heritage softail classic vs deluxe
Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 230
Likes: 1
From: Arizona
I think the heritage is a better deal, but for me I needed the white walls and the better paint/badges. Everything else is easy to customize from there.
I added bags and a windshield that I use on trips, which cost me less than $500 total from eBay - not bad considering they were heritage springer bags
.
Like others have said, the studs on the heritage put me off as well, not to mention the n1ke swoop on the tank at the time.
You can't really go wrong with either, but for the most part I see people changing their heritage to look like a deluxe, so for the sake of a little bit of money, why not get the better base to begin with? After all, you're going to end up spending a lot more money on it anyway if you hang around here long enough!
I added bags and a windshield that I use on trips, which cost me less than $500 total from eBay - not bad considering they were heritage springer bags
.Like others have said, the studs on the heritage put me off as well, not to mention the n1ke swoop on the tank at the time.
You can't really go wrong with either, but for the most part I see people changing their heritage to look like a deluxe, so for the sake of a little bit of money, why not get the better base to begin with? After all, you're going to end up spending a lot more money on it anyway if you hang around here long enough!
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,583
Likes: 96
From: Eastern North Carolina
1940's style on the Deluxe vs. 1950's style on the Heritage. With a lot of folks who take their Heritages and strip 'em down I think Harley saw a market. Add a few extras like wide white walls to sweeten the pot and bingo. Of course I did just the opposite because I didn't like the spots. I like 'em now though and the Heritage is the better deal.
Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 1,269
Likes: 7
From: Liverpool UK
Main criteria to think about is what mods you would do, if you aint going to spend on it and you like bags and a screen then go for the Heritage, if your going to change the look a lot then go for the Deluxe, for me it was a no brainer, I dont like screens or studs, and i was always going to end up with the Socal Vicla look, I was fortunate that I did my homework before I bought anything, this is my first Harley, and I'm keeping it for the forseeable. Also if your looking at used, think about whether you want a 5 or 6 speed, most people i believe would want a 6 speed.
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 288
Likes: 2
From: Sweet Home Alabama!
As others have said, it depends what look you want, and how much you have to spend on accessories to make it look like you want. Its hard to argue that stock for the Heritage is a better value, but some of the items like the tail light and front and rear fender lights are a big deal to get rid of if you want the Deluxe look and aren't going to be painting it. If I were going to be buying a Heritage, I'd put shovelhead era fender tips on it do away with the fender lights. I would love a bike to make look like a late 50's Hydra Glide ot early 60's Duo Glide. If I were buying, I'd buy a solid black Deluxe and start from there. I would be not be using the Heritage bags, seat, fender trim and tail light, so I'd be better off buying a Deluxe and buying a windshield. Both are great bikes, and pretty much the same bike, so buy the one that suits you best.
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 491
Likes: 2
From: Ewa Beach, HI
when i was looking for a softail i was actually looking for a deluxe. and then i came across a springer classic which except for the front end looked almost identical to the deluxe. that along with a good deal i was getting it for i jumped on it. i really liked the socal style of the deluxe and i knew i could achieve the same look with the springer classic. with that said go with the bike that will take less work to make it your own as it will save you $$$ in the long run.
oh yeah i too don't like the studs on the heritage.
oh yeah i too don't like the studs on the heritage.
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 304
Likes: 38
From: Port Orange, FL
We both traded our '09 Standards for 2010 Deluxes. Put an after market Reckless Fairing on them, changed out the seat for Heritage Softail seats, put on 1993 vintage Heritage Softail leather bags and have never looked back. I fashioned an aluminum plate, 12" x 12" and secured it to the luggage rack. On that we bungie on our Nelson Rigg big square travel bags. Put some Desert Dawg soft lowers on the engine guard bars. All that said, we can tour anywhere, any distance in any weather. When we get home, it takes ten minutes to convert them back to in town cruisers. They handle like a dream. Oh yeah, I'm 5'8" and my wife is 5'11" with 8 foot long legs! It fits her perfectly. The luxury of a tourer without the high center of gravity and bulky weight of the baggers.
Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 121
Likes: 0
From: Milford, Delaware
If you're every going to ride beyond your home town and want to bring stuff (which you will - at a minimum rain gear for unexpected showers) then the Heritage is the way to go. The saddle bags and windshield make a huge difference. It will only cost around $100 or so to ad a luggage rack to Heritage where as adding bags and windshield will cost your $1000.
I have a 2011 Heritage and love it. Couldn't imagine not having the convenience of the saddle bags. I did take the windshield off one time to change the look (which is really easy to do) and it was nice until I got above 45 MPH...then I missed the windshield big time.
Heritage is by far the best bang for the buck by Harley.
I have a 2011 Heritage and love it. Couldn't imagine not having the convenience of the saddle bags. I did take the windshield off one time to change the look (which is really easy to do) and it was nice until I got above 45 MPH...then I missed the windshield big time.
Heritage is by far the best bang for the buck by Harley.
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Joe Kucinski
Club Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 145,895
Likes: 821
From: 40 miles Northeast of Indy..
[QUOTE=OceanTwo;6220557]I'm interested in this exact same thing - I like the Deluxe, but the Heritage looks like a better value. Here's the differences I've observed (sans-riding) while saving the pennies:
I've also seen a couple of used Heritage bikes and it looks like the bags tend to sag a bit after a while: don't know if it's lack of care or what.
Its lack of care, For two yr mine still looked new, but I stuffed them during the winter storage.
Then the 3rd yr I installed Pappa bags, braces, and they standup like new again.
See mine below, they are 5yr old.
.
I've also seen a couple of used Heritage bikes and it looks like the bags tend to sag a bit after a while: don't know if it's lack of care or what.
Its lack of care, For two yr mine still looked new, but I stuffed them during the winter storage.
Then the 3rd yr I installed Pappa bags, braces, and they standup like new again.
See mine below, they are 5yr old.
.
