Given the Green light, for a Heritage
Tourer
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 255
Likes: 2
From: Athens, AL
I should add some additional information. I want to get into a touring bike, and like the older traditional look of the heritage. I want my wife to ride with me more often, but she still has a limitation of how long she wants to ride regardless of comfort.
I rented a ultra classic for a week last year and the wife and I went to the outer banks for bike week. She loved the bike but 400 miles in a day was to much for her. The bike was nice for touring but to much overall for me, just not what I want. I rented a heritage for one day and took the wife out for about 70miles, overall I really liked the bike and she was ok with it compared to the sportster.
Im going to look at a 2006 heritage, with 4400 miles on it, with some nice add on's, asking 12k.
I rented a ultra classic for a week last year and the wife and I went to the outer banks for bike week. She loved the bike but 400 miles in a day was to much for her. The bike was nice for touring but to much overall for me, just not what I want. I rented a heritage for one day and took the wife out for about 70miles, overall I really liked the bike and she was ok with it compared to the sportster.
Im going to look at a 2006 heritage, with 4400 miles on it, with some nice add on's, asking 12k.
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 770
Likes: 1
From: Coeur d' alene, Idaho
Do it, do it do it. I had lots of bikes. My first Harley was a 97 Sportster 1200. The wife decided she wanted to ride on the back so three year later we got a Heritage.the difference is night and day for comfort. Six years later with two kids in college the bike got sold with many regrets. Fast forward to 2010 and there is a new Heritage in the garage.
I think it is one of Harley's most versatile bikes. It is a good tour bike (granted it is not an Electraglide) and with detachable hardware ,can be a cruiser.
Go for it!
I think it is one of Harley's most versatile bikes. It is a good tour bike (granted it is not an Electraglide) and with detachable hardware ,can be a cruiser.
Go for it!
Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 245
Likes: 0
From: Wisconsin
Take your pick: Deluxe, Fat Boy, Heritage. While owning and riding an 883 Sporty, I started my HD homework. In 2008, I fell in love with the Deluxe.
In 2009, the Fat Boy was my love match. In 2010, when I actually had the $$ to buy one, I went with the Heritage Classic. Deluxe and Fat Boy: had to add too much $$ in extras to get me set up for a long trip. Heritage was all set. Only added my personal highway trip touches. Love the extra light spots and lovely large front tire. Dream to ride. Have you asked yourself this tho - If you are buying a 2006, why not add a pinch more $$ and get a 2007+? 2007 and up have the 6 speed with bigger engine. OR save yourself more money and get one from anywhere 2000ish-2006 which are basically the same except a #year. (Jump in readers and correct me please...). Sporty/Softail = night/day. Good luck and post pics when it's in your garage!
In 2009, the Fat Boy was my love match. In 2010, when I actually had the $$ to buy one, I went with the Heritage Classic. Deluxe and Fat Boy: had to add too much $$ in extras to get me set up for a long trip. Heritage was all set. Only added my personal highway trip touches. Love the extra light spots and lovely large front tire. Dream to ride. Have you asked yourself this tho - If you are buying a 2006, why not add a pinch more $$ and get a 2007+? 2007 and up have the 6 speed with bigger engine. OR save yourself more money and get one from anywhere 2000ish-2006 which are basically the same except a #year. (Jump in readers and correct me please...). Sporty/Softail = night/day. Good luck and post pics when it's in your garage!
Last edited by softone; Feb 5, 2011 at 09:57 AM.
Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 227
Likes: 12
From: North Carolina
I've owned the Deluxe and now have a Heritage. Either bike will likely work for you, but the very low seat height of the Deluxe may become challenging if you like leaning your bike at all.
The Heritage with the balanced engine and six speed is great - comfort and performance in one machine.
My bike is for sale at a great price because of health issues (2009 Heritage - 3K miles/warranty/fully serviced) and if you're interested send me a PM.
The Heritage with the balanced engine and six speed is great - comfort and performance in one machine.
My bike is for sale at a great price because of health issues (2009 Heritage - 3K miles/warranty/fully serviced) and if you're interested send me a PM.
Best of ALL worlds
I like to tour around the state and around my local hops, the Heritage or Deluxe is the most nimble choice - I put on my "Dead Center" fairing when touring + bags and sissy bar (all comes on and off in minutes) or strip down when I feel like going fast! I did pick up a 2003 Heritage for the whole 100 year anniverary thing but soon after bumped the motor up from the 88ci to a 98ci since the 88 was gutless 2 up. I would not suggest any motor smalle than 96 Ci 2 up. Enjoy your soon to be softail! You wont regret the switch.
Here my Heriatge: Just got back from a ride matter of fact!
Here my Heriatge: Just got back from a ride matter of fact!
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,664
Likes: 99
From: P.E.I. Canada
Not that it's needed after all the comments, but I'll give you my 2 cents.... buy the damn thing. Find an 07 or newer. In my mind, it's the best value out of the softies, but make sure you're happy with it before you hand over the cash. Take a few out for a ride, and make sure you try a Street Glide too. No point spending the cash on something that isn't what you really want. For me, I almost bought a tourer, but every time I walked in the showroom (I almost lived there for a month picking out a bike) I kept seeing the Heritage sitting there and just couldn't help but buy it. I'm sure you can find a gently used one with a few extras on it. Good luck in your search.
Supporter
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 3,714
Likes: 650
From: San Ramon, Ca
You will like it. Very versitile motorcycle. From bagger to stripped down bar-hopper in 30 min or less. Windshield on/off 5 seconds.
Drawbacks; Susp travel. Very minor vibes at certain speeds. Mine is about 76- mph. Dead nuts smooth @ 80 & up. A 6 sp would be nice. Just for steady cruising. I've never ridden any ST with the 96/6sp combo. Does the counter-balance work as good (I'm sure it does!)
I want a bagger/touring motor someday, but for my riding purposes (100 mi average ride with 1 or 2 300 mi days per year, the Heritage is great.
She'll be 11 yrs old in Mar and has never skipped a beat. A defective turn signal/cancel module repl under warr is all.
Good Luck !!!
Drawbacks; Susp travel. Very minor vibes at certain speeds. Mine is about 76- mph. Dead nuts smooth @ 80 & up. A 6 sp would be nice. Just for steady cruising. I've never ridden any ST with the 96/6sp combo. Does the counter-balance work as good (I'm sure it does!)
I want a bagger/touring motor someday, but for my riding purposes (100 mi average ride with 1 or 2 300 mi days per year, the Heritage is great.
She'll be 11 yrs old in Mar and has never skipped a beat. A defective turn signal/cancel module repl under warr is all.
Good Luck !!!
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 4,626
Likes: 98
From: Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri
I will tell you my story.
I had a 08 1200C sportster and loved it. One day I was at the local dealer and looking at a used deluxe out on the lot. The sales guy came out and we started chatting about the bike. After a minute he told me to take it for a spin. I said nah, I'm just kicking tires and I don't want to sell my sporty. He said just for the fun then. OK, I got on and took it for a spin. Big mistake. I could not believe how comfortable it was. Every little bump that bounced me around on the sporty I just glided over like they wern't there. Well, that got me to thinking and I really like the looks of the new Heritage. The 2011 had just came out. Balanced engine, RPM/Gear gauge, lots of chrome,etc. I ended up trading my sporty in on a new one and I have not regretted it for one second.
I had a 08 1200C sportster and loved it. One day I was at the local dealer and looking at a used deluxe out on the lot. The sales guy came out and we started chatting about the bike. After a minute he told me to take it for a spin. I said nah, I'm just kicking tires and I don't want to sell my sporty. He said just for the fun then. OK, I got on and took it for a spin. Big mistake. I could not believe how comfortable it was. Every little bump that bounced me around on the sporty I just glided over like they wern't there. Well, that got me to thinking and I really like the looks of the new Heritage. The 2011 had just came out. Balanced engine, RPM/Gear gauge, lots of chrome,etc. I ended up trading my sporty in on a new one and I have not regretted it for one second.
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 282
Likes: 42
From: Pennsylvania
Well me and a buddy went and look at the bike I found locally for sale. All records for maintenance were available, Bike started right up. With 4400 miles on the clock it looked brand new. It is a 2006 black cherry bike, 88ci, 5spd, with a carb. vance and hines pipes, quick disconnect back rest, new 60spoke wheels, 11.5k final price I can get it for.
Over all this is the bike I narrowed it down to. Its in my price range, has the mileage I was looking for. Sure I would like a 6spd, and light blue paint, but these are minor trade offs. Im going for it.
Over all this is the bike I narrowed it down to. Its in my price range, has the mileage I was looking for. Sure I would like a 6spd, and light blue paint, but these are minor trade offs. Im going for it.