'02 Heritage vs '03 EG Classic

[ponderopa]

Here's the deal...I have a chance to trade my '02 Heritage 13k miles for a '03 EG CLassic 20K miles. Here are my thoughts:

WHy would I wanna do that? Well, I have a bad back and I wonder if I'll be better off on the Geezer scoot. That's pretty much my reason for entertaining the idea. The Heritage is not uncomfortable, but my back is not too good and it does hurt after a couple hours.

The '02 has the better bottom end, but I figure that unless I move past stage 1, the EG will hold up ok with the Chinese crank and INA bb. IF I build the top, I'd do the Timken bottom anyway. (Why in the hell Harley did that is beyond me. Happy 100th, we're putting in some cheap $hit to thank our loyal customers)!

Both bikes are carbed, which is OK by me after my buddy spent 600 bucks on an EFI breakdown when he was 400 miles from home. Both have some add ons, both well cared for in excellent condition etc.

KElley BB value is close with the Heritage ahead by a couple hundred. Even trade. Whaddya think?

[Mtclassic]

take it for a long ride and if you like it, then do it.

[45guy]

I say you go with the FLHTC but like the man says ride it first for a while and see if it fits your needs. I love my FLHT and wouldn't trade it for nuttin.

[hungryeye]

If you get back pain on the 02 you will most likely have pain on the paint shaker.

Try a differant handle bar, they are only 50 bucks, try a bar that will cause you to reach a little and arch your back out instead of streight up where your spine takes all the pounding.

[Locodave]

Hi, Might add trying a diffrent seat on what you have? I've found that getting a seat that dosen't have a lot of foam to squish down 1st when ya sit is usualy better. Dave

[AmIron]

"Location: South Carolina"
"my '02 Heritage 13k" - "Whaddya think?"

You should ride more.

[ponderopa]

AmIron you are so right, I should! I bought this bike with 9100 miles 11 months ago. I'm workin' on it!

The FLSTC fits me fine, and I think I'm in good position. Just the back that's bad (all started when I totaled a car at age 3...then again at 14...then broke my Triumph in half at 21...)

Anyone gone from a Heritage to an EG? Or vive versa?

[rickr01]

I would try a new custom made seat with a riders backrest. Spend a couple hundred and you will see a huge difference. I have back trouble as well. I changed my bars for ones that have more pull back. They were custom made to my specs with the help of Flanders Bars. I then contacted Rich at Rich's custom seats and he made me one Hell of a nice seat and installed a riders back rest into it from an old seat I had hanging around. Taking that stress off of my back turned me from a less then 100 mile boy to a 800 miler without pain.

[djmiller]

I went from a Heritage to an Ultra Classic. It is a different ride and the center of gravity is different. Sit on the EG and make sure your feet hit the ground. I sse to many guys riding these and the are on the tip of there toes when they stop. If you cannot get the soles of your feet planted on the ground it is not the bike for you.

I love the touring bike, for the long haul it can't be beat.

[ChopperDude]

I have an Electra Glide Classic, and almost wish I had bought a Heritage! At least for the "comfort" aspect. I've always thought softails had great lower back support... the seat has the big difference in rider/passenger seat height, it provides a good spot for the lower back.

I love my radio, the increased storage space, the fairing for keeping the wind off at speeds... but I'm just not as COMFORTABLE on the bike as I was even on my Deuce.

I was a tech for 4 years, and thought the Heritage was one of the most comfortable bikes... I bought the EG for things I mentioned previously.

[03 Roadking]

All my Harley riding career I've riden the touring bikes. My X had a Hertiage that I hated to ride. To me the front end was heavy, constantly scraping the floor boards in curves, just didn't like it.

[killmeyer000]

Originally Posted by ponderopa

Anyone gone from a Heritage to an EG? Or vive versa?

I went from a fatboy (that i basically turned into a heritage...with a 2003 heritage seat, windshield, bags, custom paint, etc...to an FLHTI.

Definitely made the right decision. I too have a bad back (off and on). FYI, i'm 6 ft. tall.

Seating position is pretty different between the 2 bikes. Heritage is more leaned back. FLH is more sitting straight up...maybe even just a hair forward.

Floorboards feel like they are in a different position. not sure if they are. on the heritage, feels like the boards are more out in front of you...the FLH feels more underneath you.

On the heritage you feel more like you are sitting inside the frame. I will miss that feeling. the heritage was lighter. i miss that too...esp the feeling of grabbing some throttle and feeling your neck snap back (with just a stage one 88 inch motor). my stage one 88 inch FLHT doesn't really do that. my heritage looked cool as hell. that's another thing i'll miss.

Here's how i think it breaks down:

Heritage engine is solid mounted to frame with balancers. This is cool up to about 65 mph. above that for long periods of time may numb your hands. Heritage windshield allows a great deal of wind to come underneath. This wind will pull your shirt up...and may irritate your eyes by finding it's way up underneath your glasses/goggles. I felt more fatigued after a day of riding the Heritage/Fatboy then i do riding the FLHT. In fact, i feel pretty much no fatigue on the FLHT. The FLHT is very at home on the freeway. We used to avoid the freeway on the Heritage/Fatboy. Back seat on the FLHT is like a sofa. My wife loves the comfort.

[ponderopa]

Thanks for the thoughts. I haven't decided yet. I do like the way the Softasil looks and handles...