Softail® Motorcycles For Sale in Gaithersburg, MD

Harley-Davidson Softail® Motorcycle History

Harley-Davidson Softail® motorcycles act like a bridge between the past and the present. Though they greatly resemble classic motorcycle designs that were first introduced almost a century ago, they still offer all the modern comforts and conveniences that riders have come to expect. If you’re interested in learning about how the unique Softail® series of motorcycles came to be, check out this guide from District Harley-Davidson®.

Before World War I

By the eve of World War I, almost all motorcycle designs incorporated some form of front suspension. Rear-suspension systems, on the other hand, were a much tougher sell. While these early rear motorcycle suspension systems provided a smoother rider, they were also costly, difficult to maintain, and often didn’t even work that well. It’s no surprise that many riders of the time preferred “hardtail” motorcycles, bikes that only had suspension in the front. 

After World War II

Motorcycle manufacturers spent years experimenting with different ways of making rear motorcycle suspension systems better. These improvements were so dramatic that by the end of World War II hardtail motorcycles were widely seen as obsolete. Most manufacturers switched over to producing dual-suspension models. However, hardtails had an avid cult following, and aftermarket companies continued to produce hardtail frames as late as the 1970s. 

The First Softail® Motorcycle

Bill Davis was an engineer and classic motorcycle enthusiast who wanted a bike that looked like a hardtail but still performed like a modern dual-suspension motorcycle. Davis spent the mid-1970s developing a prototype that cleverly hid the rear suspension and eventually showed his work off to Harley-Davidson executives. Davis spent a few years improving upon his initial prototype, eventually selling the patents to Harley-Davidson. While the Harley-Davidson Softail® motorcycle has undergone  revisions and improvements since then, the current model continues to offer modern performance in a classic hardtail-style package. 

Shop our inventory of Softail® motorcycles at District Harley-Davidson®. Visit us online or at our dealership in Gaithersburg, Maryland. We’re proud to serve communities like Baltimore, Maryland and Washington, DC. We also offer servicing, parts ordering, financing, and trade-ins. We hope to see you soon!