| Soft tail frames for motorcycles are also known as | | | | customize a swing arm frame. Even choppers, raked |
| "swing arm frames" for the swing arm which | | | | and lowered with long, extended fork assemblies can |
| provides the soft ride. Motorcycles with soft frames | | | | be built around a swing arm frame. |
| ride quite different than those with rigid frames. The | | | | So, you might ask why some people strongly prefer |
| kidney-jolting road bumps feel much smoother and | | | | a soft tail frame over a rigid frame. It's really simple; |
| most riders find these bikes more comfortable for | | | | it is difficult to enjoy long road trips where most of |
| long trips. | | | | the day is spent on the pavement which is |
| How, exactly, does the soft tail frame and swing arm | | | | frequently less than smooth. |
| assembly work to provide the softer ride? The rear | | | | As more and more motorcycle enthusiasts, many of |
| tire of the cycle must be connected to the frame. | | | | which are baby boomers, get a bit older, comfort |
| The difference between the two frame types is the | | | | can be a major factor. No longer are motorcycles |
| way in which this connection is made. | | | | something that only the young ride for transportation. |
| A soft tail frame swing arm contains a pivot joint | | | | It's not uncommon to see groups of motorcycles |
| between the rest of the frame and the rear wheel | | | | ridden by retirees heading to Bike Week, Biketober |
| assembly which supports the wheel and the rear | | | | Fest, or another major motorcycle gathering. America |
| suspension. Also, in a soft tail, there is rear | | | | is aging and therefore more riders are older and seek |
| suspension, including shock absorbers which remove | | | | the comfort factor. |
| some of the bumps that can be so hard on the | | | | One major difference between soft tail frames and |
| rider's back. | | | | the hard tail frame is the way the road feels to the |
| The soft tail swing arm attaches to the frame behind | | | | rider. Hardcore bikers tend to love the way the hard |
| the center of gravity on the motorcycle and the | | | | tail allows the feel of the road to be felt through the |
| pivot joint is almost always higher than the hub of | | | | frame, making the rider feel almost as if they are |
| the rear wheel. This provides stability and prevents | | | | part of the road. |
| 'squat' when accelerating. | | | | Is a soft tail frame the right choice for you? That is |
| Stock motorcycles are soft tails. Custom built bikes | | | | a question only you can answer. It all boils down to |
| can have either type of frame and many of the | | | | your riding stamina, how much you love that sense |
| highly customized cycles have hard time frames | | | | of feeling the road through the wheels, up into the |
| rather. For riders that really prefer the comfort of | | | | frame and into your body, and sometimes just by |
| the soft tail ride, there is no reason not to fully | | | | what motorcycle you are accustomed to riding. |