Electra glide to a Softail, Any regrets?
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 337
Likes: 269
From: Central Florida
My wife and I rented an EG Ultra Limited for a day because my Heritage backrest was uncomfortable for her. We did 300 miles for the test drive.
She had no issues with the back rest on the tour pack on the EG. The EG is a beautiful machine, just not for me.
I put a quick release tour pack on my Heritage and now my wife has the back rest from an EG and I can take it off when I ride solo.
The EG is more nimble than the Heritage, corners better, and is smoother at 70+ MPH. The interesting thing about the EG is that while the ride feels smoother at higher highway speeds there is a tremendous amount of vibration in the engine that you can feel in the shifter. You don't have engine vibration with the Heritage, on highway or at idle. Not to say the ride is vibration free at higher speeds, just less vibration from the engine.
I thought I would like the vibration that is part of the character of a tour bike. While it looks impressive, and always will, it's not for me.
She had no issues with the back rest on the tour pack on the EG. The EG is a beautiful machine, just not for me.
I put a quick release tour pack on my Heritage and now my wife has the back rest from an EG and I can take it off when I ride solo.
The EG is more nimble than the Heritage, corners better, and is smoother at 70+ MPH. The interesting thing about the EG is that while the ride feels smoother at higher highway speeds there is a tremendous amount of vibration in the engine that you can feel in the shifter. You don't have engine vibration with the Heritage, on highway or at idle. Not to say the ride is vibration free at higher speeds, just less vibration from the engine.
I thought I would like the vibration that is part of the character of a tour bike. While it looks impressive, and always will, it's not for me.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 1,357
Likes: 91
From: Michigan
I loved the Heritage, great around town and you could pack it up and go for the long haul if you wanted to.
The bike handles very well, although its low slung stature which appeals to so many for it's looks and low CG also comes at a price, dragging boards around just about every corner, which can be a tad unnerving when done at speed in the twisties.
For around town it handles easily given its low CG and you will find many looking at it while rolling down the road or parked, many times I came out to a conversation about how good looking the Heritage is.
There is only one negative I would mention and that would of the beautifully chromed oil tank, not an issue when rolling down the road, but around town, stop and go traffic, its hot......real hot. You will find your self intentionally moving your inner legs away from the tank after idling in traffic and it doesn't take long.
I won't say that this issue was the sole cause for me to trade to an Ultra, but it certainly helped the decision along. I love long rides and the Ultra fits that well, I figured while I was still young and strong enough to handle the Ultra I would put some mile in the saddle of one.
If I could I would have both, but that's just not possible for me.
Test drive one, but I would think for an investment of the size needed for a new Heritage, you would get a better feel for it by renting one for a couple of days to experience more of what the Heritage has to offer.
Good luck and ride safe
The bike handles very well, although its low slung stature which appeals to so many for it's looks and low CG also comes at a price, dragging boards around just about every corner, which can be a tad unnerving when done at speed in the twisties.
For around town it handles easily given its low CG and you will find many looking at it while rolling down the road or parked, many times I came out to a conversation about how good looking the Heritage is.
There is only one negative I would mention and that would of the beautifully chromed oil tank, not an issue when rolling down the road, but around town, stop and go traffic, its hot......real hot. You will find your self intentionally moving your inner legs away from the tank after idling in traffic and it doesn't take long.
I won't say that this issue was the sole cause for me to trade to an Ultra, but it certainly helped the decision along. I love long rides and the Ultra fits that well, I figured while I was still young and strong enough to handle the Ultra I would put some mile in the saddle of one.
If I could I would have both, but that's just not possible for me.
Test drive one, but I would think for an investment of the size needed for a new Heritage, you would get a better feel for it by renting one for a couple of days to experience more of what the Heritage has to offer.
Good luck and ride safe
I have both a '14 Limited and an '01 Heritage Springer. The newer touring bikes handle a little different than the older ones do, and by different IMO better - but that being said - I agree with what a lot are saying here - if you are mostly an around town kinda rider - Heritage no doubt is your best bet and you will not have any regrets. The Softails ride very nice, they handle well, and they are comfy for those day rides while touring your watering' hole stops.
I do a lot of long trips. I have tried to take the Springer on long destination rides - it just doesn't do it for me - too spoiled with the comfort and e-goodies my Limited has. I took a few long full day rides last year after I got my HS, only stopping for gas and dragon draining, and by the end of the day my back, legs, arms, and shoulders let me know that we should not do this very often. ;-)
I do a lot of long trips. I have tried to take the Springer on long destination rides - it just doesn't do it for me - too spoiled with the comfort and e-goodies my Limited has. I took a few long full day rides last year after I got my HS, only stopping for gas and dragon draining, and by the end of the day my back, legs, arms, and shoulders let me know that we should not do this very often. ;-)
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 3,492
Likes: 19
From: Illinois
Absolutely NO regrets. Last bike was a 97 Heritage and before that a 70 Electra glide. I have this bike modded out to handle anything I can throw at it, well, except that Dear! There is so much more you can do with a Softail, IMHO. Whatever you choose have fun and ride safe.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 14,778
Likes: 69
From: Badlands of ND
I have both bikes. I absolutely love my Heritage. It is smooth and easy in town and low speeds and stop and go traffic, that balance makes the bike effortless. At higher speeds, 70+, there is a vibration that will wear on you on long trips. The suspension is also noticeably rougher at highway speeds than the touring bikes. Lastly if you go long distances, that cruise control is really a help. I ride over 12,000 miles annually. If I were to have only one bike, it would be a Touring model.
Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 129
Likes: 26
From: Alberta
90% of my town riding is on the softail, simply because I enjoy the softail around town more, and I think it handles better in town.....but 100% of my highway riding when going more than 100km from home is on the touring bike for exactly the same reason, I simply enjoy the touring bike on the highway more than the softail, and I think it's better for that riding.
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