hi
i'm dave and new to this forum.
i hope to be buying a softail sometime soon, but i'm at a toss up between the heritage classic and the deluxe.
they look very similar. what are some of the differences between the 2 ? is it only cosmetic ?
thanks
dave

 

I went through a similar decision a couple weeks ago, I went with the Deluxe and LOVE my bike. I did test drive both and the Deluxe felt better to me and I like its look better. The Heritage has a more comfortable stock seat but I didnt care for the mini apes. If you are going to add bags, windshield, etc the Heritage will be cheaper in the long run, alot will come down to how you want to use it and which look you like better. The frame and engine are the same between the two, but the Deluxe has a lower seating height. Either bike is a great choice though.

 

I love my Heritage! Classic look and the bags really come in handy.

 

I got the deluxe also. Its was the nostalgic look that swayed me. I do miss the wind sheild when that bug hits my face at 70 mph but I may put one on. Cant take very sharp turns unless you like seeing sparks fly from the foot boards.

 

The Heritage is more comfortable for me with the mini apes. I'm only 5'11" but the Heritage seemed to have a little more leg room. You could not go wrong with either. Both are great rides.

 

Both are great bikes, as mentioned. I love my deluxe, but if you want saddlebags and windshield without having to cough up extra, the Heritage is for you. I liked the deluxe for a couple of reasons. The whitewalls, the seat height, and lighting fixtures, tail light, and so on...

 

I love my Heritage, perfect bike for around town or touring. It already comes with bags and a windshield. If you don't want to use them just pop them off and put them away for next time. Honestly, you need to ride one of each, see which one you like and then buy it. If possible, rent one of each and put a good days ride on each one. That will give you your best feel for the bikes.

 

Welcome, Dave. Have an 07 Heritage Classic, bought June 2nd. Here's what I would do different if I had it to do over again (knowing what I know now), no matter what my choice was, either Heritage or Deluxe.

1st, I never considered a "used" bike before, but I would definitely reconsider it now. The 2007's run hot from the factory due to attempts to meet the new EPA standards - the bikes are forced to run lean which makes them run hot when idling at a light. The new 6-speed transmission is great for highway driving, but there's a loud noise made in 5th gear on a LOT of the new bikes - anything with a windshield only serves to accentuate the noise and you can't help but to hear it. Finally, the 2007's, to me anyway, sound like lawnmowers.

Given what I just said, I love my bike - NOW, after spending another $500+ for new exhaust (you can get slip-ons for less than $300), a new K&N air filter (believe it was like $125 or something), and then the Vance & Hines Fuelpak (around $200 or so, but you can also get a Screaming Eagle Race Tuner or Power Commander - both cost more, a lot more for the SERT but both allow you to fiddle with the settings on your ECM). And switching to synthetics at the 1000 mile service.

What I would do differently, now, is find some sap that's already made these changes himself/herself and are either fed up with the bike or just don't want it anymore or just need the money. You can find a used bike for a better price than what you would get from a dealer - remind the owner that on a trade-in the dealer will offer at least $4K below what the bike cost new and won't increase the amount because of the exhaust/filter changes that were made by the original owner.

The changes that I discussed above are not "required" but they will make the 2007's easier to live with. Just about everyone on here have some brand of aftermarket exhaust, new air cleaner, ECM upgrade and run synthetics - must be a reason for that.

Good luck w/your choice.

 

thanks for all the input.
i have sat on both in the showroom, but have not yet ridden one.
07FLSTC_Navy , i think you are right about letting someone else do all the mods first.. i have seen a few nice bikes on e-bay with alot of everything you mentioned already installed. looks like i can save some $$ there, but then i question whether or not the original owner broke in the motor correctly and if it was serviced regularly ?
i guess you will never know for sure.
i ride a volusia now and i think it has similar looks to the heritage and deluxe. probably why i bought it..
at the time it was either 1 harley for me or 2 metrics for my wife and i. metrics won !! its hard to pass up 2 bikes for less than the price of 1 harley . well now the search continues..
thanks again for all your input everyone.
i will keep checking this forum for more great info.
dave

 

I love my Heritage, BUT I like the looks of the Deluxe. However, it's cheaper and easier to strip my bike down, than to add stuff to a Deluxe.
If you don't need the bags and wind screen and sissy bar, thenget the Deluxe. Beautiful bikes.
Marsh