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Big Harley-Davidson with classic 50s styling and the latest version of their much loved, air cooled engine. The defining feature of the Harley-Davidson Heritage Softail family is the hidden rear suspension so it looks like an unsprung ‘hardtail’. It’s a recently re-released and modernised family designed to appeal to Harley-Davidson’s traditional customer.

The Harley-Davidson Heritae Softail family got a new engine for 2006 – well ‘new’ isn’t strictly true – it’s heritage is 100 years old. But the ‘96B’ variant in the Harley-Davidson Heritage Softails uses balance shafts instead of rubber mounts like the rest of Harley’s range. It shakes like a fitting Hippo at tickover, produces excellent torque at low revs and runs out of puff at about 90mph.

Like all modern Harley-Davidsons, handling is surprisingly capable. Yes, it’s softly sprung and heavy but ground clearance is more of a limiting factor than anything else and you can whip along a twisty road at a more-than respectable pace. The Harley-Davidson Heritage Softail's brakes are poor – one front disc really isn’t enough.

The standard Harley-Davidson Heritage Softail is not exactly loaded up with goodies. There’s little more than the bare minimum. Plenty of people find the rider seat comfy and the foot boards are novel but offer no real advantage over pegs. Pillion’s get a smaller seat and nothing to hold onto. Fortunately after-market extras are virtually limitless.

Well built, like all modern Harley-Davidsons. Breakdowns are fairly rare as are major problems as long as the motorcycle is well cared for. Corrosion can be a problem with the Harley-Davidson Heritage Softail but few get used in winter – just as well as it slashes resale value.

Expensive when new, like all the large Harley-Davidsons. It’s far from the most expensive of the bunch though plus holds its value exceptionally well on the used market. Quality extras can even add to the value of a motorcycle – very rare as with most other machines standard motorcycles are the most desirable.

Other Versions:
Harley-Davidson Heritage Softail Classic: all out retro-tourer styling, chrome laced wheels, leather studded saddlebags and sweeping fenders.
Harley-Davidson Heritage Softail Springer: takes the retro theme even further. Springer front suspension coupled with 1930s style olive pearl and black paintjob, tombstone tail lamp and full rear fender.
Harley-Davidson Heritage Softail Delux: more retro but in a different style. White wall tyres and tombstone tail light. The Deluxe is also the lowest bike Harley-Davidson build, at 622mm