Custom vs. Heritage
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Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 37
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Custom vs. Heritage
Hello folks I'm new here on the forums and looking at getting my first Harley and I have to say I'm really excited.
My brother (BigBrad) and I are both in the market and went to a dealership last weekend and spent 3 hours there sitting on various models of bikes (Sale people probably thought we were insane trying each and every bike). The two that I really like a lot are the Custom and the Heritage.
Now if it was just me riding it, I would go with the Custom hands down. The bike just fits me perfect and I love the feel of it. The Heritage was a VERY close second, but I like the look of the Custom.
Here is my dilemma. My wife wants to be able to ride on the back with me. I'm 5'10 and 190lbs and my wife is 5'6 and medium build (I know better then listing her weight she'd kill me). So she's not exactly tiny.
So my question is, for long trips and riding double on the bike, which one do you folks think would be a nicer ride/comfort wise.
I realize we can both sit on each bike, but neither of us have done a long trip together like we are thinking about. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
My brother (BigBrad) and I are both in the market and went to a dealership last weekend and spent 3 hours there sitting on various models of bikes (Sale people probably thought we were insane trying each and every bike). The two that I really like a lot are the Custom and the Heritage.
Now if it was just me riding it, I would go with the Custom hands down. The bike just fits me perfect and I love the feel of it. The Heritage was a VERY close second, but I like the look of the Custom.
Here is my dilemma. My wife wants to be able to ride on the back with me. I'm 5'10 and 190lbs and my wife is 5'6 and medium build (I know better then listing her weight she'd kill me). So she's not exactly tiny.
So my question is, for long trips and riding double on the bike, which one do you folks think would be a nicer ride/comfort wise.
I realize we can both sit on each bike, but neither of us have done a long trip together like we are thinking about. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 4,558
Likes: 5
From: Massachusetts
Get a good 2 up seat, and a detach sissy bar, and it'll be xactly the same, from a comfort point of view. It's the same frame, the same shocks, so, no real difference. My wife and I are riding a FXST, and no problem so far. She loves it.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,796
Likes: 36
From: Toronto, Ontario
If your wife wants to ride often, then the chasis everything is the same, invest in some Progressive 422 rear shocks that will make the real difference.
The rest is looks
Generally , long trips with bags and a passenger and maybe a windshield on a Custom look out of place, while fits the Heritage look more.
The bobbed fender of a custom and cool mini apes lends itself to the 'chopped' "I'm riding solo" type of look.
The rest is looks
Generally , long trips with bags and a passenger and maybe a windshield on a Custom look out of place, while fits the Heritage look more.
The bobbed fender of a custom and cool mini apes lends itself to the 'chopped' "I'm riding solo" type of look.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 3,167
Likes: 7
From: FL & SoCal
I'd go for the Heitage in your situation. Will save you lots of money in the long run since you won't have to tweak it as much for comfort as you will the Custom. The Heritage is the best out the box Softail Harley offers for two-up riding. BTW, if your wife wants major comfort, you might consider a touring bike like the Ultra Classic, only thing in my opinion is the fun factor may drop for you on the solo rides...just my 02.
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Club Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 145,895
Likes: 821
From: 40 miles Northeast of Indy..
Heritage, no question...
We total 390 and I'am most of that, as said above get her the touring pillion, backrest and floorboards and she'll be good to go..My wife riding time 4X with those add ons...and the stock rear seat and backrest really sucks. My seat fits me fine and after 21k I still have no desire to change her out..
We total 390 and I'am most of that, as said above get her the touring pillion, backrest and floorboards and she'll be good to go..My wife riding time 4X with those add ons...and the stock rear seat and backrest really sucks. My seat fits me fine and after 21k I still have no desire to change her out..
Last edited by oct1949; Feb 14, 2018 at 03:58 AM.
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Tourer
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 253
Likes: 0
From:
Heritage, no question...
We total 390 and I'am most of that, as said above get her the touring pillion, backrest and floorboards and she'll be good to go..My wife riding time 4X with those add ons...and the stock rear seat and backrest really sucks. My seat fits me fine and after 21k I still have no desire to change her out..
We total 390 and I'am most of that, as said above get her the touring pillion, backrest and floorboards and she'll be good to go..My wife riding time 4X with those add ons...and the stock rear seat and backrest really sucks. My seat fits me fine and after 21k I still have no desire to change her out..
Grand HDF Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,636
Likes: 1,207
From: Ohio
They are on the same frame but straight off the floor the Heritage is the most comfortable softail. It is set up for touring already and its the same price as the custom. Its the best all around Softail and if you can only have 1 bike, very hard to beat. They lowered the price in 2010 too.