So what's wrong with the Heritage Softail

9834 Views 42 Replies 36 Participants Last post by rhd47, Mar 12, 2014

John Deppong

Discussion Starter · Dec 16, 2005

Like the looks of the Heritage ST - so whats the disadvantage of using it for 2 up riding?

1 - 20 of 43 Posts

LittleBear

· #2 · Dec 16, 2005 (Edited)

Disadvantages:
1. Suspension is not as good as a Touring bike
2. Saddlebags do not hold as much
3. Does not corner as well as a Touring bike
That said, I toured 2 up on mine for 8 years before I got a EG.
Advantages,
1. Looks cool
2. Sits lower, great for short people like me.
3. A little lighter, easier to pick up if you drop it.
And it looks cool
If your main purpose is to have a bike for two up touring, get the touring platform, RK, or EG. Much better at it and more confortable.

RoadGlide05inMD

· #3 · Dec 16, 2005

LittleBear said it all. I stll miss mine but not as much as I'd miss my Road Glide. They are beautiful!

See less See more

Stratplexi

· #4 · Dec 16, 2005

Littbear summed it up rather nicely. The only thing I would add is the B engines in a Softail have an annoying high frequency vibration when running around 70 or so. Some will chime in and disagree. All I can say is that I owned a 03 Heritage Softail and I own a Nightrain and they both have this characteristic. The B engines are smoother at idle but the A engines in the Touring bikes are smoother at speed. When traveling most of your time is at speed so the A motor is a better choice.

Having said this, I will always own a Softail. I may own other bikes too, but none will displace my Softail.

Thorns

· #5 · Dec 16, 2005

Max, that is still one sharp looking bike. Someday I'm going to see it in person.

Thorns

Notactingmyage

· #6 · Dec 16, 2005

John Deppong said:
Like the looks of the Heritage ST - so whats the disadvantage of using it for 2 up riding?

On the softail, the passenger seat position is slightly elevated relative to the rider, and therefore more exposed to wind passing over the rider, whereas the position is relatively lower and more behind the rider on a touring model, and therefore somewhat protected from wind and buffeting. My wife, who has many miles as a passenger on both, reports the touring bikes to be more comfortable.

swmnkdinthervr

· #7 · Dec 16, 2005

LittleBear said:
Disadvantages:
1. Suspension is not as good as a Touring bike
2. Saddlebags do not hold as much
3. Does not corner as well as a Touring bike
That said, I toured 2 up on mine for 8 years before I got a EG.
Advantages,
1. Looks cool
2. Sits lower, great for short people like me.
3. A little lighter, easier to pick up if you drop it.
And it looks cool
If your main purpose is to have a bike for two up touring, get the touring platform, RK, or EG. Much better at it and more confortable.

There are more than a few that would disagree...I'll corner with anyone out there, (lower center of gravity and better road feel) got a buddy that put leather RK bags on his Fatty, (they look great) and any suspension can be upgraded though I like mine. (so does my wife)

It's just a matter of taste...or lack of :laugh:

bebrewer

· #8 · Dec 17, 2005

I'm sure I'll end up with a RK or Ultra one day down the line but for today nothing beats my Heritage Softail. It really gives me a feeling of being a part of the bike rather than just being on the bike. Handles like a dream, looks good around town and I can go over 300 miles in a day on the stock seat -2$en#e-

BigD

· #9 · Dec 17, 2005

My SO and I first started touring two up on a '95 Heritage. Great bike, great memories and I really miss her (the bike). Then she got her own Heritage, then we upgraded to an Ultra (mine) and a RK Classic (hers).

Little Bear sums it up real nice, and the seat height thing is right on. While I'll agree with swmnkdintheriver about keeping up with an EG in the twisties; the Touring bikes are much easier to maneuver in slow turns, etc. than the Heritage. I believe it's the rake and trail difference that makes this possible.

When we two-up on the EG my wife says it like this. The Ultra is more comfortable; but the Heritage is cooler

shinbone1028

· #10 · Dec 17, 2005

swmnkdinthervr said:
There are more than a few that would disagree...I'll corner with anyone out there, (lower center of gravity and better road feel) got a buddy that put leather RK bags on his Fatty, (they look great) and any suspension can be upgraded though I like mine. (so does my wife)

It's just a matter of taste...or lack of :laugh:

DITTO! Got a friend who'll smoke you in the twisties on his heritage,he has rk bags on his too....

fourstar

· #11 · Dec 17, 2005

LittleBear sums up the differences, but to answer your question, what is wrong to some is right to others. If you're looking for a bike, ride as many as you can first and decide for yourself.

ratt

· #12 · Dec 17, 2005

The heritage is a very popular bike ,, they sell a whole lot of them .....personally i think the electra glides are the best bang for the buck in the HD lineup..... typically you can be riding an ultra classic for what most people end up with in a softail.......all you have to do ,, is skip all the screamin ego stuff and chrome do dads......My personal theory is ,, if it doesnt add more storage to the bike or more comfort for the rider ,, you dont need it ,, chrome dont get you home and noise is fatigue......keep em stock and spend your money on hotels and trips.....the full on touring bikes are the best handling and riding bikes harley makes.. rat

Stratplexi

· #13 · Dec 17, 2005

ratt said:
......all you have to do ,, is skip all the screamin ego stuff and chrome do dads......My personal theory is ,, if it doesnt add more storage to the bike or more comfort for the rider ,, you dont need it ,, chrome dont get you home and noise is fatigue......keep em stock and spend your money on hotels and trips.....the full on touring bikes are the best handling and riding bikes harley makes.. rat

LOL

Ratt...you know, this makes a lot of sense. I have noticed some of my older riding pals have wised up and keep em stock...

I just don't have the willpower...

LittleBear

· #14 · Dec 17, 2005

Well for all you boys that think a Heritage corners better, the lean angle for the EG and RK are 2* more than a Hertage.
30/31 vs. 28/29
Given that fact alone, with two equally skilled riders, the touring bike can go around corners faster. Its a lot easier to scrap the floorboards on a Heritage than on a EG because it does it sooner, but still easy to do on an EG.
I have chased RK's through the twisties on my Heritage and with us both throwing sparks in every corner, the RK will pull away.
And I still like the Heritage.
But it comes down to an individuals own preference.
Both can be a 2 up touring bike, and owning both and having done it on both, the touring platform is more comfortable IMHO.

nvsteve

· #15 · Dec 17, 2005

LittleBear said:
Well for all you boys that think a Heritage corners better, the lean angle for the EG and RK are 2* more than a Hertage.
30/31 vs. 28/29
Given that fact alone, with two equally skilled riders, the touring bike can go around corners faster. Its a lot easier to scrap the floorboards on a Heritage than on a EG because it does it sooner, but still easy to do on an EG.
I have chased RK's through the twisties on my Heritage and with us both throwing sparks in every corner, the RK will pull away.
And I still like the Heritage.
But it comes down to an individuals own preference.
Both can be a 2 up touring bike, and owning both and having done it on both, the touring platform is more comfortable IMHO.

You are spot on with your reply. I have a Heritage and often ride a friend's
RK. The RK hanles way better than my Heritage. With equal riders, the
RK easily wins. By the way the RK owner also has a Heritage and says
the same thing. Also have friends with Ultras that came off other HD models.
They are amazed at how nimble they are.

RoadGlide05inMD

· #16 · Dec 17, 2005

LittleBear said:
Well for all you boys that think a Heritage corners better, the lean angle for the EG and RK are 2* more than a Hertage.
30/31 vs. 28/29
Given that fact alone, with two equally skilled riders, the touring bike can go around corners faster. Its a lot easier to scrap the floorboards on a Heritage than on a EG because it does it sooner, but still easy to do on an EG.
I have chased RK's through the twisties on my Heritage and with us both throwing sparks in every corner, the RK will pull away.
And I still like the Heritage.
But it comes down to an individuals own preference.
Both can be a 2 up touring bike, and owning both and having done it on both, the touring platform is more comfortable IMHO.

True True...My Road Glide is unbelievable in the twisties and I scrape rarely compared to often with my Heritage.

94c4

· #17 · Dec 17, 2005

Also there is the question of the twin front brakes on the Touring versus single on the Heritage. It comes handy in the twisties......

jungleman

· #18 · Jul 23, 2010

I love my Heritage, has the classic HD look
I love my Electraglide, has the ride.
I agree the Heritage is lighter, more nimble, lower center of gravity, more buzzy.
I agree the Electraglide has a nicer ride, better for long trips.
If I had to pick one it would be the EG. I am 60 yrs old and like the comfort.

plumpbiker

· #19 · Jul 23, 2010

John Deppong said:
Like the looks of the Heritage ST - so whats the disadvantage of using it for 2 up riding?

There's no disadvantage riding 2 up on a Heritage. Take one for a test ride, and also try out a Touring model. Take the Lady with you on the test ride so you both can make an educated decision. They're just two toatally different bikes that each have their strong points and their weak points. Good luck with your choice, and safe riding!!!

dickey

· #20 · Jul 23, 2010

Well, I have both (RoadKing & Fatboy,basically a Heritage with different wheels & bars) I ride the RoadKing about 90% of the time,mainly 'cause it's injected;hate waitin' for that Fatty carb to warm up. The King is much more comfortable, but the Fatty exudes cool. I Roadking when I visit my GF (63 miles away) & Fatty when I go stylin' & profilin". The King is quiet, while the Fatty is a little loud. I don't know why I posted this, I really said nothing & Family Guy is comin' on so I'm gonna go now.

1 - 20 of 43 Posts

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