Heritage Impressions
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Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 584
Likes: 2
From: Woodstock, GA
Heritage Impressions
I've got about 700 miles on an 07 Sportster 1200 and I love it on smooth, twisty roads but not real happy over bumps (suspension feels like it bottoms out and my spine gets the full jolt!) or at 60MPH+ on the highway. I put about 200 miles on a rented Heritage Softail in Seattle last week and came away with these observations:
1) It was a dream at speed in a straight line and over any bumps compared to my bike.
2) Definitely couldn't toss it in and out of corners like I'm used to - scraped the floorboards twice, luckily at low speeds.
3) Windshield height was a bit of a challenge. I'm 6' tall and I had to sit up perfectly straight to see over the top of the windshield at all. If I relaxed even a little I was looking through the windshield and the world looked kind of funny. Anyone else run into this problem? Is there a way to shave maybe an inch off the top of the windshield without wrecking it?
Overall I was very impressed - I'm now considering this bike as my next one along with maybe a Fat Boy or a Road King. Anyone ridden all of those that can give me a contrast/compare?
Thanks!!
1) It was a dream at speed in a straight line and over any bumps compared to my bike.
2) Definitely couldn't toss it in and out of corners like I'm used to - scraped the floorboards twice, luckily at low speeds.
3) Windshield height was a bit of a challenge. I'm 6' tall and I had to sit up perfectly straight to see over the top of the windshield at all. If I relaxed even a little I was looking through the windshield and the world looked kind of funny. Anyone else run into this problem? Is there a way to shave maybe an inch off the top of the windshield without wrecking it?
Overall I was very impressed - I'm now considering this bike as my next one along with maybe a Fat Boy or a Road King. Anyone ridden all of those that can give me a contrast/compare?
Thanks!!
RE: Heritage Impressions
I have an 05 Heritage Classic and when I ride with the windshield, I'm looking through it/over it at the same time (5' 10" here). I've gotten used to it, so it's no bother. As of late, I've been riding without the windshield. Just wanted something different while riding. I enjoy my Heritage and if I were to get another ride, it would be a Street Glide. Have heard alot of good things about them.
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
RE: Heritage Impressions
Drive an2006 Softail Heritage Classic and at 6'1" , 190 lbs. I also have to look through or around the left side unless I sit straight up. Sometimes hard to do. I have had 4 back surgeries and 2 open heart sugeries and am retired now.So it's time to enjoy a Harley Davidson. Having the time of my life for an old timer.
The most I ride on any given day is about 250 miles round trip. The Heritage rides great and handles well in town and on the open road. I have changed the back pillion seat, passager floor boards for the wife, but the softail is still a little abrupt on her spine? I have wondered about a set of air shocks on the Heritage to soften the ride?? Don't really know if this helps the ride quality or not. Over all I am a happy Heritage owner. Good performance, stability, handling, and dependability. Great for day trips (200 miles round trip to Galveston Tx. and back home,)and afternoon cruises with my sweetheart of 35 years. If I were able to ride long distances and take 2-5 day cruises I might have considered the Road King due to the air suspension and bike set up (Touring Style). Ya'll take care and be carefull
The most I ride on any given day is about 250 miles round trip. The Heritage rides great and handles well in town and on the open road. I have changed the back pillion seat, passager floor boards for the wife, but the softail is still a little abrupt on her spine? I have wondered about a set of air shocks on the Heritage to soften the ride?? Don't really know if this helps the ride quality or not. Over all I am a happy Heritage owner. Good performance, stability, handling, and dependability. Great for day trips (200 miles round trip to Galveston Tx. and back home,)and afternoon cruises with my sweetheart of 35 years. If I were able to ride long distances and take 2-5 day cruises I might have considered the Road King due to the air suspension and bike set up (Touring Style). Ya'll take care and be carefull
Thread Starter
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Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 584
Likes: 2
From: Woodstock, GA
RE: Heritage Impressions
Do you ride without the windshield at highway speeds? One of the first things I added to my Sportster was a windshield so I could go above 50-60 and not be buffetted to death! Is the Heritage OK at those speeds without the windshield?
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Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 584
Likes: 2
From: Woodstock, GA
RE: Heritage Impressions
OK - I'm learning something new every post I read on these forums. So the Road Kings have an air suspension designed to soak up the bumps at highway speeds? I guess this sacrifices a little sportiness when the road gets twisty but that's probably not where Road King drivers spend most of their time.
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
RE: Heritage Impressions
Yes sir the Road Kingair suspensionshocks are side mountedand a close friend of mine says it really absorbs the highway. He does a lot of two-up riding and distance touring.Best of luck on your decision.
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 774
Likes: 4
From: SC
RE: Heritage Impressions
I am 5-11 and had a Sportster with a quick-release windshield, the top was at eye level and I could sit up straight and see over the windshield or slouch and see through it.I hated it.With my Heritage I look through the windshield and it is just right for me. There are tons of post on Heritage vrs Road King, do a search.
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Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 584
Likes: 2
From: Woodstock, GA
RE: Heritage Impressions
When I was looking through the windshield, there was just enough distortion to make me uncomfortable riding that waycontinuously. I'm pretty sure a windshield on a motorcycle is designed to deflect the air mostly off of your chest and arms, not all the way up to your head. That way you can have your eyes above the shield and have a clear view of the road. Whatever makes you the most comfortable is probably best, though.
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Tourer
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 496
Likes: 0
From: Keller , Texas
RE: Heritage Impressions
Whats a windshield? When you mention the ride aspects of these bikes your trying to compare a Corvette to a Caddyin terms of comfort.It depends on whatsmost important for you ride oragility. Anyone can toss a bike around in corners , look at that video of the Goldwings running the dragons tail.
If a windshield is the only issue you can get adjustable ones that suit your needs or the low profile wind vest. Heritages are a bike for pure comfort and style......totaly different than what you ride. I too came off a Sportster so i know where your coming from
. Good Luck on your choice!!
If a windshield is the only issue you can get adjustable ones that suit your needs or the low profile wind vest. Heritages are a bike for pure comfort and style......totaly different than what you ride. I too came off a Sportster so i know where your coming from
. Good Luck on your choice!!
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,600
Likes: 2
From: Windsor, CO
RE: Heritage Impressions
Just picked up my '07 Heritage and have observed the same issues. Before I decided on the bike I had read a lot of articles, and this month's American Rider article on the FLSTC was the only one I recall raising the issue about the windshield. Long and short of it ... if you're 5'11" to 6'1" then you're probably going to be looking right across the top of the windshield, and this is a bit odd. There's about 1/4 inch at the edge (top) of the windshield that distorts things, so I end up sitting taller or slumping slightly.
The American Rider article suggested that you can cut down the shield or just buy a replacement. I think I'll look for a shorter windshiled (a quick look at the HD site reveals nothing so far) so that I can keep the taller shield for trips. On the highway the taller shield works well, but around town I think I want something about 2 inches shorter. If anyone has any suggestions on a replacement/2nd windshield then please post it.
So far I've put about 110 miles on the bike and scraped the crap out of the floorboards. Riding 2-up is worse, but I don't ride 2-up that much so I'm too worried. Of course, being 265 pounds probably doesn't help. [:-]
One thing I've learned from riding lots of different bikes over the years is thatnone of them are perfect.But the HSC sure comes close. I'll just have to learn not to lean so hard in some of the curves.
The American Rider article suggested that you can cut down the shield or just buy a replacement. I think I'll look for a shorter windshiled (a quick look at the HD site reveals nothing so far) so that I can keep the taller shield for trips. On the highway the taller shield works well, but around town I think I want something about 2 inches shorter. If anyone has any suggestions on a replacement/2nd windshield then please post it.
So far I've put about 110 miles on the bike and scraped the crap out of the floorboards. Riding 2-up is worse, but I don't ride 2-up that much so I'm too worried. Of course, being 265 pounds probably doesn't help. [:-]
One thing I've learned from riding lots of different bikes over the years is thatnone of them are perfect.But the HSC sure comes close. I'll just have to learn not to lean so hard in some of the curves.