There isn’t anything quite like the 2010 Harley Davidson Softail Custom on the road today. While you will find a good number of custom choppers with absurdly long forks, knockoff OCC bikes, and more badly-customized Harleys out there, the 2010 Harley Davidson Softail Custom makes a statement boldly, but not outlandishly. Far removed from such high dollar customs, this bike brings the roots of custom motorcycling right down to earth- where it’s supposed to be. At the end of the day, after all, what good is having a great bike if you’re afraid to ride it? Show bikes are all too often little more than furniture, lucky if their owners so much as start them up from time to time. The 2010 Harley Davidson Softail Custom, on the other hand, seems to look you in the eye and say, “ride me, or I’m getting’ the hell outta here.” You almost want to believe it. The features on this bike, including a horseshoe oil tank, bobtail rear fender, Ape hangers, and an old-school one piece seat sew up the 1960’s styling ethic in a way that it just isn’t possible for other bikes to imitate, meanwhile, the growling 96B counterbalanced engine ensures that this ride rips up pavement wherever it goes.
At 1,584cc, Harley’s Twin Cam 96B engine is a powerhouse that offers riders 92.195 rated lb/ft of torque at the twist of the throttle, with full power rolling on at 3,000 RPM. The 96B engine is air-cooled for 2010, as it has been for years, and is fed via an electronic sequential port fuel injection system that allows the return of as much as 54 miles per gallon out on the open highway, and 35 miles per gallon fuel economy in the city. The 2010 Harley Davidson Softail Custom is graced with a six-speed transmission this year, helpful in finding that just right cruising range even in the 75-85 mile per hour speed range. The tank holds a 5 gallon fuel capacity, and when topped up with gas and oil, the 2010 Harley Davidson Softail Custom weighs in at 703.25 pounds, enough to have a comfortable, stable riding feel, but not so much that picking the Softail Custom up off the side stand would require more than just a little effort.
The 2010 Harley Davidson Softail Custom is priced from $16,999 for this model year, and is available in six color options. As is usual for the entire Harley Davidson lineup, the base price buys you a 2010 Harley Davidson Softail Custom painted in Vivid Black. Either of the two other solid colors, Scarlet Red or Red Hot Sunglo will set you back an additional $375 on your MSRP. For $695 extra, you can opt for the two-tone color, two-tone flame Blue Pearl / Brilliant Silver Pearl, and for $865 more, the two custom colors become available, Two-tone merlot Sunglo / Cherry Red Sunglo or Two-tone White Ice Pearl / Black Ice Pearl. For 2010, the Harley Davidson Softail Custom is not only a well-appointed American cruiser, but also the very essence of what vintage motorcycles will be seen as a hundred years from now. Your great-grandkids will be thrilled to find this one in the back of the barn someday, but they might be tempted to think that it’s a ride that is a whole lot older.
