[flickr size=”center” float=”medium”]http://www.flickr.com/photos/motorbeam/41990174581/[/flickr]
The Heritage Classic provides surreal comfort for long distance riding
Riding Dynamics – We rode the Street Bob last time and it took some time to get used to the riding style. Yet the statement stays true, all cruisers are actually different and you won’t understand until you ride one. The Heritage was way easier to get my hands on and the comfortable seat and relatively less tall handlebars were easy to hold onto. Same Showa suspension did the job here but the weight had increased to a massive 330 kgs. However to ride the Heritage it was a breeze, it was so very well put together that you could flick it like a 150 kg bike in moving speeds.
[flickr size=”center” float=”medium”]http://www.flickr.com/photos/motorbeam/41990171281/[/flickr]
A refined and smooth ride is the base of the Heritage Classic
Windblast is contained by the tall wind visor, buts gets scary and unmanageable at higher speeds
As the Heritage works on the same modular platform, the components are an easy fit. The wind visor for an instance is removable with just 6 screws. This visor does protect you from windblast but it gets slightly weird post 100 km/hr. Either you duck-in or stay completely upright, nowhere in between. The 130 section front tyre grips really well and the 150 section rear feels slightly thinner but makes the ride more fun with some random power slides. Fantastic brakes, just the same ones as we have seen on the Street Bob. The ABS kicks in a few times and yet the feedback is amazing. Low speed riding and the weight is felt, else the Heritage is one fun to ride Softail.
[flickr size=”center” float=”medium”]http://www.flickr.com/photos/motorbeam/41990172911/[/flickr]
LED headlamp with the auxiliary LEDs are very powerful and bright
Verdict – The Harley-Davidson Heritage Classic comes at a premium. Being the top-of-the-line Softail, the price is justified for the hardware. But paying something over 23 lakhs for a stealth motorcycle feels a little too much. However, the way the new Harleys are being developed, the quality and the feedback from the bike is now so much better. Just like the Street Bob, once you have made your mind to get it around the Heritage Classic itself it sure does outshine the elder line-ups too. This Heritage deserves a personal tag just like the Street Bob – Two fists in the air with a classic touch riding on stealth mode.
[flickr size=”center” float=”medium”]http://www.flickr.com/photos/motorbeam/41990174121/[/flickr]
It’s a Softail but definitely not a soft one
What’s Cool
* Naked and simple design yet grabs quite some attention
* The power delivery is astonishing and the engine sounds good too
* Pillion comfort is by far the best seen on a cruiser, comfortable and has a plush ride.
What’s Not So Cool
* Due to the windshield design the visor cannot handle much windblast
* Getting used to the lowest ground clearance will take quite some time
* The console is far on the tank, rider has to look down to get a view of the numbers
[flickr size=”center” float=”medium”]http://www.flickr.com/photos/motorbeam/41990174041/[/flickr]
The Heritage Classic is more stealth than an attention seeker
Harley-Davidson Heritage Classic Specifications
* Engine: 1745cc, Air-Cooled with Oil Cooler, V-Twin, Milwaukee-Eight
* Power: 77 BHP @ 5,500 RPM
* Torque: 144 Nm @ 3,000 RPM
* Transmission: 6-speed
* Fuel Type: Petrol
* Frame: Tubular Frame (Modular Platform)
* Suspension: Cartridge Forks (Front), Monoshock (Rear)
* Tyres: 130/90/16 (Front), 150/80/16 (Rear)
* Brakes: 300 mm Disc (Front), 292 mm Disc (Rear)
Harley-Davidson Heritage Classic Dimensions
* Length x Width x Height: 2410 mm x 955 mm x 1048 mm
* Wheelbase: 1630 mm
* Ground Clearance: 120 mm
* Seat Height: 685 mm
* Fuel Tank Capacity: 19.1-litres
* Kerb weight: 330 kgs
[wp-review id=”211193″]
