FLHC vs FXLRST
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,760
Likes: 211
From: Manila, Philippines
I had the 2018 Heritage but never liked the old school look so I converted it to a Streetglide. But the handling was never on par due to all the weight over the front end, even with better springs. I sold the Heritage a few years back and now onto the Lowrider ST. In between, was riding naked sport bikes so now the high mid pegs not such a deal breaker for me. Will start with some pullback risers for comfort. Seat is a lot better than the stock Heritage IMO.
HDF Community Team
Joined: Nov 2022
Posts: 1,132
Likes: 783
From: France
as I am still in question about the LRST because I like also the modern look of it, I wonder if the suspensions on the LRST are as good as on the Heritage, I heard they are stiffer while they have the same length at the rear, but I also would know if the fork is adjustable, because my priority is comfort...
you can see in this video of Holy Shift trying an Heritage, he has an LRST and says that the suspensions of the Heritage are a lot smoother...
what do you think ?
you can see in this video of Holy Shift trying an Heritage, he has an LRST and says that the suspensions of the Heritage are a lot smoother...
what do you think ?
Last edited by Big Al 59; May 19, 2023 at 02:12 AM.
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2021
Posts: 1,142
Likes: 2,753
From: England
So, I'm still interested in getting a nice Street Glide at some point, but I have to admit the softail "mini baggers" are quite appealing. While I prefer the styling of the Low Rider ST, I very much dislike the high pegs. Makes me feel scrunched up. That and the seat just isn't very comfortable and the handlebars are slightly too much of a reach for my short arms. If (and it's a big IF) I was to get one, I would have to replace seat, handlebars, and controls right away. The clamshell bags are meh, not sold on that design either.
On the other hand, I found the Heritage to be very comfortable in stock form. Comfy seat, handlebars in the correct position, and the forward floorboards are much more comfy. I just don't dig the studded leather look, and prefer a fairing over the big clear windshield.
They should make a mini-touring softail with the fairing and engine from an ST, the controls and seat of a heritage (sans studs), and conventional hard bags. That would be my perfect softail. In other words, a baby RG or SG. I'm sure someone has thought of that, but HD just wants us to spend beaucoup bucks after the sale, LOL.
I'm thinking that if I was to go the softail route, I'd start with the Heritage, because it fits right out of the box. Then I'd have to hide the key from my son, LOL.
On the other hand, I found the Heritage to be very comfortable in stock form. Comfy seat, handlebars in the correct position, and the forward floorboards are much more comfy. I just don't dig the studded leather look, and prefer a fairing over the big clear windshield.
They should make a mini-touring softail with the fairing and engine from an ST, the controls and seat of a heritage (sans studs), and conventional hard bags. That would be my perfect softail. In other words, a baby RG or SG. I'm sure someone has thought of that, but HD just wants us to spend beaucoup bucks after the sale, LOL.
I'm thinking that if I was to go the softail route, I'd start with the Heritage, because it fits right out of the box. Then I'd have to hide the key from my son, LOL.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,976
Likes: 1,880
From: SF Bay Area
as I am still in question about the LRST because I like also the modern look of it, I wonder if the suspensions on the LRST are as good as on the Heritage, I heard they are stiffer while they have the same length at the rear, but I also would know if the fork is adjustable, because my priority is comfort...
you can see in this video of Holy Shift trying an Heritage, he has an LRST and says that the suspensions of the Heritage are a lot smoother...
what do you think ?
https://youtu.be/vvrRzqBszwA
you can see in this video of Holy Shift trying an Heritage, he has an LRST and says that the suspensions of the Heritage are a lot smoother...
what do you think ?
https://youtu.be/vvrRzqBszwA
I like Holy Shift's videos. The Heritage suspension is what I would call "plush" which can mean smoother. The Low Rider S/ST has inverted forks on the front end and the ST has stiffer springs due to the added weight of the fairing giving it a more "Sport Suspension" feeling which means stiffer. I believe the S/ST suspension is better suited for sport riding then say the Heritage suspension which is more suited to cruising.
Both bikes can be made better with upgrades though.
You can make an ST more "Plush" by softening the suspension, forward controls/floor boards, bars and risers.
You can make the Heritage more "Sporty" with better suspension, but not get the frame mounted faring.
Harley makes all their new Softails on the same frame, so customizing those bikes to your liking is fairly easy. The decision for you OP is how do you want the bike to perform, what are you using it for primarily, and what look are you after. I've seen guys turn STs in mini Road Glides with forward floorboards, tour packs, etc. I've seen guys turn Heritages into bad *** purpose built sporty cruisers. Just takes vision and cash. lol
Last edited by Calif Fat Bob; May 19, 2023 at 11:31 AM.
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2021
Posts: 836
Likes: 567
From: Canonsburg Pennsylvania
So, I'm still interested in getting a nice Street Glide at some point, but I have to admit the softail "mini baggers" are quite appealing. While I prefer the styling of the Low Rider ST, I very much dislike the high pegs. Makes me feel scrunched up. That and the seat just isn't very comfortable and the handlebars are slightly too much of a reach for my short arms. If (and it's a big IF) I was to get one, I would have to replace seat, handlebars, and controls right away. The clamshell bags are meh, not sold on that design either.
On the other hand, I found the Heritage to be very comfortable in stock form. Comfy seat, handlebars in the correct position, and the forward floorboards are much more comfy. I just don't dig the studded leather look, and prefer a fairing over the big clear windshield.
They should make a mini-touring softail with the fairing and engine from an ST, the controls and seat of a heritage (sans studs), and conventional hard bags. That would be my perfect softail. In other words, a baby RG or SG. I'm sure someone has thought of that, but HD just wants us to spend beaucoup bucks after the sale, LOL.
I'm thinking that if I was to go the softail route, I'd start with the Heritage, because it fits right out of the box. Then I'd have to hide the key from my son, LOL.
On the other hand, I found the Heritage to be very comfortable in stock form. Comfy seat, handlebars in the correct position, and the forward floorboards are much more comfy. I just don't dig the studded leather look, and prefer a fairing over the big clear windshield.
They should make a mini-touring softail with the fairing and engine from an ST, the controls and seat of a heritage (sans studs), and conventional hard bags. That would be my perfect softail. In other words, a baby RG or SG. I'm sure someone has thought of that, but HD just wants us to spend beaucoup bucks after the sale, LOL.
I'm thinking that if I was to go the softail route, I'd start with the Heritage, because it fits right out of the box. Then I'd have to hide the key from my son, LOL.
Based on what you are looking for I think its a good choice.
You can do all sorts of riding with it.
Weekend day rides, commuting and it makes a very capable 1 up tourer.
Maybe rent one for a 3 day weekend and see what you think.
HDF Community Team
Joined: Nov 2022
Posts: 1,132
Likes: 783
From: France
If "Comfort" is your priority as you said, there arguably no better HD for comfort than the Heritage! I think all other Softails are a compromise in some respect when it comes to comfort.
I like Holy Shift's videos. The Heritage suspension is what I would call "plush" which can mean smoother. The Low Rider S/ST has inverted forks on the front end and the ST has stiffer springs due to the added weight of the fairing giving it a more "Sport Suspension" feeling which means stiffer. I believe the S/ST suspension is better suited for sport riding then say the Heritage suspension which is more suited to cruising.
Both bikes can be made better with upgrades though.
You can make an ST more "Plush" by softening the suspension, forward controls/floor boards, bars and risers.
You can make the Heritage more "Sporty" with better suspension, but not get the frame mounted faring.
Harley makes all their new Softails on the same frame, so customizing those bikes to your liking is fairly easy. The decision for you OP is how do you want the bike to perform, what are you using it for primarily, and what look are you after. I've seen guys turn STs in mini Road Glides with forward floorboards, tour packs, etc. I've seen guys turn Heritages into bad *** purpose built sporty cruisers. Just takes vision and cash. lol
I like Holy Shift's videos. The Heritage suspension is what I would call "plush" which can mean smoother. The Low Rider S/ST has inverted forks on the front end and the ST has stiffer springs due to the added weight of the fairing giving it a more "Sport Suspension" feeling which means stiffer. I believe the S/ST suspension is better suited for sport riding then say the Heritage suspension which is more suited to cruising.
Both bikes can be made better with upgrades though.
You can make an ST more "Plush" by softening the suspension, forward controls/floor boards, bars and risers.
You can make the Heritage more "Sporty" with better suspension, but not get the frame mounted faring.
Harley makes all their new Softails on the same frame, so customizing those bikes to your liking is fairly easy. The decision for you OP is how do you want the bike to perform, what are you using it for primarily, and what look are you after. I've seen guys turn STs in mini Road Glides with forward floorboards, tour packs, etc. I've seen guys turn Heritages into bad *** purpose built sporty cruisers. Just takes vision and cash. lol
I think your arguments are right, the Softail range can be customize in every way you like or need and that is the main advantage, I always liked the old school look and had only Harleys in this style, now as I am getting older, I would like to have have a Harley with a more modern style to make a change in my riding style, I have riden a Sport Glide for 3 months and nearly 6000 miles last year and I didn't find it unconfortable, 500 miles a day in one and not destroyed on arrival, the fork is a liittle stiffer than the Heritage, but it was not a problem, the rear shock is shorter than the Heritage and also not a problem, so I think the LRST with the same length of shock at the rear could be nice, but as you say, I would have to mount floorboards and some pull back risers to have a comfy position like Holy Shift, and I think the position is the most important thing in terms of comfort on a motorcycle...
The other solution would be modernising my Heritage, but with its big chunky wheels and fender its not so easy, and what could I do to replace the windshield, perhaps an amovible Batwing, a club style bar and a Road Warrior fairing or so ? I wonder if I would like to do that on my Heritage...
the first think I need to do is to try an LRST to see if its convenient to me and if I like the 117...
Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 100
Likes: 40
From: merrillville, in
Id go either with the heritage or touring chassis
I have a 18 SportGlide. The bags really only become an issue if you take really long trips and are a fat bastage like me who needs a CPAP machine. I did add a tour pack to take care of that issue and also to store helmet when out and about for a day. So thats really a wash. The bags arent all that different in size, although the way they open is kind of awkward.
To me, what would rule out the LRST is the mid controls. Sure mids are better at cornering that forwards are, but if youre thinking of serious mileage, youre gonna want forwards, if not boards (which I also swapped out BTW). Highway pegs only do so much on a bike with mids.
What took the Heritage off my list when I bought bike was the spoked wheels. Its just one more item to maintain and with cast wheels, you dont have that issue. Then the SportGlide came outer with a wheel that was not like anything Harley had, and that was what made up my mind.
To me, what would rule out the LRST is the mid controls. Sure mids are better at cornering that forwards are, but if youre thinking of serious mileage, youre gonna want forwards, if not boards (which I also swapped out BTW). Highway pegs only do so much on a bike with mids.
What took the Heritage off my list when I bought bike was the spoked wheels. Its just one more item to maintain and with cast wheels, you dont have that issue. Then the SportGlide came outer with a wheel that was not like anything Harley had, and that was what made up my mind.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 5,289
Likes: 2,381
From: Florida
What took the Heritage off my list when I bought bike was the spoked wheels. It’s just one more item to maintain and with cast wheels, you don’t have that issue. Then the SportGlide came outer with a wheel that was not like anything Harley had, and that was what made up my mind.
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Tourer
Joined: Mar 2023
Posts: 408
Likes: 364
From: CT
The more I read and see in person, the more I like the Heritage Classic. Almost without variation, people tell me the HC rides better than their touring bikes. I'm not a tall guy, and the HC's proportions fit me well. Shorter, lighter, and you can get a tour pak if desired for extra storage. You can ride 2-up on occasion.. The 5-gallon tank is plenty, and the 114 engine is great. For the money, it's looking more and more like the best option for this old man.
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2022
Posts: 1,538
Likes: 543
From: MN
The more I read and see in person, the more I like the Heritage Classic. Almost without variation, people tell me the HC rides better than their touring bikes. I'm not a tall guy, and the HC's proportions fit me well. Shorter, lighter, and you can get a tour pak if desired for extra storage. You can ride 2-up on occasion.. The 5-gallon tank is plenty, and the 114 engine is great. For the money, it's looking more and more like the best option for this old man.