Harley-Davidson FLSTC/I Heritage Softail Classic - 2006 Motorcycle Review

Overall 5.00 of 5 (by 1 user)

GeorgeChabot
Conyers, GA

My 2006 Harley Heritage Softail Classic

value conscious, motorcycle rider, safety conscious, daily driver, City commuter, looking for durability, willing to pay for quality, not easily impressed

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Pros

Quality, Comfortable, Solid

Cons

Expensive

SEP

2008

2006 Harley-Davidson Heritage Softail Classic

Once I had put a few miles on the old Harley Springer I began to realize the things that make a bike comfortable for longer rides. Sure, it would do fine around the city, but a few hundred miles would leave me feeling kind of puny, with the small seat and foot pegs. I wanted a windshield, foot boards, a comfortable seat, and saddle bags to make it more personal to me.

I began to look at other Harleys to see if there was something more in line with my desires. The dealer had just taken in a pair of late model 2006 H-D Heritage Softail Classics. Those have the footboards, saddle bags, and windshield and the 2006 also had fuel injection as opposed to carburetor fuel control. This meant the bike did not have the finicky fast idle of the old carburetor with choke.

The one I picked also had Vance and Hines long shots custom pipes which gave it a nice sound and some extra chrome.

The regular Heritage Softail has a polished wide glide front end like the big Harley full dress models have. But this bike has mostly chrome other than the black body color. The entire front end, large spoke wheels, custom Linby Twinbar engine guard, the custom Vance and Hines Long Shots dual exhaust, and every other metal part of the motorcycle, is chrome. The tank and fenders are Vivid Black with red pinstriping. The seat and saddle bags are leather, decorated with studs. But everything from the hand grips to the levers, buttons, brake cylinders, and you name it is chrome. It is really luxurious.

This has the Twin Cam 88B engine with the internal balancers rigidly mounted to the Softail frame and is fuel injected for easy start and smooth running. The bike runs much smoother than the old Harleys that shook with the idle. The transmission is five speed and smooth shifting.

The controls are similar to all modern motorcycles sold in America, with clutch and shift on the left and brakes and throttle on the right. The engine starts easily with the fuel injection and soon the idle slows down and you can ride off. The gears are smooth and positive. One thing you have to say it the Harley transmission is one of the best. The bike is very easy to handle, belying its large size and 700 pounds. The large tires and Softail suspension make for a comfortable ride and the large expanses of chrome and gorgeous custom paint are a delight to your eye.

Last edited on Sep 10, 2008

Harley-Davidson FLSTC/I Heritage Softail Classic - 2006 Motorcycle is recommended by GeorgeChabot

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Comments about GeorgeChabot’s Review

In response to GeorgeChabot's comment from Oct 3, 2008 at 12:44PM:

Well he is a little stumped but ran some tests so I am just waiting for the results...;)

In response to kid-kansas's comment from Oct 1, 2008 at 1:03AM:

Woah! Hope he finds you in the pink, bud! :o

In response to GeorgeChabot's comment from Sep 25, 2008 at 6:41AM:

I wish but I think she is parked for a while...seems I have started passing out for no reason. I have a Dr. appt. in the morning...;(

In response to kid-kansas's comment from Sep 24, 2008 at 10:34PM:

Thanks, Ron! Have a nice long ride! :>

Sounds like a real beauty my friend and I bet she rides real nice too! I haven't done much the last 2 or 3 weeks, I really need a long ride bad....;)

In response to AnnaBanana's comment from Sep 13, 2008 at 7:15AM:

Glad I could be clear for you! :>

Even I understood this! What a great review! Maybe someday I'll see you and Ron riding your bikes here in that big biker parade they sometimes have in Berwyn. They say bikers come from all over the country for that!

In response to GigiandAdonai's comment from Sep 11, 2008 at 4:48PM:

Yes, the Streetglide is a Harley and is a higher model than the Heritage Softail. It is for long distance riding and has full instrumentation, stereo, fairing, and Fiberglas saddle bags.

I have ridden on a Heritage Softtail! Every year I go to Bike Week in Myrtle Beach with my two older brothers and they both have Harleys. My brother just traded in his Softtail for a Streetglide (if that is the one by HD) and he also has a V-Rod. My brother has the neon LCDs on his and I love riding at night! I'll have to post a picture of me on one of the bikes the next time we get one on my digital camera. Have fun on that new bike and be careful. Say a prayer every time you go out because there are some who don't care to share the road with bikers. God speed!!