I am a new member and am about to purchase my first Harley and I need some advice regarding the purchase.

I am down to 2 choices, either the Softail Custom or a Heritage Softail classic.

My riding habits will be as follows:

1. I live in metropolitan Atlanta and will commute to work on the bike 3 or 4 days per week in all but the worst/coldest weather. My commute is about 40 miles round trip and would not require any interstate driving, strictly surface streets.

2. Every now and then I might head to the mountains over the weekend, about 100 to 150 miles one way.

3. A couple of times a year, I might head to the beach with the family where I trail on the harley, about 350 miles one way.

4. One of these years, I will likely make the trek to Sturgis.

I am told that the Heritage is a more comfortable ride on long trips, in fact, I have been told that it is a much more comfortable ride than the Softail customer, primarily due to the riding position. Personally, I like the chopper type styling of the Softail custom as it has a more sporty appearance. But I don't want to make a serious mistake on such a purchase.

Any opinions/experiences of current riders would be most appreciated.

Thanks,

jimd4au

 

If your dealer has a rental program I would rent both models and then make your decision. Most dealers will apply your rental toward your purchase.

 

Looks like the Custom will fit your bill. IMO the Heritage Softail is too big for daily use, which is made more for twoup and touring.

I was in the same dilemma like you. But my choices were the Fat Boy or Softail Heritage. I chose the FB, great bike for daily commute and freeway riding.

If you can't make up your mind, either rentor borrow someone else'sfor a test tride, just make sure is a late model and stock, if new is what you have in mind. Good luck.

 

I sure like the retrolook of the heritage better. However, I tend to agree that the custom is better suited for commuting, simply by design. If it was me, regardless, I like the heritage better. Taking a test ride is a great idea...

 

Waltman, Heritage is set up for touring/two-up riding??? I'm offended

 

Too big? They are basically the same bike.

 

Sorry guys,a bit heavier is what I meant. Yeah you can have a naked heritage. Cool bike volkdeluxe.

 

Yep, maybe you should start out on a Ninja 250! Just kidding.

You can have your Heritage any way you want it.


If you don't have riding experience, please do consider starting with a inexpensive bike and take a rider's safety course.

 

Thanks...

Back to the question.. either one would be good for what you want to do, but I think the heritage would be better just becuase of what you get with the bike, anyways heavier doesn't really matter to me. If you can ride, you can ride... if you can't you can't doesn't matter on the weight.... and if you get quick detachable for windshield/bags/ sissy bar I think you can make the heritage a pretty sweet bar hopper also, just my .02

 

I think that you need to try riding positions out, primarily. There are all kinds of seat options that strive to be silver bullets for saving your butt, but it really depends upon the ergonomics of your physique and how long you want to sit on the bike, IMHO.

I know that without A LOT of adaptations of my Nightrain, any of my buddies on Road Kings, Classics, Electras, and UltraClassics can ride me into the ground.

I do think that softails have an advantage in stop and go traffic, the amount of which is again depending upon your physique. It is easy for me to hold up a bike, so I don't get tired wrestling one around in traffic as quickly as some others do. Nonetheless, I opted for looks over comfort and spent and extra grand or so so that I could go touring. (Sundowner seat, geltech waffle gel custom insert, bags, sissy bar, grips, heated gloves).

C#