Heritage Classic Handling and Ride
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Tourer
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 494
Likes: 6
From: Southwestern PA
Heritage Classic Handling and Ride
I think i've finally narrowed my choice down to 2 bikes. I was considering the RKC, but after sitting on it a few times, it just doesn't seem like the right fit for me.
So i'm now between an '09 Heritage Classic or an '09 Fat Bob. Sitting on them, they both feel great. I definately like that with the Heritage, other than some grips and pipes, i'd be happy out of the gate.
I've been reading and haven't found much on the handling of the Hertiage Classic. Looking over the bike's specs on HD's site, i noticed the lean angle is a good bit less for the Heritage compared to the both the RKC and Fat Bob.
A lot of the riding i do is short trips and back road riding on windy roads. Do you guys that have the Heritage have much trouble with scraping your floorboards or pipes when riding the twisties?
Also, I love the look of V&H Big Shots Long, but am concerned with the low lean angle they would be scraping a lot.
Your thoughts/experinence are greatly appreciated.
So i'm now between an '09 Heritage Classic or an '09 Fat Bob. Sitting on them, they both feel great. I definately like that with the Heritage, other than some grips and pipes, i'd be happy out of the gate.
I've been reading and haven't found much on the handling of the Hertiage Classic. Looking over the bike's specs on HD's site, i noticed the lean angle is a good bit less for the Heritage compared to the both the RKC and Fat Bob.
A lot of the riding i do is short trips and back road riding on windy roads. Do you guys that have the Heritage have much trouble with scraping your floorboards or pipes when riding the twisties?
Also, I love the look of V&H Big Shots Long, but am concerned with the low lean angle they would be scraping a lot.
Your thoughts/experinence are greatly appreciated.
Tourer
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 275
Likes: 0
From:
I had an 07 Heritage and traded it for an 08 Roadglide. My motivation for trading was the full fairing, radio, tourpack, & comfort for wife. What I found afterwards was that the ride is much smoother on the touring bikes and handle better. Having said this, I still think the Heritage is the sexiest of the Harley rides.
I installed V&H Big Shot Longs and really, REALLY liked the look and sound on my black Heritage. But, they definitely drag early on only moderate cornering.
I installed V&H Big Shot Longs and really, REALLY liked the look and sound on my black Heritage. But, they definitely drag early on only moderate cornering.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 6,975
Likes: 12
From: NJ
Got 10k on mine and have scrapped the boards once on an off ramp. But then again I'm not what you would call an aggressive rider. Ask me again after I do the Dragon's Tail later this year
FWIW, new seat and bars on the RK make a ton of difference in the feel. Wouldn't discount it just for a fitting issue. You do get more for your money with an RK or any of the touring bikes.
That being said, hard to beat the Heritage for comfort especially out of the box. I have an 08.
FWIW, new seat and bars on the RK make a ton of difference in the feel. Wouldn't discount it just for a fitting issue. You do get more for your money with an RK or any of the touring bikes.
That being said, hard to beat the Heritage for comfort especially out of the box. I have an 08.
Cruiser
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 196
Likes: 1
From: IL ,FL soon
Heritage classic
Ithink you would be very happy with the heritage as i am with mine great looking bike have not scraped much but it is lower than the king.rent both before you make a choice. king has much larger bags and is all new. canot go wrong with either.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 10,471
Likes: 1
From: Heart of Missouri
My wife absolutely loves her 08 Heritage. She rode my RoadKing a couple times, she didn't like it. I done everything I could to get her to let me trade her Heritage and keep the RoadKing when I went for the Ultra. Well you can see in the sig who won. I have rode her Heritage a few times, it rides and handles like a dream. She has rode on a couple long trips over 300 mile days and has never complained.
As others have said test ride several.
As others have said test ride several.
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Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 131
Likes: 0
From: georgia
had the same choice to make in 07. went w/ the heritage and would not have it any other way.but it is a matter of personal preferance. cant go wrong either way
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Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 177
Likes: 0
From: Tucson, Arizona
RK vs Heritage
I've had two Road Kings and one Heritage. Bought an '04 RK, rode it for a while, then sold it to my sister. Wanted somethig easier to handle with my wife on the back. Bought an '05 Heritage and rode it for three years, then bought another Road King, this one an '08. I wanted the six speed, bigger tank, cruise control and Brembo brakes. Put a Voyager Trike kit on the Heritage for my wife. Well after a year on the RK, I realized why I always had liked the Heritage so much. So much easier to handle, sitting so much lower, just feel that I am more in control of the bike. Voyager Kit is now on the RK.
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,364
Likes: 3
From: East TN
i scraped mine off. reversed them. scraped them off replaced them. used to have some pictures, but can't find them. softail classic is a great ride. imho handles well. i live here at the dragon and ride a lot of roads much like it primarily. finally used some grade 8 bolts to stop gouging the rubber inserts too bad.
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/gener...er-damage.html
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/gener...er-damage.html
Last edited by RockyTopRider; Jan 26, 2009 at 09:18 PM.