I went from an Electra Glide Classic back to a Heritage. I tried making the the Electra into a Street Glide by having 12" rear shocks installed, taking off the tour pack and installing a Street Glide seat and it did help some. But like the rest of you on this thread I don't travel lomg trips on 2 wheels, just enjoy short day trips with friends. So today I traded for a 2013 Heritage, with only 1959 miles. The ride home was sweet, much more relaxed now. I am riding with some friends tomorrow and looking forward to the handier weight, especially at parking lot speeds. Also not having to be so careful finding perfectly level parking spots.

 

I found it liberating LOL Don't have to think ahead as much. I don't worry about where i park or if there is a downgrade. Don't worry about lean angles at stoplights. Power seems the same due to shedding 200lbs. I just wonder about over heating. No oil cooler. I had Ward's Fans on the Ultra. not sure if i needed them on the Heritage

 

I've had two Heritage softails.... an '89 Evo & '03 Twin cam.

I bought an Ultra in '12 for some multi day touring. When I got back from a cross-country trip, I was going to sell the '03 Heritage. I took it for a "last" ride and realized I couldn't sell it... it's a totally different bike than the Ultra.

I still use the Ultra for multi-day trips, but the Heritage is the one I pull out for day trips... love it!

PS- Not to be argumentative, but my Ultra is much smoother than the softail with the "B" motor. If I jump off the Ultra and go for a ride on the softail it is very obvious. Might not notice as much without a back to back ride.... FWIW

 

I think the Ultra feels smoother because the wind is not beating up on ya! The Heritage is very still at stops. I thought it would be "buzzy at 65 as I read from some people but I don't find it so. I do know the Ultra was a great ride to Charleston on 17. Almost like a convertible. The Heritage though feels more like a bike and less like a car.

If you could only have one bike for your riding style which would it be?

This bike's "fit" and handling reminds me a lot of the Yamaha 1300 I rode for seven years before going for the big touring bikes, I really liked the Yamaha but it's no Harley. I had not had a Harley since the 90's. They have come a long way.

 

Interesting thread.. I havent ridden one.. but after reading threads like this, and not wanting to put myself in the hole for the door charge to get into a Ultra I decided to do with my bike what I wanted.. I find it a little buzzy in the freeway but Im working on that.. the mustang seat was not cheap but it is my belief that a lot of what makes an ultra feel so good on your *** is indeed the seat.. I mean look at the thing, its monstrous!

I wanted the fairing for the stereo and to keep my hands warmer in the winter.. and the bags because I think they look cool and hold a fair amount and are lockable..

I also set the rear at close to stock height.. which, if you want to do long day rides, in my opinion is crucial if you live in a state like mine where the roads arent maintained well.

Im guessing I've added 70lbs. Rough guess of course.. Did all the paint myself.. I think Im at $1900 with the paint and parts at this point.. bags bought used.

So here is mine in progress.. finishing up the hard bags this morning.

 

Recently went from an Ultra to a Fatboy Lo, my second Softail. The Ultra is a super highway cruiser. But the Softail IMO is a great all around ride.
The buffeting from under the screen and around the tank can be mostly eliminated with the chrome lowers. I've had the lowers (fangs) on both and they really work.

 

I might be wrong here but I don't think there is 200 lbs difference between the heritage and the ultra. More like 60 lbs.

 

Congratulations on your upgrade!

 

Granted, the Ultra shakes at stops, but smooths right out at any rpm above idle. The softail doesn't shake at idle, but with my big bore kit (95 cu in) and cam, it IS a little lopey at idle... very cool.

On the Heritage, I definitely feel the buzz of the balancers in hand grips and foot boards, but in a very small window, about 77-80 mph, any other rpm, no buzz...

The ultra is smoother and more comfortable... but you hit the nail on the head, the Heritage feels more like a bike..... a "Harley" to be more specific........

I'm really glad I don't have to choose between the two......

If I didn't enjoy multi-day trips with the little woman, and wasn't planning another cross-country trip..... the Heritage would win.

OR...

I'd put a removable tour pack bracket, lower shocks, smaller windshield, and have a smaller seat (when tour pack is off) so the Ultra would be like a street glide around town..... and I'd keep the Ultra.

I'm really glad I don't have to choose between the two......


PS- per online specs:
2003 Heritage, with fluids- 738 lbs.
2012 Ultra, with fluids- 901 lbs.

 

I find the weight difference significant and even more the seemingly much lower COG. Carrying a passenger on the Heritage is like riding a lowered Ultra solo. Nothing beats the Ultra on the open road if someone wants a car like ride. It made a mockery of the wind and truck turbulence. My main reason for buying it was Winter riding. But guard chaps , fangs, hand wind deflectors, and a taller windshield and I am comfortable down to 40 for around town which is higher than avg Winter day time temps here.