Go to the dealer, sit on a bunch of bikes, see what fits you. Nothing wrong with a Softtail, love mine. After you sit a bunch of bikes you might not even like the feel of a Softtail and like something else. Are you looking to buy new or used??? There are a ton of Used Softtails for sale pretty cheap.

 

Go to that dealership and rent a softie. This should help you decide if it's for you.
This is...presuming you've got a fair amount of motorcycle experience to begin with...

If not, get your training out of the way first.

 

Fixed it for ya. Your sense of humor is sadder than your attitude toward what it's all about...riding.

 

Pick the bike you like best - like the look of, what fits you, and the ride.


Good advice about going to a dealer and doing a test ride.


My first motorcycle is a 2016 Softail Slim S. Many people said, "get a small bike first to learn on". I disagree. Get the motorcycle you want. I never felt the need to "trade up", and feel that I have a better skill level with my Softail since it is the bike I also learned on.


Enjoy!


R,
Sanjuro

 

For the kind of riding you describe, I would find a bike with cruise control, I dont think they offer cruise for softails, but I could be wrong.

 

cool story.

S models have it, but not sure about the regular softies.

 

Personally, I wouldn't base all my thinking on what a salesman says. If this is your first bike, I would suggest that you take a class to learn the basics. Then, if possible, find out when your dealer has any Demo rides and test ride different models to see which one is the easiest for you to handle. Because besides look, feel and fit, you also need to be able to handle the bike safely and also, though you like the Heritage, another model might be easier for you to handle.

 

I had a HSC and they are great bikes.

The questions you have to ask yourself is,

1. What type of riding am I going to do.
2. What options do I want.
3. What can I afford.

 

I got news for you, sport... most of us who ride long distance work full-time jobs too. It's how we PAY for those cross-country trips. We just make "the ride" about... THE RIDE. I get three weeks vacation a year - one week for the family vacation (plane or van ride), and two weeks for a decent road trip. You should try it sometime.

I'll readily admit, long riding isn't for everyone, and I don't care if someone trailers or not. But to suggest you CAN'T ride because you have a full-time job is nonsense.

A riding buddy has the 2017 Heritage. It does, in fact, have Cruise.

To the OP - The Heritage is a fine motorcycle. My buddy who rides the 2017 Heritage traded his 2006 Heritage for a 2011 Street Glide - then traded the 2011 Street Glide for a 2017 Heritage. He missed the Heritage, and likes the way it ridxes and handles better than the Glide. To each his own.

It IS a heavy bike... Personally, I agree with the crowd that says get a starter bike to start. My first bike was a 750 Honda. It weighed in at about 500-lbs wet, and when I first started riding, it felt H-U-G-E!! After a summer of riding, it began to feel small. A year later, I sold it for $1,800 to a good friend of mine (I paid $2,000), and moved into a Kawasaki Vulcan - my first BIG motorcycle. I dropped the old Honda (twice), and never even thought to look to see if I scratched the paint. Too, it was pretty easy to lift off it's side by myself.

15 years later, my buddy still has that bike... he rides about 800 miles per year on it. I made him promise, if and when he sells it, I get first dibs at it.

 

My wife who is 5'3" had a Heritage until she had to go to a freewheeler due to health concerns. I loved riding it, when she let me of course, LOL. It is and always has been a great HD product. Low center of gravity, not too heavy but not to light either. The 2015 and up has cruise on it. I agree with most what everyone else has said. Take the MSF course, practice, practice, and practice will make you a more experienced rider. One thing that I didn't see was KEEP YOUR HEAD ON A SWIVEL!!! Act like EVERYONE out there is trying to kill you!!
So good luck on your decision and welcome to the forum.