I went to my local Harley dealer today to buy my first Harley.
Being somewhat new to bike riding after 20 years and riding a much smaller Yamaha 650 for the
past 6 months the dealer kindly let me take a demo ride on several of the bikes
I was considering: Street Glide, Fatboy, Heritage Softail Classic.

I have a bad back so the vibration in the Street Glide at stops and even at
50 mph, did not work out for me.

The Fatboy rode just like I wanted (very smooth), but I was streching a bit
for the bars. The Heritage was OK once they adjusted the bars for me,but it felt big.

I know it's basically the same bike, just felt different (BTW this bike had
5 miles on it, it was very stiff which could have been part of it)

The problem is I went in there to buy a Softail Deluxe!
After sitting on the Fatboy and Heritage I tried out the Deluxe and felt a
little cramped. The thing is I love the look and feel of the Deluxe.

I'm a 5' 8" female with a 32/33 inch inseam so on the Deluxe I had about a
90 deg. knee bend which was not the comfortable stretch I had on the other bikes.
On my little Yamaha my knee tends to lock up after about 100 miles like that.
I really liked the bars better then the ones on the Heritage and personally
I love the look of the bike.

I've considered altering the seat on the Deluxe because
I need leg stretch but don't want to get too far from the handlebars.
I'd also be buying the bags and windshield the Heritage is already equipped with.

The only other concern I have on either bike is the vibration I hear about over 70.
Like I said I have a bad back and can't handle really noticible vibration.
Living in CA you can't really completely avoid the 70 to 80 mph freeways!
I have been OK though on my topped out Yamaha 650 for 100 miles or so
which vibrates pretty good at anything over 55.

What I don't want to do is be sorry I picked the wrong bike 3 months down
the road.

I'm figuring I'm not going to be going on huge cross country trips
too much, but I like to go on the weekends (a couple of hundred miles maybe).

 

This is the hardest question anyone ever asks. The seat distance and the handlebar reach and height are both easily changed for a reasonable cost. The item not easy to change position is the footboards. Your leg position seems to be critical for you. That is where I would start. I don't know if you would feel comfortable with highway pegs, they could even help solve that problem. I have a fatboy and an ultra. There is no way that I could ride all day without my highway pegs. Almost any bike can be reworked with the simple changes for fit. I have installed pullback bars on both of my bikes. You will find that almost all long distance riders have altered the bars and seats on their bikes. I know this probably doesn't help, but keep looking and test ride again, don't be afraid to ask the dealer costs for changing comfort items.

 

I was considering forking out the money to rent a Deluxe for a day.
Figure I would get a better feel for the height problem that way.
Now I just need the weather to cooperate. Figures it's been beautiful
every weekend in So. Cal --- I want to buy a bike --- It decides to rain

 

Good luck with your choice, I know what you mean about the weather, I'm in N. CA. We have a big club ride to a festival for tomorrow, It will probably be raining before we get back. Stay dry and safe.

 

I had a very similar decision to make, I am 6' male also with a very bad back. I have shorter legs though, I have a 30 inch inseam. I really wanted a Fat boy, but the arm reach and seat width, were not comfortable. I knew I could change them, but the deluxe felt so good and I liked the look. I also spent time with the heritage, but I am not a tour rider and if I do, it will be one or two trips a season. If you are adding bags and a windshield and like the fit of the Heritage better, than change the paint and add some chrome to the heritage for the cost of the bags windshield and adjustments to the deluxe. Just a thought and good luck with your decision.

Hardley Riding.

 

Hi,

Was going through the same thing with these two bikes. Finally put the deposit on the Deluxe. I am 5'10 and feel a little cramped on the Deluxe, but as others have mentioned, that can be resolved; considering a different seat, or taking some pad off the stock. Love the balance and feel of the deluxe. The Heritage Classic comes with everything I want on it; bags, windshield etc, but the deluxe calls to me.

I have spent many hours at various times looking at them both on-line with various paints schemes etc and always come back to the deluxe, almost, it would seem trying to talk myself out of the deluxe. However, when I am scrolling through the discussion board and come across a picture of the deluxe the love starts all over again. I just don't get that feeling with any other bike.

Since I know I can adjust the Deluxe, and I feel the way I do when I see one, I know it is the right choice. I will be getting the black and white, bags, windshield and chrome font end. It will end up costing more than the heritage, especially if I need to get a different seat later, but this is the one that just does it for me.

Listen to yourself, you'll know.

Hope that helps,
Arthur

 

I think you are on the right track by renting them both and getting a personal feel for them. I've cranked my Heritage to up over 100mph and she rides smooth for me. However, I really believe every bike has it's own personality. I don't know if it's the way they are assembled or tire wear, or what, but I've ridden several styles and they all have their own feel to them. IMHO.

 

Thanks for all the great responses

I think I'm partial to the Deluxe. Looks like quite a few of you have
been able to get it comfy. Just need to make it comfortable enough
for some touring.

Hubby insists I rent one for a day.
So once the weather clears I think I'll take him up on it.

Then it will all be about color. The one that got me going was the
blue and white. Might look awesome with the bbreproduction white bags.
I'm not liking the black bags on the blue & white bike.

The skunk (black and white) was my other choice.

Planning to custom paint it at some point, but I think
the initial investment will hold that off for a while.

Geez I'm getting more excited by the minute[sm=bling.gif]!

 

I am 5ft 8 and I ride a Heritage and my wife has a Deluxe, I like the larger feel of the Heritage, the Deluxe IMO does have a better ride, don't know why same basic bike but it does. Both are fine rides, good luck!

 

The Fatboy, the Heritage and the Deluxe are the same bike with the exception of seats, handle bars, and cosmetics, and the Deluxe has been lowered, which is not a plus in the curves.

You should be able to make any one of the three feel the same from the saddle by just changing bars, seat or both.

In my opinion, the Heritage is the best value right out of the box because of the extras you get. The Deluxe is the best looking, and the Fatboy probably has the most attitude.

As far as vibration goes, it should not be a problem with the counterbalanced engine. My wife has a 2001 Heritage, and while it gets a little buzzy at 70 or 80, it is not intrusive, and the bike is comfortable for all day riding at Interstate speeds.

Regards,

Bill