I’ve been riding about the same amount of years and I agree. Best bike I’ve ever owned. Honda CB350 back in the early 80’s is a close second. Thanks for watching!
That bike is a very versatile bike. Put a touring pack on and you can go long distances. As it sits you got a cruiser bagger. Take the bags off and the windshield off and you have a city bruiser. I’ve got the 18 114 Heritage. Love it.
I have seen the rear trunk on these models and with that I agree you have a fully capable touring machine. That 114 cubic inch motor is a beast. Thanks for watching and ride safe.
I just bought one of these bikes in wicked red with the 114 motor about three weeks ago. I had the dealer install the Vance and Hines slip ons and a Screaming Eagle tuner to start off. I am loving this bike more and more each day. It is a wonderful bike with that signature Harley torque, comfort, and rumble. Thanks for the video. I have several videos on the bike on my channel for anyone interested. Thanks GA Ramblin Man. Liked and subbed!
Softail Deluxe is a much more beautiful bike, chrome, chrome, and more chrome. Aah! And white wall tires much classier, a Gentleman’s bike, and same performance without breaking the bank. My opinion.
I went from a Honda VTX 1800 T2 which had a windshield and saddle bags from the factory, it was a trouble free ride , to a HD Street Glide Special and couldn’t be happier , i sat on the Heritage and felt cramped and then it came back it’s colder with a windshield and a fairing is more comfortable plus I have the infotainment6 also ,the older I get the less tolerable I am , I sure have changed from the triumph 650 which has been with me since 1977 ride safe
I purchased a Heritage 114 back in August, and I love it. I took a test ride on both the 107 and 114, and to me the 114 is much smoother. I haven't rode it as much as I would like to, but when I do it is hard to wipe the smile off my face.
Thanks for the comments about the handling of the bike compare to the boulevard. I like the Heritage and the Road King if a I ever get an HD it will be between these two bikes, thanks again and ride safe
I bought a 2019 Heritage 114. Absolutely love it. No problems except replacing gas cap. Which I would have done anyway. This bike is smooth and lots of power. I’ve had a 2007 Lowrider, 13 Heritage, and this one is hands down way better in every way.
It’s really a great bike riding in my opinion. That 114 cubic inch motor is like a rocket attached to that light frame. Suspension was upgraded too and the ride and handling are excellent. Thanks for watching and ride safe.
Hello Glad to see your vlogging again. I have to agree with Alain Decelles & NC Stoney's comments if I were to move up from my C50T I would strongly consider the Heritage, maybe find a good used 2018 in a couple 2 -3 years. Other than the added weight 7 & large motor does it feel pretty comparable in handling to the Suzuki? I trust Hurricane Michael did not impact you too badly? Can't wait till our HD locations have demo days to try one!! Keep riding and stay safe...Ric
The Heritage actually handles a little better or at the very least the same as the C50T. The handle bar position is better in my opinion as well. Adding in the cruise control and ABS I think makes it an excellent choice for a bike that is similar to the Suzuki Boulevard but an upgrade in power and performance. Thanks for commenting and Hurricane Michael just dumped a lot of rain in Atlanta. Nothing like the damage in Florida and southwest Georgia.
Great Thank you always good to see the videos and hear your observations. We too in the Central Florida area were spared any damage from the Hurricane, just some rain and a little wind but very minimal. The impact to the FL Panhandle and Southwest GA was just devastating!! Best Regards.
Thank you ramblin man for another great video. For me it is sheer delight. My i ask you a big question.? Would you in one video compare the harley davidson road king with the indian chief vintage? That would be a bombshell for me. Anyway stay healthy. I downloaded all of your videos and it is great. Much greetings from the netherlands, europe joe
I’ve never ridden the Indian Chief Vintage but when I do I will make a comparison video with the Road King. Thanks for the compliments and for watching. Ride safe in the beautiful Netherlands.
Hello Doug! Where are you getting all that hot, sunny, shirt-sleeved, mid-October weather from?....😊...send some of it over to me!...😊...! The white Sportster in front of you had a throaty roar...as well as a very fat rear tyre!...😲..!...The Harley description; "Soft-tail" always gets me confused! "Hard Tail" is when the frame rear-end connects directly to the rear axle (like an old Knucklehead/Flathead). The Harley "Soft-tail models" appear to have the rear spring fitted under the seat, (mono-shock-style), rather than a pair of shiny, chrome springs mounted either side of the rear wheel...like my Daisy...😚 ..but to me, they are BOTH "Soft -tails"!...😕...! Thanks for the sunny ride, Doug, and take care!...😀...!
It’s been a long summer and finally cooling off a bit like it should this time of year. I didn’t have time yesterday to ride any of the other bikes but I will eventually. I like the new Fat Boy a lot along with the Low Rider. Thanks for watching and ride safe.
I had time to just take the ride on the Heritage and then I had to scoot. I loved that bike. But then again I love most new motorcycles I try. Ha! Finally getting settled into new house in Cumming but it’s been busy and not much time to ride. Take care and thanks for watching and ride safe.
Man nice bike and cool video. I've a 2018 Breakout and 2018 Deluxe. Thinking to start I should gone directly with an Heritage instead of Deluxe. Now I need to add a windshield and the bags.
Since I like chrome so much I thought about buying the Deluxe and adding the bags and wind screen but that’s probably a lot more expensive than just buying the Heritage. I’m getting used to the blacked out look. Thanks for watching and ride safe.
Here in Europe we live a little bit different. I have to shop my food nearly on a daily basis, I live in the center of a small city. My current Honda Shadow therefore has big bags and a windshield btw. I think the Heritage will be my next choice.
Nice review and nice bike but I think for around the same price the Road King is the better option. Not only is it built for touring with better suspension it also comes with the passing lights, hard bags, and engine guards already installed.
Have you ridden a Heritage? Because I rode one from LA to NYC across the mid west in 11 days I also rode a Road glide from Orlando to LA and the Heritage was a far more comfortable ride and easier to maneuver and park. After the Coast to Coast Ride I bought my own Heritage Claasic. Ried one you will be hooked.
Both the Road King and Heritage have pluses and minuses and it’s really a toss up for most wanting a motorcycle of this type. I’ve ridden both and I really can’t tell much of a difference in the ride quality out on the highway. The new Softail frame is light years better than the pre-2018 models. The Heritage comes with driving lights standard just like the Road King and they are LED. You have to change those on the Road King. On the other hand, you have to add the engine guards and bag guards on the Heritage and they are standard on the Road King. I like having the 114 cubic inch motor on the Heritage. The bottom line is I chose the Heritage because of its lighter weight and maneuverability in my garage and at slow speeds. If I was 20 years younger I would have probably gone with the Road King. The bags are better on the Road King for sure in my opinion but at least the Heritage bags are now hard sided and lockable. Both motorcycles are a great choice. Really comes down to personal preference. I was sorry to see HD discontinue the Road King Standard this year. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
ST0RMBRINGR I’m not sure about the maintenance records on these especially since the new design in 2018. Maybe someone who owns one of these bikes and has for a year or two will chime in on the reliability and maintenance record. It’s an awesome looking and handling motorcycle. Kinda pricey though at $20,000+. Thanks for watching and ride safe.
I had a 2016 Street glide I bought used with 4500 miles. I put 12000 miles on it in 9 months then sold it to get a truck. Maintenance was 5k intervals and about $450 at the dealer. I only did the dealer to maintain factory warranty. Really just a fluid change and once over on the bike. Independent shops told me $250 for same services. My 2017 SV650 was cheaper for dealer maintenance but got into more expensive stuff a lot quicker. 7500 mile service on it was not major but not routine, had to pull plugs to inspect and there's 4 of them. Took a lot more time and money. I'd imagine the M8 engines are on a similar schedule as my twin cam.
Hey Georgia Ramblin' Man! Greetings from the Commonwealth of Virginia! Okay... so I want a Harley Road King, but based upon your enthusiasm I thought I'd try one of these first. I rode the 107 cid. I get it now. I thoroughly enjoyed my test ride on this bike and I know why: If you are a Bully rider (I have an '08 M50), this bike will seem very familiar. The Road King has a bigger, stiffer frame and feels more centered and solid. This is a more agile and lighter bike; it has the best features of the M50 but with more power. I didn't think I'd be impressed with it, but when I got on it and took it out of the lot I thought, "Yep - this bike feels very accommodating to me." I didn't have to get used to it, if you know what I mean. Thing is - I much prefer the looks of a Road King. That chrome up front and that windshield strap... the three light design. The solid touring ride. That, to me, is what a motorcycle is. But, yeah... the Heritage Softail... Harley built a very good bike with this one! If you don't go across the state very often this bike fills the bill. Good review! One more thing: I asked a sales guy why it's called a "softail," and he showed me the hinged rear triangular piece - how it's shock supported. He got on and pushed and it moved. Now I see. A useful demonstration.
I like the looks of the Road King better, too and those front LED lights on the Heritage are a little strange, but for handling and light feel I think the Heritage wins out. For me the lighter feel of the bike is better as I get older and less inclined to muscle the Road King around the garage. But for long distances the Road King is most likely better. But most of my riding is day trips. So right now it looks like the Heritage is the bike for me. The price differential now is really negligible. But stay tuned. I could always have a change of heart. Thanks for watching and ride safe.
Check the H-D website. A base 2019 Road King is only $200 more than a base Heritage Softail. Right now most of my riding is on Friday all day... I work four ten hour days and so I get Friday off - my wife has to work. That means Friday is my motorcycling day. Yes, yes, I know, lucky. I ride out to Maryland, West Virginia... 220-250 miles on some trips. You can see why I'd like a Road King. But yes - that Heritage Softail ride is persuasive, especially for a Boulevard rider. I'm working on a blog entry that explains all and has a link to my test ride video. Stand by and I'll post it here.
Excellent blog and I agree with you on the looks of the Road King. It is what a motorcycle should look like in my opinion too. I just think for me the Heritage is probably better choice due to the lighter weight and handling. It does look a little strange but it’s growing on me. I have not ridden the Vaquero yet but want to. I have liked the look and price of that motorcycle since it first came out. There’s an excellent review on RUclips of the 2014 model which is essentially the same as the newest models except for colors. It’s by mvrtvcom. Check it out.
I have a 2009.... comfortable and a dream to ride for a 12 hour runs.....weekend away enough storage with no hassle. Need tunes...I use an iPod with Bluetooth helmet speakers...works perfect. GPS on my phone.
I installed a Garmin GPS on my bike and Bluetooth it to my helmet speakers and I use my phone for music if I want, too. I have always loved the Heritage style and comfort. Thanks for watching and commenting. Ride safe.
@@GARamblinMan sounds like we think alike...i have a garmin gps with Ram mount...you'll agree i am sure that noone has to spend alot of extra $$$ to add useful features to any bike. I saved alot of $$$ by adding a few accessories instead of switching to a Streetglide.
Didn't bother me, either, but I prefer the clear Road King windshield. There's a 1958 Deluxe in the Quantico Harley shop that has an orange (!) lower windshield paint finish.
I hope to make my custom 1200 sporty a replica of the heritage I have the windshild and saddles missing the stage 4 the auxilary lights (passing lights) white wall tiers and lots of lather
I’ve thought about buying the Deluxe and adding a windshield and bags to make it a Heritage clone but with lots of chrome. Thanks for watching and commenting. Ride safe.
Alton Gage it was much lighter than the Indian Springfield and handles so well at low speeds, which was much better than the Springfield. But for long distance touring the Springfield or Road King is probably better, but for the type of riding I do - day rides on back roads the Heritage is more than capable. The torque on this bike with the 114 cubic inch motor is awesome. Thanks for watching and ride safe
I think the Road King’s suspension is probably better, but they have really improved the Heritage and there’s not a huge difference in my opinion. I would probably go with the Road King if I was riding with a passenger or taking really long trips, neither of which I do so the Heritage was a good choice for me. Thanks for watching.
I don't see the purpose to the Heritage, you can get a Road King for about $700 difference. I suppose that the Heritage is probably marketed more towards the female rider since its shorter and lighter, i know my wife likes the Heritage but i am not really a fan of H-D. We are both 53 and love riding and she has been thinking about upgrading to a 2019 Heritage from her 2002 Yamaha v-star, i am working on her and pushing her towards something else, maybe a 2016 or 17 Victory model with low mileage, they have a better engine, more reliable and better looks anyway, oh well, we will see what happens, but i am going to try push her to something other than a H-D. I have several bikes, 4 Indian's, 2 Victory's, 2 Yamaha's and 1 Honda.
The Road King and the Heritage are pretty close in price and it is a tough choice. I think it does come down to the weight. The Heritage is a lot lighter and easier to maneuver. But the extra weight of the Road King and the touring suspension and frame make it better for higher speed long highway rides. I guess to each his own. Thanks for watching and ride safe.
It's really simple: I like the Road King, but when I sit on one (when I put my feet on the floorboards) my knees are slightly higher than my waist. I hate that. The bars off the line feel better to me on the Heritage (which is funny because I know a lot of people who have put Heritage bars on their Road King). I like leather over the hard bags but really don’t care for what they’ve recently done to the Heritage bags. The Heritage engine is counter balanced, which used to be the biggest reason I bought a Softail: NO SHAKING/VIBRATION AT IDLE. Putting those M8 engines (which I believe are now also counterbalanced somewhat) in the touring bikes have really been a game changer for me and friends. I hate that wobbly shaking at stoplights on the older touring bikes. I’ve test ridden both a Street and Road Glide last summer and that shaking is all but gone (at least to my hands it is). Sounds like your wife would be better off with a Victory so you can make it 3. I love Victory bikes, sucks they closed the door on them. They can be had cheap right now, but then they always have been. I mean, REALLY cheap. I saw a 2016 Victory Vision the other day (still new, was never sold even once or demoed) for 13500 (it had 2 miles on it). A guy I know a few towns away from me sold his 2014 Cross County Tour for 10000 with only 12,000 miles on it and a couple of grand worth of extras on it. He took the only offer he got. I test rode one of those Cross Country Tours a few years ago. Something kept pushing on my inner right leg. I pulled over out in the county and part of the plastic fairing fell off on the road. It reminded me of my old 1991 CBR 600 F2 I had when I was a kid. The fairing piece had some plastic clips on the inside of it and it just pushes into the bike, just like most speaker grills on home stereo speakers. Victory made some crazy looking bikes (especially some of those paint schemes), some really ugly, but man they sure ride nice.
bossbags.com...has a stiffener kit for Heritage bags and other makes of bikes, what a great job they do, had mines done and wow I'm very pleased, you ship them and they ship the bags back. just a matter of time before we see him on a Heritage he has the Fever big time 4Sure .
Looks are a subjective thing and everyone has different likes and dislikes when it comes to styling. But I did not find the motorcycle to be cheaply built or poor quality. Thanks for watching and commenting. Ride safe.
Harley-davidson Heritage classic a future legend. I love mine been riding 40 years and this is the best bike I've ever ridden.
I’ve been riding about the same amount of years and I agree. Best bike I’ve ever owned. Honda CB350 back in the early 80’s is a close second. Thanks for watching!
That bike is a very versatile bike. Put a touring pack on and you can go long distances. As it sits you got a cruiser bagger. Take the bags off and the windshield off and you have a city bruiser. I’ve got the 18 114 Heritage. Love it.
I have seen the rear trunk on these models and with that I agree you have a fully capable touring machine. That 114 cubic inch motor is a beast. Thanks for watching and ride safe.
I just bought one of these bikes in wicked red with the 114 motor about three weeks ago. I had the dealer install the Vance and Hines slip ons and a Screaming Eagle tuner to start off. I am loving this bike more and more each day. It is a wonderful bike with that signature Harley torque, comfort, and rumble. Thanks for the video. I have several videos on the bike on my channel for anyone interested. Thanks GA Ramblin Man. Liked and subbed!
I like that wicked red color too. I bet it sounds great with the slip ons. Thanks for watching and subscribing. Ride safe on your beautiful new bike.
@@GARamblinMan Thanks brother!
Softail Deluxe is a much more beautiful bike, chrome, chrome, and more chrome. Aah! And white wall tires much classier, a Gentleman’s bike, and same performance without breaking the bank. My opinion.
I went from a Honda VTX 1800 T2 which had a windshield and saddle bags from the factory, it was a trouble free ride , to a HD Street Glide Special and couldn’t be happier , i sat on the Heritage and felt cramped and then it came back it’s colder with a windshield and a fairing is more comfortable plus I have the infotainment6 also ,the older I get the less tolerable I am , I sure have changed from the triumph 650 which has been with me since 1977 ride safe
Sometimes I think I want a bike with a fairing, especially in colder weather when my hands are freezing. Thanks for watching and ride safe
A timeless, comfortable bike you can ride and enjoy with nothing to prove.
I totally agree.
I purchased a Heritage 114 back in August, and I love it. I took a test ride on both the 107 and 114, and to me the 114 is much smoother. I haven't rode it as much as I would like to, but when I do it is hard to wipe the smile off my face.
Even after only 10 minutes on it, I knew it was a great motorcycle. Thanks for watching and ride safe.
How is the suspension?
I think it’s excellent and a big improvement over the older softail models.
The Heritage is the best Harley you can get. I love my Heritage Classic 114.
I can see why. Thanks for watching and ride safe.
I have 2013FLSTC. 👍👍👍
✋ from Japan.
Thanks for the comments about the handling of the bike compare to the boulevard. I like the Heritage and the Road King if a I ever get an HD it will be between these two bikes, thanks again and ride safe
I love my 2018 heritage 114. After two years my heritage is still stock.
I think they are just fine stock. I might add a rear passenger back rear and luggage rack along with highway bars. Thanks for watching. Ride safe.
I bought a 2019 Heritage 114. Absolutely love it. No problems except replacing gas cap. Which I would have done anyway. This bike is smooth and lots of power. I’ve had a 2007 Lowrider, 13 Heritage, and this one is hands down way better in every way.
I know you are enjoying the new Heritage. Can you feel a big difference between the 114 and 107 motors? Thanks for watching and commenting. Ride safe.
Thanks for the ride along.
That looks like a pretty awesome and badass bike bro. It’s funny how certain looks grow on us.
It’s really a great bike riding in my opinion. That 114 cubic inch motor is like a rocket attached to that light frame. Suspension was upgraded too and the ride and handling are excellent. Thanks for watching and ride safe.
Those are gorgeous, a excellent bike for the money...
nice & smooth ride, thanks for the road test and sharing your impressions with us. ride safe brother!
love the way your commentary voice rumbles with the bike. You nearly have me rethinking my preference for the Fatboy
I do love the Fatboy, too!
Hello Glad to see your vlogging again. I have to agree with Alain Decelles & NC Stoney's comments if I were to move up from my C50T I would strongly consider the Heritage, maybe find a good used 2018 in a couple 2 -3 years. Other than the added weight 7 & large motor does it feel pretty comparable in handling to the Suzuki? I trust Hurricane Michael did not impact you too badly? Can't wait till our HD locations have demo days to try one!! Keep riding and stay safe...Ric
The Heritage actually handles a little better or at the very least the same as the C50T. The handle bar position is better in my opinion as well. Adding in the cruise control and ABS I think makes it an excellent choice for a bike that is similar to the Suzuki Boulevard but an upgrade in power and performance. Thanks for commenting and Hurricane Michael just dumped a lot of rain in Atlanta. Nothing like the damage in Florida and southwest Georgia.
Great Thank you always good to see the videos and hear your observations. We too in the Central Florida area were spared any damage from the Hurricane, just some rain and a little wind but very minimal. The impact to the FL Panhandle and Southwest GA was just devastating!! Best Regards.
Thank you ramblin man for another great video. For me it is sheer delight. My i ask you a big question.? Would you in one video compare the harley davidson road king with the indian chief vintage? That would be a bombshell for me. Anyway stay healthy. I downloaded all of your videos and it is great.
Much greetings from the netherlands, europe
joe
I’ve never ridden the Indian Chief Vintage but when I do I will make a comparison video with the Road King. Thanks for the compliments and for watching. Ride safe in the beautiful Netherlands.
Hello Doug! Where are you getting all that hot, sunny, shirt-sleeved, mid-October weather from?....😊...send some of it over to me!...😊...! The white Sportster in front of you had a throaty roar...as well as a very fat rear tyre!...😲..!...The Harley description; "Soft-tail" always gets me confused! "Hard Tail" is when the frame rear-end connects directly to the rear axle (like an old Knucklehead/Flathead). The Harley "Soft-tail models" appear to have the rear spring fitted under the seat, (mono-shock-style), rather than a pair of shiny, chrome springs mounted either side of the rear wheel...like my Daisy...😚 ..but to me, they are BOTH "Soft -tails"!...😕...! Thanks for the sunny ride, Doug, and take care!...😀...!
It’s been a long summer and finally cooling off a bit like it should this time of year. I didn’t have time yesterday to ride any of the other bikes but I will eventually. I like the new Fat Boy a lot along with the Low Rider. Thanks for watching and ride safe.
Great video thanks. So when it comes to an old bag you're right who wants an old bag anyway? LOL
Good Video. Great info for someone like me that doesn't know a lot about the Harley world.
Thanks for the compliment and for watching and ride safe.
Ha, didn’t know I was backing in as you were leaving on your test ride. I looked for you after I signed paperwork but didn’t see you.
I had time to just take the ride on the Heritage and then I had to scoot. I loved that bike. But then again I love most new motorcycles I try. Ha! Finally getting settled into new house in Cumming but it’s been busy and not much time to ride. Take care and thanks for watching and ride safe.
Man nice bike and cool video. I've a 2018 Breakout and 2018 Deluxe. Thinking to start I should gone directly with an Heritage instead of Deluxe. Now I need to add a windshield and the bags.
Since I like chrome so much I thought about buying the Deluxe and adding the bags and wind screen but that’s probably a lot more expensive than just buying the Heritage. I’m getting used to the blacked out look. Thanks for watching and ride safe.
Here in Europe we live a little bit different. I have to shop my food nearly on a daily basis, I live in the center of a small city. My current Honda Shadow therefore has big bags and a windshield btw. I think the Heritage will be my next choice.
If you like your a Honda Shadow, the Softail Heritage would be a great choice to upgrade to. Thanks for watching and commenting. Ride safe.
GA Ramblin Man Thank’s a lot for your response!
I liked your competent and balanced review very much btw. Subscribed.
Nice review and nice bike but I think for around the same price the Road King is the better option. Not only is it built for touring with better suspension it also comes with the passing lights, hard bags, and engine guards already installed.
Have you ridden a Heritage? Because I rode one from LA to NYC across the mid west in 11 days I also rode a Road glide from Orlando to LA and the Heritage was a far more comfortable ride and easier to maneuver and park. After the Coast to Coast Ride I bought my own Heritage Claasic. Ried one you will be hooked.
Both the Road King and Heritage have pluses and minuses and it’s really a toss up for most wanting a motorcycle of this type. I’ve ridden both and I really can’t tell much of a difference in the ride quality out on the highway. The new Softail frame is light years better than the pre-2018 models. The Heritage comes with driving lights standard just like the Road King and they are LED. You have to change those on the Road King. On the other hand, you have to add the engine guards and bag guards on the Heritage and they are standard on the Road King. I like having the 114 cubic inch motor on the Heritage. The bottom line is I chose the Heritage because of its lighter weight and maneuverability in my garage and at slow speeds. If I was 20 years younger I would have probably gone with the Road King. The bags are better on the Road King for sure in my opinion but at least the Heritage bags are now hard sided and lockable. Both motorcycles are a great choice. Really comes down to personal preference. I was sorry to see HD discontinue the Road King Standard this year. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
@@GARamblinMan I guess it's all down to personal chioce. Ride safe.
If I could I’d probably own both!
Excellent review Ramblin’Man!! Japanese bikes are virtually maintenance free. What sort of maintenance is there with the Heritage?
ST0RMBRINGR I’m not sure about the maintenance records on these especially since the new design in 2018. Maybe someone who owns one of these bikes and has for a year or two will chime in on the reliability and maintenance record. It’s an awesome looking and handling motorcycle. Kinda pricey though at $20,000+. Thanks for watching and ride safe.
I had a 2016 Street glide I bought used with 4500 miles. I put 12000 miles on it in 9 months then sold it to get a truck. Maintenance was 5k intervals and about $450 at the dealer. I only did the dealer to maintain factory warranty. Really just a fluid change and once over on the bike. Independent shops told me $250 for same services. My 2017 SV650 was cheaper for dealer maintenance but got into more expensive stuff a lot quicker. 7500 mile service on it was not major but not routine, had to pull plugs to inspect and there's 4 of them. Took a lot more time and money. I'd imagine the M8 engines are on a similar schedule as my twin cam.
I can’t wait to test ride a heritage and road king someday. I’ve never ridden a cruiser before, just sport cruiser (Bmw RT).
Those are two great cruisers to try out for sure. You will love both. Thanks for watching and commenting. Ride safe.
Hey Georgia Ramblin' Man! Greetings from the Commonwealth of Virginia! Okay... so I want a Harley Road King, but based upon your enthusiasm I thought I'd try one of these first. I rode the 107 cid.
I get it now. I thoroughly enjoyed my test ride on this bike and I know why: If you are a Bully rider (I have an '08 M50), this bike will seem very familiar. The Road King has a bigger, stiffer frame and feels more centered and solid. This is a more agile and lighter bike; it has the best features of the M50 but with more power. I didn't think I'd be impressed with it, but when I got on it and took it out of the lot I thought, "Yep - this bike feels very accommodating to me." I didn't have to get used to it, if you know what I mean.
Thing is - I much prefer the looks of a Road King. That chrome up front and that windshield strap... the three light design. The solid touring ride. That, to me, is what a motorcycle is.
But, yeah... the Heritage Softail... Harley built a very good bike with this one! If you don't go across the state very often this bike fills the bill.
Good review!
One more thing: I asked a sales guy why it's called a "softail," and he showed me the hinged rear triangular piece - how it's shock supported. He got on and pushed and it moved. Now I see. A useful demonstration.
I like the looks of the Road King better, too and those front LED lights on the Heritage are a little strange, but for handling and light feel I think the Heritage wins out. For me the lighter feel of the bike is better as I get older and less inclined to muscle the Road King around the garage. But for long distances the Road King is most likely better. But most of my riding is day trips. So right now it looks like the Heritage is the bike for me. The price differential now is really negligible. But stay tuned. I could always have a change of heart. Thanks for watching and ride safe.
Check the H-D website. A base 2019 Road King is only $200 more than a base Heritage Softail.
Right now most of my riding is on Friday all day... I work four ten hour days and so I get Friday off - my wife has to work. That means Friday is my motorcycling day. Yes, yes, I know, lucky. I ride out to Maryland, West Virginia... 220-250 miles on some trips. You can see why I'd like a Road King.
But yes - that Heritage Softail ride is persuasive, especially for a Boulevard rider. I'm working on a blog entry that explains all and has a link to my test ride video. Stand by and I'll post it here.
..and yeah, while those LED lights may be wonderful at night - they look weird. Insect-like.
Here you go, Georgia Ramblin' Man:
brighams-blog.blogspot.com/2018/10/22-october-2018.html
Excellent blog and I agree with you on the looks of the Road King. It is what a motorcycle should look like in my opinion too. I just think for me the Heritage is probably better choice due to the lighter weight and handling. It does look a little strange but it’s growing on me. I have not ridden the Vaquero yet but want to. I have liked the look and price of that motorcycle since it first came out. There’s an excellent review on RUclips of the 2014 model which is essentially the same as the newest models except for colors. It’s by mvrtvcom. Check it out.
I have a 2009.... comfortable and a dream to ride for a 12 hour runs.....weekend away enough storage with no hassle. Need tunes...I use an iPod with Bluetooth helmet speakers...works perfect. GPS on my phone.
I installed a Garmin GPS on my bike and Bluetooth it to my helmet speakers and I use my phone for music if I want, too. I have always loved the Heritage style and comfort. Thanks for watching and commenting. Ride safe.
@@GARamblinMan sounds like we think alike...i have a garmin gps with Ram mount...you'll agree i am sure that noone has to spend alot of extra $$$ to add useful features to any bike. I saved alot of $$$ by adding a few accessories instead of switching to a Streetglide.
And we probably got a better quality GPS unit in the Garmin than the built in HD unit on the Street Glide.
Good review.
The windscreen is supposed to be retro. There is a company that has offered ones with different colors, Memphis Shades.
I’ve gotten used to it and it did not bother me at all while I was riding. Thanks for watching and ride safe.
Didn't bother me, either, but I prefer the clear Road King windshield. There's a 1958 Deluxe in the Quantico Harley shop that has an orange (!) lower windshield paint finish.
I hope to make my custom 1200 sporty a replica of the heritage I have the windshild and saddles missing the stage 4 the auxilary lights (passing lights) white wall tiers and lots of lather
I’ve thought about buying the Deluxe and adding a windshield and bags to make it a Heritage clone but with lots of chrome. Thanks for watching and commenting. Ride safe.
Thanks for the review. Did the Heritage have a lighter handling feel than the Springfield and did it have more torque? Ride safe.
Alton Gage it was much lighter than the Indian Springfield and handles so well at low speeds, which was much better than the Springfield. But for long distance touring the Springfield or Road King is probably better, but for the type of riding I do - day rides on back roads the Heritage is more than capable. The torque on this bike with the 114 cubic inch motor is awesome. Thanks for watching and ride safe
How is the suspension and is the Road King's noticeably better.
I think the Road King’s suspension is probably better, but they have really improved the Heritage and there’s not a huge difference in my opinion. I would probably go with the Road King if I was riding with a passenger or taking really long trips, neither of which I do so the Heritage was a good choice for me. Thanks for watching.
I don't see the purpose to the Heritage, you can get a Road King for about $700 difference. I suppose that the Heritage is probably marketed more towards the female rider since its shorter and lighter, i know my wife likes the Heritage but i am not really a fan of H-D. We are both 53 and love riding and she has been thinking about upgrading to a 2019 Heritage from her 2002 Yamaha v-star, i am working on her and pushing her towards something else, maybe a 2016 or 17 Victory model with low mileage, they have a better engine, more reliable and better looks anyway, oh well, we will see what happens, but i am going to try push her to something other than a H-D. I have several bikes, 4 Indian's, 2 Victory's, 2 Yamaha's and 1 Honda.
The Road King and the Heritage are pretty close in price and it is a tough choice. I think it does come down to the weight. The Heritage is a lot lighter and easier to maneuver. But the extra weight of the Road King and the touring suspension and frame make it better for higher speed long highway rides. I guess to each his own. Thanks for watching and ride safe.
It's really simple: I like the Road King, but when I sit on one (when I put my feet on the floorboards) my knees are slightly higher than my waist. I hate that. The bars off the line feel better to me on the Heritage (which is funny because I know a lot of people who have put Heritage bars on their Road King). I like leather over the hard bags but really don’t care for what they’ve recently done to the Heritage bags. The Heritage engine is counter balanced, which used to be the biggest reason I bought a Softail: NO SHAKING/VIBRATION AT IDLE. Putting those M8 engines (which I believe are now also counterbalanced somewhat) in the touring bikes have really been a game changer for me and friends. I hate that wobbly shaking at stoplights on the older touring bikes. I’ve test ridden both a Street and Road Glide last summer and that shaking is all but gone (at least to my hands it is). Sounds like your wife would be better off with a Victory so you can make it 3. I love Victory bikes, sucks they closed the door on them. They can be had cheap right now, but then they always have been. I mean, REALLY cheap. I saw a 2016 Victory Vision the other day (still new, was never sold even once or demoed) for 13500 (it had 2 miles on it). A guy I know a few towns away from me sold his 2014 Cross County Tour for 10000 with only 12,000 miles on it and a couple of grand worth of extras on it. He took the only offer he got. I test rode one of those Cross Country Tours a few years ago. Something kept pushing on my inner right leg. I pulled over out in the county and part of the plastic fairing fell off on the road. It reminded me of my old 1991 CBR 600 F2 I had when I was a kid. The fairing piece had some plastic clips on the inside of it and it just pushes into the bike, just like most speaker grills on home stereo speakers. Victory made some crazy looking bikes (especially some of those paint schemes), some really ugly, but man they sure ride nice.
Very good video: I prefer chrome handle bars and rims.
Me too. Love all the chrome on the older model Heritage Classics. Thanks for watching and commenting. Ride safe.
Thomas Baird
I believe if you get the 107 version, it’s all chrome with nothing blacked out.
Road kings are about $200. More, I chose the rk...
I like the Road King a lot. It will be a hard decision for me when I decide to buy.
so did you buy it ?? haha
Not yet! Can I borrow $20?
hahaha
My hometown dealer can't keep them on the floor...
Nice looking bikes but you guys are over consumed with engine power, you can only go so fast , a Honda shadow 750 can do the same road speed limit
That bike will last forever if u keep the fluids and filters changed.
I change all the fluids and filters every year in my motorcycle. Thanks for watching and commenting. Ride safe.
bossbags.com...has a stiffener kit for Heritage bags and other makes of bikes, what a great job they do, had mines done and wow I'm very pleased, you ship them and they ship the bags back. just a matter of time before we see him on a Heritage he has the Fever big time 4Sure .
I seem some ads for stiffeners like that and always wondered how they worked. Thanks for the comments and ride safe.
Are you going to open your wallet and buy one ?? 🤣 Ride safe ..
Just as soon as my wallet has enough $$$ in it!! Thanks for watching and ride safe
I still think it looks hideous
Looks are always subjective so it’s a good thing we have so many great motorcycles to choose from. Thanks for watching and commenting. Ride safe.
Me 2
It’s looks cheap no class
Looks are a subjective thing and everyone has different likes and dislikes when it comes to styling. But I did not find the motorcycle to be cheaply built or poor quality. Thanks for watching and commenting. Ride safe.