Steering Head bearings 96 Heritage

Hey all,
I got a chance to ride my brothers road king yesterday while he rode my 96 heritage.

He complained of the steering being hard on the heritage. His is very nimble.
I have not repacked the bearings since owning it and am doing 20K maintenance on the heritage. I am used to the steering but it is concerning to me.
Anyone have any experience on the steering ease on the heritage? I have properly torqued the bearings.
softtail

There is a big difference to the feel of a bagger and a softail due to the wayt the steering head is designed. The bagger frontends have the forks setting behind the pivot point and when set up properly they will "swing" 2 to 3 times before stopping. The softail forks lead the pivot point and the swing or fallaway point should be form 2 to 4 inches between left and right fall off points. The book shows this very well. Because of the differences in engineering you will feel that the bagger is more nimble but it is because of the way they are designed. If you are getting fallaway at the proper points I would not concern myself with the differences in feel between the two bikes. That's why mother company has so many models and there does seem to be a seat to fit all of our wishes.

Thanks VYBR8ER- Great explanation. We rode at night so I didn't make the comparison. While I am doing the maintenance I will pull the front end and regrease the brgs. and reset everything. Can't hurt and I can do it myself.
Supposedly the local HD shop did all the maintenance until 10K which was a little over a year ago. I have put the next 10K on since.
I ride with the PGR and put a lot of miles on in missions so need dependable bike. I like my softail better than the RK though. Just personal preference, nothing against the RK. I think I will change the bars and go a little wider for a change. I have another question though and I will make another post for it. Thanks again.
Softtail

I tip my hat to you Patriot Guard Riders. When my son returned from his first tour in Iraq the PGR escorted their buses from Riverside, CA to the base at 29 Palms and it really chocked me up to see those guys on their bikes leading them home. All I got was spit on in the airport when I got back from Vietnam. My boy has just started his second tour and me and my wife are going to contact the Guard so we can ride with them when they lead him home in March. We both ride, she sat behind me for 32 years and started riding her own Harley 5 years ago. First on a Sportster Custom and then I got her a 2005 Deluxe for our 30th anniversary. Now she won't get on the backseat behind me, but that might be because I took it off my Roadglide when she started riding solo.

Thanks from the PGR VYBR8ER!!!
It is truly our honor to ride for the troops. Many of us remember the days of coming home to disgraceful actions of the citizens. My favorite patch is Never AGAIN!!! My two sons are both in the military and thankfully have both stayed in the states so far. I am extremely proud of them and have told them so more than a few times. What we do is nothing special but it is the right thing to do!!!
I hope you do sign on and will welcome you and the wife with open arms.
Thanks,
Softtail

I think it boils down to what your use to riding. I rode my brothers 92' EG and to me it didn't seem as nimble as my 02' Heritage. There will definately be a handling difference between the two bikes. You have two totally different frame designs. The steering head design is different, the wheel base on the Heritage is one inch longer than the baggers and the seat height is two inches lower on the Heritage.

To me my brothers EG felt top heavy. I could be wrong, just ask my wife:roflmao: but to me the lower seat height of the Heritage lowers the center of gravity and the bike seems to corner better. But again, I really think it's a matter of what your use to riding.

Not sure on the 96' Heritage, but my 02' has a zert fitting on the neck so you can grease the bearings without pulling the front end. HD reccommends adjusting the steering head bearings and fall away every 20K.

Thanks ringo912!!!
That is the description I was looking for. Topheavy. It felt like I was riding on it rather than in it.
Yes mine has a zerk fitting also and I can get to it easily.
There is a great deal of difference in the seat. It is higher on the RK and is also wider I think. I did like the wider bars but they were too low for me. His is bone stock so it was a good feel.
I guess I will always be a chopper guy at heart. The Heritage design is typical of the rigid frame I used to ride for many years. It seems the handling is similar to what I enjoy while the Heritage style is old school like me.

Growing older is manditory but growing up is optional!!!

Thanks for the response!
Regards
Softtail