I am on a quest to find a big brother for the Sporty. I love my scoot for most of my riding but the goal is to find one that the wife and I can tour on, which is not the strong point of my current ride. I rented the 2009 Road King Classic last Saturday and put 300 miles on it. I was suprisingly disappointed with this bike. I know everyone who owns one swears by them, but I felt like I was riding and overgrown paper weight. I couldn't flat foot and had to reach for the handle bars which would require some mods right from the get go, but I do not want to put in too many mods on a bike I may not like anyway. The only time I liked it was on the freeway, other than that, felt like a slug, very slow, and tank like. When I was in city traffic, I just wanted to get off it and climb back on my Sporty. It also runs way hotter than my bike. Couldn't believe the ammount heat coming of the motor.

So when I took the Road King back to the dealer I sat on a Hertiage Softail. This machine felt way better, lower seat height, better handle bar postion and significantly lighter. I also like the looks of the Softy more than the Road King so I made a reservation for this Sunday and plan to put 300 on this one as well.

Those who swear by the Road King say it is much more comfortable for longer ride than a Heritage. So I am going to the source by posting in this section and reaching out to you Heritage owners. Is the Heritage a comfy touring bike?

I plan I taking 1000+ miles trips at least twice a year. Some of the rider stats.....I am 5'8" 180, 30 inch inseam (short legs) and short arms as well. The main reason I like the fit if the Softy over the RK. Wife is 5'3" 120.

Thanks all......

 

I'd be very interested to read your comparison...great opportunity.

 

Cudos to you; you're going about it the right way.......why take the advice of others when you can make the comparison for yourself.



Good Luck,

Don

 

I know I love mine fwiw but I haven't riden a RK.....Good luck on your decision.

Clay

 

You're gonna love the Heritage. I chose it over a Road King myself. My wife agrees with me too.

 

Yep....ride the open roads all day....no issues. Seems like it was made for it....

 

Bet you wont get 100 miles on it before you start thinking about financing 2009 Heritage is a great bike!

 

LMAO......hope so. I don't want to be disappointed in a big twin twice.

 

Ride for comfort, not disappointed with mine and it is still stock, but that will change soon.

 

I did the same thing, thought I wanted a RK until I rode it. Way to big and bulky. I bought an 07 Heritage in March 07, now have 14000 miles on it. Rode 3000 miles in 6 days this summer and absolutely love my Heritage. Fits me like a glove, my wife is very comfortable also.But you need to make up your own mind on what fits you.