Harley-Davidson Heritage Softail Classic | Road Test Review

The fuel tank is an old-school one with a modern 3-D medallion on its side which is glass-inlayed. With its leather saddles, studded seats, laced wheels and white walled tyres, there is a lot the motorcycle scores on the looks front. The saddlebags also get new sag-preventing interior supports as a result of which the bags don’t ever have a dowdy look about itself.

The console mounted on the fuel tank displays the odometer, along with an ancillary display for gear and rpm. While the speedometer is loud and clear, the rest of the digital displays could have been brighter and larger. The fuel gauge too is mounted on the tank in a neat rectangle space. Do remember, the Harely is bought by not so young and hence digital displays need to be very prominent. Getting to neutral gear position is not an easy  task and for me it was an exercise that led me to sweat profusely, especially at traffic lights. 

The rider’s position in the Softail is extremely comfortable with large footboards to plant your feet. The tall handlebars made of stainless steel that come standard on the Heritage Softail Classic model make it easy for you to manoeuvre your bike. You have an option for a two-up seat in the Softail and with its broad dimensions and back rest; the passenger can definitely be very comfortable. The pillion seat is also detachable.

And in case you feel you want the wind on your face and in your hair, you even have an option to detach the windshield. 

When it comes to riding the Softail, it’s an easy exercise. The key fob can always remain in your pocket and all you need to do is to twist the knob on the tank, press down the kill switch on the right side of your handle bar and press the electric start switch next to it. The engine roars to life and then it’s just a changing of gears using the toe-heel rhythm. The high output twin cam 103B engine is quick on its feet and the low end torque is very evident when you twist the throttle. It’s an electronic throttle control which means no cable cluttering up the handlebars.

The engine is mated to a six-speed transmission. The Softail comes with standard ABS, which means the giant bike comes to a halt very fast. In fact the new front brake system has got better in this bike with a lot more reduction in the amount of lever force required at peak braking. There's a new 4-piston fixed caliper with 32 and 34 mm pistons, premium caliper piston coating to minimize initial displacement and a larger 300 mm rotor. It all adds up to more stopping power.

The hands-free fob automatically arms and disarms the vehicle electronic security functions as you approach and walk away from the bike.

Overall, the Harley-Davidson Heritage Softail Classic is a big sized cruiser but whether it is fun to ride on India’s battered roads, is a question that would best be answered by the close knit Harley-Davidson family!