Other retirement advise:
Sleep in late, do what you want, turn off the phone and lose the watch.

 

I've owned the Electraglide Classic, and a Road Glide and prefer my Fatboy lo for long and short hauls. I retired last year right after I had bilateral knee replacements. Got them both done so only one recovery was necessary. Time becomes more precious when you're on your own time. Anyway as I lay in the hospital after surgery I got to thinking backing the Road Glide up I might have issues having a 29" inseam and the more I thought about it I called the HD shop and asked it the Lo I had tried out was still available. It was and so I said I'll take it. Finance guy actually showed up at Hospital with the papers. Asked him if he thought I was going to die before he got my money. Anyway I hobbled around on crutches for a few weeks changing out what I didn't like and made it fit me. About two weeks was all I could stand and when the bride wasn't looking off I went. Awesome Is all I can say with the smoothness and the riding within feel. Changed handle bars; seat; installed windshield; and some Road King leather bags. Been to Sturgis and western states on my first long trip from Alaska that lasted a month. I replaced my shocks when I got home with the Shotgun Shocks and this summer I was on the road for two months and almost 9k miles so yes the Softail line makes a great long distance cruiser. I do miss some of the storage and my cruise control but I can correct that to.

 

Like others have said softails are great for long or short trips. They really do handle surprisingly well at slow speeds and are great on the highway. I've also done the shotgun shock and man what a difference, especially if you are going cross country. Being able to handle changes in road conditions on the fly and feel like you are floating down the is priceless. I don't feel the need to have all the bells and whistles that the touring bikes have, I can honestly say that I have never felt the need to blast music while going 75 down a highway. The heritage has the windshield and bags, thats all I really need for a long haul.

 

I love my Heritage, but the larger gas tank and cruise control on the Touring models do make them a easier long distance bike.