Motorcycles
Harley-Davidson Softail for sale, straight from America
I buy every Softail myself from private sellers in America: Fat Boy, Heritage, Deluxe, Springer and more. Every bike is filmed before shipping. The price includes shipping to the port of Rotterdam.
For sale now
Softails available now
Not the right one?
Tell me the year, colour and budget you have in mind. I’ll look for it on my next buying trip in America.
Why from America
Why buy a Softail from America?
Much more choice
There are far more Softails for sale in America than in Europe: Fat Boy, Heritage Softail, Deluxe, Springer, Night Train and Standard, from Evo to Twin Cam.
Good prices
Softails are plentiful in America and therefore often much cheaper. Even after shipping and import you regularly end up lower than for a comparable bike in Europe.
No surprises
You see the bike start and run on video, and you get the Carfax or damage report before you pay.
Money back if it disappoints
If you don’t like the bike when you collect it from the shipping agent, you get your money back, including the transport costs. Only the bank transfer fees are not refunded.
Which Softail?
Evo or Twin Cam: which Softail suits you?
Evolution (1984-1999)
The first Softails have the 1340 cc Evo engine, rigidly mounted in the frame. Simple, reliable and easy to maintain. The Fat Boy (1990) and the Heritage Softail (1986) date from this era. Many Evo Softails are now 30 years or older.
Twin Cam 88B (2000-2006)
The 1450 cc Twin Cam 88B has balance shafts, so it vibrates much less. From 2001 also with fuel injection (models with an I in the code, such as FLSTFI). Comfortable on long rides.
Twin Cam 96B and 103B (2007-2017)
More displacement, six-speed gearbox and more modern technology. Note: in the Netherlands, bikes from 2006 onwards are inspected at RDW Lelystad, which is more expensive and thorough.
Registration and costs
Registration and costs
Registration rules differ per European country. In the Netherlands, for example, a Softail up to model year 2005 is inspected at a regular RDW station; from 2006 it goes through RDW Lelystad, which costs more. We work with people in the Netherlands who can handle the inspection and Dutch registration. With Dutch papers the bike is an EU-registered vehicle, which usually makes registering it in Italy, Spain or France a lot easier.
The price includes shipping to the port of Rotterdam. After arrival you pay for unloading the container, the customs declaration, import duty and VAT; these depend on the vehicle and your country. From Rotterdam, transport to your address can be arranged. Ask for a calculation for a specific bike.
Is the Softail 30 years or older and still original? Then it can be declared as a collector’s item. In the Netherlands that usually means 0% import duty and 9% VAT; this can differ per European country.
FAQ
Questions about a Softail from America
Can you find a specific Softail for me?
Yes. Send your wishes on WhatsApp (model, year, colour, budget) and I’ll look for it on my next buying trip in America.
What exactly is a Softail?
Softail is Harley-Davidson’s model family with the rear shocks hidden under the bike. The rear frame looks like a classic hardtail, but it rides with suspension. Well-known Softails are the Fat Boy, Heritage Softail, Softail Deluxe, Springer, Night Train and Softail Standard.
What's the difference between a Fat Boy and a Heritage Softail?
The Fat Boy has solid disc wheels, wide tyres and a clean look without windscreen or bags. The Heritage Softail is the touring version, with spoke wheels, a windscreen, leather saddlebags and often a classic headlamp unit.
Can I see the bike before I buy?
Not in person, but every Softail is filmed: a walkaround and a start-up. You also get the Carfax or damage report before you pay.
How long does shipping take?
About 4 weeks from New York, about 2 months from Los Angeles.
Can I register a Softail in my country?
Yes, through your national vehicle authority; the rules differ per country. In the Netherlands a Softail up to 2005 is inspected at a regular RDW station, and we work with people there who can handle the inspection and Dutch registration. With Dutch papers it’s an EU-registered vehicle, which usually makes registering it in Italy, Spain or France easier.
How do I pay, and is it safe?
You first receive an invoice. You then pay into the company’s US business account, not a personal account.
Looking for a Softail?
Send me your wishes on WhatsApp. I reply myself, even when I’m on the road.