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.

 

Heritage, hands down. Careful though, there are some guys lurking around here who are real touchy about their STs.

Cheaper to get the Heritage exactly where you want it.

 

Get the Heritage and add a Wedge fairing.

https://wedgefairing.com/gallery/harley-heritage/

 

Viking bags makes hard bags or without stud leather bags for the Heritage, I have never used their products but it was one of the few that matched the current model.

Hogworkz also lists conversion to hard bag kits for all soft tail models, again, never used their products but they did come up in my searches for lighting


my choice, well my signature tells what I chose.

 

When I got my heritage I replaced the seat with a Corbin and the bags with boss bags. I sold my heritage so if you go this route I have the bags for sale. Good luck with your decision.

 

This is an interesting topic, I find it very relevant to question the choice between an Heritage and a Low Rider ST...
at the beginning of 2022 when it was presented I literally fell for the LRST, and in the wake I went to order one...
I was riding a 103 Road King at the time, and with age (I'm 63) I started to find it heavier, especially when riding at low speed in the city, when maneuvering to park, and also on the small mountain roads that I often ride on, riding exclusively solo, the Touring was not the right choice for me, and this LRST had what it takes to seduce me, a modern line and a Touring-like equipment for 10,000€ less, all with almost 100 kg less. .
As time went by, my dealer couldn't give me a delivery date, so I watched some videos and I started to doubt my choice, I found the saddlebags mounted too high when it would have been enough to put a two-into-one like on the Sport Glide to have them in a more aesthetic position, the central controls were not at all suitable for my tall legs, the mini speedometer looked a bit too cheap while the one of the LRS would have been more suitable for me...
in short, a lot of details that would have required a lot of modifications...
as May was coming, I was told that the delivery would be in September, so I cancelled my order and bought a second hand Heritage which was available immediately...
Today I'm very happy with my choice, it has all the qualities required for my use without making any big modification, it's comfortable, adapted to the touring in the dressed version and ready for the small strolls in the stripped version, in short the best of both worlds in addition to a classic and modern look that I love.
Though, the LRST is still an interresting alternative which could please me in a few years when I could find some used ones at a good price, I like the modern interpretation of the light Touring version by Harley...

 

My opinion... I think the Heritage is one the best - if not the best - all-rounder that HD makes. However, I don't expect any stock/OEM setup on any model to survive the need for some kind of modification to meet individual needs. The Heritage is no exception. As an example, things that I've done/updated to improve the Heritage for me...

• Seat (listed first for a reason). Both rider and passenger pillion. Russell Day Long. Hugely important.
• Windshield (ClearView recurve with vent)
• New saddle bags
• Engine/saddle bag guards
• Passenger floorboards
• Holdfast sissy bar/backrest/luggage rack
• CarPlay/Android Auto display
• Avon grips
• Highway pegs
• American Custom Exhaust Mufflers

I considered all in that list - except the last two - to be absolutely essential/required.

I find it hard to imagine not having to upgrade, change, or add something, no matter the bike.

 

All I added was the stage 1, 16-inch apes and fork-mounted wind deflectors I put on in the cold months. To me, in terms of comfort, the bike didn't need anything else.

 

I've been riding for 40+ years but only discovered Harleys in the last two years. I have never found a single bike from any manufacturer that I could ride right off the showroom floor.
The Heritage is probably the best basic platform Softail out of the box for sure. The ST is polarizing for sure, as some hate it and some tout it as the best Harley ever made.

I bought a 2022 Low Rider ST and got it home and thought "what the hell did I do". I have a 2020 Fat Bob that after $$$$s finally fits me perfect so that was my compare point.

The two (Ok 3) things you need to fix/customize/make it fit you on the LRST are:
1. Risers - The stock risers are too low and too far forward for most everyone unless you are short and have very long arms. (Solved with Thrashin 6.5" pull back risers $589)
2. Mid Controls - The mid controls are to high for even the shortest of riders. I'm 5'8" with a 28" inseam and they are too high. (Solved with mini floor boards $189)
3. Windscreen = The stock windscreen is a joke and there for looks only. (Solved with $199 Clearview medium windscreen)

The things you get that you most likely would never need to change:
1. 117ci - I still don't see the need to go bigger or cam or any mods to the motor.
2. Suspension - With the higher rear and inverted front forks the ride for me is better than most Harleys I test rode.
3. Wheels - The larger narrower front wheel improves cornering and tip in for sure.

There are tons of posts to help guide you, but to think one bike is better than another off the showroom floor is short sided a bit. All Harleys need to be customized for the individual owner, use, and riding you will do.
I will only add that I don't ride particularly aggressive, but I scrap my Fat Bob forwards a lot. I have yet to get close to scrapping the mid control with mini floorboards on the ST. The ST is a much more sporty ride than the Bob or Heritage for that matter.

Blatant post of both of my ladies:

#Ginger114


#Gunship117

 

Performance and comfort!
If you want a performance bike get the st. I was never a big fan of the heritage. Looks like something Freddy mercury would ride. The new ones don’t look as heritage like as the old ones, there are a few new heritage owners who even post on here about it. As a matter of fact there’s one heritage owner on here who has been trying to trade his heritage for a low rider s. Then he tried to trade it for the st. He comes on here and complain’s about speedometer fogging, it pukes oil and he can’t figure out his kick stand. Then claim’s it’s the perfect bike. 😂