When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Started riding last spring with a Kawasaki Vulcan. Soon went and swapped that out for a '17 Heritage. I love it and put about 5,000 miles on it in both riding to and from work plus on weekend trips/vacation before I had to shut it down for the winter. The wife and I want to start going on longer day/weekend trips as soon as it warms up enough to do so and I'm wondering if I should upgrade to a bigger bike for the longer runs. Looking for a bit smoother ride 2-up and would also like a little more room between her and I. Right now on the Heritage, she's right up against me so we touch. Not enough to make me have to go forward but if I lean back much, I'm pushing against her which kind of annoys us both. We rode through the Smokies in Tennessee and if was very nice but as I said, things are cramped when riding two. I'm looking at a few other models. The Road King looks a lot like my Heritage does minus the hard bags. Wonder if it's longer or has better suspension for a better ride? Road Glide, I'm not sure I like the whole front faring deal but I have read that a lot of people love these for longer rides so that's why I will consider one. Street Glide, my favorite looking bike but not sure it would be an improvement above the Heritage. And finally the Electra Glide. Reading a lot that people usually say this is the best for riding long distances and most comfortable but I'm not sure. So just looking for opinions on what to look at getting or if anyone thinks I should just stick with the Heritage.
Road Glide, Road King, Street Glide, E Glide...all touring bikes with the same frame, seating, etc...pick your fairing. All will be more comfy for momma.
Started riding last spring with a Kawasaki Vulcan. Soon went and swapped that out for a '17 Heritage. I love it and put about 5,000 miles on it in both riding to and from work plus on weekend trips/vacation before I had to shut it down for the winter. The wife and I want to start going on longer day/weekend trips as soon as it warms up enough to do so and I'm wondering if I should upgrade to a bigger bike for the longer runs. Looking for a bit smoother ride 2-up and would also like a little more room between her and I. Right now on the Heritage, she's right up against me so we touch. Not enough to make me have to go forward but if I lean back much, I'm pushing against her which kind of annoys us both. We rode through the Smokies in Tennessee and if was very nice but as I said, things are cramped when riding two. I'm looking at a few other models. The Road King looks a lot like my Heritage does minus the hard bags. Wonder if it's longer or has better suspension for a better ride? Road Glide, I'm not sure I like the whole front faring deal but I have read that a lot of people love these for longer rides so that's why I will consider one. Street Glide, my favorite looking bike but not sure it would be an improvement above the Heritage. And finally the Electra Glide. Reading a lot that people usually say this is the best for riding long distances and most comfortable but I'm not sure. So just looking for opinions on what to look at getting or if anyone thinks I should just stick with the Heritage.
Me and my wife have been on some pretty long trips with my Heritage without any issues and we're both pushing 50.
Last edited by JustDave13; Jan 31, 2020 at 05:40 PM.
one thing to be aware of, the heritage is technically a cruiser, while all the other models mentioned are tourers. not to say you can't tour on the heritage, but you will be more comfortable on a tourer.
now, in respect to the touring lineup, they all have the same frame, the only difference is how they are dressed. so roadking, batwing, shark nose, all basically the same bike. your best bet would be to go to your dealer and take some test rides. after you find something you like on the test ride, then rent one to see how you like it in varied conditions.
you may just like one, or you may just decide to put another seat on the heritage. the fun part is figuring out which.
different seat on the Heritage could be enough to get you both comfortable . or just take the wife down to the HD dealer and sit on a Road King , see if it's more to your liking .
The Heritage is a great bike (mine is a 2014). The Road King is an even greater bike-better suspension, hard bags, and CRUISE CONTROL. Big difference there. I bought the RK for a 180 mile round trip commuter (in NJ), and it served well in that capacity. I'm planning on replacing the Heritage (in FL) with another RK in the not-too-distant future. Go for the RK, you'll be glad you did, especially for 2-up riding.
Didn't expect so many replies so fast, thanks for the opinions guys. I actually did put a new passenger seat and pillion on the bike hoping it would let her sit back a little more. It did but still not quite enough although she does like it more than the original. The picture below is just after I bought the bike. Definitely going to go check out what's available to me and try a couple out with her and go from there.
As stated all the touring bikes have the same frame . I have a Road King , sold my Vulcan Vaquero because I found it to be a bit heavy for everyday use , but it was an awesome bike on long trips , you can't go wrong with a frame mounted fairing . I decided to go with the King because I never listened to music anyway , also I really enjoyed seeing the road ahead of me . You can also purchase a seat with a larger passenger pillion which would make it much more comfortable for the both of you .
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.
Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.
Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.
Upgrading from Heritage
