7 Reasons Why the Harley Heritage Classic Deserves More Attention

Worthy of More

Harley-Davidson has a large lineup that covers a sizable percentage of the motorcycle market, which means that in some instances, it sells models that aren't quite as appreciated as others. In the case of the Heritage Classic 114, that's somewhat of a shame, as it's a great combination of retro style and modern technology. This makes it worthy of more attention for a number of reasons, which we've outlined here.

Photos: Harley-Davidson

Lightweight Tourer

Harley makes and sells lots of bikes that one can take on extended road trips, but the Heritage Classic is smaller than a traditional touring machine. This makes it appealing for those that don't want or can't quite handle a big, heavy bike but still want to have all of the amenities when it comes time to hit the highway, and the Heritage Classic delivers with floorboards, a big, comfy seat, and a detachable windshield, to name just a few.

Photos: Harley-Davidson

All-Rounder

Of course, the Heritage Classic isn't just good at road tripping, as its mid-range weight and size make it suitable for more urban cruising as well, not to mention riding around suburban areas. In fact, it's really just the right size for pretty much all types of riding, and won't prove cumbersome thanks to the fact that it's 80 pounds lighter than a Road Glide.

Photos: Harley-Davidson

Overall Comfort

While some will say that they don't care about being comfortable on a motorcycle, let's face it - we aren't getting younger, and spending a lot of time in the saddle is bound to wear on you after a while. Luckily, the Heritage Classic is a truly comfortable machine compared to the rest of its Softail counterparts, with a cushier seat, the aforementioned floorboards, and many other features that help smooth out those long rides.

Photos: Harley-Davidson

Styling

The Heritage Classic presents a modern take on a classic look, with an abundance of chrome, though one can also opt for more of a modern, blacked-out appearance if they so desire. The great thing about this particular model is that it lends itself well to both looks, so you can essentially choose your own path.

Photos: Harley-Davidson

Reliable and Powerful

With a modern Milwaukee-Eight 114 powering it, the latest version of the Heritage Classic carries on a tradition of being a reliable two-wheeler that can go the distance. And speaking of that engine, it's also got plenty of grunt for getting around - 100 horsepower and 119 pound-feet of torque, the latter of which peaks at just 3,000 rpm for spirited low-end acceleration.

Photos: Harley-Davidson

It's Affordable

As most are well aware, you can spend a pretty penny bringing home just about any Harley model, even entry-level ones, and then you're probably looking at dropping even more on accessories. Luckily, the Heritage Classic 114 provides plenty of value with its MSRP of $21,199, which is a lot for a Softail, but not when you consider the cost of the goods that come with it. 

Photos: Harley-Davidson

>>Join in the conversation about the Harley Heritage Classic right here in Harley-Davidson Forums.

For help with your do-it-yourself maintenance and repair projects, please visit our how-to section in the forum.