Motorcycle specifications Harley-Davidson1745 Softail Heritage Classic FLHC 2021 Prologue routier

Heritage Classic didn't want its 107 version to see 2020. Whatever the engine, this most nostalgic of Harleys tells a story of its own. Custom for some, cruiser for others, almost tourer in the end, it's undoubtedly the most well-traveled of all Softails. And that's not all. On its handlebars or in the village square, it assumes and assures an attractive power imbued with the fragrances of yesteryear.

For the wild, there's the Fat Bob; for her, it's the horizon. And the Hydra Glide of the middle of the last century can be glimpsed in its mirrors. Fortunately, its technical underpinnings are much more up to date. The Heritage Classic has undergone a complete overhaul of its chassis and powertrain.

It has said goodbye to the Twin Cam. The Milwaukee-Eight now powers the crew with dignity. Bigger, braver, more powerful, more torquey, it gives the Wisconsin eagle bigger wings. An 8-valve twin, a major upset for Harley's finned mechanicals, it boasts an unprecedented joy in the revs, without sacrificing its bottom-end hammering. All the more reason to enjoy the Heritage for miles on end.

Vigorous engine and brave riding. It was time to take road performance to the next level. The frame has undergone a major overhaul to demonstrate its superior efficiency. With a design requiring fewer welds and fewer parts, the carbon-steel frame gains in weight and rigidity (+65%). A larger, stiffer fork works in tandem with a shock absorber positioned between the seat and the top of the swingarm. No more dual shock absorbers under the engine. Like all Softail models, it boasts improved ground clearance and handling. In essence, the new-generation Heritage Classic has lost 17 kilos, gained 8 horsepower and strengthened by 1.6 mkg. All good things.

This chapter of the Heritage also includes a revised amenity section, with new lockable waterproof hard cases and a reworked windscreen, half tinted black. Nice for style, but what about visibility? And let's not forget the new LED headlamps and an option that will appeal to discerning enthusiasts: the 114 engine instead of the 107, for even more heart in the work.

M.B
(manufacturer's photos)