Future Harley Softail Owner
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Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 25
Likes: 2
From: Rochester NY
Future Harley Softail Owner
Hi all:
I am in the market for a Harley. The wife gave me the thumbs up, she rides also so I know this won't be the only harley I will be buying in the near future. I began riding about 5 years ago and have a Yama 650 Classic. I am thinking of getting a Heritage, I really like the look but I have never rode one yet. Trying to get some advice on what others think? Is the Heritage a good first Harley? Maybe a stupid question but am looking for some guidance on how the heritage ride is, is the bike heavy, what years are the "best" etc.... Maybe too much to ask but I always find that talking to other owners you find out a lot more than from somebody trying to sell a bike. I am planning on going to a dealer and taking a test drive but I thought I would start here.
Thoughts?
I am in the market for a Harley. The wife gave me the thumbs up, she rides also so I know this won't be the only harley I will be buying in the near future. I began riding about 5 years ago and have a Yama 650 Classic. I am thinking of getting a Heritage, I really like the look but I have never rode one yet. Trying to get some advice on what others think? Is the Heritage a good first Harley? Maybe a stupid question but am looking for some guidance on how the heritage ride is, is the bike heavy, what years are the "best" etc.... Maybe too much to ask but I always find that talking to other owners you find out a lot more than from somebody trying to sell a bike. I am planning on going to a dealer and taking a test drive but I thought I would start here.
Thoughts?
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 112
Likes: 0
From: Miami, FL
From someone whose only bike has been a Harley (2014 Breakout) Don't be intimidated by any of them. Any softail will be heavier than what you are riding now...but hey...if I feel comfortable on my bike after two months of riding, you should be just fine.
Like was said above...go to the dealer and ride around in a few different models and get a feel for them. Every person is different and what "fits" you may not fit someone else.
When I went to make my decision, I rode a Fatboy and the Breakout. I felt a little cramped on the Fatboy. The Breakout was a better fit for me. Ultimately, you will know which one is right.
Good luck and enjoy the ride. Great folks on this forum and a TON of information to be had.
by the way...you said wife gave you thumbs up...you may want to start softening her up now for all those mods you will "need"
Like was said above...go to the dealer and ride around in a few different models and get a feel for them. Every person is different and what "fits" you may not fit someone else.
When I went to make my decision, I rode a Fatboy and the Breakout. I felt a little cramped on the Fatboy. The Breakout was a better fit for me. Ultimately, you will know which one is right.
Good luck and enjoy the ride. Great folks on this forum and a TON of information to be had.
by the way...you said wife gave you thumbs up...you may want to start softening her up now for all those mods you will "need"
6th Gear
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Indiana
I ride a 07 Heritage. Checking out a # of models is always a good idea, what works for me may not for you. That being said I absolutely love mine. Bought it a couple of months ago with 7400 miles. It's heavy but you'll get used to it. Owned a lot of Harleys but this is my favorite. Nimble enough to bar hop, comfortable enough for 2 up riding on long trips. Let us know what you decide and ride safe.
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
From: Chicago
I've ridden all the Harley Touring bikes on demo rides. If there is a demo ride in your area .. for sure go to it. You can ride just about every bike Harley makes and compare them. Or, just go to a dealer. The demo ride events are posted on the Harley web site under "events".
The Heritage Softail Classic is a real easy bike to ride. Very comfortable. The seating is upright and it has apes on it so there is no stretch to reach the bars.
It also has the "B" motor. This is the Balanced version of the 103 and has very little vibration. The one thing I did notice about the Heritage is that the floorboards are a bit forward - they are not directly under you. The windscreen is low and I did notice some wind buffeting. Check out the capacity of the bags; they look big from the outside but check the inner capacity. The stock seat works for me and it kinda has a tail-bone rest.
All in all, it's a nice starter touring bike.
For me, what kills it for long rides is no "entertainment system". I need a radio or ipod/mp3 player capability.
Add about $3K and you can get the Street Glide. Add another $3K or so and you can get the Ultra.
So, depends on how much money you want to spend. The Heritage is definitively a starter touring bike.... but has all the basics - Luggage, Windscreen, upright seating, floorboards, and the smooth "B" motor.
The Heritage Softail Classic is a real easy bike to ride. Very comfortable. The seating is upright and it has apes on it so there is no stretch to reach the bars.
It also has the "B" motor. This is the Balanced version of the 103 and has very little vibration. The one thing I did notice about the Heritage is that the floorboards are a bit forward - they are not directly under you. The windscreen is low and I did notice some wind buffeting. Check out the capacity of the bags; they look big from the outside but check the inner capacity. The stock seat works for me and it kinda has a tail-bone rest.
All in all, it's a nice starter touring bike.
For me, what kills it for long rides is no "entertainment system". I need a radio or ipod/mp3 player capability.
Add about $3K and you can get the Street Glide. Add another $3K or so and you can get the Ultra.
So, depends on how much money you want to spend. The Heritage is definitively a starter touring bike.... but has all the basics - Luggage, Windscreen, upright seating, floorboards, and the smooth "B" motor.
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Cruiser
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 168
Likes: 0
From: Ponchatoula, LA
I currently have a Softail Slim, and my brother used to have a V-Star 1100 which I rode quite a bit. Although the Slim is a bit heavier, with it's low seat height I hardly notice. If you want to minimize the apparent weight difference be sure the bike has a low seat height, like a Slim or a Fatboy Low or any model with a lowering kit.
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Tourer
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 431
Likes: 6
From: Arkansas
The bike I had before I bought my Heritage was a Yamaha 1300. I decided I wanted a Harley and went to the dealership with the intent to buy a Fatboy Lo. I saw the Heritage with windshield, saddlebags and passenger bar and decided to get it.
When I got on it to ride home I went about a mile down the road and my smile was from ear to ear.
I had tried a Road King also but just liked the feel of the FLSTC.
The only thing that I have problems with is the lean angle, I drag the floorboards. Other than that, it is great.
When I got on it to ride home I went about a mile down the road and my smile was from ear to ear.
I had tried a Road King also but just liked the feel of the FLSTC.
The only thing that I have problems with is the lean angle, I drag the floorboards. Other than that, it is great.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 3,492
Likes: 19
From: Illinois
Do you plan on doing mods to the bike and or the motor? I have an 06 Deluxe which was born as an 88 C.I. and a 5 speed. That has since been addressed with a big bore and a SE 6 speed. I would look at the 07's and up because they come with the 96" motor and a 6 speed and then a few years down the road is the 103" with a 6 speed. No matter what motor you get I would look for one with at least a stage 1 done to it or do it yourself after you buy one no matter what motor you get.
The Heritage, most say, is the best cruiser of the Softail family. The Deluxe best for mods or builds. I went with the Deluxe this time because I new I was going to mod it out. My last bike was a Heritage, best for packing and cruising, so most say. The way my bike is set up now it is far to customized to be labeled either but I can bopp around town on this bike or put it on the highway and go coast to coast on it with no issues.
Are you buying new or used? That is a huge difference as well as far as price goes. If you are going used be patient because it is a buyers market right now and has been for the past few years. Hard times have fallen on people and they are letting their toys go. I told the guy I bought mine from I felt bad after all he had put into this bike only to be forced to let it go. He told me to not feel that way because he had kids and they were more important than the bike and that the money was going to go for the betterment of his family. That made me feel much better.
Watch around, check out craigslist and take your time. I looked for 2 years before I found this bike. I saved a ton of money because everything I wanted to do to the motor and tranny was already done by the guy I bought it from allowing me to focus on other areas of the bike and finishing it my way to make it my bike. Good luck and keep us posted.
The Heritage, most say, is the best cruiser of the Softail family. The Deluxe best for mods or builds. I went with the Deluxe this time because I new I was going to mod it out. My last bike was a Heritage, best for packing and cruising, so most say. The way my bike is set up now it is far to customized to be labeled either but I can bopp around town on this bike or put it on the highway and go coast to coast on it with no issues.
Are you buying new or used? That is a huge difference as well as far as price goes. If you are going used be patient because it is a buyers market right now and has been for the past few years. Hard times have fallen on people and they are letting their toys go. I told the guy I bought mine from I felt bad after all he had put into this bike only to be forced to let it go. He told me to not feel that way because he had kids and they were more important than the bike and that the money was going to go for the betterment of his family. That made me feel much better.
Watch around, check out craigslist and take your time. I looked for 2 years before I found this bike. I saved a ton of money because everything I wanted to do to the motor and tranny was already done by the guy I bought it from allowing me to focus on other areas of the bike and finishing it my way to make it my bike. Good luck and keep us posted.
Last edited by tbonetony06; Jun 1, 2014 at 03:45 PM.