The Deluxe does seem smaller. Everything is closer (bars, footboards etc) and it does sit lower.
They are the same identical platform as far as frame. forks susp, eng/trans.

 

Then why does it sit lower?
Marsh

 

I heard someone explain this before. The deluxe has a bit more chrome, but is minus saddlebags and windshield. Those are the biggest difference other than the low stock seat height, which works better for me. I have since added saddlebags and windshield on mine. The V&H big shots are next.

[IMG]local://upfiles/30057/C234F8ECD2C640F787C1A2CEE2A7D00C.jpg[/IMG]

 

So if I took all that stuff off my bike and put a Delux seat on it and white walls, I would have a delux defacto?
Marsh

 

There are a few other minor differences, like tail & brakelights, amongst others, but I guess it would be pretty similar.

 

Honestly, the biggest thing that sticks out to me as far as differences is the Deluxe doesn't have that light on the front fender. I can't stand that damn thing, and am going to be getting either a FB fender or a plain FL style front fender for my bike soon, without the trim.

 

I kinda like the light. Adds to the nostalgia look, so I'll be leaving mine alone.

 

jigman.
i'm sorry i have to wonder how long u have been riding. i'm not trying to bash u but, i am 5'6" and i had to move my apes up from the fact possition. they were to close. i have no problem reaching my kickstand.i think u are exaggerating this thing alittle bit.even before i put the burnout kit on i was flat footed. i have never almost dropped it at slow speed moves. maybe u weren't looking into the turn enough and feathering the clutch to keep it engaged. i don't know. but u are certainly entitled to ur own opinion. i do know that the newer heritages have a higher seat hieght than my 2002. i think its only like 1/10 of an inch. its not much.

i got my heritag for the same reason that u feel u got ur deluxe. classic timeless cruiser. i also hate the front light on my bike and it is comming off soon. i have no problem fitting my leather and 2 or 3 hoodies in my 1 bag.alot of what u said i agree with,but at the same time alot u said i dissagree with.
as per harley home page. the difference in weight is 26lbs on the 06 models. deluxe being lighter.and they have the same chrome on them except for the luggage rack,taillight assembly and front lighton the fender. any leather will get wrinkly if u don't take car of it. and yes they do sag but they have a remedy for that. my bags are almost 6 years old. the have been condition everytime i clean the bike,wich is like once a week atleast. the previous owner was as meticulous as i am.

as i said bro. i'm not trying to flame u. i was just pointing out my thoughts as well as u were.

 

I am 5'4" with 30" inseam. I used to have a Deluxe and now I have a 2006 Heritage. I put a reduced reach seat on my Heritage. I can still barely reach the kick stand to get it up compared to Deluxe. Sometimes I kick it in gear to help roll it up for me. I put 12.5" ape hangers with about a 10" pull back andthe reduced reach seat on my Heritage. I ride just as comfortable as I used to on My Deluxe. Before I changed the seat, I had a real hard time making u turns because I was so stretched out. I lowered my Deluxe front and back but it felt luggish in turns. I just lowered the back of Heritage about 1" and with seat, can back out of garage just fine. Heritage feels much lighter to me in turns but could also be my handle bars. The pull back risers on Deluxe have a different feel.

The Deluxe stock seat sits you much closer to the bars and to the ground, hence the lower seat height. The rest is just the way they are dressed out. I thoroughly enjoyed both. If you find yourself cramped on a Deluxe but love the styling, they do make a tall boy seat for it. You really need to sit on both and invision yourself and your comfortable riding position. Otherwise, you can change bars and seats on either model and they are both excellent!

 

It's kind of like the difference between a Chevy pick up and a GMC pick up. Basicly the same truck in different trim. Both nice trucks. Heritage and Deluxe, same bike different trim. Both nice bikes.