thinking about a softail for my next harley
Stage IV
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 4
Likes: 1
From: Plainfield, IN
Just bought my first Harley, and I decided to go with the one that I've always wanted-a Heritage Softail. The wife and I wanted something we could hop on and do a day trip or a weekend getaway. It, pretty much, came down to a Street Glide Special and a Heritage Softail(yeah, I know that a Road King is probably slightly more comparable to a Heritage than a SGS, but, you know...). I got to spend some time on a buddy's SGS, and there were definitely some pros and cons.
SGS pros-
-big motor
-comfy seat
-nice fairing WITH a decent sound system
-lockable bags
SGS cons-
-weighs a ton
-costs a ton
-although I like the security the hard bags provide, I'm just not a fan of the look.
Heritage pros-
-big enough motor
-comfy seat
-decent windshield
-costs less
-weighs less
-looks nostalgic and sexy with the wide white walls
Heritage cons-
-no radio
-saddlebags aren't very secure
Ultimately, 95% of the riding that the bike is going to see is me riding back and forth to work, or around town with my buds. Don't need the extra weight for that. The Heritage covers almost all the bases...
SGS pros-
-big motor
-comfy seat
-nice fairing WITH a decent sound system
-lockable bags
SGS cons-
-weighs a ton
-costs a ton
-although I like the security the hard bags provide, I'm just not a fan of the look.
Heritage pros-
-big enough motor
-comfy seat
-decent windshield
-costs less
-weighs less
-looks nostalgic and sexy with the wide white walls
Heritage cons-
-no radio
-saddlebags aren't very secure
Ultimately, 95% of the riding that the bike is going to see is me riding back and forth to work, or around town with my buds. Don't need the extra weight for that. The Heritage covers almost all the bases...
Last edited by Pbass6811; Nov 10, 2016 at 11:38 PM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 5,573
Likes: 113
From: Fort Worth, TX
I had a Road King Classic for the last 7 years, just sold it this past Summer and I'm back on a FatBoy. I loved the RK but I never used the windscreen and rarely used the bags.
I find my FatBoy just as comfortable and it looks better. The only real thing I missed from the RK was the highway pegs, so I just installed an engine guard and added the pegs to the FatBoy. I really don't miss the RK
I find my FatBoy just as comfortable and it looks better. The only real thing I missed from the RK was the highway pegs, so I just installed an engine guard and added the pegs to the FatBoy. I really don't miss the RK
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 14,165
Likes: 11,254
From: San Diego, CA
I moved from the old FXS models to a Heritage Softail in '89.... loved it!
I liked the FLH front end, floorboards, and detachable windshield (off around town/on for trips).
I upgraded from '89 EVO to '03 Twin-cam Heritage in 2003. Still loved the bike!
I have taken many long trips on both bikes, quite comfortably.....
In '12 I bought a Limited. I was taking trips with my wife and while she liked the Heritage, she LOVES the Limited.... I have to admit that on multi-day, long rides, I've grown to like the full fairing, touring seat position, and the radio.. only downside, it IS a heavy bike! Don't feel it riding so much, but certainly when pushing it around...
I couldn't bring my self to sell the '03 Heritage (as planned) after buying the '12 Limited. They are different bikes, different feels, both very nice...
I love them both.....
I had no problem when the Heritage was my only bike.... would do it again if I had to choose between the two.....
Good luck with your decision.....
I liked the FLH front end, floorboards, and detachable windshield (off around town/on for trips).
I upgraded from '89 EVO to '03 Twin-cam Heritage in 2003. Still loved the bike!
I have taken many long trips on both bikes, quite comfortably.....
In '12 I bought a Limited. I was taking trips with my wife and while she liked the Heritage, she LOVES the Limited.... I have to admit that on multi-day, long rides, I've grown to like the full fairing, touring seat position, and the radio.. only downside, it IS a heavy bike! Don't feel it riding so much, but certainly when pushing it around...
I couldn't bring my self to sell the '03 Heritage (as planned) after buying the '12 Limited. They are different bikes, different feels, both very nice...
I love them both.....
I had no problem when the Heritage was my only bike.... would do it again if I had to choose between the two.....
Good luck with your decision.....
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 10,374
Likes: 518
From: Southern Arizona
what are you talking about. every bike i've ever owned has had conventional shocks and the softail is the best bike i've ever ridden..you know what they say about opinion's. love my fatboy lo
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 7,709
Likes: 7,850
From: New York
Last harley i had was an 06 RK Classic, love the bike had it for a while and then sold it to continue racing my car. Im kind of done racing, tired of the days away at the track, sitting around etc...
So i was looking at some touring bikes but i really like the softail (i am going to test ride one, will buy a 16 or 17) and thought about changing it up. Im just concerned about long rides 3 or 4 hours in a day, how detachables look on the bike, as well as some sort of wind protection. I really only ruled out the breakout and was wondering does one handle better than the other, any major pros and cons to one, what does a heritage look like without the bags? i was thinking fat boy may be because last bike had the vintage look, i hear some say the deluxe is a womans bike (whatever) so i am just trying to get some views of softail owners, those who have come from the touring chassis to softail and any other useful info that may help. Also are there any major changes from 16 to 17 models? I have been looking at this site for over a month reading various threads but decided to post these questions up.
Thanks in advance for the help!
AC
So i was looking at some touring bikes but i really like the softail (i am going to test ride one, will buy a 16 or 17) and thought about changing it up. Im just concerned about long rides 3 or 4 hours in a day, how detachables look on the bike, as well as some sort of wind protection. I really only ruled out the breakout and was wondering does one handle better than the other, any major pros and cons to one, what does a heritage look like without the bags? i was thinking fat boy may be because last bike had the vintage look, i hear some say the deluxe is a womans bike (whatever) so i am just trying to get some views of softail owners, those who have come from the touring chassis to softail and any other useful info that may help. Also are there any major changes from 16 to 17 models? I have been looking at this site for over a month reading various threads but decided to post these questions up.
Thanks in advance for the help!
AC
If you're concerned about "long rides" on the Heritage - don't be. I bought the Heritage shown above [a 2012] from a Miami, FL dealer. I placed a deposit and had a "cancellable" contract subject to my inspection and test ride. I flew into FL from NY and road back in 2 days [1,500 miles]. The photo does not show it, but the bike came with a detachable windshield, which was indispensable for this ride. The only thing I missed during the ride home was "cruise control" [like I have on my Ultra]. Fortunately, I had anticipated that being a problem and brought some $10 device called a "wrist rest" or some such thing - problem solved. The Softail Deluxe is an awesome bike. And BTW, the Softail has the same 103 engine that my '14 Ultra has. At approx. 300 lbs lighter, there is no lack of peppiness.
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 700
Likes: 312
From: southwest Va.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 10,374
Likes: 518
From: Southern Arizona
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Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 1,256
Likes: 620
From: Pittsburgh suburb
Clearly you are either trolling, misinformed an Idiot or just a combination of all three! The softail line up is ef in awesome in all ways & like all Harleys a little time spent tuning the motor / suspension & you have a damn good machine. I was tired of dragging boards on mine so I did a lil customizing (myself) & I can hit the twisties as well as any cruiser out there - so as far as the sloptail comment nutpump - you don't have a clue!!!
OP you cant go wrong with any bike in the softail line up or an HD in general!