This is the Heritage I got to test ride.

Hi and I hope I can get some good opinions.

I haven't owned a motorcycle since the early 70's. The one I owned was a little Honda CL 175. I put over 12,000 miles on it and absolutely loved the wind in the face. With all my dealings along the way with the Navy sending me to California and they not recognizing my motorcycle and transferring the 'M' to their license I wasn't licensed until just in the last few months. But Now that I'm licensed again I've got the itch for the wind in the face ride.

I'm thinking of getting a new 2018 Heritage, yes HUGE upgrade from a 175! Thanks to two HD dealers for letting me test ride a few of the new ones. I've only tested the 2018 Low Rider, Heritage and a 2017 Sportster. Why a Sportster? Maybe some of the older crowd remembers a short run program called "Then Came Bronson". Bronson's motorcycle was a Sportster.

I'm wondering if there is any reason to get a 107 over the 114 or vice versa? Any reliability issues with either that I should consider?

 

Depends on the equipment package; for example, on the Fat Bob, the 114 model includes ABS, the 107 model doesn't have it. ABS is a worthy upgrade on its own, so to get the 114 in addition, well, that was a deal I couldn't turn down. Plus the 114 includes the Ventilator high-flow air cleaner, so if you do plan to upgrade in the future, you wouldn't need to replace the air cleaner.

The 107 is 94% of the engine that the 114 is. There's not a huge difference. Harley says the 0-60 improvement is somewhere around 10%. The 114 is stronger, torquier, and "better" -- but not a whole lot. Just a mild upgrade. Harley offers "stage" upgrades for its bikes; I took mine to Stage II. Well, the stock 114 is about comparable to a 107 that has "stage 1", the 114 stage 1 is pretty comparable to a 107 that has stage 2, and the 114 stage 2 is about on par with a 107 that has stage 3. So if you're planning on upgrading your bike later, why not start with the bigger engine, covered under factory warranty, etc? Same MPG, just more performance.

If money's tight, no reason to have to splurge on the 114. If you can afford either, why not get the 114?

 

if you plan on doing a lot of Touring the Road King is a much better choice..if you intend to use your bike as an all around cruiser with some not so long distance Touring, which is what it's designed for, you're better off with the Heritage..about identical cost wise..from your post it sounds like the Heritage is the bike for you but things change so the Road King would be future proofing so to speak

 

To tell you the truth I'm mostly wanting it to RIDE. I'm thinking that I will mostly just ride with family or maybe I will make some friends and ride with them but until that time I will be solo. My brother has a BMW S1000R ... I've ridden it a few times and I didn't like it. He had me trying out a few other BMW's at where he got his but .... I took one test ride on the 2018 Low Rider and I was Hooked! My brother keeps saying that the Power to weight ratio isn't good with the Harleys and he'd be riding circles around me. HA! Every time he brings that up I ask him one question. "What is the speed limit?"

Also the Heritage comes with ABS standard in both models. In response to the earlier thread.

 

I'd ride both the 107 and 114 in the same model Harley. Then decide on any engine and equipment advantages of one over the other. Look, listen, and feel for sound, performance, and smoothness of operation during a local road trip test.

The 114 has a larger piston/cylinder bore, longer piston stroke, and higher compression from the factory to achieve the displacement change. Taking a 107 to 114 involves a larger diameter piston and cylinder but uses the same 107 crankshaft and stroke I believe. Sometimes bigger vibrates more so test both engines before owning so your happy.

There may be changes to the Touring line (engines and frame) so if you're willing to wait until the 2019's are available in late August it may be worthwhile.

 

Actually the 107 ci. has a 4.374" stroke with a 3.937" bore, whereas the 114 ci. has a 4.5" stroke with a 4.016" bore.

 

I have a stg1 107 and have ridden the 114 many times and I don't see much difference in power. Again, Im comparing a stg1 to a stock 114.

 

yeah, I rode the bike the OP posted and felt my dyno tuned SE Stage 1 felt at least as strong but cleaner running but that's to be expected...for me that's what I'd do for the same cost of the 114 upgrade you could get a properly tuned 107 that breathes better, sounds better, looks better, performs better, and imo the 107 is perfect for the lighter Heritage and all it ever needs as a cruiser..would be an awesome bike

 

Yup and runs cooler as well.

 

yeah, but to the OP..considering the upgrade you're coming off of not all all saying you should or need to run out and spend more on it and I'm sure you'd be smiling from ear to ear with either the 107 or the 114 engine bone stock and put money into comfort accessories instead, at least for the first year just enjoy the Hell out of your new bike!