I'm fairly new to Softails so please help me understand the difference between these two.
Marsh

 

I don't mean to be disrespectful of either one, I like them both but really don't understand the difference.
Marsh

 

Asides from cosmetics (bags, white walls, chrome studs, handlebars, etc)-----what are u asking. They're both softails-----u have to decide which you like by sitting on them or riding them and decide if u want bags (heritage) or not (deluxe).....whitewalls (deluxe) or not (heritage)----lowest seat height (deluxe) or not (heritage)---pullback handlebars (deluxe) or not (heritage). It's up to you.

And no disrespect taken----but which catches your eye and which is most comfortable and which makes better sense to YOU financially. I think they're both great bikes even though I've never ridden a heritage.

 

Deluxe is a naked Heritage IMHO ![8D]

 

Both are schweeeeeeeeeeet bikes. If I were buying new and these were the two I was hung up on..it'd probably be the Deluxe for me.

 

Thanks for all the answers.
Sarge, is yourbike stock? I like it, it's sweet. I'm thinking of adding white walls when it's time for tires.

 

the thing u have to decide is how much 2-up ur goin to do. i ride more solo than 2-up,but i do go 2-up. so i wanted the heritage. to me its cheaper to solo the heritage than it was to 2-up the deluxe. so i lowered my heritage to the delux and i am in the proccess of getting my solo stuff for it. the main diff is the bars. i happen to love the delux but i love apes too. so again,it was the heritage for me.just my 2 dimes worth. good luck.
jay.

sfmco357.
that is a sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet a$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ Deluxe u have there. i also notice that u have a show trophy. congrats on that.its a great feeling, isn't it? i just won1st PLace too at the salem co. fair grounds here in s. jersey last weekend.

 

The lights, seat, trim, paint, speedo face, etc are different between the 2. Even though they are both softails there is a bit of a difference in ride between the 2, it is probably due to the different bars, seat and seat height. To me the Deluxe felt a tiny bit quicker (I think it weights about 40lbs less) and seemed to turn a bit quicker (probably because of different bars). I think the white walls really set the Deluxe apart too, I bet they would really change the look of the Heritage as well.

 

I chose the Deluxe because for me its the essence of HD and my idea of what a motorcycle should look like. That aside, I was given an 07 Heritage as aloaner bike when I brought the deluxe in for its 3000 (2500) mile service, so I've very recently been on both.And for me, there's no contest, the deluxe hands down. Mostly though its all due to ergonomics and bike set-up. TheStock Heritage was much bigger than myStock Deluxe and I'm small (5'7" & 155 Lbs). I could barely tippy toe the Heritage. Plus, it was too long and it killed my lower back. I had to almost get off the bike to reach the kick stand to get it up.It was much harder for me to do slow tight radius maneuvers on -again, because of length (meset too far back from front and too high). So, out of the box the Heritage just doesnt fit me 9i know a gal thats 5'3" 115 Lbs that rides an 03anniversary model no problem - but its been lowered. Now to the cosmetics:
The deluxe is a bit classier looking and stripped down outta the box-leaving more of a blank canvas to start personalizing. I hate the saddle bags they put on the Heritage becasue they collapse and look all wrinkly and look so much bigger on the outside than they really are on the inside. I was lucky that when I bought my 06 Deluxe it came HD Large Bags (stiff & and deep & no silver beads all over) which look slightly smaller but are actually bgger on the inside. I could barely fit my stuff in the Heritage bagswhen I transferredbag contentsfrom one bike to the other. My bike also came two-up ready with rear sissy bar/luggage rack. I paidless thanwhat a new heritage would cost for the whole set-up for the deluxe with 1100 miles on it (barely broken in) and got better stuff.My bags' are valued at about 950.00 and the sissy bar/ luggage rack about 350.00. When I got back on my deluxe I was very relieved and happy. It fits me like a glove, I can flatfoot it, my body is not so stretched out and I can reach everything comfortably without pain on long rides. The bike feels lighter and quicker/more responsive. I almost dumped the heritage in a parkinglot making an extreme hardright hand turn around a curb into a parking slot. Just barely was able to jump off as it was teetering on the right floorboard and turn my back to it and use legs to lift back up. I flagged down a passing person to put the kickstand down for me as I was on the bike off-side for a right hander and didnt want to risk dumping it the other way while mounting. I was very lucky I didnt really dump the bike all the way over. it was embarrassing but the maneuver was something that wouldve been easy on my deluxe. Most of my issues with the comparison is fit. I like both bikes alot and I'm sure the Heritage could be customized to fit me-for a price. My wife has an 07 deluxe and it fits me too (maybe even lower). The heritage is rolls off the floor built for someone at least 5'10" with long legs and arms and maybe 6' and above with shorter legs and arms. Then, its just which one you like the looks of more-or can afford.

 

Wow, some really good answers. I think I understand now, or at least better than I did. I like the idea of it being lower, although I have no problem flat footing both feet,especially with MC boots.I think it would be even more comfortable if it were lower. I wonder what that would cost for my Heritage???
I also like the Delux bars better.
Marsh