I recently traded my Sportster for a new Heritage Softail. I did look at the Dynas, Deluxe, and Heritage before ultimately deciding on the Heritage. All had a great feel on the road compared to the Sportster, but what sold me on the Heritage was that it already had the windshield, backrest, saddlebags, and nice handlebars.

 

The hardest things to change in IMO is the rear tire width and the front end, thin or wide, Rake?. Start with that.

 

I'd buy used and find a bike that has most of what your wish list is. Unless your wallet is deep and can afford to get a new bike and pay $$$ for the add ons.

You already know a stock seat and bars on a Deluxe will not work for you. Many on this site buy different seats and bars, just goes along with making a bike fit you.

Take your time, it is a buyers market! Good luck!

 

Thank you for all the input. I have owned Sportys, Dyna's and Touring models, but never ventured into the world of the B Motor.

This bike will be used mostly for 2-up riding with the wife on short and intermediate length trips (up to 400 miles). I like the lower look, but even if we get a Deluxe we will put the taller shocks on it for the better ride...unless there is a way to get the better ride and have it lower.

Still looking for more idea/input.

Thanks!

 

I got a deal on my 07 Heritage, otherwise I would have gotten a Deluxe. Then again, everyone has a Deluxe. Make a Heritage your own and you'll like it better.

 

For 2 up riding the Deluxe is not what you want. Heritage is a no brainer. Softails cannot be fitted with taller shocks although I think the shotgun system can go 1" higher. Lowering a Deluxe/Heritage is not a great idea for mostly 2 up riding either. You need to do more homework.

 

My last bike was a Heritage. The bike I now have is the Deluxe. Of the 2, for and to me, the Deluxe is far better for me and to me. I have at one point and time owned just about every bike Harley ever put out. The market is full of really nice bikes right now. If you are patient you can get pretty darn close to just about everything and anything you want. When I told people here on this site what I paid for my Deluxe I took a beating from some people and some rather harsh comments. The thing is though this bike had everything I would have done had I gotten a stock bike. Including the cost of the bike itself there is well over 45k into this bike and yes a huge chunk of that was labor. The bike itself also only had 4200 miles on it when I bought it. The motor only had 2200 on it and the tranny just a little under that. I waited and waited and looked and looked. The guy I got it from sunk all that money into this bike and then when the housing market crashed his business went under and he had to dump the bike. I was there waiting for it. I have put an additional pretty penny in it too and I am far from done too. Figure out just exactly what you want then look and wait. I also have the quick bags, 2 rear seats, padded bitch bar and 2 windshields that came with the bike as well. Why did I go with the Deluxe? It's just a bad *** bike and you can do so many things to it to make it even more bad ***. I never understood why people say you have to have a "touring bike" to go "touring"! I would go anywhere in the country on this bike and love every minute of it. Also, you HAVE to have the Shotgun on your softail. It just takes riding to a whole new level. I will never own another bike that does NOT have the Shotgun on it. Also, the 6 speed you want? Don't pass up a good deal with a bike that only has a 5 speed. My bike is an 06 wich came stock with a 5 speed. I have the SE 6 speed in it, problem solved and there are much more less expensive 6 speeds out in the market these days. Thats easy enough to fix. Good luck and let us know what you went with and some pics of it too when you get it. Patience and knowing exactly what you want is the key!!!

 

I think it depends on what type of two up riding riding you are planning on doing. if it is long distance with the wife on the freeway you and her might not want a softail. I am coming off an ultra limited and I and my wife love the ride of the softails. It is not as comfortable but it is a lot more fun and easier to handle and my wife loves the counterbalance engine.

 

From my little bit of research, the Deluxe comes with shorter shocks than the Heritage...can I not put the Heritage shocks on a Deluxe? My understanding was that the frames are the same, so I thought I could do that.

What are the benefits of the Shotgun besides being able to adjust height? Do they ride as well as the stock Heritage shocks as far as two-up and distance of travel?

Sorry for so many questions...going thru the learning curve.

 

As you can see from the replies, you will get positive comments for both the Deluxe and the Heritage. IMO, both are great rides, but comfort is a very individual characteristic. Although handlebars, shocks, seats, etc. can be swapped out, you should determine which bike is inherently more comfortable to you and the OL. Meaning, test ride a Deluxe and test ride a Heritage with the wife to see which one just feels more comfortable to you. As far as looks go, you can make each one look like the other, that's easy.

For what it's worth, I'm partial to the Heritage. Like others have implied, if you go used have patience and look for the bike that best fits your budget and plan. I do think your decision would be made easier if you knew which model you preferred before looking.

Good luck. Post back with your decision and pics if you made a purchase.