Torn between Deluxe & Heritage....Help me....
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Tourer
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 359
Likes: 0
From: Chattanooga, TN
Torn between Deluxe & Heritage....Help me....
I know this situation has been discussed before (probably many times) but this is IMPORTANT to me to get the right bike this time. I REALLY need you folks to give me some of your thoughts, and I hope you bring up things that I haven't already considered.
Here are some points that need to be considered.............
The Deluxe looks cool......but I like the looks of the Heritage better.
I'm only 5'7" and have a 30" inseam. (can you say "Short Guy"?)
I'll ride 1-up most of the time.
When I ride 2-up, the total weight of riders will be about 370#.
If I buy the Deluxe, I'll also buy bags for it. (gotta have those bags!)
If I buy the Deluxe, I'll also buy a windshield.
I have some minor back probems, and tend to be more comfortable if I am sitting up straight instead of bent over.
A wide majority of my riding will be on slower (40-50 mph) back roads and mountain roads.
I still want to be able to ride comfortably on long trips also, both with & without a passenger.
I REALLY like to be able to put my feet flat on the ground at a stop.
OK folks....any suggestions and wisdom to share about your experiences with these bikes and thoughts that you might have?
ALL input is appreciated!
Here are some points that need to be considered.............
The Deluxe looks cool......but I like the looks of the Heritage better.
I'm only 5'7" and have a 30" inseam. (can you say "Short Guy"?)
I'll ride 1-up most of the time.
When I ride 2-up, the total weight of riders will be about 370#.
If I buy the Deluxe, I'll also buy bags for it. (gotta have those bags!)
If I buy the Deluxe, I'll also buy a windshield.
I have some minor back probems, and tend to be more comfortable if I am sitting up straight instead of bent over.
A wide majority of my riding will be on slower (40-50 mph) back roads and mountain roads.
I still want to be able to ride comfortably on long trips also, both with & without a passenger.
I REALLY like to be able to put my feet flat on the ground at a stop.
OK folks....any suggestions and wisdom to share about your experiences with these bikes and thoughts that you might have?
ALL input is appreciated!
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,226
Likes: 0
RE: Torn between Deluxe & Heritage....Help me....
Okay, here's my brief take on both bikes:
The Heritage is a light touring Softail with the old FL look. It comes with bags, passenger backrest and a detachable windshield.
The Deluxe is HD's "custom stripped-down" version of a Heritage with added chrome, flat handlebars with swept risers, custom tail lights & turn signals. It's a custom bike for the guy/gal thatlikes the bike and won't necessarilycustomize it themselves. (although, most everyon does!) It also has a lower saddle height that's probably a maxium of 1" lower than the Heritage.
I was going to buy a deluxe butknew I would want beach cruiser style bars. TheHeritage had the saddlebags which is a plus. So I chose the Heritage and installed detachable mounts for the bags and backrest. I ride it stripped down, unless I'm going to need the bags.
By the way, I'm 5'6" and although I lowered the bike forthe look, I had no problems riding it at stock height for the first year!
Goodluck!
The Heritage is a light touring Softail with the old FL look. It comes with bags, passenger backrest and a detachable windshield.
The Deluxe is HD's "custom stripped-down" version of a Heritage with added chrome, flat handlebars with swept risers, custom tail lights & turn signals. It's a custom bike for the guy/gal thatlikes the bike and won't necessarilycustomize it themselves. (although, most everyon does!) It also has a lower saddle height that's probably a maxium of 1" lower than the Heritage.
I was going to buy a deluxe butknew I would want beach cruiser style bars. TheHeritage had the saddlebags which is a plus. So I chose the Heritage and installed detachable mounts for the bags and backrest. I ride it stripped down, unless I'm going to need the bags.
By the way, I'm 5'6" and although I lowered the bike forthe look, I had no problems riding it at stock height for the first year!
Goodluck!
Tourer
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 343
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RE: Torn between Deluxe & Heritage....Help me....
That's a tough call. Certainly, don't base it on your height. I'm about your height and actually found the Deluxe seat push me too close to the gas tank, bending my knees a bit too much, so I shaved the seat back and down a couple of inches. I also felt the handlebags too beach-cruiser like so I exchanged them for Heritage bags. Now, I find myself looking for saddlebags for a trip to Sturgis I'm planning this year. Lesson, I probably should have gone with the Heritage but didn't because I really love the look of my Deluxe.Hope this helps. Hey, the great thing is that you have options.
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 952
Likes: 7
From: Waterford, MI.
RE: Torn between Deluxe & Heritage....Help me....
You say you want to get it right this time and I see you live in Chatanooga, TN. There must be a dealer down there that will rent (I rented a Heritage in Knoxville last year)you the bikes for a day. Rent them eachand let the best bike answer your question for you. Yes it will cost you money but at least it will put your mind to rest. Bikes are a lot like shoes, what fits me may not be the best fit for you. I cannot get comfortable on a Fatboy for example.
Mark
Mark
Guest
Posts: n/a
RE: Torn between Deluxe & Heritage....Help me....
Either way you get a great bike.
The Heritage is more bang for the buck out of the gate though and gives you everything up front leaving you time to plan your changes.
The best part about a Deluxe is no matter where I parked it I had no problems getting it out...lots of leverage. You can always have the seat adjusted to move you back.
A lot is a matter of how much you want to customize. If you buy the Deluxe you will need to add bags, windshild, etc. The Heratige has all that but if your planning on changing the bags and adding chrome to be different (or to replace the bags due to the bag sag problem) your in about the same boat.
I will say If your going to ride 2 up you might consider the Heritage. I had the Deluxe and once in a whilerode with my Daughter. Combined we weighted less then 300 lbs. There were several places where frame met speed bump. I got in the habit of making her get off and meetign me at the end of a "high" bump area.
The Heritage is more bang for the buck out of the gate though and gives you everything up front leaving you time to plan your changes.
The best part about a Deluxe is no matter where I parked it I had no problems getting it out...lots of leverage. You can always have the seat adjusted to move you back.
A lot is a matter of how much you want to customize. If you buy the Deluxe you will need to add bags, windshild, etc. The Heratige has all that but if your planning on changing the bags and adding chrome to be different (or to replace the bags due to the bag sag problem) your in about the same boat.
I will say If your going to ride 2 up you might consider the Heritage. I had the Deluxe and once in a whilerode with my Daughter. Combined we weighted less then 300 lbs. There were several places where frame met speed bump. I got in the habit of making her get off and meetign me at the end of a "high" bump area.
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 67
Likes: 0
From: United Kingdom
RE: Torn between Deluxe & Heritage....Help me....
Hi
I have the same dilemma when buying my Harley. It was/is my first and a big investment, so i wanted to get it right first time. I am 5'11" with a 30 inch leg so it was important toreach the ground.
I love the Deluxecolour schemes and its cool looks. The Heritage is has a bit more of a work horselook about it as it comes with all the essentials. In the end I went for the Heritage as I could strp it down and/or customise it how I wanted. I have only had it a new months and I can make it look like a tourer or quickly take stuff off to make it look more like a Deluxe or Fatboy.
As with most things I have spent a fortune on new things such as Mustang seat, detachable hardware and bling. The hardest part for me is finding comfortale bars to give me a nice long distance upright position. What I can say is that I do not regret buying it and it gives me the option to o sensible, or stripped down.
Hope this helps
Shari
I have the same dilemma when buying my Harley. It was/is my first and a big investment, so i wanted to get it right first time. I am 5'11" with a 30 inch leg so it was important toreach the ground.
I love the Deluxecolour schemes and its cool looks. The Heritage is has a bit more of a work horselook about it as it comes with all the essentials. In the end I went for the Heritage as I could strp it down and/or customise it how I wanted. I have only had it a new months and I can make it look like a tourer or quickly take stuff off to make it look more like a Deluxe or Fatboy.
As with most things I have spent a fortune on new things such as Mustang seat, detachable hardware and bling. The hardest part for me is finding comfortale bars to give me a nice long distance upright position. What I can say is that I do not regret buying it and it gives me the option to o sensible, or stripped down.
Hope this helps
Shari
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Tourer
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 348
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From: Franklin, TN, Former Okie
RE: Torn between Deluxe & Heritage....Help me....
Hidalgo. Like you I'm 5'6", about 130 lbs and inseam about 30". I went with the Heritage. The height is just right I'm flat footed at stops with about 1 1/2inch to spare. Like others said renteach bike and see which one talks to you. I ride 50/50 both solo and 2 up, and the wife loves it. If your thinking more 2-up riding look at the Ultra Classic. If I had known the wife liked riding so much I would have gone with the UC. Just my 2 cents.
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Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 141
Likes: 0
RE: Torn between Deluxe & Heritage....Help me....
I have an 07 deluxe. I think the bike you are looking for is more of the heritage style. It's a tough choice and you can't go wrong with either. It will probably save you money to get the heritage in the long run. If you are going to add a windshield etc. If you wanted more of a barebones bike then I would go with the deluxe. What color you looking at?
Banned
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 17,265
Likes: 21
From: Los Angeles, CA
RE: Torn between Deluxe & Heritage....Help me....
If you are going to get bags and a windshield anyway you might as well get the Heritage. If you just want a low city cruiser without all that stuff get the deluxe.