[tdp1]

I'm trying to decide between the RK/RK Classic and the Heritage Soft Tail Classic.

Why did you choose the Heritage Soft Tail Classic when you bought your bike? Did you consider the Road King? Anyone that has owned both and has a preference?

Thanks

 

[blackwhisper]

I got a heritage because it converts so easily. Run it with windscreen and bags on a trip. Strip all that crap off when you don't need it. Almost like getting 2 bikes in one. Never rode a road king, but the heritage gets down and runs good when I am by my self, and it will carry a 2up load very well (not a light load with us). But the fact that you can change it for how you need it is the biggest factor, besides imho it is better looking then a road king, I like the old school look, and I am just not much of a fan of tour bikes in general. Though about a road king too..everyone said it would get traded for one in a year....but it didn't and i don't see it happening either, if it died today it would be a toss up between a fatboy/heritage/nightrain.

 

[oldhog]

Currently ride a electra glide classic, and have just order a 2003 heritage softail classic. The heritage would be my choose for style, the electra glide for comfort.

 

[03FLSTCI]

tdp1: Sounds like you are going through the same decision process that I have been going through. From what I have found, you can't really go wrong either way. I went into my dealer on Saturday and we got talking about this very thing, Road King vs. Heritage. He brought something up that confirmed my decision on a Heritage. He was talking with a guy that owns both a Heritage and a RK. This guy can ride 700 miles in a day. He said that it is pretty tough to ride that kind of mileage on a Softail but he can do it on a Road King.

The touring bikes are definitley better for the long haul, but around town the jolting at idle can bother you. I don't see myself doing a lot of long trips nor doing 700 miles in a day. My dealer who rides a Road Glide says the most he does in a day is 150-200 miles and said this type of distance is very doable on a Softail.

What made my mind up is how I looked and felt on each bike. I really liked how I looked with the extended rake on the Heritage and the higher bars. I didn't really like the way I looked with the shorter rake of Road King nor did I like the bars. But I really liked the smoothness at higher speeds and the RK seemed to have a bit more power.

What it came down for me is what type of riding I am going to be doing. I mainly see myself riding around town maybe to work here and there with an occasionaly 200 mile trip a couple times a year. For my situation the Heritage will work a little better. Although I still could not of gone wrong with the RK, I would just have had to learn to deal with the jolting at idle and the looks of the shorter rake.

If you haven't ridden them both yet, I would highly suggest you do. I went to a rally and got to ride both of them. If you can't do that, then rent them both for a day and see which one you like better.

Hope this helps you.

 

[NHskier]

I got an '02 FLSTCI in April (my first Harley). I liked the lower seat height of the Heritage, and agree with a comment I've seen in other places that you feel like you're sitting IN the seat, not ON it. I also liked the feel of the stock Heritage bars better, particularly after I rotated them back towards me a bit. And finally, I like the looks of the Heritage!

But it is a tough choice - both are great bikes.

 

[otterbob]

depends on what your intentions are. to me the heritage is the best looking bike made period. the studded saddlebags and seats are the cats patooter. if you want a bike for cruising and attention getting go with the heritage. if you want a touring bike and plan on riding 4 hours or more a day probably the road king would be better.

 

[BluStl]

I have a '98 Heritage and love it. I like the "old look" and as mentioned above, you can strip it down for cruzin around town (mine stays stripped). I like the looks of the RK and they can be tricked out to look really nice. If I went on long trips on regular basis, a RK would be my choice. It just depends the type of riding you do or want to do.

 

[cowman]

There was a good comparison article in Aug. or Sept. issue of American Rider magazine. Noted counterbalancer noise in Heritage vs. rubber mount RK Twin Cam (also counterbalancers rob a wee bit of power). Heritage has less of a lean angle (can drag floorboards in steep turns).
I love my Heritage though!

 

[vetteandharley]

I too was looking at both bikes, but the Heritage's looks won me over. Can't tell you how The Road King is on trips, but just returned from
a 10 day 3600 mile trip through Sturgis, Yellowstone, Glacier, and Jasper National Park in Canada. Put sissy bar bag on with small pillow, to lean back against. Was very comfortable entire
trip and able to carry a lot of gear.

 

[guido]

I've got a '95 Heritage & absolutely love it!

When I was in the market for a Harley I did consider the RK, but the classic styling of the Heritage won hands down.Mine is Evo powered & the minimal vibration is not an issue with either me or my wife,I enjoy feeling it as I rip through the gears! No disrespect intended,but if the feeling of the V-twin doing its thing aggravated me I'd get a Goldwing.

My wife & I recently did a 200 mile day in 95 deegree heat & were just as comfortable as our friends on their RK. I think alot of how you feel at the end of a long day in the saddle depends on what physical condition your in.

It may not be the "ideal" tourer,or the fastest, or the best handling Harley out there but it sure puts a big ol' smile on my face everytime I jump on it!! Isn't that what it's all about?

I get the impression some people are looking for the "perfect" bike,allways talking about faster,smoother,newer,etc,etc,.My advice is to save yourself some grief & get what puts that smile on your face,do it right the first time! I knew right off the Heritage would do it for me,no ones opinion really mattered,just my wife's & I.

Road Kings are great bikes,very classic in their own right,but the Heritage,to me,is the finest bike in Harleys lineup.

Just my 2 cents.
guido

 

[otterbob]

there was a harley rendevous over the weekend. they had a dyno machine out and was having a shootout. for 10 bucks anyone could enter so i said hell yea! my bike has basic stage 1 (bigshot longs, thunderslide and jets, and k&n highflow intake) the results, 65.7hp at 81.7 ft/lbs of torque.

 

[tdp1]

Well, I decided on and bought the Heritage. An '02 with no miles. Black EFI, just like the one in my signature. Great bike! Like a Cadilac compared to the Sportster. I'm happy...

 

[truckman]

Bought an 02 flstc bout a year ago. went through the same decision process. RK or Heritage. I opted for the Heritage (carb). seat height is a little lower(I'm 5'6") and passengers sit up higher. when my wife rides with me she looks over my head instead of at the back of it. If the majority of my riding was traveling (8 or 9 hour days every day) I would skip the RK and Heritage and opt for the Roadglide.This will be my next bike. But I'm keep'n my 00 fxd and 02 heritage 4 ever. which ever one you buy CHANGE THE FRIGGEN SEAT!

 

[tdp1]

Actually I did change the seat. I purchased a Mustang seat , pillion and back rest. Studded like the OEM seat. Also made it detachable with a drivers back rest too.

 

[truckman]

Terry, are you happy with the mustang seat? I just put the same seat on mine and seems like I'm sitt'n on it instead of in it. It's broke in a little but still seem to sit bout an inch higher. does seem to put you in more of a touring position for the long hauls.

 

[tdp1]

Terry, are you happy with the mustang seat? I just put the same seat on mine and seems like I'm sitt'n on it instead of in it. It's broke in a little but still seem to sit bout an inch higher. does seem to put you in more of a touring position for the long hauls.

I'll let you know when I get it put on. It's on back order.

 

[truckman]

don't know if you ordered from mustang direct, but I got mine through www.jpcycles.com and they had in stock and on my doorstep in 4 days. the 14 inch pillion was on backorder but I made the harley wide pillion(which I already had) fit.

 

[tdp1]

Ordered mine through the dealer. So, how do you like yours? Do you think it's worth the money? How do you like the Corbin?

 

[truckman]

Terry, I'm getting used to it. better than stock of course and the backrest is great. I have a corbin classic solo on my fxd and really like it. the mustang does put you in more of a touring position with it's height and being a little closer(seating wise toward tank). I had cut my windshield down when stock seat was being used around 1.5 inches below eyelevel. now it's about 2.5 inches below. the major wind deflection is still over my head so no problem. corbin makes a damn good seat but never order from them. the mustang is settling in better. probably more of a getting used to it than anything. If you want the seat sooner, get your money back from HD and give jpcycles a call. almost everything's in stock and about 4 days on your doorstep.

 

[tdp1]

Truckman

Where in Texas are you?