Hi all, apologize for the long thread in advance,

I'm posting here because my question spans models - touring, heritage, and dyna. I've got a horrible first world problem to have, I'm looking to get into Harleys finally after about 20 yrs of metric cruisers and I can't make up my mind. I'm looking for the advice that comes from experience others have on these types. Budget and style of riding are my two main drivers for narrowing down what I'm looking at. I'm mostly a commuting, around town, and occasional wknd longer trip of a few hundred miles kind of guy. Eventually I'd like to get into weekend longer trips, camping maybe, etc.

I've found 3 bikes that are all around my price point and at least after initial conversations with the sellers, in good shape, maintained, but mostly without service records. Basic questions after descriptions. I've seen a few Road Kings around my price range but I'm looking harder at a 95, bone stock, 44k miles. Really good condition about $5K. I know I'll need to do all the fluids and regular maintenance stuff plus the cam bearings, tensioners for peace of mind, and maybe I'd just upgrade the cams while I'm in there. I know an 02 RK would be great so I've heard, or maybe an 02-06 for various mechanical reasons but this one looks good and the mid 90s EVO seems to be rock solid as long as it's maintained well.

I've also seen an 02 Heritage Classic with 18k miles for a little more money. Looks immaculate, single owner. Power commander, tour pack and windscreen, aftermarket pipes. Looks great.

Finally a 2008 dyna wide glide anniversary edition, 25k miles. Bags, windscreen, and some nice upgrades. Looks great.

So I know these are all different bikes. I'm an average sized guy, 5'9" around 180. 30" inseam. Like I mentioned I thought I'd like longer rides right off the bat (I've bought and sold a couple sport tourers when I got that bug but realized that's not my kind of riding at the moment) but I do like weekend runs and would like to get into very occasionally longer trips. Very very occasionally. I've seen where a lot of guys/gals get the Softail but eventually sell it for a bigger bike. The RK is classic cool. But as a daily, commuter? Around town to pick up a gallon of milk or go to the post office? The Heritage and the Dynas (I've looked at a couple Low Riders too) seem to be good swiss army knives that can do all things pretty well. The spokes on the softails spook me although I've never had a flat in almost 20 yrs of riding. Not being able to patch it on my own is a concern though. But the Heritage power-to-weight and "convertability" from decent tourer to slicked down bags off around town bike is nice. Even looked at a 97 softail which looks real nice with only 27k miles. The wide glide just looks real sweet and seems to be a jack of all trades too. That year, 08, seems to be one of the better models as far as reliability, comfort, etc. And they're all around the same price point within $1000

So I know to stay away from 99ish Road Kings (at keast with the fuel injection) and I guess the engine issues for earlier RKs would equally apply to Heritages - tensioners, seals, bearings and whatnot. I guess my questions boil down to:

- I'm probably not going to become "motorcycle-cop proficient" on a big frame bike; is a RK too much bike for only occasional long rides and mostly a daily rider?
- Is a Softail like a Heritage only an 'intermediate' bike where people soon want to graduate to a full tourer? Seems to be more turnover there?
- Are dynas really going to be uncomfortable on anything longer than a couple hours in the saddle? They seem to ride smoother than Heritages.
- Any other mechanical issues that should jump out from these year ranges?
- I can handle basic wrenching beyond oil changes - I've done head gaskets, timing belts, brake rebuilds, basic wiring on older Japanese cruisers like goldwings. But Harleys seem to be especially prone to needing a a real Harley mechanic for a lot of things - or am I wrong?

Thank you for hopefully reading this far and any advice you can spare. I hope to be a permanent member of one of these sub forums soon!!

 

Only you can answer those questions, but to give you some feedback (in order to help you with your own answer) .....If you want an around town bike, the Heritage or the Dyna will be good. If you want an OTR bike, the Heritage won't be as good as the Road King (there's a reason they call it the king), but it will be better than the Dyna. You've gotta LOVE a Dyna to want to ride 300 miles on it. I love mine, but if I'm riding distance, I'm on the touring bike. I'd say the Heritage would be a good balance for what you describe, with a nod toward the King.

FWIW, the Moco changed the cam chain tensioners in the twinkie in '07 (for most models), so you're going to have to do something about the tensioners in all the bikes you listed, except the '08 Wide Glide.

 

That's some good advice, thanks BelchFire.
Is your comment about distance on the Dyna because of the seat? I'd read somewhere (here in some threads maybe) that since the Dynas vibrate less at speeds because of the type of isolators they've got they're more comfortable at highway speeds for longer than a Heritage style bike?

I'm almost settled right where you advise between the Heritage and the RK. Is the touring frame *really* that much bigger and heavier than a Heritage? Maybe a 100 pounds? Is the RK really that much of a dog in low speeds/around town? I guess the fact that I don't see many RKs just running around town on errands should answer that but I'm also of the mind of the bike you have is the bike you have and you learn how to ride it well.

 

1995 Road king is 692 pounds.
2002 Heritage is 696 pounds.

My Dyna is a fun bike and it's STUPID torguey, but it doesn't have cruise control, so it puts my hand to sleep in 30 minutes, plus the suspension is not as cushy as my SG. Dynas are fun to carve the pavement, but they were never meant to be a touring bike.

I think you could do anything you want with either of the options you listed, but I don't think you'd be happy on the Dyna long distance. OTOH, you may not be happy standing a full heritage with windshield, bags, and passenger sissy bar up at the grocery store, repeatedly. It's all a trade off. If I could only have one bike, I think I'd lean toward the Heritage in your situation; it's convertible to an extent, so you can change it up between running errands and doing over-nights. But this is YOUR bike, so you need to make your own decision.

How do the other factors push you? Added options, aftermarket pipes, and other freebies on each bike?

 

Personally, out of the choices you've presented, I would get the Wide Glide. It will have the 96 with updated cam chain tensioners which is a good engine, a six-speed trans, and I like the copper/black ("Duracell") paint scheme.

I put a windshield and bags on my '12 Dyna Fat Bob and did some light touring with it; you mentioned the Wide Glide has those accessories so that's a plus.

 

Thanks again. The Heritage seems to be loaded for touring but the Wide Glide seems to have the most aftermarket upgrades. The RK is stock but in "really great shape." They're all around the same price, the RK being the least expensive (I can probably get him to 5).



with detachable windshield and tour pack. Power commander recently tuned.


digital oil temperature gauge, digital gas gauge, after market odometer speedometer tachometer dash, LED lights, SE air cleaner, windshield, after market foot pegs and handle bar grips, new sissy bar, spare seat, and saddle bags.




Plain jane stock 95 RK

 

The WG is a sweet looking bike, definitely more of a head turner than the Heritage or the RK. Not that that's exactly what I'm after but it does have character. From what I've read the "feel" of riding the Dyna is better too, at least for around town, daily on the highway stuff. But it does come with touring stuff for the same price as the loaded Heritage I'm looking at. And it does have a bigger engine like you said. I don't think there's much upgrades I'd "need" to do on that one. I think "light touring" is where I'd be at for the foreseeable future. Maybe the Heritage and RK are too much right now. I live now in WA state (just moved here) so I'd definitely want to take this out and around the PNW but that's probably the extent of my range. I don't see myself going to Sturgis, etc.

 

Those are all very different looking bikes. Which appeals to your eyes more?

 

Oddly I'm trying to keep that the least of my criteria. Sure the RK and the Heritage look good, they all do, but I'm more concerned about reliability and function for what I need/want. I think in order looks wise it's probably the RK and WG back and forth for #1 then the Heritage. I know the Heritage "naked" with a solo seat would look a lot different but the RK already naked plus its bags looks like the classic look that I/everyone love. That WG has got character though. And again, functionality with the detachable windscreen and bags.

I don't know if it all boils down to the WG being the newest bike with the most spent on it, aftermarket wise, and the biggest engine. The most reliable too? I've owned tall sport tourers and a Honda VTX1800 and got used to dragging those around town and in parking lots on errands and stuff but for some reason the RK seems to be large marge in comparison. I just need to get to a dealer and find one to sit on.

 

i moved from BMWs to HD....no regrets in going with a touring bike, i'd go with the RK