How do you make up your mind?
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 3,272
Likes: 83
From: Southern California
RE: How do you make up your mind?
Well...essentially they are the same bike. Obviously there are a few cosmetic differences and the Deluxe is actually lower to the ground. Here are a couple thing to consider. The Heritage as equipped comes with the Saddlebags, Sissy Bar and Windshield. From my perspective if you were to add those items to a Deluxe you would exceed the cost of a new Heritage very quickly. Also if saddlebags are a concern to you, the Heritage comes with a very nice set. For my purposes the optional Deluxe bags are to small to be of any real use. The bags are not as deep because the exhaust on the Deluxe is higher off the ground than on the Heritage. One other thing to consider is the Deluxe bags are $700+ which is a lot for not a lot if you follow my meaning. Other than that I love the tombstone taillight on the Deluxe, but I also like the front and rear fender lights on the Heritage. Gosh! You really can't go wrong eitehr way, but I would say if you're looking for value the smart money is on the Heritage. Goood luck!
Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 213
Likes: 0
From:
RE: How do you make up your mind?
I like the fact that the deluxe is lower to the ground and I also like the clean look of the deluxe plus I have the option of putting on my bags, passenger seat, backrest and windshiled if I want them on. Yes it cost a little more but having these options was an easy choice for me. I chose the deluxe and could not be happier. Good luck on your choice, you can't go wrong.
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 422
Likes: 0
From: Brookville, Ohio
RE: How do you make up your mind?
Here is a copy of a post I submitted a while back. I had the same delima...
I flipped out over the two tone black & white Deluxe the first time I saw it. But I needed the bags for tools, lunch sack, thermos etc as I try to ride to work everyday weather permitting so I went with the Heritage Classic. The passenger back rest is a plus when haulin' the wife and the windshield makes for a more plesant ride by keeping the noise/wind levels down. At 65 mph I can actually communicate with the wife without yelling (make that talk with the wife. I've been with her for 34 years and still can't communicate). The touring bars are plesant and with proper adjustment will make a comfortable stance. A set of bags, passenger back rest/sissy bar and detachable windshield will set you back about $1,100.00 to $1,300.00 plus tax, freight and labor unless you wrench it yourself. The base price difference is about $400.00 more for the Heritage Classic with the goodies already attached. The Heritage uses the dual shorty exhaust setup while the Deluxe uses the dual shotguns. The problem with the shotguns (in my opinion) is the right passenger footpeg. It exits between the the exhaust pipes making a hot spot for a passenger. If you ride solo that isn't an issue. The dual shorties on the Heritage Classic are the same ones used on the Softail Standard and the Night Train. This has the footpeg above the pipes. Your passenger can still get a little boot melt if their not careful but at least the pipe isn't near their ankle (passenger footboards will be my next add-on). Seat height is about 1" more on the Heritage and this is a plus when riding 2 up. I've seen a few post in this forum about dragging the floorboards and hitting the bottom limit on the suspension with the Deluxe when riding 2 up. The tank, engine, tranny etc are the same on both bikes. If at the end of the day your happy then I doesn't matter which bike you get.....
I flipped out over the two tone black & white Deluxe the first time I saw it. But I needed the bags for tools, lunch sack, thermos etc as I try to ride to work everyday weather permitting so I went with the Heritage Classic. The passenger back rest is a plus when haulin' the wife and the windshield makes for a more plesant ride by keeping the noise/wind levels down. At 65 mph I can actually communicate with the wife without yelling (make that talk with the wife. I've been with her for 34 years and still can't communicate). The touring bars are plesant and with proper adjustment will make a comfortable stance. A set of bags, passenger back rest/sissy bar and detachable windshield will set you back about $1,100.00 to $1,300.00 plus tax, freight and labor unless you wrench it yourself. The base price difference is about $400.00 more for the Heritage Classic with the goodies already attached. The Heritage uses the dual shorty exhaust setup while the Deluxe uses the dual shotguns. The problem with the shotguns (in my opinion) is the right passenger footpeg. It exits between the the exhaust pipes making a hot spot for a passenger. If you ride solo that isn't an issue. The dual shorties on the Heritage Classic are the same ones used on the Softail Standard and the Night Train. This has the footpeg above the pipes. Your passenger can still get a little boot melt if their not careful but at least the pipe isn't near their ankle (passenger footboards will be my next add-on). Seat height is about 1" more on the Heritage and this is a plus when riding 2 up. I've seen a few post in this forum about dragging the floorboards and hitting the bottom limit on the suspension with the Deluxe when riding 2 up. The tank, engine, tranny etc are the same on both bikes. If at the end of the day your happy then I doesn't matter which bike you get.....
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 920
Likes: 0
From: Clemmons, NC
RE: How do you make up your mind?
I went with a Hertitage because it has everything on it standard that I would have put on anyway....best bang for the buck imo.
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Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 711
Likes: 0
From: Syracuse, NY
RE: How do you make up your mind?
If you are looking for an opinion, definitely the Softail Classic. I want one even now. I was shifting back and forth between this one and the SC and went with the fat boy. However, eventually, I know I will trade to the Classic at some point.
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Stage II
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
RE: How do you make up your mind?
I'm in the same pickle!!!! (Good pickle to be in though). I was at a dealership last weekend and both models were on the floor. Spent alot of time back and forth sitting on each. The Deluxe really caught my eye with styling and comfort. I'm concerned though about that right rear peg. Has anyone come up with a good alternative? Would rear boards help?
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 72
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From:
RE: How do you make up your mind?
Wow, this brings back memories of May of 2004, I could not decide between the Heritage and the Fat boy,went with the Fat boy and I really love the bike, but I don't have the bags or the windshield, I am planning on getting those things , it takes time and money, if I would have gotten the Heritage all of the extra's would have been taken care of at the time of purchase, My next bike will be a Heritage. I will never sell the Fat boy this was my first Harley I would like to pay it off and hand it down to my son,