I went to dealer in 09 to buy a Heritage but came home with Vivid Black Fatboy. The whitewalls and spoke wheels were not for me . Plus the bigger tires and look of fatty got me . I did add windshield to Fatboy a year later. Both bikes are nice it was a tough choice .

 

The heritage is the only softail bagger and my wife and I wanted a bagger. I really like the fatboy and deluxe and if I get a third softail it will probably be a deluxe. I already had a Road King classic and the heritage is a completely different machine designed for a completely different riding experience and rider.

 

The Heritage had everything I wanted on it (except for the spots and conchos), but I liked the looks of the Fatboy better. When I took a test run on both (and the Deluxe), I came home with the Heritage. You really need to ride them, not just sit on them, and decide for yourself. As others mentioned, the geometry just worked best for me.

 

For me, the Fatboy looks wise is a mess. Modern trimmed front fender with nostalgia rear fender. I prefer the looks of the Heritage. But, everyone has one; so I got a Deluxe.


Bones

 

I bought the fatboy. The heritage makes sense if you like the bags, screen, etc. I don't like studs or windscreens, so it made no sense to me to pay for them.

Then, quite apart from that, I like the solid wheels and fat tyre.

 

The Heritage is a great bike but I hate the chrome studs and crappy bags that sag.

 

I hate cleaning spoked wheels. Plus i prefer the look of the shotgun exhaust.

 

3 reasons I didn't even consider a Heritage
1) Studs
2) conchos/fringe
3) All the yuppies in the 90's bought them

The Lo sold me on the blacked out look with the satin chrome

 

completely valid reasons..and really funny too.. lol

 

I have always wanted a Heritage. The Windshield has spoiled me rotten, since my first bike didn't have one. The bags can hold my rain gear if needed. I love the ride, nice and smooth; could use more power living in the mountains and this is where I do most of my riding. Pipes / AC / and tune may help with that. But for now she is great stock...