Ups
- Versatile ergonomics
- Equipped with touring amenities like fog lights, windshield, and saddlebags
- 114ci Milwaukee-Eight engine is strong but refined
Downs
- Scrape points limit handling
- Analog gauge and low-tech feel
Verdict
The Heritage Classic 114 brings more power and touring capability to the Softail platform, offering a more affordable and lighter alternative to hard-bagged touring models.
Overview
Introduced with Harley-Davidson’s 2018 Softail redesign but a stalwart of the Softail lineup since 1986, the Heritage Classic is one of the most versatile cruisers available in The Motor Company’s current lineup. With floorboards, a windshield, saddlebags, and fog lights, the Heritage Classic is ready for long miles across the country, or short trips across town.
Updates for 2021
The Heritage Classic 114 sees no major updates for 2021.
Pricing and Variants
The Heritage Classic 114 starts at $20,449 in Vivid Black, $20,849 in a color, and $21,199 in two-tone paint. A Milwaukee-Eight 107-powered option is also available, starting at $18,999.
Competition
Indian’s Super Chief Limited is a direct competitor for the Harley-Davidson Heritage Classic 114 with similar engine displacement and performance, chassis geometry, price, and accessories, so we recently put the two in a head-to-head comparison test. Riders could also compare it to a Moto Guzzi California 1400 or Indian Chief Classic.
Powertrain: Engine, Transmission, and Performance
The Milwaukee-Eight 114 is an air-and-oil-cooled pushrod V-twin that puts out 82.04 hp and 107.44 pound-feet or torque on the Cycle World dyno. Power delivery is linear and smooth, with positive engagement with the six-speed gearbox. As expected from an H-D V-twin, the engine shakes and pops at idle, smoothing out as the revs climb to an operable speed. It’s designed to deliver most of its power in the low revs, and it does that very well.
Handling
Steering is light-effort and rewards a gentle touch. Give the Heritage its head, bank smoothly into corners, and it tracks sweet and true. Despite being sprung and damped foremost for comfort, the Showa Dual Bending Valve fork and preload-adjustable monoshock also proved up for a spirited pace. Aside from the hinged floorboards grounding, ridden in a swift-yet-sensible manner the frame and lower muffler were spared from contact when exploring the claims of improved cornering clearance. The fork felt supportive under hard braking, and the rear resisted bottoming in all but the most extreme hits.
Brakes
Braking performance on the Heritage 114 is adequate but not spectacular, stopping from 60 mph in a CW-measured 152.27 feet. Equipped with a single four-piston caliper gripping a 300mm disc in the front and a two-piston caliper on a 292mm disc on the rear wheel, brake feel is excellent, though the additional power of a second disc and caliper up front would be appreciated.
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG
Average fuel economy (measured) is 33.82 mpg
Ergonomics: Comfort and Utility
Mini-ape handlebars, long floorboards, and a comfortable seat make ergonomics on the Heritage Classic 114 relaxed and upright, versatile enough to fit both testers in a recent comparison, despite a 9-inch height difference. Passenger seat comes standard, though it may be a little narrow for two-up touring.
Electronics
ABS is equipped on the Heritage Classic 114, though Harley-Davidson’s Reflex Defensive Rider Systems are not offered for this model. Quite useful for riding at night, two auxiliary fog lights come standard.
Warranty and Maintenance Coverage
The Heritage Classic 114 comes with a 24-month unlimited-mileage warranty.
Quality
Harley-Davidson gets a lot of credit for setting the bar high here, and it has continued its good work with this Heritage Classic. As usual, special attention has been paid to routing wires, positioning clamps, and arranging other necessary but unsightly features to make sure that focus remains on the bike’s form as a whole. Chrome trim components add an extra bit of flair, further adding to the high-quality feel.
2021 Harley-Davidson Heritage Classic 114 Claimed Specifications
| MSRP: | $20,499 |
| Engine: | 114ci air/oil-cooled 45-degree V-twin |
| Bore x Stroke: | 4.016 in. x 4.5 in. |
| Transmission/Final Drive: | 6-speed/chain |
| Fuel Delivery: | Electronic sequential port fuel injection |
| Clutch: | Wet, multiplate |
| Engine Management/Ignition: | Throttle-by-wire, electronic |
| Frame: | Tubular steel |
| Front Suspension: | 49mm Showa Dual Bending Valve; 5.1 in. travel |
| Rear Suspension: | Showa monoshock, spring preload adjustable; 4.4 in. travel |
| Front Brake: | 4-piston caliper, 300mm disc |
| Rear Brake: | 2-piston caliper, 292mm floating disc |
| Wheels, Front/Rear: | Gloss black, steel spoked; 16 in. |
| Tires, Front/Rear: | Dunlop D401F; 130/90B-16 / 150/80B-16 |
| Rake/Trail: | 30.0°/5.5 in. |
| Wheelbase: | 64.2 in. |
| Ground Clearance: | 4.7 in. |
| Seat Height: | 26.3 in. |
| Fuel Capacity: | 5.0 gal. |
| Wet Weight(measured): | 728 lb. |
| Contact: | harley-davidson.com |
Cycle World Tested Specifications
| Seat Height: | 27.7 in. |
| Wet Weight: | 727 lb. |
| Rear-Wheel Horsepower: | 82.04 hp @ 4,700 rpm |
| Rear-Wheel Torque: | 107.44 lb.-ft. @ 2,960 rpm |
| 0–60 mph: | 4.45 sec. |
| 1/4-mile: | 13.28 sec. @ 100.93 mph |
| Braking 30–0 mph: | 37.9 ft. |
| Braking 60–0 mph: | 152.3 ft. |
Source: MotorCyclistOnline.com