More than a few motorcycle makers branded the name "classic" to various models. Their motorcycles may very well be classic with regards to the fundamental styling, but in actuality there is nothing classic on them in any way. All of them are pretenders depending on an identity to establish presence. Not as in the Heritage Softail Classic, a model released in 1986 that paid tribute to the old Hydra Glide of 1949.

Clearly, the word Heritage befits the FLSTC, a Softail type that's continued to be in the market since 1980's, and its legacy evolves with each passing day while the Heritage Softail Classic adds to its long-standing heritage. It's truly a classic for the ages. Even a leading biker mag during the time recognized the new Heritage Softail was a timeless type. The first outlines to the road test out mentioned: "Only Harley-Davidson could get away with this. The Heritage Classic says that nothing's really ever new, a concept of particular appeal to those companies counting their days since the dawn of motorcycling."

Recently, and in the course of the past 20 years being even more precise, I have undertaken several trips on various Heritage Softails, and I have in no way been disappointed. Though I like to drive light, there is sufficient storage room in those strengthened soft bags, as well as the passenger backrest provides a practical spot to put even more stuff like bedrolls and foul-weather gear. Harley's P & A division boasts proprietary luggage racks that conform onto the back rest to hold up most road carrying cases. For those who use up cargo space on a Heritage Softail, then chances are you simply are not following the rider's credo of packing light, suitable, and compact.

Other people will show you that they must include worries regarding seated behind a windshield when they tour. Even so, I find a degree of fulfilling comfort after I situate myself behind a cone of silence, and the Heritage's transparent bug catcher lets me to benefit from the scenery as the highway reveals itself. Yet the real enjoyment in fact is traveling the Heritage from one destination to another. I can exercise my arms to the high-rise handlebar so that I continue being comfortable and in control, and also the footboards position me almost like I'm relaxing in my easy chair. Then there's the Heritage's chair, or maybe in this example, the seat: somebody in Harley land ruined my favorite seat, reshaping the passenger pad for 2011 so that it gently jabs within my back.

For decades the Heritage Softail's passenger/rider saddle combination was one of the most relaxing in the Milwaukee selection, giving a light increase that produced a little back-rest in my position.

Although I've got the list out, Let me give another quick memo with the Softail folks: do not wreck havoc on those staggered exhaust pipes, they sound ideal how they are! I'm not much of a fan of noisy mufflers, but it is additionally good to hear more than a wheeze from stock mufflers. In the case of the Heritage, its vintage staggered duals create a sound as a reminder why V-twin motors sound so agreeable, particularly while accelerating from a stop.

Everything else concerning the newest Heritage Softail Classic lives up to its previous billing. The fuel-injected 96" motor offers its power to the 200 - series rear end tire in steady amounts because of the tried-and-proven stability shafts running in the cases, and the six-speed cruise drive transmission snicks effortlessly into each gear. The disc brakes stops the 730 - pound bike without incident or spectacle, and the 5-gallon gas tank is well great for 200 miles between rest stops.

Undoubtedly the Heritage Softail Classic's old-school design and features aren't for all, but that's further reason why we have vanilla and chocolate ice cream. Should you not prefer one flavor, there's always the other to satisfy you. Me? I'll stick with the true Classic.