Softail® Motorcycles For Sale in Albany, OR

A red Harley-Davidson® Softail® Fat Boy® parked on the street Unleash your riding potential with a Softail® motorcycle available at Willamette Valley Harley-Davidson® in Albany, OR. Known for their smooth rides and distinct designs, these bikes cater to both seasoned riders and newcomers alike. We proudly serve the local community and surrounding areas with top-notch customer service. To learn more about our Softail selection, Contact Us or give us a call at (541) 747-1033.

Willamette Valley H-D® Inventory

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Harley-Davidson Softail® Motorcycle History

The Harley-Davidson Softail® motorcycle line is one of the company’s most popular series. These bikes act as a bridge between past and present by offering modern performance in a classic-style package. If you’re interested in learning more about the history of Harley-Davidson Softail® motorcycles, check out this guide from Willamette Valley Harley-Davidson®. 
 

Before World War I

To understand why Softail® motorcycles are so popular, it’s useful to know a bit of history. While almost all modern motorcycle models have suspension on both wheels, pre-World War I bikes usually only had suspension on the front. Companies began to experiment with adding suspension to a motorcycle’s rear wheels, but they ran into a problem. While adding rear suspension made the ride smoother and handling easier, these early rear motorcycle suspension systems were often expensive and difficult to maintain. Not only that, but these early rear-wheel suspensions systems often didn’t work that well, leading many bikers to prefer “hardtail” models that only had suspension in the front.
 

After World War II

In the years that followed, rear motorcycle suspension systems improved drastically. Post World War II, the hardtail motorcycle was widely seen as obsolete, with most manufacturers shifting to produce dual-suspension motorcycles. Hardtail motorcycles became a cult favorite, with some aftermarket companies still producing frames as late as the 70s.
 

The First Softail® Motorcycle

Throughout the mid 1970s, an engineer and motorcycle enthusiast named Bill Davis worked to develop a bike that looked like a classic hardtail while still incorporating rear suspension. Davis met with Harley-Davidson executives, who were suitably impressed. Davis tinkered with his model for the next few years, improving it and later selling the patent to Harley Davidson. While the Harley-Davidson Softail® motorcycle has undergone a few revisions and improvements since then, it still keeps the old hardtail spirit alive through its unique appearance. 

Shop Harley-Davidson Softail® motorcycles at Willamette Valley Harley-Davidson®. You can visit us online or at our dealership in Eugene, Oregon. We also offer financing, parts, and service. We’re proud to serve communities like Albany and Corvallis, Oregon, and we hope to see you soon!