pillion 300 mile a day is reasonable and solo probably about 500 miles in a day. I do a mixture of day social rides and touring. I'm about 5' 10" and have had no problem with the screen height, though I've heard it can be a problem for taller people.

Out of interest I've got a few friends with various touring bikes (Street Glide and Ultras) and many of them secretly wish that they had the convertible. It's much more practical and fun, unless you're going to be touring everyday. It's so much lighter, quicker and easier to handle than the bigger touring models. It's also a great looker.

You won't regret it.

[ROADROD]

steve0..i went from a 09 se road glide to my 2011 convertable..have ocassional back problems and wanted to go lighter..i have been on a couple of 500 mile days with no problems..i did change out the windshield to the 7juriot which is a couple inches wider..the road glide was a little more comfortable on interstate at speeds above 75mph..the conv.has a little more vibration at higher speeds but i would not go back to the road glide...these things are a blast to ride and when i get where im going i can take all the stuff off of it...

[Mach]

90% of my rides are under 50 miles and it's just me  

at 5'11" the wind is an issue above 65, I just bought a new shield but I haven't had the time/energy to unscrew 4 bolts.  I also am looking to get some highway pegs to stretch out some. 

[PierceEye]

I have a 2010 and love it...... 2-300 miles a day is no problem.....

[Kevinski]

Hi Steve,

I moved from a CVO Street Glide to the Convertible and its not as smooth at speed but overall its a far nicer bike to ride. Get an extended test ride on a Heritage Softail, the ride is not wildly different from the Convertible and it will let you know if you can do the miles on a Softail.

Cheers, Kev

[SteveO]

Thanks guys, everyone's comments were very helpful.  I will be picking up my new Softail Convertible on Saturday.  Looking forward to the change after 2 Ultras and an RK.

[chywy]

Thinking about downsizing from my Ultra SE3 to the 2011 Softail Convertible.  Wife no longer rides and I want something smaller and different.

My question is; Can the Softail CVO really be considered a "touring" bike, going on 300-500 mile weekend rides without getting beat up from the wind and the discomfort from the small seat?  Or is the bike really only good for short trips and as an around town cruiser?

Your thoughts would be appreciated.

Just to add a comment and maybe some feed back on "touring" with my 2010 Softail Convertible.  My wife and I have done 600 plus weekends - recently the NE Hog Rally.  Packing for three days is much different than packing for 5 days. Its a ten day trip - but I figure we can wash clothes in between.  We're headed to Winnepeg from Cheyenne and the amount to carry have increased by a third.

Any comments on loading the side bags beyond the 10lb limit as well as adding a real luggage rack and backpack full of clothes.  I'm concerned about dramatically changing the handling characteristics of the bike - any comments about the handling characteristic changing when this bike is fully loaded?  I plan on stiffening the shock and increasing the tire pressure.  Any tips or comments would be appreciated.
CHYWY

[dcigar]

any time you up the load , tyre pressures come into play, i put a rack on the back of my 11 conv, back in march, filled a harley T bag full which went on my pillion pad, on the rack was a tent mattress,sleeping bag , plus both saddlebags were full, i do like to be comfortable when i travel, i hate washing on the road , by the way all that packing was for the victorian state rally one hours ride from home in march this year

[Midnight Rider]

Just to add a comment and maybe some feed back on "touring" with my 2010 Softail Convertible.  My wife and I have done 600 plus weekends - recently the NE Hog Rally.  Packing for three days is much different than packing for 5 days. Its a ten day trip - but I figure we can wash clothes in between.  We're headed to Winnepeg from Cheyenne and the amount to carry have increased by a third.

Any comments on loading the side bags beyond the 10lb limit as well as adding a real luggage rack and backpack full of clothes.  I'm concerned about dramatically changing the handling characteristics of the bike - any comments about the handling characteristic changing when this bike is fully loaded?  I plan on stiffening the shock and increasing the tire pressure.  Any tips or comments would be appreciated.
CHYWY

The owner's manual should give you tire pressures for your bike..if they only give one pressure for loaded/unloaded, then just go with that.  There used to be a different pressure for loaded/unloaded, but on my current bike, they are the same.  If possible, I try to keep the heavier stuff in the saddlebags to keep the center of gravity as low as possible.  Anything hanging off the back of the bike is going to effect handling to some extent, but a loaded TP and a bag on the luggage rack has never been that big a deal on the baggers, other than lifting it off the kickstand.  None of us would ever dream of exceeding the recommended weights in the bags or luggage rack    Just keep the suspension from bottoming out in back and you should be fine.

[myanoch]

I have run the bike up to 98 mph and ran at 80 for some time and felt no vibrations
I relly belive the bike is good
Did replace winshild to a 19" high one
and added win deflectors sine its purchase
before that the wind would cut my face in half

[chywy]

The owner's manual should give you tire pressures for your bike..if they only give one pressure for loaded/unloaded, then just go with that.  There used to be a different pressure for loaded/unloaded, but on my current bike, they are the same.  If possible, I try to keep the heavier stuff in the saddlebags to keep the center of gravity as low as possible.  Anything hanging off the back of the bike is going to effect handling to some extent, but a loaded TP and a bag on the luggage rack has never been that big a deal on the baggers, other than lifting it off the kickstand.  None of us would ever dream of exceeding the recommended weights in the bags or luggage rack    Just keep the suspension from bottoming out in back and you should be fine.

Thanks for the thoughts - I was thinking the opposite would be true and was prepared to put the majority of my weight on the backrest - thinking that the bike would handle like I had a heavy passenger and that if I overloaded the saddlebags I would be affecting the steering and cornering more so than if the weight was centered on the bike - but thinking about it - if the bags are equally weighted - I would be maintaining a lower CG.  Thanks for the tip.

CHYWY

[Midnight Rider]

Thanks for the thoughts - I was thinking the opposite would be true and was prepared to put the majority of my weight on the backrest - thinking that the bike would handle like I had a heavy passenger and that if I overloaded the saddlebags I would be affecting the steering and cornering more so than if the weight was centered on the bike - but thinking about it - if the bags are equally weighted - I would be maintaining a lower CG.  Thanks for the tip.

CHYWY

Yea, when my BSR and I travel, I get one saddlebag and she gets one...in mine, I put my tool pouch, tire repair kit, ditty bag (shampoo, shaving stuff, etc), an extra pair of jeans...all of the heavier clothes that I can stuff in there.  My BSR does the same, putting her beauty care products and heavier clothing in her bag.  There is bound to be some overflow into the TP or in your case, the rack bag, depending on the length of the trip.  If you have a rack bag that is nice and stable on the rack, and think of loading it like you would a backpack...heavier stuff on the bottom of the bag...you should be good to go.  If I'm on the road more than 5-6 days, I'll generally find a laundry place and spend a couple of hours washing/drying clothes.  In hot weather, that's more of an issue...in colder weather, I just wear stuff more than once.  Traveling on a bike is a lot like backpacking...you quickly learn what you really need and don't need, and pare down to necessary stuff.  Getting the BSR to not take stuff she thinks she can't live without is usually the issue...

[Mach]

FYI, I have the XL http://bikersfriend.com/pages/bagsize.htm I have not used this on my New bike yet, just don't do what I did.  When the bike was on the stand and leaning I opened the down side and all my crap fell out.