2012 Custom or 2008 Heritage
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Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 141
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From: Illinois
2012 Custom or 2008 Heritage
My dad is looking to get a 2014 Ultra Limited over the winter which means that his bike (2008 Heritage Softail Classic) will either be traded in or sold outright. He would cut me a great deal on it, but that means that I lose my Sportster.
I have put Viking bags on it, ISO grips, shield, Sundowner, floor boards, engine guard, and set it up for a powered GPS unit, as well as air shocks. His bike is a bit more comfortable, has a 96ci engine and also has a GPS dock. Is it a no-brainer to go with the nicer bike or am I already in a better spot with a newer bike?
The attached photo is of our bikes on the Moonshine Lunch Run this past April.
I have put Viking bags on it, ISO grips, shield, Sundowner, floor boards, engine guard, and set it up for a powered GPS unit, as well as air shocks. His bike is a bit more comfortable, has a 96ci engine and also has a GPS dock. Is it a no-brainer to go with the nicer bike or am I already in a better spot with a newer bike?
The attached photo is of our bikes on the Moonshine Lunch Run this past April.
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Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 64
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From: Louisburg, KS
I'm no pro at this, but personally, I'd spend some time with the heritage and tell myself that it's my only bike. Am I happy with it given the reduced nimbleness of the sporty? Is it more comfortable long term? Do I just like it enough for it to be my only?
I don't know on that, but I feel like if I ended up with a bigger bike like that, it'd have to be substituted by an even smaller, quicker bike like a sport bike or Sr400 or something of the sort.
My input.
I don't know on that, but I feel like if I ended up with a bigger bike like that, it'd have to be substituted by an even smaller, quicker bike like a sport bike or Sr400 or something of the sort.
My input.
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Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 66
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From: Atlanta, GA
Try to test ride some softails. I just switched from a sportster to a road king. I never thought I'd get a twin cam, much less a touring bike. I definitely liked the softails more than any other non-sportster option until I actually rode them.
I went to the dealership to order some parts for the sporty and took a few test rides just for the heck of it. I realized in the process that softails just were not exciting for me at all. The road king performed much better than the sportster in every way, and I had to taken it home. A higher price tag does not make it a "nicer bike."
Not saying you should get a road king, butt definitely spend some time on the heritage before you make the switch. I would have regretted moving to a softail if I had.
I went to the dealership to order some parts for the sporty and took a few test rides just for the heck of it. I realized in the process that softails just were not exciting for me at all. The road king performed much better than the sportster in every way, and I had to taken it home. A higher price tag does not make it a "nicer bike."
Not saying you should get a road king, butt definitely spend some time on the heritage before you make the switch. I would have regretted moving to a softail if I had.
Last edited by AmberWhiskeyIron; Dec 12, 2014 at 11:11 PM.
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Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 141
Likes: 1
From: Illinois
5,500 on my Sportster and about 20K on my dad's Heritage. It needs new tires, but that is about it. The NADA on it is about $2K more than mine.
One of my last long rides was a straight 150 miles that took 2.5 hours and I needed to get off after that. I am wondering if a larger bike will allow me to go that far without needed to get off or will I still want to get off after 2.5 hours. I now have touring shocks on my bike but got those on right before it got cold out so i haven't tested them for more than 5 miles.
After the initial break-in there is hardly any vibration in the Sportster when in the power-band and a full fairing would make interstate riding better or possibly some deflectors to stop wind coming off the tank. Other than that I don't know... When sitting on the Heritage my legs have be spread a lot farther apart, but I feel as though I am sitting in with the bike rather than on top of it like my 1200.
/I know, first world problems...
One of my last long rides was a straight 150 miles that took 2.5 hours and I needed to get off after that. I am wondering if a larger bike will allow me to go that far without needed to get off or will I still want to get off after 2.5 hours. I now have touring shocks on my bike but got those on right before it got cold out so i haven't tested them for more than 5 miles.
After the initial break-in there is hardly any vibration in the Sportster when in the power-band and a full fairing would make interstate riding better or possibly some deflectors to stop wind coming off the tank. Other than that I don't know... When sitting on the Heritage my legs have be spread a lot farther apart, but I feel as though I am sitting in with the bike rather than on top of it like my 1200.
/I know, first world problems...
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Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 22,867
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From: Lafayette, Louisiana
The floorboards can be moved in any direction easily and there are numerous brackets to do it.
The shocks have a lot of adjustment on them. Putting them in a high position allows more aggressive cornering. All the way down and the floorboards scrape just making routine turns. Also, replacing the shocks with light duty Works Performance shocks will make a world of difference.
I had a 91 or 92 Sportster that was pretty nice. I thought it was a great bike. When I got the Heritage my perceptions changed and now I cant imagine riding anything else.
I have numerous health issues and aching bones and the Heritage is very kind to me, especially with the new shocks.
Rotating the handlebars will also impact the comfort and feel on the Heritage due to their height.
Sitting in the bike instead of on top of it allows me to ride better, becoming one with the machine. That is something critics of Softails don't understand.
I do full fork lock u turns without putting a foot down due to low center of gravity and the bike being so well balanced.
The shocks have a lot of adjustment on them. Putting them in a high position allows more aggressive cornering. All the way down and the floorboards scrape just making routine turns. Also, replacing the shocks with light duty Works Performance shocks will make a world of difference.
I had a 91 or 92 Sportster that was pretty nice. I thought it was a great bike. When I got the Heritage my perceptions changed and now I cant imagine riding anything else.
I have numerous health issues and aching bones and the Heritage is very kind to me, especially with the new shocks.
Rotating the handlebars will also impact the comfort and feel on the Heritage due to their height.
Sitting in the bike instead of on top of it allows me to ride better, becoming one with the machine. That is something critics of Softails don't understand.
I do full fork lock u turns without putting a foot down due to low center of gravity and the bike being so well balanced.
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I have both, and as you know, they are totally different rides.
It it is one or the other, it is just a matter of deciding which ride you like better.
The other thing to keep in mind is the drivetrain on a Sportster is pretty much bullet-proof...the Twin Cams not so much. I will not own a Twin Cam without a warranty.
Either bike can be set up (seat-handlebars-feet) so you'll be comfortable on long rides.
You don't mention if you ride much with a passenger....you'll be hard pressed to set-up the Sporty for a passenger to be as comfortable as they would on the Heritage.
It it is one or the other, it is just a matter of deciding which ride you like better.
The other thing to keep in mind is the drivetrain on a Sportster is pretty much bullet-proof...the Twin Cams not so much. I will not own a Twin Cam without a warranty.
Either bike can be set up (seat-handlebars-feet) so you'll be comfortable on long rides.
You don't mention if you ride much with a passenger....you'll be hard pressed to set-up the Sporty for a passenger to be as comfortable as they would on the Heritage.
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Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 60
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From: South Dakota
Go with the Heritage.........i love mine so much i'll never ever get rid of it. She's my ride for life. I do also have an 09 Sporster 1200c that my wife rides and it's a fun bike for what it is........it's not a cruiser and don't compare with my Heritage for long rides, but it's alot of fun running around locally on it.
Last edited by Lee Minske; Dec 16, 2014 at 04:27 PM.