Why would someone choose a Switchback over a Heritage Softail?

What factors drive the decision?

Thanks

This is a serious questions, as I am considering one or the other, and would like the perspectives of owners or folks that have been through the decision making process.....definitely not a troll.

 

How about the gawdy looking grommets on the Heritage. Reminds me of the Cisco Kids saddle.

 

The heritage is going to have leather bags which do not easily come off/go on. The heritage also has a little lower seat height and spoke wheels. The heritage weighs a little more, and has a little bit less horsepower/torque. The heritage does not vibrate much due to the counterbalance -- the Switchback will vibrate like a Dyna does.
The heritage also costs a bit more.

A lot of it will come down to how it looks though -- I personally like the Dyna style vs the Softail style.

 

Dyna is more sport than cruiser. Softail is more cruiser than sport

 

handling,handling,handling...

 

I have ridden both on demo rides and personally prefer the switchback due to the lighter handling. it feels faster too. it does vibrate a bit more at idle, you dont notice it when riding. the heritage has more room so if you are a larger person you may like it better. before you buy you may want to demo them both.

 

Thanks for the replies: a little more detail - I am in my mid 60s, about 5'10" 150lbs with a bad back. My wife is shorter and lighter...so not a lot of weight. I expect that we will ride two-up maybe 20-30% of the time, and then maybe 100 miles tops (perhaps an overnight)....so no long multi-day rides. The local rides would most probably be local back roads. From what I have read, the SB will handle better than the ST but not be quite as comfortable..yes?

Clearly in the spring I'll test ride both, but I thought between then and now perhaps tap the folks here......any insights are appreciated.

 

You may want to get the dealer to put on the TALL windshield on the Switchback when you test ride it. The stock shield is very short.

 

I'd stay away from the Softail if you have a bad back. Get the dyna!!!!!! Way better bike IMO

 

This is the difference that will continue to stand out as you put miles on the bike. The Heritage is cushier, longer and heavier and shows it in the ride. The Switchback, or any Dyna, will feel more compliant in the urges due to a "normal" style suspension.

From a value perspective, you pay for a little more chrome with the Heritage and you get a bit more function with the Switchback (Mag Wheels, hard bags.)