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I am really really trying NOT to put forwards on my LRST, but every time I get on the Fat Bob I think "Hmmm I really do like the foot position better on the Fat Bob.
Well, me neither. But you have to agree that the styling of the Heritage harks back more to the 50s or 60s. Which is a fine thing in itself and it's a fine bike. I have several friends with them and they all love them. We all ride together and put on a lot of miles.
The Heritage is a comfortable and capable bike, make no mistake.
The Low Rider ST is a sleeker, meaner looking machine with styling cues from the 80s. It's also a very comfortable and capable machine - although mine wasn't comfortable for me for long stretches until I changed out the mids to forwards. And changed the seat. And added 2" up/back risers. Now it's dialled in nicely. But had I bought the Heritage, I would probably have had to still make modifications to get it how I wanted.
Both bikes share many of the same components, but the ST is aimed a bit more at "performance" riding (BS.....it's still a pushrod, air cooled v-twin) having dual front disks, inverted forks and the 117 CVO motor. They both have adequate wind protection and fairly decent luggage capacity. Decent cam and tune will wake either bike up quite a lot more if that's your thing.
Anyway, buy whatever speaks to you more. They are both fine bikes, but probably aimed at slightly different audiences.
You summed it up nicely.
Harley also summed it up in the names .Heritage Softail Classic speaks to the era it is styled after and the LRST is Sport Touring. They have some commonality as both are cruisers but they are engineered differently in the rake, trail, suspension, ground clearance, lean angle, wheel/tire sizes and brand, unsprung weight, brakes, engine size, cams, tune, etc. All of those design changes absolutely change the riding characteristics of the bike.
Both are capable of touring or bar hopping. But as mentioned before, one is designed for spirited riding (sport touring) and one is designed for relaxed/lazy riding. This isnt a slam on the Heritage, I have owned 2 of them and a Softail Deluxe. Just a recognition that each bike has relative strengths.
I am really really trying NOT to put forwards on my LRST, but every time I get on the Fat Bob I think "Hmmm I really do like the foot position better on the Fat Bob.
Same here. I remember the comfortable forwards on my Heritage. Then the heavy breather has to go as well. I'm afraid if I do it, I'm clearly admitting I bought the wrong bike. My stubbornness persists.
Same here. I remember the comfortable forwards on my Heritage. Then the heavy breather has to go as well. I'm afraid if I do it, I'm clearly admitting I bought the wrong bike. My stubbornness persists.
Yeah I’m right there with you. My heavy breather is being replaced this weekend. I found this on EBay and had to snag it.
Yeah Im right there with you. My heavy breather is being replaced this weekend. I found this on EBay and had to snag it.
Wow! When I started repairing my salvage '22 FXLRS, I bought the same A/C from Fuel Moto. It arrived without the 117 ci logo even though it was clearly on the product box. I called FM and they said, "oh yeah, you have to get that from H-D". I returned it and just had my painter repair the heavy breather. Nice choice by you.
Wow! When I started repairing my salvage '22 FXLRS, I bought the same A/C from Fuel Moto. It arrived without the 117 ci logo even though it was clearly on the product box. I called FM and they said, "oh yeah, you have to get that from H-D". I returned it and just had my painter repair the heavy breather. Nice choice by you.
I was told those "117ci" inserts were for the CVO bikes and you have to have a Vin number to order on from HD. I got the inspiration from a guy on the Low Rider ST Facebook group and just happen to find one on Ebay
Same here. I remember the comfortable forwards on my Heritage. Then the heavy breather has to go as well. I'm afraid if I do it, I'm clearly admitting I bought the wrong bike. My stubbornness persists.
I went through the same thing. I bought an extended brake pedal which helps a lot.
Your remarks about the FLHC are spot on. It's comfortable, rides great, looks great, etc., etc. But that doesn't mean its the right bike for you. Before making a decision, you may want to spend some time thinking about how, when, and where you'll be riding. If I didn't go through this process myself, I might have ended up on a Breakout or a dual sport! That was 3.5 years ago and to this day, I'm so glad to have the Heritage and there is no logical reason for me to ride anything else. Having said that, I have to admit that I find the road glide ST tempting and if the moco comes out with a chrome version, my brain and heart may be in for a real battle. Good luck with whatever you end up with!
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