Go with what feels best for you, both bike are very close the Heritage does come with more goodies thou. Deluxe has a lower seat hight...

 

Are you talking new or used?

The new FLSTCi has the fat rear tire like the fatboy so you get that, the newest FLSTCi has the 103 motor and 6 speed, good combo.

The Deluxe is a girls bike only because most of them need a shorter bike. 5'9" should fit either.

The Deluxe with the Deluxe bags and shield is a great looking combo, but you can always put custom or even the Deluxe bags on a Heritage. Personally I like the looks of the Heritage so that's the way I went. I can't image any situation that you wouldn't love either.

 

I was in the same boat. You've gotta go with whatever your priorities are. Riding position was number one for me and only you can decide that. I didn't really want the leather bags with the chrome buttons either so I had to spend a little more and get the ones I wanted. Bottom line is, I got the look that I was going after. I really like having the detachable hardbags and batwing. The Heritage is the better deal, but I think the Deluxe is an extraordinary platform for customization.

 

Yes to this.

 

Love them both. Didnt want bags and windshield at first. Put windshield on and now looking for bags. Should have got the Heritage to begin with.

 

Got the Deluxe just liked the looks of it over the Heritage and already planned on adding the Shotgun shock to either bike I got. Plus I am going to put bags on it and don't care for the leather bag look. Got FLH style bags going to get the extensions and get them painted to match. Still on the fence about what handlebars to add. Either 14" or 16" Carlini gangsters or Burly bikini bars.

 

Either one is great. Both very versitile.

my .02

The Deluxe has the nicer sheet metal. Handlebars are nice (but close)
I don't care for the pogo-stick ride of the shorter shocks. I had my ride lwr'd for awhile. Even put 422's on it. What a waste of $ those were. Maybe for a heavier person or 2-up all the time. My wife's 03 has the Harley (profile lwr'd susp like the Deluxe comes with. Again, don't care for it.

Heritage has the taller profile. Full susp. More road capable. The mini apes will work for you. If I had a new one, I'd leave em on. I've had like 7000 handlebar combo's on mine. I should have left the Dyna Wide Glide mini-apes on there. They were set # 3. It would have easily saved me $1500 or so.
Stupid. Oh well.
If you don't like the studded bags (which I also hate- had mine on for the 1st year) get the Deluxe. Just set aside a grand to get the saddlebags you really want (the 1st time) and a windshield. I'm sure you can pick up a set of stock ht shocks on ebay for 50 bucks or something.
Either way. Set it up how YOU want it.

 

[QUOTE=fcsallan;8647980]Are you talking new or used?

The new FLSTCi has the fat rear tire like the fatboy so you get that, the newest FLSTCi has the 103 motor and 6 speed, good combo.

From the HD site I just went to, U don't get the 200 rear tire as U say..
Its still the 150-80-71. Just the same as our 07

http://www.harley-davidson.com/en_US....html#/c/specs

 

I'm 5'7" and I'm riding my second Deluxe -- loved 'em both. I like the ride and it fits me to a "T". Like you, I didn't care for the studded Heritage bags, so I added HD bags that seem to fit with the Deluxe styling. Wouldn't trade this Deluxe for any other bike -- it's a great ride for me.

Oh, and after spending 26 years as an Airborne Ranger Infantryman, I now learn I'm riding a "girls" bike??? I don't think so . . .

 

Faced the same decision a few months ago and understand the agony of making a choice and excitement of getting a new bike. Like you, I've ridden rice burner cruisers all my life but chose to get a HD this time around. I shopped around for awhile until I walked into one of the local dealerships. There it sat, an absolutely gorgeous two tone used Deluxe with very low miles and most of the upgrades I wanted one to have. So, for me the choice was easy.

I'm in the group that isn't fond of the studs, fringe, and windshield. I don't rely on the bike for commuting 50 miles to work or have any plans on taking a cross-country trip. The fit is very good for me (5'10") with a long inseam (33") for my height. The seat height is perfect and the controls are comfortable and easily managed.

The only changes I have needed to make are adding passenger footboards (to keep the womans shoes off my pipes) and swapping out those cheap HD OEM style grips. The lack of storage is sometimes an issue even on short rides. I will be adding a fork or sissy bar bag. Again, this is because I love the look without big ole saddle bags hanging off the sides.

Good luck on your choice. Look forward to hearing what you decide to get.