Bonneville America Forums Forums General Motorcycle Forums Other Bikes Harley Softail Heritage.

I had a friend who recently bought a '06 Heritage Deluxe. And it is absolutely gorgeous. Two tone blue and cream paint, the chrome and paint is flawless. there are no seams under the tank and even the wire wheels have no lips around the rim anymore. He said there is virtually no vibration becuase the engine has engine balancers in it because it is attached right to the frame. I read an article on a new Electra glide and they dynoed the engine at 65 hp. I thought that was kind of low for an almost 750lb. MC. But it looks like the quality of Harley's has definetly improved.

If I was going to buy one... The Softail Deluxe would be it. They are gorgeous.

We can still out run them though

Yes Im the one who bought it,traded off my 2005 Superglide Sport for it,It was just one of those times you find something you really like and you have to have it.There is absolutely no vibration where as my Dyna shook at idle,I still ride my old America when I want to,my friend from work bought it,After this Deluxe is paid for im for sure getting another Triumph looking real hard at a Thunderbird Sport....

Git a rope boys......Angelis

My brother Rob has a 2005 Black and White Softail Deluxe. We call it the skunk because that's what it looks like. It's a beautiful bike but 3 times the price of my beautiful America. He gets upset when we stop and everyone looks at my TA and his bike gets ignored. However, if I ever get a Harley, that's the one I'd get.

Yep, I agree, it's gorgeous. Good to hear fishercat's comments though ("..everyone looks at my TA and his bike gets ignored").
For something to do, I think I'll stop by the local harley shop tomorrow on the way home and see if they have a Softail deluxe on the floor. I'll need to look over the website to make sure I say the right model name, dang does it get confusing. Maybe I will see if they have any deals (just kidding of course).

Looking for a second bike, a heavier cruiser, I had a Harley in mind. Still can't see dropping that kind of money. BMW would be an option, if they weren't so overpriced. So I've decided on a Moto Guzzi. Reliable, different and reasonably priced when full dressed.

Dmillikan, boy are you going to get a deal alright. Twenty plus, and ya are going to have to wait six months,unless you want to pay a couple three thousand extra extra and we can get ya one in a few weeks. Your color choice is going to be extra,corse you knew that,right? O,if ya do not pay for it all up front you may very well see a price increase before it gets here,and that is going to be extra son,corse ya already knew that did'nt ya? Corse I got a used one here with only twenty five thousand miles on her and we can let you have that little baby for two thousand over new retail.Now if ya want the tins changed out to your color choice that's gonna be,yap you got it, extra. Vegas

Donny, If you have time put the America next to it and post a pic. I think next to one another the FLSTC will demonstrate they are not even close in size and class of bike. I looked at them too. The fit and finish is amazing.

But the tax! That horrible Harley tax! me shutters remembering the tax lol. Congrats on the new ride.

I ran into a friend at last Friday's high school basketball game. He just purchased a 2006 35th Anniversary Superglide (?). He has his original purchase 1971 in the garage, along with a late 90's Heritage and V-Rod. Mentioned it was something he "had" to do. If I remember correctly he traded an old camper trailer for his first Harley in the middle 60's. I see where HD is installing a 6 speed transmission, among other updates. Thankfully I'm not addicted to motorcycles like he is

JH

I am in the unique position to give a blow-by-blow comparison because my OL has a new Lowrider.
1. Stock HP is around 67. Torque is about the same as a John Deer.
2. Acceleration is not great without lightening the flywheels.
3. cornering is "majestic".
4. At idle, it's a shaker. at around 1400 or so it smooths out almost as nice as the Triumphs always are.
5. Top speed is probably about the same as my America but it takes longer to get there.
6. The ride is a bit softer on the lowrider, but the forks are mushy.
7. The Softail bikes are noticably rougher riding because of all the unsprung weight. The Softail swingarm is huge and heavy.
8. Can't fault the fit/finish. Some good engineering such as a very effective rock guard around the belt drive.

LMAO!!

I keeps citing the nice build quality of the HD's. Theres no doubt about it. Unlike my speedy for example, every thing down to the tiniest washer is chromed or stainless or otherwise just not cheap in any respect. Paint is utterly flawless where as my speedy in the right light, you can see paint flaws that are not acceptable IMO. Nothing horrific, and it can't be seen most of the time. But still. Triumphs just aren't nearly as detailed an flawless. But i'd not trade for any HD. You can have the same build quality as a HD too if you don't mind spending mucho $ on accessories and chrome bits and whatever else it takes.

I just (3 weeks ago) bought an '06 Heritage Softail Classic, so I can comment fairly on the contrast between it and my '05 America.

First, I think that Vegas' comments above are a bit outdated. Not saying that that sort of thing doesn't still go on, but Harley dealers have, more or less, returned to Earth. I got my FLSTC for $500 under MSRP, for example, and it had NO dealer add-ons like a chrome front end, etc.

Riding it is, well, different. Where the America is lithe, light and flickable through curves, the Harley conducts itself with careful dignity. It gets there, but in its own time and in its own way. You either love it or can't deal with it.

Pretty much every important stock component is of very high quality, whereas the reverse is true with the America, where cost-saving is evident in every important component, such as the horrible shocks, for example.

On the highway, the Harley rolls down the road as if you were riding a sofa, soaking up almost every wind gust and expansion joint as though it wasn't there. Can't exactly say that for the America. The same weight that is such an annoyance in parking maneuvers becomes a huge asset on the road.

Functionally, the America is a terrific bike, where the Harley is perhaps less terrific. That said, the Harley engine, like the Triumph's, is pretty much bullet-proof. Like the Triumph, to maximize power you need to change out the exhausts and either re-jet your carbs or re-map your fuel injection. In neither case is that a big deal, and in both cases it ads a significant amount of torque and a bit extra horsepower. Harleys, of course, being all about torque, and much less about horsepower.

Finally, the Harley (some models, anyway) is something the Triumph isn't and can never be: a rolling, evocative, work of art.

That said, I will add that "art" is in the eye of the beholder.

Finally, I think that it's best to take Harleys (or not) on their own terms, and not compare them to any other bike. To do so is irrelevant and, at the end of the day, silly.

Just my opinion; I could be wrong.

Here's the H-D the day I picked it up (12/31):

That's a nice bike you have there. Congratulations!

Very well stated. I agree in every aspect you described. As you owning both you can comment correctly on the differences and uniqueness of both marques.

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Pretty much every important stock component is of very high quality, whereas the reverse is true with the America, where cost-saving is evident in every important component, such as the horrible shocks, for example.

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Cost saving,Much like most members of this board, is the key phrase. Most here would jump over a dollar to save a dime.


Fryguy