Softail for sure - Heritage or Deluxe?
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Novice
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From: Stockholm
Softail for sure - Heritage or Deluxe?
I am debating with myself over and over and cant make up my mind which model to get. Maybe it is just something that suddenly comes to me when i come across it - and realize this is my bike... Well I have never believed in love at first sight so maybe not.
I would like to have a clean and nice bike for shorter ego-rides. Just a mono saddle with a flip on/off luggage rack on top of a slim passenger seat. No wind shield. And to install a beach bar. Anyone have some inspirational photos to provide. Have been browsing the Heritage section of this forum - so far cant seem to find similar....
I suppose a Heritage will be my best starting point - including the bags, the wind shield and a comfortable passenger pillion with a sissy originally fitted. Which I will be mounting for the occasional longer rides. I am not a tecky who would be doing a lot of customization.
Thanks for feedback.
Nor
I would like to have a clean and nice bike for shorter ego-rides. Just a mono saddle with a flip on/off luggage rack on top of a slim passenger seat. No wind shield. And to install a beach bar. Anyone have some inspirational photos to provide. Have been browsing the Heritage section of this forum - so far cant seem to find similar....
I suppose a Heritage will be my best starting point - including the bags, the wind shield and a comfortable passenger pillion with a sissy originally fitted. Which I will be mounting for the occasional longer rides. I am not a tecky who would be doing a lot of customization.
Thanks for feedback.
Nor
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 533
Likes: 57
From: Fredericksburg, VA
It is not a seat. It is called a seat bib. It could be used as a seat, i guess.... but it is meant to cover the fender when the passenger seat has been removed (usually there is ugly paint wear).
Heritage Softail Fender Bib Images
Heritage Softail Fender Bib Images
Last edited by Axis39; Jul 20, 2016 at 05:17 AM.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 3,973
Likes: 912
From: Omaha
Stop by a local bike night or poker run and count how many Heritages vs. Deluxe there are.
I think you will find an overwhelming more Heritages.
IMO the reason why is just plain versatility.
In a matter of minutes you can go from a ride that you can take cross country to a stripped down local bar hopper.
If you look at my signature pic, I've got my Heritage setup as a "bagger", but given 30 minutes I can have it stripped down to just skin and bones.
Some don't care for the studs so they go with a Deluxe and add bags and a windshield.
That's certainly another option if that's your thing.
I think in the end it's as you stated "something that suddenly comes to me when i come across it - and realize this is my bike".
That's the way it was for me; once I saw my Heritage I knew that was it and haven't regretted that decision.
I think you will find an overwhelming more Heritages.
IMO the reason why is just plain versatility.
In a matter of minutes you can go from a ride that you can take cross country to a stripped down local bar hopper.
If you look at my signature pic, I've got my Heritage setup as a "bagger", but given 30 minutes I can have it stripped down to just skin and bones.
Some don't care for the studs so they go with a Deluxe and add bags and a windshield.
That's certainly another option if that's your thing.
I think in the end it's as you stated "something that suddenly comes to me when i come across it - and realize this is my bike".
That's the way it was for me; once I saw my Heritage I knew that was it and haven't regretted that decision.
Last edited by Bluraven; Jul 20, 2016 at 05:44 AM.
Club Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 22,863
Likes: 17,919
From: Lafayette, Louisiana
The Heritage costs less than the Deluxe and you get saddlebags and a windshield. Deluxe has less suspension travel so it may not ride as well over a bumpy road. The handlebars in the Heritage are far more comfortable.
If I had to buy a brand new bike today, the choice would be Heritage, Fat Boy, or Fat Boy S. That being said, either Fat Boy model would immediately get the mini ape kit which is similar to Heritage handlebars.
All that being said, I cannot imagine riding anything other than my current bike which is a 1995 Heritage Softail Classic.
Regarding floorboard scraping, mine did it a lot when I first got it and later on started doing it again even worse. Two sets of progressive shocks and finally a set of light duty Works Performance shocks, the ride improved significantly and since a fair amount of time was spent adjusting the Works, it doesn't scrape anymore.
If I had to buy a brand new bike today, the choice would be Heritage, Fat Boy, or Fat Boy S. That being said, either Fat Boy model would immediately get the mini ape kit which is similar to Heritage handlebars.
All that being said, I cannot imagine riding anything other than my current bike which is a 1995 Heritage Softail Classic.
Regarding floorboard scraping, mine did it a lot when I first got it and later on started doing it again even worse. Two sets of progressive shocks and finally a set of light duty Works Performance shocks, the ride improved significantly and since a fair amount of time was spent adjusting the Works, it doesn't scrape anymore.
Last edited by Prot; Jul 20, 2016 at 07:37 AM.
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 432
Likes: 43
From: Portland, Oregon
The Heritage costs less than the Deluxe and you get saddlebags and a windshield. Deluxe has less suspension travel so it may not ride as well over a bumpy road. The handlebars in the Heritage are far more comfortable.
If I had to buy a brand new bike today, the choice would be Heritage, Fat Boy, or Fat Boy S. That being said, either Fat Boy model would immediately get the mini ape kit which is similar to Heritage handlebars.
All that being said, I cannot imagine riding anything other than my current bike which is a 1995 Heritage Softail Classic.
Regarding floorboard scraping, mine did it a lot when I first got it and later on started doing it again even worse. Two sets of progressive shocks and finally a set of light duty Works Performance shocks, the ride improved significantly and since a fair amount of time was spent adjusting the Works, it doesn't scrape anymore.
If I had to buy a brand new bike today, the choice would be Heritage, Fat Boy, or Fat Boy S. That being said, either Fat Boy model would immediately get the mini ape kit which is similar to Heritage handlebars.
All that being said, I cannot imagine riding anything other than my current bike which is a 1995 Heritage Softail Classic.
Regarding floorboard scraping, mine did it a lot when I first got it and later on started doing it again even worse. Two sets of progressive shocks and finally a set of light duty Works Performance shocks, the ride improved significantly and since a fair amount of time was spent adjusting the Works, it doesn't scrape anymore.
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4th Gear
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: Boise
I really like my heritage. I usually ride it around without the windshield, unless I'm going for a long ride, then it's really nice to have the windshield. I also typically just have my solo mustang seat with the backrest on it. I love the lines and the looks.
In about 5 minutes I can add on the passenger seat, sissy bar and windshield and I have a bike that I can ride with momma and it still looks pretty sweet.
In about 5 minutes I can add on the passenger seat, sissy bar and windshield and I have a bike that I can ride with momma and it still looks pretty sweet.
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Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 14,778
Likes: 69
From: Badlands of ND
I am biased, but the Heritage is a better bike. A buddy of mine bought a Deluxe because he loves the color. He landed up putting a lot more cash into it changing it over to what now looks like a Heritage.
Club Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 22,863
Likes: 17,919
From: Lafayette, Louisiana
I see on their site that the Works Adjustable shocks lower the bike 1 7/8"? I take it that there is enough adjustment to actually raise the bike to gain more clearance? I've been looking at options since my Deluxe is really low. I'll see how it sits after I get the 21" front wheel on next week and go from there though.