Touring on a Softail
Club Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 145,895
Likes: 821
From: 40 miles Northeast of Indy..
best thing I done for the wife was when I bought her the touring rear seat and backrest. Then I got the floorboards. made a big difference for her... she can go 2-3hr easy now compared to 30 -45 minutes before that...
Thread Starter
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,876
Likes: 3
From: Washington State
Fair enough. Both of your bikes - very classy indeed. 
Did your better half ride with you on the Deluxe? Was wondering what her opinion was as far as comfort goes and being a passenger. Personally, I feel if you are going to do serious touring, you should get a touring bike. They call 'em that for a reason.
Though the Heritage Softail Classic seems to be a popular choice as well. But that's a whole 'nother thread . . . 
LoL
Did your better half ride with you on the Deluxe? Was wondering what her opinion was as far as comfort goes and being a passenger. Personally, I feel if you are going to do serious touring, you should get a touring bike. They call 'em that for a reason.
Though the Heritage Softail Classic seems to be a popular choice as well. But that's a whole 'nother thread . . . LoL
Tourer
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 285
Likes: 3
From: Parkton,MD.
No, not a bad idea at all, have had three Heritages and they were all great on long trips. Presently I have a 2008 Heritage and just came back from a 5871 mile trip from Maryland to Montana, Idaho, Wyoming and back. Most days were six to seven hrs. in the saddle. I did buy one of the "Firehouse Custom Backrests" before I left home. Biggest complaint is luggage space but a two cu. ft. T Bag cures that problem. I sold my 2005 Ultra Classic to buy this bike, true it did have a little more comfort and a lot of whistles and bells, it was much heavier and awkward, seat height was approx three inches higher. My son and I have traveled west or Southwest each year for last seven yrs. I'll still take the Heritage over my Ultra.
Tourer
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 313
Likes: 0
From: Shropshire, England
Heritage Touring
I have toured on my previous heritage 2 up in Ireland, UK and in Europe and had know problems with it, the bike was more than comfortable with clocking up over 400 miles on one day, if I ever needed to go back to 2 up riding I would buy another heritage again (wife has now got a Dyna)
I have a crossbones which I use now and just got back from Holland, great bike to ride, don't know if my wife would want to ride to far on the standard pillion seat for to long that you can get for the bike though
I have a crossbones which I use now and just got back from Holland, great bike to ride, don't know if my wife would want to ride to far on the standard pillion seat for to long that you can get for the bike though
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 373
Likes: 0
From: Lincoln, ND
Bad pic but i can snap another if you like. I added a saddlemen 2up Gel pack seat. Havent "used it" yet as im always rollin solo since i put it on. No long trips this year as im recovering from neck surgery but next year i plan to hit it. As for cruise, there are several aftermarket setups you can run with that are reasonable in cost and easy to install.
Thread Starter
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,876
Likes: 3
From: Washington State
Update:
Decided to go sit on the new Heritage........
First, are you kidding me? They still can't put an easy fix on the bags to prevent "saggy bags". Do they sell a liner for these bags for carrying clothes and what not?
Second, being off a Softy for a few years sure made that frame feel different. The bike fits nice, and I like the taller bars. But, the seat may need replacing, for me, because it made it hard to reach the bars while scootching back all the way. Is there a different seat that would push me a bit forward, and also give my wife more room?
She also didn't care for the way she sits so much higher than me, compared to our King.
I then went and sat on a Deluxe, again, and they just feel so nice. I still don't get why they come so stripped and start at only $200 less than a Heritage w/bags, windshield and backrest.
Wife is still not convinced, but did say I should be happy and comfortable. I don't know, it's a big change. I know I'd be more happy with the bike for short trips and just puttin around solo. But going back just worries me, and her, for long days on the road.
Maybe I missed it, but has anyone gone from a touring bike back to a Softail and rode 2-up most of the time?
Decided to go sit on the new Heritage........
First, are you kidding me? They still can't put an easy fix on the bags to prevent "saggy bags". Do they sell a liner for these bags for carrying clothes and what not?
Second, being off a Softy for a few years sure made that frame feel different. The bike fits nice, and I like the taller bars. But, the seat may need replacing, for me, because it made it hard to reach the bars while scootching back all the way. Is there a different seat that would push me a bit forward, and also give my wife more room?
She also didn't care for the way she sits so much higher than me, compared to our King.
I then went and sat on a Deluxe, again, and they just feel so nice. I still don't get why they come so stripped and start at only $200 less than a Heritage w/bags, windshield and backrest.
Wife is still not convinced, but did say I should be happy and comfortable. I don't know, it's a big change. I know I'd be more happy with the bike for short trips and just puttin around solo. But going back just worries me, and her, for long days on the road.
Maybe I missed it, but has anyone gone from a touring bike back to a Softail and rode 2-up most of the time?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 9,741
Likes: 1,599
From: Danbury CT
The bags on the 09+ are supposed to be redesigned and reinforced. Mine are only a year old & show no signs of sag. I also put easy brackets on them so I can remove them easily. The handle bar position can be adjusted in 60 seconds forward or rearward for a better fit & they are very comfortable. The seat is fine but I replaced mine with a Mustang with a backrest. I love it. I also put the large pillon on for my wife with either the tourpack as a backrest or a std quick detachable backrest. She loves either one. There is a reach seat by HD that will push you forward if you need it. She has plenty of room & needed a break every 45 minutes on my fxst even with a C&C Sport Tour seat. She can do 1.5-2 hours on this setup.
Last edited by golfblues; Oct 5, 2009 at 02:42 PM.
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Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 697
Likes: 5
From: NE, FL
I have progressive springs and shocks on my Heritage--the ride is awesome for about 600 bucks. The only issue I have is with the seat. It's ugly and not that comfortable. When I am bar hopping I install a badlander for better looks, but that is the equivalent of sitting on a concrete floor.
I need to get a good seat for the bike that looks decent and has great comfort, after all I am getting old.
I need to get a good seat for the bike that looks decent and has great comfort, after all I am getting old.
that's the only bad thing 'bout a heritage is the saggy bags that was my 1st harley (miss it)i am too thinking about switching cause back we really don't "tour" as much as we do short rides and the EGc is a little clumsy
Last edited by jerseyjeff62; Oct 5, 2009 at 07:34 PM.