Heritage Softail question?
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Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 27
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Heritage Softail question?
OK! My friends and I havestarted aconversation over the weekend with no result!We were discussing the differences between the Heritage Softail Classic (FLSTC) and the Road King Classic (FLHRC)! Weknow and understand the chassis/frame, engine/transmissiondifferences and a few of us have been with H-D for quite a few years now!So here is the question![/align][/align]If you were to purchase one of these, and only one, what would really be the better all around H-D? Lets consider that most of us, but not all (at lease the people I know that ride) just ridelocally throughout the week back and forth to workand take the occasional long road trip on the weekend! What are the advantages to either, or disadvantages?[/align]
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 417
Likes: 0
From: Akron, OH
RE: Heritage Softail question?
Just preference for me I guess. I've always loved the way the Heritage looks. The ride is great. I ride most of my miles locally and when I say locally...I mean within a 200 mile radius. I've never taken a "road trip". My wife rides with me about 10% of the time and we have no problems. Of course, I've set the bike up with different bars and seat w/backrest, so I am very comfortable riding 8, 10, 12+ hrs.
The Roadking having the touring suspension setup probably gives a more consistant smoother ride over time. I wouldn't know...I've never ridden one, but I've ridden plenty of UC's. The difference to me is sitting "on" the bike, rather than sitting "in" the bike. Roadking vs Heritage. There's a obvious difference in feel between the two.
[IMG]local://upfiles/29179/C717D808AD06447EA330B9D11F05E8BA.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]local://upfiles/29179/A6FBC14EACA348108F10CD736B2643F3.jpg[/IMG]
The Roadking having the touring suspension setup probably gives a more consistant smoother ride over time. I wouldn't know...I've never ridden one, but I've ridden plenty of UC's. The difference to me is sitting "on" the bike, rather than sitting "in" the bike. Roadking vs Heritage. There's a obvious difference in feel between the two.
[IMG]local://upfiles/29179/C717D808AD06447EA330B9D11F05E8BA.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]local://upfiles/29179/A6FBC14EACA348108F10CD736B2643F3.jpg[/IMG]
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 10,602
Likes: 721
From: Bellevue, NE
RE: Heritage Softail question?
It comes down to this for me...LOOKS go to the Heritage, hands down. COMFORT goes to the Road King. Have had softails and touring bikes, I'd take the King!
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,163
Likes: 2
From: Franklin, TN
RE: Heritage Softail question?
If I were to get a RK, I would immediately lower at least the rear and put a lower seat with more of a soft bucket. As stock you sit up on it too much for my taste. If I could get "in" it, I think I would be happy with the King. I actually like the looks of the RK more than the Heritage, but think the Heritage is the better bike for what you are looking for. Either would be good though.
Marsh
Marsh
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 161
Likes: 0
From: Utah
RE: Heritage Softail question?
I have two softails and two touring bikes. Mileage last year...Touring bikes 51, Softails 8,700. I was ok with the touring bikes until I picked up the Softails. Now I can't stand to ride the touring bikes; that applies to the road trips which include 600-700 miles days. Both the touring bikes will get sold this Spring...maybe I'll pick up another Softail
Road Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,243
Likes: 1
From: Galt, CA
RE: Heritage Softail question?
Wow what a question. In '03 I bought a new Low Rider, I hated that bike because of the engine shake. Eight months later, I bought a new '03 Heritage Classic. I put 50K miles on that bike and never looked back at the Low Rider. In '07 I wanted a new bike. I rented the RK Classic, an Ultra and a Road Glide. I put about 300 miles oneach of the rentals and then decided on a new bike. I bought a new Heritage Classic. The other bikes were nice,but IMO you can't beat the Heritage Classic. I've alreadyput 15K miles on the new one.
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Supporter
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 3,714
Likes: 650
From: San Ramon, Ca
RE: Heritage Softail question?
For just tooling around, with the occasional long ride in there the Heritage is fine.
If you plan on longer rides, the Roadking does have better susp, ground clearance and overall they handle better.
The big plus to the Heritage is its versatility (spl/chk)
A few days ago, I went thru all the pics in the "Heritage Picture" section on this forum. 25+ pages? Anyhow, what a HUGE variety of good looking scooters. Everything from Slammed (and I mean slammed) barhoppers, to full on touring with leather tour packs and all. And some of the paint jobs . . . Awesome!!!
The big + is, any of these can be converted back and forth almost within minutes (well ok several minutes). But point being a Roadking is a BAGGER.
And they're great, but that is what you have.
If you plan on longer rides, the Roadking does have better susp, ground clearance and overall they handle better.
The big plus to the Heritage is its versatility (spl/chk)
A few days ago, I went thru all the pics in the "Heritage Picture" section on this forum. 25+ pages? Anyhow, what a HUGE variety of good looking scooters. Everything from Slammed (and I mean slammed) barhoppers, to full on touring with leather tour packs and all. And some of the paint jobs . . . Awesome!!!
The big + is, any of these can be converted back and forth almost within minutes (well ok several minutes). But point being a Roadking is a BAGGER.
And they're great, but that is what you have.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,511
Likes: 13
From: Aussie Downunder
RE: Heritage Softail question?
Local riding and the occasional road trip would have to be the heritage classic, it a better alrounder and for looks you cannot beat the classic lines of a heritage
