Electra Glide to a Heritage?
Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 595
Likes: 3
From: Florida
I have ridden both the RK and Heritage...there are advantages/disadvantages to both. Nobody will be able to completely relate to you because we're all different in our riding styles, height/weight/inseam/etc, and style preferences. Test ride them both for a day or two and tell us what you think...if you're used to the touring frame/suspension, the Heritage may not be for you, but you never know until you try. I'm in love with mine after almost 4 years and will never sell it...The RK is awesome for just about everything, but can't compete in the style category with a Softail.
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,533
Likes: 2
From: Nebraska
Only disadvantages I have found between the RK and Heritage is softails don't come with dual front brakes and cruise control. If my Heritage had those I would be 100 percent happy. I really don't need the dual front brakes though but would be nice. I also like sitting down in the bike vs. on top of the RK.
Both are versatile bikes. And, as some here have said, you have the added flexibility of losing the bags if you wish to cruise without them on the Heritage. The touring bikes don't look so hot without bags
I've ridden both, on many occasions, and I prefer, and continue to ride the RK due to it's greater ground clearance. I scrape the floorboards like nobodies business on the Heritage!
Still, like some have stated, renting one for a day or two will go a long way in helping you make the decision that's right for you.
I've ridden both, on many occasions, and I prefer, and continue to ride the RK due to it's greater ground clearance. I scrape the floorboards like nobodies business on the Heritage!
Still, like some have stated, renting one for a day or two will go a long way in helping you make the decision that's right for you.
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 143
Likes: 20
From: Tonawanda, N.Y.
I own both, 2012 Ultra Limited and 2009 Heritage. When Wifey and I go to rallies or longer distances, especially where we will be on highways, touring bike is the deal. But, local around town cruising the Heritage is the ride of choice cause it is easier to handle and is just a little cooler looking.
Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 121
Likes: 2
From: Atlantic City Area
I started with an 06 RKC back in 2005. It was a toss up between that and the Heritage. 4 yrs later I traded it for an 09 Ultra. It was everything the RKC was and more. I do 3-4 long camping trips a year and the Ultra was perfect for that. Plus my wife liked the big comfy back seat. Last fall I had an accident and broke my ankle, so I decided this past spring to move to a lighter, lower bike and bought an 02 Heritage. There are pro's and con's to each for me. With my not so stable ankle the Heritage is much easier to handle in a parking lot due to the lower seat height and 200lb weight difference. At speed it doesn't feel as solid as my Ultra did. Not sure how to describe it, but my Ultra felt more "planted" on the road. The wider tires of my 09 Ultra vs my 02 Heritage may account for that. I just got back from my first long trip with the Heritage last weekend. I pulled my trailer behind it, and had the wife on the bike. It did fine, but I missed things like the cruise, ABS, and tunes. The wife missed the big back seat. I love the look and feel of the Heritage. It fits me great! But I miss the comforts and stability of my Ultra. I don't feel like I made a mistake, but I have this feeling that as my ankle becomes stronger I may end up back on a touring bike. Ideally, I'd like to find a way to have both.
Supporter
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 3,714
Likes: 650
From: San Ramon, Ca
Agreed. And my Heritage is set up pretty much like yours (diff exh)
I've ridden a few touring models. The Ultra I've ridden mostly (a buddies 06)
is the best riding deal.
I only demo'd a 2012 RG-Ultra. I surely don't want to open the RG vs EG cross wind discussion. But I think the EG is better in a side wind than the RGU.
But(t) neither one of them are as good in a bad cross wind as the Heritage. Side winds don't affect it one way or the other.
The Bat offers ALLOT of protection. The Shark has less handlebar feedback.
If you have lwrs, you need to run with them closed on the RG or you'll have a tornado in your face. But the touring models are taller, wider and heavier, period. To me the Heritage feels like it's on a rail. The Softail has a more old time low down Harley feel (w/o the bad) But you pay for that with the LACK of rear susp. If you run with the shocks on the lite setting for a nice ride, it's TOO soft. Firm em up, and it rides like a buck board.
For all day on the Interstate, or 3-4 hun miles on the back roads, the touring (don't matter which one) hands down. For every day riding with an occasional long ride, the Heritage is great.
I'm greedy !!! I want one of each !!!
I've ridden a few touring models. The Ultra I've ridden mostly (a buddies 06)
is the best riding deal.
I only demo'd a 2012 RG-Ultra. I surely don't want to open the RG vs EG cross wind discussion. But I think the EG is better in a side wind than the RGU.
But(t) neither one of them are as good in a bad cross wind as the Heritage. Side winds don't affect it one way or the other.
The Bat offers ALLOT of protection. The Shark has less handlebar feedback.
If you have lwrs, you need to run with them closed on the RG or you'll have a tornado in your face. But the touring models are taller, wider and heavier, period. To me the Heritage feels like it's on a rail. The Softail has a more old time low down Harley feel (w/o the bad) But you pay for that with the LACK of rear susp. If you run with the shocks on the lite setting for a nice ride, it's TOO soft. Firm em up, and it rides like a buck board.
For all day on the Interstate, or 3-4 hun miles on the back roads, the touring (don't matter which one) hands down. For every day riding with an occasional long ride, the Heritage is great.
I'm greedy !!! I want one of each !!!
I started with an 06 RKC back in 2005. It was a toss up between that and the Heritage. 4 yrs later I traded it for an 09 Ultra. It was everything the RKC was and more. I do 3-4 long camping trips a year and the Ultra was perfect for that. Plus my wife liked the big comfy back seat. Last fall I had an accident and broke my ankle, so I decided this past spring to move to a lighter, lower bike and bought an 02 Heritage. There are pro's and con's to each for me. With my not so stable ankle the Heritage is much easier to handle in a parking lot due to the lower seat height and 200lb weight difference. At speed it doesn't feel as solid as my Ultra did. Not sure how to describe it, but my Ultra felt more "planted" on the road. The wider tires of my 09 Ultra vs my 02 Heritage may account for that. I just got back from my first long trip with the Heritage last weekend. I pulled my trailer behind it, and had the wife on the bike. It did fine, but I missed things like the cruise, ABS, and tunes. The wife missed the big back seat. I love the look and feel of the Heritage. It fits me great! But I miss the comforts and stability of my Ultra. I don't feel like I made a mistake, but I have this feeling that as my ankle becomes stronger I may end up back on a touring bike. Ideally, I'd like to find a way to have both.
Club Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 145,895
Likes: 821
From: 40 miles Northeast of Indy..
Okay,
So I thought I'd come to the Softail experts and ask these questions:
1. Has anyone here moved from a Touring motorcycle to a Heritage (or other softail) as their one and only bike??
Rode several but never owned one.. I found the Heritage fit all my needs just fine.
2. Has anyone moved from a Touring bike to a Heritage and regretted it?
There was a member in here last week that did.. but there's been many more over the yrs that where Happy after the switch.
3. What are the advantages of a softail compared to a Touring bike?
Ergo's for me, the seat, bars are perfect fit for me, plus I think the Heritage is almost, even as good as ride as the touring bike I've been on. I've rode 1 Ultra, 2 RK's and 1 Street glide..
4. What are the disadvantages of a softail compared to a Touring bike?
Don't sit as high on the bike.. Best to say U ride on top of a touring bike and down in a softail...
Your input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
By the way, if you're interested in buying a really nice, loaded 2011 Electra Glide Classic, please send me a private message.
So I thought I'd come to the Softail experts and ask these questions:
1. Has anyone here moved from a Touring motorcycle to a Heritage (or other softail) as their one and only bike??
Rode several but never owned one.. I found the Heritage fit all my needs just fine.
2. Has anyone moved from a Touring bike to a Heritage and regretted it?
There was a member in here last week that did.. but there's been many more over the yrs that where Happy after the switch.
3. What are the advantages of a softail compared to a Touring bike?
Ergo's for me, the seat, bars are perfect fit for me, plus I think the Heritage is almost, even as good as ride as the touring bike I've been on. I've rode 1 Ultra, 2 RK's and 1 Street glide..
4. What are the disadvantages of a softail compared to a Touring bike?
Don't sit as high on the bike.. Best to say U ride on top of a touring bike and down in a softail...
Your input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
By the way, if you're interested in buying a really nice, loaded 2011 Electra Glide Classic, please send me a private message.
.
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Road Warrior
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,622
Likes: 1
From: Topeka, KS
Very interesting! I'm thinking of doing exactly this. I've currently got a 2001 Wide Glide and a 2010 Limited and am looking at trading both of them for a new or slightly used Heritage. My wife doesn't ride with me enough to justify the huge payment on the Limited. I'm going to subscribe to follow this thread.
Thanks.
Thanks.
Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 165
Likes: 9
From: New York
Others have answered your questions. My observations of what I like when comparing the two are:
I like the seating position on the Heritage better.
I like the brakes on the RK better.
I like the fairing on the RK better. (In heavy rain the Heritage windshield can be virtually impossible to see through, and if you are 5'10 like me, impossible to see over).
Like the gauges on the RK.
Like the look of the RK bags, the capacity of the Heritage bags, and the fact that they are easily removable.
The Heritage is smoother at idle, and a little more vibration at speed, the RK is just the opposite. (no real preference here for myself, but you may want to take out the Heritage for a check ride)
Someone else mentioned that you can buy the Fairing (I bought a Reckless) it comes off and on in a few minutes, and you have a completely different looking bike in a few minutes. See pics of mine in both configurations on my profile page.
Good luck with your choice.
I like the seating position on the Heritage better.
I like the brakes on the RK better.
I like the fairing on the RK better. (In heavy rain the Heritage windshield can be virtually impossible to see through, and if you are 5'10 like me, impossible to see over).
Like the gauges on the RK.
Like the look of the RK bags, the capacity of the Heritage bags, and the fact that they are easily removable.
The Heritage is smoother at idle, and a little more vibration at speed, the RK is just the opposite. (no real preference here for myself, but you may want to take out the Heritage for a check ride)
Someone else mentioned that you can buy the Fairing (I bought a Reckless) it comes off and on in a few minutes, and you have a completely different looking bike in a few minutes. See pics of mine in both configurations on my profile page.
Good luck with your choice.
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