I ride in a mixed group - little of everything , including HDs. To tell you the truth, I thought the "HD is king" thing was dead - I get the "low wave" from as many HD riders as any other bike brand these days (except maybe BMWs - but I think they're in their own little universe of perfection when they're on the road..).
I looked at a Cross Bones softail last winter, sat on it, dealer let me ride it, but the 17K plus was just way too much for a bare bike..My next door neighbor rides a Heritage Classic Softail - it's nice, but I wouldn't trade..