The Milwaukee-Eight lineup has received an overhaul in recent years. This stands true for both the Softail and Grand American Touring range, with the Milwaukee-Eight 117 being the new base engine. We’ve also seen Harley-Davidson infuse more technology into its offerings, as most of the bikes now have cornering-enabled electronics.
Accordingly, looking at the lineup, there are some truly capable motorcycles on offer. Add to that the new pricing strategy, and the value prospect is better than ever, too. Only a few of these get the balance right, though, and in the cruiser segment, there is a clear winner.
What Getting Everything Right Means For An American Cruiser
Getting everything right varies by definition and the type of motorcycle. For an ADV, it means a balance of some off-road ability, usable performance for occasional highway runs, and comfort for long days in the saddle. It’s a similar story with touring bikes, but with more emphasis on luxury and performance, and very little on off-road abilities. From an American cruiser, the expectations are different.
Getting everything right means balancing comfort, thumping V-twin performance, old-school charm, and of course, freeway abilities for the occasional weekend expedition. As always, price also matters, but it takes a slight back seat since authentic American V-twins rarely come cheap. Keeping these prerequisites in mind, here’s the Milwaukee-Eight Harley that balances these things well.
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The Heritage Classic Is The Milwaukee-Eight Harley-Davidson That Quietly Gets Things Right
We think the Heritage Classic quietly does everything right in the new and refreshed Softail lineup. A classic design promises to turn heads and keep OG Harley fans satisfied, while modern features via a six-axis IMU bring modernity into the mix. The 117 engine has oodles of performance on tap, too. At the same time, the bikemaker has kept comfort in check with a thick leather saddle, swept-back handlebars, and sizable forward-set floorboards. The package also includes standard leather saddlebags to make your occasional roadtrip easier.
All this comes in at a staggering MSRP of just $19,999. That makes it the second-cheapest Softail in the lineup–a title shared with the Low Rider S. Add $2,000 more, and you unlock more goodies. These comprise a pillion leather saddle, pillion footrests, and a large removable windscreen for extra highway practicality. Even after the extra moolah, the MSRP is quite competitive by Softail standards.
The next best Softail that gets the balance right is the Low Rider ST. The Milwaukee-Eight 117 engine here is in its most powerful state, meaning 114 horsepower and 128 pound-feet on tap. This is topped with hard saddlebags at the rear, a large fairing up top for wind protection, and modern suspension, all of which should make touring easier. The biggest miss, though, is pillion accommodation. You’ll have to purchase a pillion seat and footpegs separately. Not good news, considering you pay almost $24,000 for the ST.
Power On The Heritage Classic Comes From An Updated Milwaukee-Eight 117 Engine
Diving into the cruiser, the Heritage Classic employs the air-cooled Milwaukee-Eight 117 engine. It’s in the ‘Classic’ state of tune here, which means you get pushrod-actuated valves with hydraulic, self-adjusting lifters. This tune also focuses on a flat torque curve and breathes via a 2-into-1 exhaust.
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You Get Close To 100 Horsepower
Thanks to all those updates, the peak output lies at 98 horsepower and 120 pound-feet. The former kicks in at 4,600 RPM, whereas the torque is super low at 2,500 RPM. This should mean plenty of tractability and, accordingly, Harley claims an official fuel economy of 47 miles per gallon. All the power reaches the wheel via a six-speed transmission with the final belt-drive, meanwhile.
A Trusted Double-Cradle Chassis Joins Hands With Showa Suspension
The Heritage Classic follows the Softail norm in the underpinnings department. A steel double-cradle chassis serves as the base, joined by a tubular double-sided swingarm. These latch onto Showa 49 mm dual-bending forks and a Showa monoshock to iron out bumps. Only the rear end has preload adjustability (hydraulically). 16-inch wheels are present at both ends, each wearing a single disc brake (300 mm front/292 mm rear).
This Isn’t A Lightweight Machine
With all that use of steel, the Heritage Classic weighs in at 728 pounds ready to ride. That is with the 5-gallon tank filled up and the saddlebags attached. A low seat height of 26.8 inches will make dealing with the heft easier, although that does mean a low ground clearance of under 5 inches. But hey, no one buys a cruiser and expects high ground clearance anyway.
A Six-Axis IMU Enables Plenty Of Safety Features
As we mentioned, technology has become a focus point for the new Softail range. So the Heritage Classic features a six-axis IMU and ride-by-wire. Together, these enable bits like cornering ABS, cornering traction control, cornering drag-torque slip control, and ride modes. You also get all-LED lights, cruise control, a tire pressure monitoring system, and USB ports to keep you juiced up. The only miss in our books is a digital instrument cluster. What you get here is essentially the same semi-digital unit as the $9,999 Nightster.
The Harley That Leads Its Segment In Comfort And Long-Ride Reliability
Refined for real-world touring, this Harley delivers mile after mile without drama or compromise. The secret is in the details.
Handful Of Color Options, But For An Extra Cost
Finally, the Heritage Classic has a few color options to keep everyone happy. The standard colorway is Dark Billiard Gray, while Vivid Black comes in next for $300 more. Then, we have the Brilliant Red and Purple Abyss, both for a $650 over the base price. The final two colors are Teal Thunder for $1,100 and Midnight Ember for $2,000. It’s worth noting the latter is a limited edition color with special American graphics, a tinted blue windscreen, and special seat covers. Regardless of the colors, you can add cross-spoke wheels for $850.