Top new Heritage mods

[Jim Bronson]

I'm looking at a new Heritage, and I must admit I don't know much about them except I love the looks. What are the first (non-bling) mods that most buyers do? I was thinking about stage 1 and perhaps a 255 if the warranty will cover it, but no other engine mods. The salesman already told me he'd cut me a good deal under MSRP, so I'm about ready to do it. Thanks.

[Hossamania]

Pipes, air cleaner, cam, and a new tuner and tune. A tune is much better than just the flash that the dealer will offer.
Those mods will give a good bang for the buck.

Then paint, wheels, handlebars, turbo.... well, you get the idea.

[tomcat64]

Most common are highway bar.. Highway pegs.. Passenger floorboards... Better back seat and backrest pad.. Stage one and pipes...

[boooby1744]

Buddy has a 2012 stage 1 he just bought used,traded in a 2009.  Took off the sissy bar and put a modified Badlander and hi way pegs.My only problem is the too high gearing,  but he rarely uses top gear.

[tommy g]

Good looking and functional right outa the wrapper, however the stock chair was pure agony after a hour.

[04 SE Deuce]

255      

Better choices are available.   Rick

[s-glide76]

Quick detach kit for saddle bags and sissy bar. Add luggage rack to sissy bar. In 5 minutes you can go from bar hopper to full touring.

[codyshop]

255      

Better choices are available.   Rick

Indeed. 

[Jim Bronson]

255      

Better choices are available.   Rick

Indeed.

But not likely covered under warranty.

[Oclaf]

I don't get you guys and the warranty, Harleys are not new, nor is the latest engine variant...so much has been done, short of going balls out, you really wont tear up anything by ramping up your motor or whatever...IMO. I expect to buy a new road or street glide, whichever is available soon and out the box, heads and cams. my hesitation is my buddy who is working the deal for the bikes also has the dealer we expect to buy the bikes from doing the install, the heads will be from unnamed source for now. back to my point, why wait the warranty? I don't buy American cars because of warranty, I buy them because I like them. same with appliances, I buy whirlpool as I have had success, warranty doesn't mean crap when its made well. its like an oxymoron to me, 'this is the best you can buy and we have a three year warranty to back it up!" if its the best you can buy it wont be breaking? 

[YFOPOS1]

Have you ridden one before (softail ) there ain't nothin soft about a softail ride !
Had back surgery still had to sell my FB , got a RK  much better ride.

If you have no back problems? decent choice.. But after owning two softails FXSTC and a FB wished I'd gotten the RK when I got the FB
Unless they have changed the bars on the Heritage ? That would be one of the first mods get a set of mini apes on it. The Heritage bars puts your wrists at an angle... I went with Chubby's 12.5's on the FB, perfect height..   

[Jim Bronson]

Coming from a Dyna, I doubt the ride is much harsher, but I'll give it a try before I buy. I see them all over the place ridden by all ages, so they can't be too terrible. I've sat on a RK several times, but I'm not comfortable with the position of the seat or bars. The softail feels very natural to me, similar to my Dyna. The bars feel very similar to my Dyna short apes. This is all subjective stuff, highly dependent on the rider's build and preferences. And I know there is a difference between just sitting on one in the showroom and riding one for hours.

CA dealers are pretty much shut down from installing non-HD performance parts due to the crackdown by CARB. They simply won't do it. That forces installation of mods by either DIY or indies. Dealers won't even tune a bike anymore. And yes, warranties are important. No matter how solid a product is, sometimes they have issues and can be very costly to fix without a warranty. If the dealer says installation of a certain part will void the warranty, then I'm not willing to risk it for a couple more HP.

Anyway, I do appreciate the replies. Some food for thought.

[88b]

The Heritage seems to fit everyone, I miss mine. I found the spoked wheels a PITA and fitted HD Lightening stars . I rode an 09 last week , enjoyed it but I prefer the earlier ones for looks and feel, but it's all personal.

[metaliser]

255      

Better choices are available.   Rick

Indeed.

But not likely covered under warranty.

Put a 204 in, you'll like it better !

[x52gnr]

255      

Better choices are available.   Rick

Indeed.

But not likely covered under warranty.

Put a 204 in, you'll like it better !

Agree one of the first things i did was the aircleaner s/e 204 cams and slipons . also added the powervision from fuel moto. Couldnt be happier with the way it runs...

[codyshop]

If the dealer says installation of a certain part will void the warranty, then I'm not willing to risk it for a couple more HP.

Federal law is very clear...it's not the dealer's or HD's call. 

[Bladesmith]

If the dealer says installation of a certain part will void the warranty, then I'm not willing to risk it for a couple more HP.

Federal law is very clear...it's not the dealer's or HD's call.

But as OWNER of the bike, I would still remove the catalytic converter !!!!

[YFOPOS1]

Yes even a Dyna gets a better ride than a Softail well unless you put rear struts on in place of the rear shocks on the Dyna.

The Softail has the best feel for a riding position , you set in the frame not on it like the touring models...

[Jim Bronson]

Yes even a Dyna gets a better ride than a Softail well unless you put rear struts on in place of the rear shocks on the Dyna.

Well then, I guess I'll just buy a RK, but I'll have to get it lowered and get new bars.

Save some money too!

[calif phil]

I think the Heritage  is a great bike.  I always recommend those bikes to people looking for a Harley.  I would add an LED headlight to the Heritage. 

[Rokinrider]

 I love my Slim! Still deciding what go fast it needs, I'm wanting Tmax, Rinehart 2-1 or Churchill. Some ones mild quiet cam.

[JYHD1]

I sure wouldn't pass on the Heritage yet because of our opinions. We don't all require the same fit or looks on what we like about our bikes, it's what you like and how it fits you that matters. It's also hard to tell just by riding a stock bike from the dealers since the bars and seat may not fit you at all but are an easy change to ones that do.

As for the ride quality of the Heritage, we don't find it much different than our Road Kings except over really rough roads with big humps or dips. Other than that neither the wife or I have any complaints about the ride. The stock Heritage handlebars are a perfect fit for me, in fact that was the first thing I changed out on our Road Kings when new was to the Heritage style bars.

We've made a whole lot of changes to both our Road Kings and both our Heritage's to fit our own style and comfort. I by far prefer riding the Heritage because of the looks and fit and my wife prefers the Road Kings. Not because of the ride but because she sits up quite a bit higher on the back of the Heritage and gets hit by more bugs. She thinks I'm supposed to take all the bug hits for her !

Buy the one that makes you feel the best and smile the most when you look at it and then make it fit you . Of course that's just my opinion and you know what they say about opinions !

Good luck on your decision,

                                          John
                                         

[Jim Bronson]

John, thank you for the very reasoned and informative reply. 

[YFOPOS1]

Not trying to sound harsh in my posts , like others have said what you like is what you need to get.
Just commenting on my experience with the two Softails and then the RK.
I'm comparing my ol 93 and 02 Softails verses the 02 RK I have now with new rear shocks. Wish I had spent the money on better shocks when I first bought the 02 RK last summer. When I bought it the rear shocks were shot (froze up , wouldn't hold air either)

I love the looks of the Softails (FX and FB) , but my back just can't take the beating ...

   

[04 SE Deuce]

Softails at standard height have 4" of travel...more than a bagger.

I have a set of Ohlins shocks (discontinued) on my Deuce that I recently had serviced and re-valved...works as well or better than most baggers...baggers with stock shocks aren't in the hunt.  You can improve a softail with quality shocks set up for your weight and damping preferences.   Rick

[Jim Bronson]

Thanks everyone. It's time to see for myself.

[oldhippie]

I'm late to the party but if you want more power and are concerned with warranty issues have them install the legal stage IV kit before delivery. It is pretty much the non legal kit with an epa tune. Ya can take and get it tuned afterwards and pick up some decent power.
But of course seat, bars and suspension are top comfort mods! Good luck!

[05fatboy95]

Don't be scarred of the softail ride, I love my softail and never have an issue with the ride.  It's all personnel preference. Also don't buy one or the other based on seat, handlebars, exhaust. All easy things to swap out for what you want. if you haven't try a bike with ape hangers, nothing better for comfort for personally.

[Jim Bronson]

I'm late to the party but if you want more power and are concerned with warranty issues have them install the legal stage IV kit before delivery. It is pretty much the non legal kit with an epa tune. Ya can take and get it tuned afterwards and pick up some decent power.
But of course seat, bars and suspension are top comfort mods! Good luck!

I think all the stage kits come with a race tuner, so I'd have to buy the street tuner separately. I don't even think the local dealers will install them.

[oldhippie]

I'm late to the party but if you want more power and are concerned with warranty issues have them install the legal stage IV kit before delivery. It is pretty much the non legal kit with an epa tune. Ya can take and get it tuned afterwards and pick up some decent power.
But of course seat, bars and suspension are top comfort mods! Good luck!

I think all the stage kits come with a race tuner, so I'd have to buy the street tuner separately. I don't even think the local dealers will install them.

Not true. There are three (stage 1, 2 & 4) 103 "legal" kits that come with a download and full warranty if installed before delivery. If your dealer won't install them call the motor company.  But maybe they shouldn't do the work anyway???

[Jim Bronson]

I'll check on that when and if the time comes. Perhaps I'll be happy with just stage 1 and a cam. Triple digits here this week. Maybe a bit toasty to ride out there.

[oldhippie]

Only legal kit for '14 is stage 4. I only recommend it because it keeps the factory warranty if installed before delivery and gives a decent boost. There are much better ways to go in the aftermarket if warranty isn't an issue and/or ya all ready took delivery. 

[Jim Bronson]

Only legal kit for '14 is stage 4. I only recommend it because it keeps the factory warranty if installed before delivery and gives a decent boost. There are much better ways to go in the aftermarket if warranty isn't an issue and/or ya all ready took delivery.

That's good to know. I haven't bought yet, but I'm busy making room in the garage. Thanks!

[Jim Bronson]

Talked to a dealer today. The warranty covers only 254 and 259 cams if installed by the dealer within 60 days of purchase. 255 and 204 aren't covered.

[metaliser]

i might think about looking around at other dealers. My dealer said they would cover the warranty after the 204 install. I think a lot of the warranty is as good as the dealer wants it to be.

[Jim Bronson]

I'll do that. My buddy said his dealer will cover a 255 if installed when new. I never thought there could be such a difference in warranty coverage between dealers. I thought it would be MOCO policy.

[codyshop]

I never thought there could be such a difference in warranty coverage between dealers. I thought it would be MOCO policy.

Again, federal law is quite clear:  Manufacturers and dealers cannot make warranty exceptions for aftermarket parts and/or non-dealer installation.  Unless you use a part NOT INTEDEND for your year/model, they must offer coverage even if you put it in yourself.   The only think they can do, is refuse to cover any damage caused by the part and/or its installation...and the burden of proof is on them to show your part caused the problem.  "Magnussen-Moss Act (1975)  Title 15, Chapter 50, Section 2301-2312 United States Federal Code"

[oldhippie]

Many dealers make all kinds of warranty "offers" independent of motor company or epa rules/laws.  Get it in writing!

[Jim Bronson]

I never thought there could be such a difference in warranty coverage between dealers. I thought it would be MOCO policy.

Again, federal law is quite clear:  Manufacturers and dealers cannot make warranty exceptions for aftermarket parts and/or non-dealer installation.  Unless you use a part NOT INTEDEND for your year/model, they must offer coverage even if you put it in yourself.   The only think they can do, is refuse to cover any damage caused by the part and/or its installation...and the burden of proof is on them to show your part caused the problem.  "Magnussen-Moss Act (1975)  Title 15, Chapter 50, Section 2301-2312 United States Federal Code"

This is VERY helpful. Thank you very much. My only question would be whether the EPA (CARB in CA) requirements can override the USC section. For reference for others, here's the applicable section (I think).

(c) Prohibition on conditions for written or implied warranty; waiver by Commission
No warrantor of a consumer product may condition his written or implied warranty of such product on the consumer's using, in connection with such product, any article or service (other than article or service provided without charge under the terms of the warranty) which is identified by brand, trade, or corporate name; except that the prohibition of this subsection may be waived by the Commission if—
(1) the warrantor satisfies the Commission that the warranted product will function properly only if the article or service so identified is used in connection with the warranted product, and
(2) the Commission finds that such a waiver is in the public interest.

So according to the FTC, the burden would be on the MOCO to show that a bike wouldn't function properly with the component (in this case a HD part). I could see it in the case of a high lift cam that required a stiffer valve spring or something similar, but the cam I'm interested in (255) doesn't fall in that category.

However, the HD warranty explicitly excludes performance parts:

Exclusions

This limited warranty will not apply to any motorcycle/sidecar as follows:

    Which has off-road or competition parts installed to enhance performance, or has other unapproved modifications (even if these modifications include genuine Harley-Davidson parts and accessories that are not approved for use on your motorcycle). These modifications may void all or part of your new motorcycle/sidecar limited warranty. See an authorized Harley-Davidson dealer for details.


Thanks again codyshop.

[04 SE Deuce]

Ahh come on...don't put that fork lift cam in there.  255      Rick


http://harleytechtalk.com/htt/index.php/topic,73230.0.html

[Jim Bronson]

Looks like I won't be. I don't know what to do now. Either I go with a 254 or scrap the warranty and do whatever I want, and I'm hesitant to do that on a new bike.