My previous Softail was a 1993 Heritage Classic FLSTC which I bought new. So 28 years later I just purchased a 2021 Heritage Classic FLHC. First impressions/comparisons. On the up side. Plenty of power right out of the box with the 107 m8. No hop up needed for this old man. This machine is smooth. No floor board vibration and the mirrors are rock solid. Boy does this girl settle in on curves. I am fortunate to live in Otto, NC. For my first run I went up to Dillsboro for breakfast, then to Cherokee and jumped onto the Blueridge Parkway. The first curve that I hit was one of those "when does this end types". Just looked through it and kept her leaning. Stayed right in the groove. It will be more fun when I'm done with break in and can go over 3k rpm. Full front fender is defiantly a plus in looks and the tank console with leather over the split look a lot better than the old setup. Overall appearance still up in the air for me. Love the speedo/info set up. Pulled up rpms for the break in. Real cruise control. No nasty thumb wheel. The stock seat is much better than what I remember of the stock seat on the 93. I upgraded to a 17.5 inch Mustang solo seat on the 93 and was happy with it. Doesn't look like the Mustang's offering on the new one is any bigger than stock. I might be better off just sending this one out for improvements. Hint hint, need opinions on what to do about seating improvements. Downsides are few and actually are more along Mother Harley shortfalls which are along the spend more money lines. Grips are just plain harsh. What are folks going to? Wind buffering is the same as the 93 which I fixed with fork shields. Why doesn't Harley make them for the 2018+ models? So far what I have seen after market do not look as stylish as the Harley ones for pre-2018. Here is my biggest complaint from the shake down cruise. Where in the hell is the heel shifter? Yeah I know have to buy that as an upgrade. I already spent my money and like every thing in this day and age I'm waiting for delivery. Overall I love this bike. Bought a 2015 FLHTK a year ago and for me it was a mistake. I live 1/3 of a mile uphill on gravel here in the mountains. I tried going downhill on the FLHTK. With in first gear, clutch pulled in, not running and using both breaks it still kept sliding. Had to trailer down the hill or keep it a a friends. Used the same procedure with the Softail and was able to make the hard turn out of the driveway and proceed down the rest of the hill with my feet on the floorboards. Uphill was a breeze. Just feels good having that feeling of sitting down in a machine again instead of being on top. My first ride was a 1961 Panhead on a 56 rigid frame in1970, then 1970 Sportster, 1981 FXB, 2001 FLH Classic, 2015 FLHTK and now at 72 years old the ride continues on this beautiful 2021 FLHC.

 

This is an awesome post, but would be better with pics of new bike. Rules are rules ya know

 

Nice summary of your first ride and impressions. Thanks for sharing. I found myself nodding with most of your points. Congrats on the new bike and ride safe!

 

The new bike.

 

Out on the Blueridge. Sporting first upgrade, crash bar,

 

Congrats, you'll enjoy that for miles and miles!

 

That's a beautiful bike.

 

Congratulations on the new ride. Enjoy!

 

Give the seat sometime too break in it might surprise you, my FXLRS did.

 

I'm greatly enjoying my '19. It is functionally the best motorcycle I have ever owned, just wish I was 30 years younger so I could enjoy it longer. The only cosmetic complaint I have is the side covers. Their curvature makes the bike look a bit too much like a Honda cruiser. If the aftermarket comes up with a set that have 'straight' sides to better resemble a horseshoe oil tank that would be great.
Now how's that for a minor quibble?
Congrats on your new ride! You're living in one of the best places in the world for motorcycling. I've been up there riding several times, always a treat for me.