The only Harley I've ever owned is my beloved '05 EG Classic. Was at the dealer the other day, dreaming, and sat on a 2012 Heritage Softail with the Signature Series seat. Man, the bike just fits me. I'm a short guy at 5'5" and I was flat footed. I've lowered my EGC, but I still tippy toe it slightly. And the 103 motor is a hoss. Seriously thinking about coming to the Softail side. I've ridden a Softtail rental, but it was an '08.

I ride 2-3 long trips a year, but mainly weekend jaunts 250-400 miles. Will I regret getting rid of the tourer bike? How many ride Softails long distances?

 

I ride very LONG rides I nearly bought a EG but just got so much love for the Softy Nothing against the touring but one day I will own a Touring as a second ride

I will say it again like I always say it " The bike chooses the rider "

Plus the heritage is a really nice choice since you have the looks of both touring and when you strip it down you have a mean looking ride You wont regret getting rid of the tourer if your heart is set on the Heritage

 

I had a 08 Heritage I LOVED but traded it in for a 2011 Limited. While I loved the Limited my heart was still with the Heritage. I traded in the Limited & went to the King. The only thing I really miss on the Limited is the tunes. I say go for it, if it makes your heart THUMP! Btw, i did many 250-400 mile trips on my Heritage.

 

Love my road king but miss my Heritage a whole bunch. Rode the Heritage on many, many a long trip.

 

I bought a new 2009 ultra classic, put 4000 miles on it and could not make myself like it. Sold it and bought a 2010 Heritage. It is an awesome ride in my opinion. Went on a rode trip to sturgis and took the long way around. 4000 miles and then some, loved the heritage. I now have a 2012 Heritage because I wanted the 103. I have a fairing for my heritage, it is being painted now. I have to have some music when I am rolling down the highway. I say go for it.

 

I don't think you're crazy at all. Looks like I ride similar to you. Wife and I rented an Ultra on vacation...couldn't wait to get back to the Heritage (nothing against the Ultra guys). Test drive it...if it fits you well and feels as good as you say it does I say go for it. I'm 5'8" by the way...

 

Crazy like a fox. You will love the heritage, I go on LONG trips two or three times a year, never regretted it, comfy as all get out. Not as many doo-dads as the touring, but who needs doo-dads when you're on the open road? I don't want to hear music I want to hear my pipes

 

Have traded two touring for Heritage softails. Heritage by far best ride on short or long trips. I have even had the new frame on touring and still nothing compared to the heritage. You will not regret the ride or the feel of both feet solid on the ground.

 

Put over 50k miles on my 04 and 09 EGs - the first a standard and the last a Classic. With a 30" inseam I had to lower the 09 due to the wider frame/seating position. But when my g/f started riding her own we didn't have much use for all the luggage and I found myself grabbing the Dyna or Sporty more than not. So I recently sold the Glide and picked up a 09 Fatboy and I love it.

Comfy like the Glide, heavy enough to handle crosswinds but light enough to ride around town without always worrying about dropping a 880# bike. I miss the tunes a bit but will get a mp3 if I can't stand it.

I've not yet taken a long ride (for me that's 400-500/day exploratory trips) but I suspect the solid mount engine will not feel as smooth as the Glide's rubber mount was. Figure the only place that might matter is some vibration in the bars potentially causing numbness in my hands. Bike has Kury ISO grips and there are gloves made to help so if it's a problem that's my plan.

 

I tour on my Heritage and love it. They are great bikes and very versital. But im bias.