2016 Heritage Thoughts?
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Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 1,317
Likes: 728
From: Pennsylvania
2016 Heritage Thoughts?
I've all but decided I was going to pull the trigger on a 2022 since the word is Harley is doing an all chrome option for the 114. But after adding up all the changes I would be making (pipes, sissy bar, grips, handlebars, engine guard, seat etc - most likely upwards of $5K), I am thinking it makes much more sense to go used. Previous generation. Recent. Not back to the early or mid 2000s.
I sat on a 2016 or 17 in the showroom a few months ago. I remember the seat being hard as a rock. Since then I have had a tailbone injury so a new or re-padded seat would be the first order of business no matter what I decide. That said, I would, of course, seek out one that had everything else I want (pipes, sissy bar, engine guard etc) so the bike already had those items.
Any "readers digest" thoughts on 2016 or 17 Heritage from owners? What kind of technical things I should know. How does it ride. What do you like/dislike. Etc.
Thanks!
I sat on a 2016 or 17 in the showroom a few months ago. I remember the seat being hard as a rock. Since then I have had a tailbone injury so a new or re-padded seat would be the first order of business no matter what I decide. That said, I would, of course, seek out one that had everything else I want (pipes, sissy bar, engine guard etc) so the bike already had those items.
Any "readers digest" thoughts on 2016 or 17 Heritage from owners? What kind of technical things I should know. How does it ride. What do you like/dislike. Etc.
Thanks!
Last edited by bduds65; Dec 10, 2021 at 12:42 PM. Reason: .
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 4,359
Likes: 1,219
From: Dubuque, IA
Stay with the Twincam. The new ones with the M8 are not worth all that and they've ruined the Heritage Classic with recent upgrades.
I bought a 2013 Heritage Classic 103 3 years ago for $12,300. It had 23,XXX miles on it, already had a decent exhaust and air cleaner upgrade I still run today, as well as the SEPST tuner(the good one), new tires and battery, and was/is in excellent condition.
All I've done so far is replace the EPA comp!iant, shitty cams, something you'll have to do to a new one too. I put better lifters and cam bearings in at that time as well and replaced the still shitty compensator with a better geared solid sprocket. Not much more than $1000 total.
This winter I'm tearing it down to bulletproof the crank, still the weak point in the new ones. I'm also doing a 107BB, porting the heads and new, bigger, better valves etc., and injectors, and stainless 16" ape hangers. Basica!ly a new, bigger, better, more powerful engine that will rival a new M8 and still be under $20,000 total or roughly the list price of $18,600 back in 2013.
Better bike for way less $$$, barely broke in, and custom built the way I want it. Definitely the best way to go.
New is no longer better today thanks in large part to the EPA. Same goes for 4 wheelers. Overpriced and underpowered. I'm looking right now at low mileage 2010s to 2013s to get anything decent with any power that doesn't cost more than my house. They're putting 4 cylinders in trucks and SUVs now!!! If it isn't a gas guzzling 350hp V8 minimim, I don't want it. Fix what needs fixing/replaced and be way better off at the end of the day.
The future is bleak for the MOCO and all the automakers thanks to the tree huggers and the EPA. I wouldn't own anything new today and it's only going to get worse. I'll keep what I have and rebuild from here on.
I bought a 2013 Heritage Classic 103 3 years ago for $12,300. It had 23,XXX miles on it, already had a decent exhaust and air cleaner upgrade I still run today, as well as the SEPST tuner(the good one), new tires and battery, and was/is in excellent condition.
All I've done so far is replace the EPA comp!iant, shitty cams, something you'll have to do to a new one too. I put better lifters and cam bearings in at that time as well and replaced the still shitty compensator with a better geared solid sprocket. Not much more than $1000 total.
This winter I'm tearing it down to bulletproof the crank, still the weak point in the new ones. I'm also doing a 107BB, porting the heads and new, bigger, better valves etc., and injectors, and stainless 16" ape hangers. Basica!ly a new, bigger, better, more powerful engine that will rival a new M8 and still be under $20,000 total or roughly the list price of $18,600 back in 2013.
Better bike for way less $$$, barely broke in, and custom built the way I want it. Definitely the best way to go.
New is no longer better today thanks in large part to the EPA. Same goes for 4 wheelers. Overpriced and underpowered. I'm looking right now at low mileage 2010s to 2013s to get anything decent with any power that doesn't cost more than my house. They're putting 4 cylinders in trucks and SUVs now!!! If it isn't a gas guzzling 350hp V8 minimim, I don't want it. Fix what needs fixing/replaced and be way better off at the end of the day.
The future is bleak for the MOCO and all the automakers thanks to the tree huggers and the EPA. I wouldn't own anything new today and it's only going to get worse. I'll keep what I have and rebuild from here on.
Last edited by 60Gunner; Dec 12, 2021 at 06:43 AM.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,636
Likes: 1,207
From: Ohio
Late model Heritage with the twin cams are outstanding. The 103 is a good motor although it will run hot until the catalytic converter is removed and a good stage 1. The overall aesthetics is far superior IMHO to the new Softails. With the real chrome oil tank, exposed chrome oil lines, better geometric lines of the rear fork, real leather bags, better looking seat and trim, better looking windshield and better paint choices, I would pass on a new one. I bought a 2015 cream puff last spring and will keep it the rest of my days. I feel as though the new ones have lost something…a little too generic and too metric for my taste in a Softail. Good luck on the search.
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,862
Likes: 126
From: Republic of Texas
I bought a 2017 Heritage in June 2021. It had 800 miles on it. Last year with the 103. Paid $15k. The previous owner bought it new and spent $4k in upgrades/labor. He put everything Willie G that H-D makes. LEDs all around, V&H slip ons, upgraded speed/tach. This is my 7th Harley and the stock seat is the most comfortable I have ever had on a Harley. I love the bike and highly recommended it.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 9,238
Likes: 5,784
From: On the Big Blue marble
I own both and have owned 4 HSTs. Both the 103 and 114 are great bikes BUT they are different bikes. IMO, the 19 /114 I own is just a better bike. Thats said, it doesnt mean the 103 is a bad bike either.
MY OPINION - buy the bike, not the options
Every stock seat sucks but the 114's isnt terrible. A trip to Mean City is less than 200.00
Everything your gonna change, well its gonna change on each bike regardless of year
The 114
Pipes - a 114 with slip ons will do more than a 103 with full pipes - 500.00
Sissy bar - Figuring high - 500.00
Grips 150.00
Handlebars trust me, someone elses ergo's aren't yours. I also think you will like the stock heritage bars
Engine guard - 200.00
Seat - Mean City - 200.00
Other than the bars, you're looking at a realistic 1500.00
The 103
Pipes 1000.00
all the rest the same so your at 2k
Your looking at at least 5000.00 diff between the bikes, the accessories are minimum. I find other peoples stuff comes off once its mine...
If your financing, theres a big diff on price per thousand financed new vs. used. Id sharpen the pencil again and figure the real initial TCO
Regardless - Either decision is a good decision
MY OPINION - buy the bike, not the options
Every stock seat sucks but the 114's isnt terrible. A trip to Mean City is less than 200.00
Everything your gonna change, well its gonna change on each bike regardless of year
The 114
Pipes - a 114 with slip ons will do more than a 103 with full pipes - 500.00
Sissy bar - Figuring high - 500.00
Grips 150.00
Handlebars trust me, someone elses ergo's aren't yours. I also think you will like the stock heritage bars
Engine guard - 200.00
Seat - Mean City - 200.00
Other than the bars, you're looking at a realistic 1500.00
The 103
Pipes 1000.00
all the rest the same so your at 2k
Your looking at at least 5000.00 diff between the bikes, the accessories are minimum. I find other peoples stuff comes off once its mine...
If your financing, theres a big diff on price per thousand financed new vs. used. Id sharpen the pencil again and figure the real initial TCO
Regardless - Either decision is a good decision
All great advice.
I have a 2012 Heritage that I have made my own.
I've also spent quite a bit of time on the M8 Softails. Totally different feel and look than the 2017 and older Heritages'. They do handle better, the suspension is better, but if you are not short legged the ergonomics are not ideal on the 2018 & later...but that can be fixed. The M8 engine is stouter, and it is a big improvement over the Twin Cam in durability, and even though it is stronger, it gets a bit better MPG.
But for that classic look and the more visceral feel, the Twin Cam has it beat, for me. Also, regarding your back...even though the 2018+ models have better suspension (not as wallowing a feel) the 2012 I have with the stock rear suspension is very plush.
I don't think there is a lot of difference between the 2012-2017 model years. The ABS works well, if that's your thing...I enjoy it on my 2012.
I Would DEFINITELY get a leak-down test done an whatever used Twin Cam I was considering purchasing.
Here's a walk around of my 2012 Heritage.
I have a 2012 Heritage that I have made my own.
I've also spent quite a bit of time on the M8 Softails. Totally different feel and look than the 2017 and older Heritages'. They do handle better, the suspension is better, but if you are not short legged the ergonomics are not ideal on the 2018 & later...but that can be fixed. The M8 engine is stouter, and it is a big improvement over the Twin Cam in durability, and even though it is stronger, it gets a bit better MPG.
But for that classic look and the more visceral feel, the Twin Cam has it beat, for me. Also, regarding your back...even though the 2018+ models have better suspension (not as wallowing a feel) the 2012 I have with the stock rear suspension is very plush.
I don't think there is a lot of difference between the 2012-2017 model years. The ABS works well, if that's your thing...I enjoy it on my 2012.
I Would DEFINITELY get a leak-down test done an whatever used Twin Cam I was considering purchasing.
Here's a walk around of my 2012 Heritage.
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Thread Starter
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Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2021
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From: Pennsylvania
I really was hoping to wait until spring to pull the trigger. But, there is also a sweet 2016 with just 6k miles. All it would need is bars. But it is 90 minutes away. uggh