2025 Harley-Davidson Heritage Classic Review – First Ride

Classic cruising

If I’m cruisin’ there’s no better place to be than on the Heritage Classic. Low and slow is the name of the game here, well, not too slow because while in Sport mode, using the dedicated traction control button on the right switchgear to disable TC resulted in effortless rolling burnouts from the Heritage – again, 120 lb-ft or torque gets the job done. The Heritage rolls down the road on its 16-inch wheels spinning a lazy 2,000 rpm at 55 mph. 

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Prior to getting to spend some time with the stylish Hydra Glide Revival last September, it had been quite a while since I had been on a Heritage. The first thing I thought after hopping on that bike and scooting around town was that it handled so much easier than I expected. With a 30-degree rake, less trail than the Street Bob at 5.5 inches, and 64.2 inch wheelbase, this should be expected. That said, both physically and visually, the Heritage is the biggest bike of the group at 728 pounds. Despite the extra heft, the Heritage handles itself with effortless composure.

The Heritage Classic uses the same 49mm “Dual-bending valve” traditional fork and monoshock as the rest of the line-up (sans Low Riders), but with 5.1 inches of travel up front and 4.4 inches out back, those figures give it the best combination of the bunch resulting in a Cadillac smooth ride. It’s hard to say without testing the machines back-to-back, but it does feel as though H-D has managed to remove some of the harshness that’s delivered to the rider through the suspension. That said, the Heritage’s seat also takes the cake for the most comfortable place to rest your rump. The rider triangle was perfectly neutral for me.

Yes, you will touch down those floorboards quicker than anything else in the line, but again, if cruising is the name of the game, er, category, the Heritage Classic does it with aplomb… oh, and with a windscreen and 42.5 liters (1.5 cu-ft.) of storage.

You can pick up the 2025 Harley-Davidson Heritage Classic for $22,999 – but only in, you guessed it, Billiard gray. Vivid Black, White Onyx Pearl, Iron Horse Metallic, and Whiskey Fire/Vivid Black will all run you a premium. Cast wheels are standard, while spoked or “laced” are optional.

Scorecard

In Gear

2025 Harley-Davidson Heritage Classic Review Gallery

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