Harley-Davidson introduced the Softail chassis in 1984. The original Softails used the small FX telescopic forks, but the FLST Heritage Softail with the large telescopic forks was introduced in 1986.
The FLSTC Heritage Softail Classic, with large front forks and retro styling, was in production by 1988. Other Softails with big forks followed, including the 1990 introduction of the FLSTF Fat Boy and the 1993-only FLSTN "Cow Glide".
The base Heritage Special was discontinued in 1991. The FLSTN was continued after 1993 without the cow theme as the
Nostalgia Model until 1997, when it was replaced by the FLSTSC Springer Classic. The Springer Classic is also designated
as an FL despite using Springer forks instead of the large telescopic forks.
The name Softail is a registered trademark of Harley-Davidson
motorcycles, and refers to the models that feature a move-able rear suspension system with springs or shock absorbers to damper
bumps. The shock absorbers or springs are hidden underneath and out of view to give the appearance of a hard tail, or
rigid frame. The Harley-Davidson motorcycle Softail frame is designed to look like the Hardtail bikes of the past, while still offering the comfort of rear suspension. The shock absorbers are positioned along the
axis of the motorcycle, tucked away under the transmission. There are several Harley-Davidson models all with the same
engine, transmission, and frame, with the exception of the Deuce, which has a 2 inch (50.mm) backbone stretch, but they differ
in the choice of forks, wheels, and accessories.
The Softail range
is the only range of Harley-Davidson motorcycles that offers a choice of front suspensions withing the range. The Sporster and Dyna models use the thin X-type telescopic forks, and the Touring Models use the fat FL type telescopic forks. Softails models
may use either the X type or the FL type, or may use the Springer leading link forks that have only been used on Softail models so far. The FXST designation
is used when the X type fork is used or when the Springer fork is used with a 21 inch wheel, while the FLST designation is
used when the FL type fork is used or when the Springer for is used with a 16 inch wheel.
The Harley-Davidson Softail models do not have rubber mounted engines. This led to more vibration in Softails
with Evolution engines than in rubber mounted Touring or Dyna models with Evolution engines. To compensate for this, current Softails use a counterbalanced version of the Twin Cam engine instead of the regular Twin Cam engine used in the Touring and Dyna
models.
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