Calling all Heritage owners
Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 647
Likes: 7
From: Corning, Ohio
Installed a Mustang seat and wider passenger pillion, passenger foot boards, engine guard, bag guards, luggage rack, wide sissy bar backrest, run/turn/stop light package conversion, changed the head lamp and running lamp bulbs to the brighter whiter ones, make sure it has the taller windshield on it. There was an issue with the gas cap leaking and there is a recall for it. Watch out for a slow speed deceleration wobble in the front end. The speedo seems to fog up, makes no difference about the outside conditions but will clear up after a bit of riding. They have a balanced motor and some say that it makes a buzzing sound when at speed but I never noticed anything like that. In fact I have made the statement that if they put that motor in a touring bike that it would be the smoothest running bike ever made. Installed a 12 volt outlet (cigarette lighter) for the garmin.
Club Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 145,895
Likes: 821
From: 40 miles Northeast of Indy..
Have had our 07 for 5 1/2 yrs now and we still love it.
In my 47 yrs of riding with 11 different bike its the Most comfortable bike I've own and I haven't had to change anything for me.
For the wifes comfort I did get the bigger/thicker Pillion seat, detachable sissy bar and added the Touring sissy bar pad and Floorboard.
In 07 the Stock Pillion seat really Sucked for the passenger.
The Ergo of the Bars are perfect and the seat is the best I've ever had. Including the 3 customs I had made through the YRs..
Its been the best bike I've owned, even better that the 3 GW's I had yrs ago.
Wife and I ride Usually ride 2-3 hrs every day we can in the summer,
I've also done trips over 2k ridding 7-9 hrs a day for a week with out any problems and I am 63 with a bad back. I just take some Advil in the morning and then take off.
On trips I got a rack for the sissy bar and bought the HD OverNighter bag, with it and the bags I've never ran out of room on any trips.
Would I buy another one.. SURE would, at my age I may not have to, but she has done all we've asked and just keeps on going.
In 41k miles the only time she has given me any problems was last yr when I got a PinHole in the gas line issue, Two hrs in the shop and that was fixed.
As far as mods,
I'd recommend some engine guards.
Stg1 and Cams to make Her run even better, get better fuel mileage and cooler.
I got the PaPa bags inserts and really like them for the bags (Keeps them looking new).
All the other mods like chrome and other add on's are really personal taste and Ur liking's.
U wont regret getting one.
IMO its the perfect overall bike, At least it is for us.
.
In my 47 yrs of riding with 11 different bike its the Most comfortable bike I've own and I haven't had to change anything for me.
For the wifes comfort I did get the bigger/thicker Pillion seat, detachable sissy bar and added the Touring sissy bar pad and Floorboard.
In 07 the Stock Pillion seat really Sucked for the passenger.
The Ergo of the Bars are perfect and the seat is the best I've ever had. Including the 3 customs I had made through the YRs..
Its been the best bike I've owned, even better that the 3 GW's I had yrs ago.
Wife and I ride Usually ride 2-3 hrs every day we can in the summer,
I've also done trips over 2k ridding 7-9 hrs a day for a week with out any problems and I am 63 with a bad back. I just take some Advil in the morning and then take off.
On trips I got a rack for the sissy bar and bought the HD OverNighter bag, with it and the bags I've never ran out of room on any trips.
Would I buy another one.. SURE would, at my age I may not have to, but she has done all we've asked and just keeps on going.
In 41k miles the only time she has given me any problems was last yr when I got a PinHole in the gas line issue, Two hrs in the shop and that was fixed.
As far as mods,
I'd recommend some engine guards.
Stg1 and Cams to make Her run even better, get better fuel mileage and cooler.
I got the PaPa bags inserts and really like them for the bags (Keeps them looking new).
All the other mods like chrome and other add on's are really personal taste and Ur liking's.
U wont regret getting one.
IMO its the perfect overall bike, At least it is for us.
.
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 49
Likes: 0
From: PCB Florida
I traded in my '09 Street Bob after 3 1/2 years for a new '12 Heritage and I'm very happy with it.
The seat height is 25.5" so no need to lower the bike for me...I have a 29" inseam. The stock seat is the most comfortable seat I've ever ridden on any bike...I bought a Lepera Sanora as well as a Lepera Silhouette Deluxe seat that I'm gonna put up for sale in the classified section cuz the stock seat is just too comfortable to change out.
Mine is set up for solo riding per my sig pic...I added Bassani 3" slip ons, Stage 1 intake, the SE Pro Super Tuner w/dyno tuning and a nostalgic engine guard. It also has the security and ABS system from the factory.
I also added a little bit of bling...the chrome headlight, passing lights, turn signal covers and a lay down liscense plate. Almost forgot...I added the Papa's bag supports too.
I most likely will leave it as is and just ride it...for me, it doesn't need any other changes so I'll spend my money on gas instead of more accessories.
Bottom line, I'm VERY happy with the Heritage.
The seat height is 25.5" so no need to lower the bike for me...I have a 29" inseam. The stock seat is the most comfortable seat I've ever ridden on any bike...I bought a Lepera Sanora as well as a Lepera Silhouette Deluxe seat that I'm gonna put up for sale in the classified section cuz the stock seat is just too comfortable to change out.
Mine is set up for solo riding per my sig pic...I added Bassani 3" slip ons, Stage 1 intake, the SE Pro Super Tuner w/dyno tuning and a nostalgic engine guard. It also has the security and ABS system from the factory.
I also added a little bit of bling...the chrome headlight, passing lights, turn signal covers and a lay down liscense plate. Almost forgot...I added the Papa's bag supports too.
I most likely will leave it as is and just ride it...for me, it doesn't need any other changes so I'll spend my money on gas instead of more accessories.
Bottom line, I'm VERY happy with the Heritage.
I have a 2008 Heritage and put over 40k on it and rode cross country on it.
And I still love it!...I did change the seat, added a few things here and there.
The main thing is the saddle bags will sag with age, I put in Butts Bagger System to keep the leather bags looking good.
You can tour with it or turn it into a bar hopper, since it's my only bike I have it setup for longer trips. I noticed you already have a touring bike so you could possibly strip it down to your liking.
Good luck on whatever you decide!
And I still love it!...I did change the seat, added a few things here and there.
The main thing is the saddle bags will sag with age, I put in Butts Bagger System to keep the leather bags looking good.
You can tour with it or turn it into a bar hopper, since it's my only bike I have it setup for longer trips. I noticed you already have a touring bike so you could possibly strip it down to your liking.
Good luck on whatever you decide!
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 789
Likes: 1
From: Minnesota
Have a 2010. Stage 1...rsd a/c...v&h big shots long (quite baffles)...pull back bars...touring seat and love handles for the queen...hd mustache engine guard...lots of additional chrome etc etc. We love this bike on both short rides around the lakes and long 2-3 day trips.
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 145
Likes: 0
From: SC
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 5,618
Likes: 5,215
From: Green Country
I've got a 2011 model. Added a Grasshopper backrest and run the stock seat as solo. Added the Papa Bags inserts to the bags, they still hang naturally and don't look like leather-covered hard bags. I also did cams, SE pro super-tuner and 2-1 exhaust. Put on apes, engine guard and front lamp visors.
Best bike I've owned...
Best bike I've owned...
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,391
Likes: 351
From: MO
My second Harley was an '02 Heritage. I traded it on an '05 Road King. Honestly liked the Heritage better. Traded the RK on an '11 Street Glide. I love the Glide, but wanted a more stripped down bike for running the backroads and putting around town. So I bought an '09 Heritage about a year ago. The Heritage is the most versatile Harley you can buy. I keep mine stripped down most of the time, but the beauty of it is I can put the touring stuff back on in minutes if I want to go that way. You really can't go wrong with a Heritage.
