Hardtail vs. Softtail, how much harder of a ride is it??

Influencer · 02-16-2009, 06:30 PM

Hey bro's just curious how much rougher of a ride a hardtail is vs. a softtail is? Or a Pit vs. a Bulldog of those who have experianced both? Is there like a certain amount of hours where you can really start feeling a hardtail hurt'in? Or what is the main factors? Thanks!!

pig pen · 02-16-2009, 06:43 PM

The first good bump and you know your on a hard tail. On my pit I have rode around 350 miles in a day, Trust me you feel it. I love my pit and wouldn't trade it for anything,well all most anything. I ride roads that I know are in good shape but you will always get on a rough strech of road. Most my riding is short trips and the pit suits me well. You should test ride both and decide what suits you. Think about what type of riding your most likely to do.

K9Anniv · 02-16-2009, 07:48 PM

Smooth roads are a must for hardtails if you value your spine, kidneys and teeth. In Illinois, the roads are really bad..especially after thw winter we've had this year!

If I lived in AZ or So. CA, a hardtail would be ok. Just my opinion...

barhopper · 02-16-2009, 07:56 PM

If you don't ride much, you will get a monkey ass on anything. The more you ride, the better you can take it. If you want a strip club hopper, a rigid works just fine. If you want to ride distance, get shocks.

BorgerBigDog · 02-16-2009, 07:58 PM

I havent rode a k-9 but for a rigid it rides good i wont ride on roads i havent checked out on my softail first. When i get off the Ridgeback onto my softail its like night and day. I chose the Ridgeback for it looks back fender is much closer to tire than the k-9. My next bike will be a k-9 but i will always keep the Ridgeback...

V · 02-16-2009, 08:04 PM

I can tell you that my 08 Ridgeback rides a lot smoother than my 05 Pit. The only reason fo this is I believe due to the extended length of the Ridgeback. it seems like you get some flex in the front area, maybe due to the fork lengths.

Ride before you buy!

BIKERDAD61 · 02-16-2009, 08:47 PM

Once around the block on each of them and you can tell the difference. When I bought my 05 Chopper the dealer let me ride both it and the Ridgeback. It's a personal preference, but I chose the softail Chopper.
My 47 year old ass isn't as tough as it used to be.

Test ride them both and let your Butt deceide.

Vegas · 02-16-2009, 08:49 PM

This is kind of down the windshield alley for me. Sure I like the looks of a hard tail better but I know the ride won't be what I'm looking for in the long run.

rhinoevans · 02-16-2009, 09:02 PM

My PIT is s bit rough at times, but my HD Nightrain Softtail is just as brutal.

gearsmithy · 02-16-2009, 09:05 PM

shocks are overrated. if i could, i would sit on the front tire

bdmridgeback · 02-16-2009, 09:37 PM

I love my Ridgeback and wouldn't trade it for anything other than another Ridgeback!!!

T-rod · 02-16-2009, 10:16 PM

I've owned 3 Bigdogs and all of them have been Pitbull's. The '08 is the best riding Pitbull imo. I've ridden my friends '07 K-9 and it seemed a bit softer for sure. Every dealer I've been to has been willing to let me ride before I buy, so test as many as they'll let you. Good luck.

bobt · 02-16-2009, 11:57 PM

i'm 61 been ridin for over 40 years,and i love rigids,and this old fat ass of mine has no trouble on my 06 pitt,plus when i ride,my hemroids get a good vibration...........lol

titus722 · 02-17-2009, 12:13 AM

i have an 06 ridgeback, wouldnt trade it for annything,

Influencer · 02-17-2009, 12:25 AM

Wow, thanks for all the replys I will have to put some consideration into this one... Is a Mastiff hard or soft?

02-16-2009, 06:30 PM	#1 (permalink)
Influencer Member Member #: 2184 Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 31 My Gallery Rep Power: 0	Hardtail vs. Softtail, how much harder of a ride is it?? Hey bro's just curious how much rougher of a ride a hardtail is vs. a softtail is? Or a Pit vs. a Bulldog of those who have experianced both? Is there like a certain amount of hours where you can really start feeling a hardtail hurt'in? Or what is the main factors? Thanks!!

02-16-2009, 06:43 PM	#2 (permalink)
pig pen Member Name: John Member #: 621 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: sandusky michigan Posts: 1,219 My Bike(s): 03 pitbull,69 and 81 sporsters My Gallery Rep Power: 6	The first good bump and you know your on a hard tail. On my pit I have rode around 350 miles in a day, Trust me you feel it. I love my pit and wouldn't trade it for anything,well all most anything. I ride roads that I know are in good shape but you will always get on a rough strech of road. Most my riding is short trips and the pit suits me well. You should test ride both and decide what suits you. Think about what type of riding your most likely to do. __________________ fat, loud & dirty

02-16-2009, 07:48 PM	#3 (permalink)
K9Anniv Senior Member Name: Mike Member #: 101 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 2,169 My Bike(s): '09-15th Anniv K9, #5 of 15 My Gallery Rep Power: 7	Smooth roads are a must for hardtails if you value your spine, kidneys and teeth. In Illinois, the roads are really bad..especially after thw winter we've had this year! If I lived in AZ or So. CA, a hardtail would be ok. Just my opinion... __________________ Follow the 'Golden Rule', ENJOY LIFE while you can and thank God for every day. See you down the road..

02-16-2009, 07:56 PM	#4 (permalink)
barhopper Another round please Member #: 465 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: So Cal Posts: 3,309 My Bike(s): 04 RSD Bulldog My Gallery Rep Power: 8	If you don't ride much, you will get a monkey ass on anything. The more you ride, the better you can take it. If you want a strip club hopper, a rigid works just fine. If you want to ride distance, get shocks. __________________ I got first round.

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02-16-2009, 08:04 PM	#6 (permalink)
V Senior Member Member #: 253 Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 5,321 My Gallery Rep Power: 9	I can tell you that my 08 Ridgeback rides a lot smoother than my 05 Pit. The only reason fo this is I believe due to the extended length of the Ridgeback. it seems like you get some flex in the front area, maybe due to the fork lengths. Ride before you buy!

02-16-2009, 08:47 PM	#7 (permalink)
BIKERDAD61 Puddle Pusher Member #: 25 Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Indiana Posts: 928 My Bike(s): 2007 H-D Ultra Classic My Gallery Rep Power: 7	Once around the block on each of them and you can tell the difference. When I bought my 05 Chopper the dealer let me ride both it and the Ridgeback. It's a personal preference, but I chose the softail Chopper. My 47 year old ass isn't as tough as it used to be. Test ride them both and let your Butt deceide.

02-16-2009, 08:49 PM	#8 (permalink)
Vegas Senior Member Member #: 273 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Henderson,NV Posts: 2,382 My Gallery Rep Power: 7	This is kind of down the windshield alley for me. Sure I like the looks of a hard tail better but I know the ride won't be what I'm looking for in the long run.

02-16-2009, 09:02 PM	#9 (permalink)
rhinoevans Member Member #: 1149 Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 268 My Bike(s): 2002 Pitbull My Gallery Rep Power: 5	My PIT is s bit rough at times, but my HD Nightrain Softtail is just as brutal.

02-16-2009, 09:05 PM	#10 (permalink)
gearsmithy Member Name: gearsmithy Member #: 123 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Chicago Posts: 277 My Bike(s): 2005 Big Dog Ridgeback, 81 shovel (frankinbike), 76 ironhead, and a pile of parts in the corner My Gallery Rep Power: 6	shocks are overrated. if i could, i would sit on the front tire

02-16-2009, 10:16 PM	#12 (permalink)
T-rod Junior Member Member #: 73 Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Jacksonville, FL. Posts: 24 My Bike(s): 2008 Pitbull My Gallery Rep Power: 0	I've owned 3 Bigdogs and all of them have been Pitbull's. The '08 is the best riding Pitbull imo. I've ridden my friends '07 K-9 and it seemed a bit softer for sure. Every dealer I've been to has been willing to let me ride before I buy, so test as many as they'll let you. Good luck.

02-17-2009, 12:13 AM	#14 (permalink)
titus722 Member Name: 3 can keep a secret if 2 are dead Member #: 376 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Camp leatherneck Afgan / Arcadia ,fl Posts: 333 My Bike(s): 2006 RIDGEBACK My Gallery Rep Power: 6	i have an 06 ridgeback, wouldnt trade it for annything,

02-17-2009, 12:25 AM	#15 (permalink)
Influencer Member Member #: 2184 Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 31 My Gallery Rep Power: 0	Wow, thanks for all the replys I will have to put some consideration into this one... Is a Mastiff hard or soft?