2005 Heritage Classic
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 147
Likes: 3
From: Georgetown, TX
2005 Heritage Classic
I currently ride a Sportster, but I am looking got move up the Harley scale a bit and I have been looking at bikes on the used market. I really want to have saddlebags, footboards, and a windshield on my bike, so I migrated toward the Dyna Switchback and the Road King. One of the sales persons that I talked to yesterday suggested that I take a look at the Heritage. Well, I have had a chance to look at several, and it is definitely on my list.
I am a big guy, 265 lbs., and all three of these bike seem to fit me fairly well. I took a test ride on a used Switchback last week, and I really liked the bike. I have not given a test run on a Road King or Heritage yet. I have spotted a really pristine 2005 Heritage Classic that I would really like to test ride.
Okay, that's the setup; here are the questions:
1. What would you suggest I really zero in on while looking and riding the Heritage? Are there land mines I really need to avoid?
2. I've ridden the Switchback, and I know how it handles. Compared to the Dyna, what can I expect to experience on the Heritage and Road King?
3. Used Switchbacks are generally low milage because the were first released in 2012, but the Heritage and Road King model go back to when the earth was cooling. Given that the bikes are well maintained, how many miles is too many, and how many years is too many?
Yes, this is long-winded, but I thank you for your input!!
I am a big guy, 265 lbs., and all three of these bike seem to fit me fairly well. I took a test ride on a used Switchback last week, and I really liked the bike. I have not given a test run on a Road King or Heritage yet. I have spotted a really pristine 2005 Heritage Classic that I would really like to test ride.
Okay, that's the setup; here are the questions:
1. What would you suggest I really zero in on while looking and riding the Heritage? Are there land mines I really need to avoid?
2. I've ridden the Switchback, and I know how it handles. Compared to the Dyna, what can I expect to experience on the Heritage and Road King?
3. Used Switchbacks are generally low milage because the were first released in 2012, but the Heritage and Road King model go back to when the earth was cooling. Given that the bikes are well maintained, how many miles is too many, and how many years is too many?
Yes, this is long-winded, but I thank you for your input!!
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 3,971
Likes: 901
From: Omaha
I love my 09 Heritage and can't imagine ever get rid of it.
The ride to me is great and I think I could solo for hours on end.
My Wife however has about a 4 hours ***; after 4 hours her *** is ready to get off.
I'm not sure that the Heritage ride is why her *** gets tired more so it's likely it's just her sitting still for a long length of time.
I do have a upgraded seat and shocks.
I'm at 250 and the Wife's at 130.
Take the Heritage and the others out for a day's ride each.
The rental fee is well worth getting a ride you like the best.
The ride to me is great and I think I could solo for hours on end.
My Wife however has about a 4 hours ***; after 4 hours her *** is ready to get off.
I'm not sure that the Heritage ride is why her *** gets tired more so it's likely it's just her sitting still for a long length of time.
I do have a upgraded seat and shocks.
I'm at 250 and the Wife's at 130.
Take the Heritage and the others out for a day's ride each.
The rental fee is well worth getting a ride you like the best.
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 147
Likes: 3
From: Georgetown, TX
Do you have any tips as to what I ought to be sure to check out while I'm giving it a try?
Also, the bike is in pristine shape, but I can't say the same for the saddlebags. Would you suggest that I put the stock bags back on the bike, or look for some after-market bags?
Also, the bike is in pristine shape, but I can't say the same for the saddlebags. Would you suggest that I put the stock bags back on the bike, or look for some after-market bags?
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 1,612
Likes: 32
From: usa
I have an 04 heritage..saddlebags are perfect and have the lid stiffeners that keep them new..I don't care bout anything with the word police in the name, but I saw a police edition with paint matching hard bags and rails..looks good
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 3,971
Likes: 901
From: Omaha
If you've been riding a Sportster at 250 .lbs any full size bike should feel more appealing.
2005 I believe was the start of fuel injection and is the 88 ci engine with a 5 speed transmission. As far as I know there's nothing wrong with that combination but those who've ridden the 5 speed and the 6 speed feel the extra gear is nice to have on the highway.
I'll have to let other's here that has that model year to chime in as to what to look for.
As for the bags, after a few years they all seem to sag.
Mine shown in my pic are 6 years old.
I keep them conditioned and installed "GotSaggyBags inserts.
Good luck with your hunt, it can be brutally fun.
2005 I believe was the start of fuel injection and is the 88 ci engine with a 5 speed transmission. As far as I know there's nothing wrong with that combination but those who've ridden the 5 speed and the 6 speed feel the extra gear is nice to have on the highway.
I'll have to let other's here that has that model year to chime in as to what to look for.
As for the bags, after a few years they all seem to sag.
Mine shown in my pic are 6 years old.
I keep them conditioned and installed "GotSaggyBags inserts.
Good luck with your hunt, it can be brutally fun.
Last edited by Bluraven; Mar 10, 2015 at 08:55 PM.
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 1,612
Likes: 32
From: usa
If you've been riding a Sportster at 250 .lbs any full size bike should feel more appealing.
2005 I believe was the start of fuel injection and is the 88 ci engine with a 5 speed transmission. As far as I know there's nothing wrong with that combination.
I'll have to let other's here that has that model year to chime in as to what to look for.
As for the bags, after a few years they all seem to sag.
Mine shown in my pic are 6 years old.
I keep them conditioned and installed "GotSaggyBags inserts.
Good luck with your hunt, it can be brutally fun.
2005 I believe was the start of fuel injection and is the 88 ci engine with a 5 speed transmission. As far as I know there's nothing wrong with that combination.
I'll have to let other's here that has that model year to chime in as to what to look for.
As for the bags, after a few years they all seem to sag.
Mine shown in my pic are 6 years old.
I keep them conditioned and installed "GotSaggyBags inserts.
Good luck with your hunt, it can be brutally fun.
It dynoed at 117hp
And no sag in the bags..
Spoiler alert..
My true cruise control came today..this was a one-off build..
If my shotgun shock gets here in time, both will be installed on Sat
Last edited by amkaos; Mar 10, 2015 at 09:36 PM.
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Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 186
Likes: 44
From: Canada
I had a '04 Heritage and rode it from Windsor, Ontario, Canada (across the river from Detroit) to Vancouver Island and back and the next summer to NYC. Great bike. Put 162000 kms on until I crashed it and wrote it off. I personally like the beta engine of the Heritage compared to the Road King's alpha; too much shake. The only issues I would consider are the upgrades to the engine since '05, 88ci to 96ci and now 103ci and the tranny is now a 6 speed.
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 2,181
Likes: 488
From: Central California
Coming to a Deluxe (just about the same as the Heritage) from a Sportster, is night and day difference. While the Sporty is quick and agile, easy to maneuver at low speeds and does well in tight twisties up in the mountains, the softail does not do those things well. At low speeds in "parking lot" conditions, it's a wallowing pig.
However, while the sporty just about shakes your teeth fillings loose on the slab, and sends a jarring sensation up your spine on uneven roads, the softail is as smooth as a Cadillac. I can even see out of the mirrors! It is on the open road that the Softail comes into it's own, and is truly a pleasure to ride.
On power, even though the engine is almost double the displacement of my 883 Sportster, it doesn't feel as fast. I know it doesn't make double the horsepower.
I'm only now learning the intricacies of the Softail and big twin. It is my understanding that the pre 2006 (mine is an '06) has potential issues with the cam chain tensioners. I've been studying up on it in anticipation of dealing with it here in the very near future. Mine has 40K on it, and I don't know it's history, other than it has quite a few performance enhancements already. The first thing is to pull the cam cover off and see what it looks like on the primary tensioner.
Oh goody! I can't wait!
However, while the sporty just about shakes your teeth fillings loose on the slab, and sends a jarring sensation up your spine on uneven roads, the softail is as smooth as a Cadillac. I can even see out of the mirrors! It is on the open road that the Softail comes into it's own, and is truly a pleasure to ride.
On power, even though the engine is almost double the displacement of my 883 Sportster, it doesn't feel as fast. I know it doesn't make double the horsepower.
I'm only now learning the intricacies of the Softail and big twin. It is my understanding that the pre 2006 (mine is an '06) has potential issues with the cam chain tensioners. I've been studying up on it in anticipation of dealing with it here in the very near future. Mine has 40K on it, and I don't know it's history, other than it has quite a few performance enhancements already. The first thing is to pull the cam cover off and see what it looks like on the primary tensioner.
Oh goody! I can't wait!