I have about 1200 miles under my belt on our 18 Sportster 48 special. Its lots of fun around town by myself, but combined with a passenger, we are around 400 lbs. I've been torn with getting a Heritage Softtail, a RK, or a SG. A ST Heritage seems comfortable to sit on and am waiting on some nicer weather to start test riding bikes. Would a Softtail Heritage be comfortable with a 400-500 combined passenger load or would I be better with a touring frame? I'm looking for a bike in the $5-10k range so obviously used and probably a 96 or early 103 6 speed model. Many thanks and love all the.posts on the Softtails.

 

Wait to ride each before you make a decision. I don't think you'd be disapointed with any of those bikes but only you can know what fits your needs best. Also don't underestimate your budget...you can find a very nice , low mileage bike for 10k or less. Be patient in the search.

 

Screamin Beagle is right. Both of you go to a dealer, try them out.

I have a 16 Heritage (Softail). I often ride with my wife 2-up, unless she rides her own or I'm solo'ing to work.. I'm about 250, she's somewhere around 160. There's your 400+. I did have the shop adjust the shock a bit, but other than that, we ride fine. Yes, I can absolutely tell the difference when she's with me. Mostly in stopping, balancing the bike at stops. (Passengers add top-heavy weight, no matter how much they actually weigh.)

Occasionally, at high speed and hitting shitty highway bumps, the shock might slam all the way, but that's been maybe twice in the almost three years we've been riding this particular bike.

Would I say the bike can handle it? I would say it more depends on your skill level than which bike model you choose. I've also ridden two up on her Sportster 1200, riding her out to practice when she was still new. I really didn't have any problems on that bike, either.

 

As already suggested you need to go try them out together. All of your choices can handle 2 up riding. But in my opinion if that is what you do more two up than solo seriously take the time to really give any of the touring line a test. if you like the heritage type look then a Road King would be very close . if the bat wing is your style any of them will work but for me the Road Glide is the best overall bike in the touring class. But a lot of people dont like the shark nose fairing.

IMO all of the Touring line vs the Softail are more stable at higher speeds and IMO are better in parking lots (tight corners because of the rake) but the Softails have that look.
The Heritage and the Road King will feel similar on the front end because they both use a standard windshield and dont carry extra weight in the front
The Street Glide, Standard and Clasic (batwing) all carry a little more weight on the front and I feel it when riding, but obviously many people love them
The Road Glide with the frame mounted fairiong is ugly to many but IMO the best over handling bike HD makes. Until you have ridden a RG at 60-90 mph in high winds or next to a semi truck and trailer you wont be able to appreciate the stability of the fairing and with no weight on the forks it steers easily.

Ive owned a 1200 r Sportster, Road King Custom, Fatboy and a Road Glide. All great bikes and a lot of fun but overall for pure riding for me the Road Glide was the best. I had to sell it because of a back injury and did not think I would ride again. Things changed and I was able to buy back my fatboy for 1/3 of what I sold it 6 yr ago and it only had about 1000 more miles so that is why I have a fatboy now and it makes me happy. I can easily do 200 + miles in a day, but on the Road Glide it was a little better IMO.

For your price range if you go Touring you will probably be in the 2012 or older selection. if you decide on a touring be sure it is 2011 or newer to get the improved frame and a 96 or 103 engine and 6 sp. If you go heritage you may be able to get as new as a 2013 unless you dont want low mileage. Aklso keep in mind you are buying at the start of riding season for a lot of the country, prices are lower in the winter.

Good luck

 

I believe the above is a very good summary/comparison between the bikes you are looking at.....

I own both a bagger (touring frame) and a Heritage (softail frame).... I routinely ride both and notice a difference when switching between the two.

I've owned the Heritage longer and did many long, multi-day rides on that bike. I had no problems traveling on that bike. I have to admit, with a Bagger in the mix, I now prefer the touring frame on long, multi-day trips....

The only thing I will add to the above summary, is that do to the frame differences, you actually sit differently on a softail bike (Heritage) v touring bike (Road King or bagger)... That body position can add/detract from your comfort on the long haul... it is subjective... make sure to take a good test ride on both frame offerings, including a ride 2-up, before making your decision....

Good luck with your decision...

 

Owned one for more than 8 years and loved it. Happy with my purchase, and over 50K trouble free miles. I sold it and bought a super glide custom, which is a nice bike, but I find myself still shopping for an EG/SG. When I find “mine” the super glide is a memory. So I guess you could say I regret the sale, but definitely not the purchase. I rode a softail standard for several years before buying my touring bike. There really was not anything I didn’t like about the bike, anything that bugged me (like stereo upgrade, power upgrade, better shocks) could be remedied with an accessory or add on.

 

Our '08 96" Heritage is the best bike I've had since 1967, 23 Harleys later.
Often ride 1,500 kms (nearly 1,000 miles) in a day with and without my Bride, I'm 6'2" 68 and she's 5'8",47, when gassing up on the ling road we sit once without constant squirming until the tank is dry and fill up again, very comfortable.
Stage 1, North Carolina model imported here to South Africa and she runs and runs without any hesitation.
TwinCam engine is actually superior to the much-revered Blockhead, the cases are far stronger and the total design and execution was a huge improvement despite what the aftermarket leads one to believe.
I expect a backlash from Blockheadists but there is ample evidence to support my statement.
Just to say that Softail Heritage is the 'real thing' in the Harley lineage and most owners realise how excellent these are.